8 replies to this topic

[Freeload]

Hi Guys,

I'm trying to find out how to set up a download/payment system so I can sell my game directly from my website. Does anyone know how I can go about doing this, without having to pay some random company for their service if possible?

Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks,

Kirk

Edited by Freeload, 03 July 2012 - 04:18 PM.

[Artist&Awesome]

What hosting site do you use?

[kburkhart84]

Assuming your hosting has the capabilities(as in the php, etc...) you'd have to code it. You'd also have to figure out a merchant, and code to get around that as well. Another part of the code would be the setting up a link for the purchases, that goes away on it's own, so it doesn't get used by everybody else who didn't buy the game.

Honestly, you are probably better off with sharing a small portion of the profits with someone like BMTMicro. They handle many of the details for you, meaning you can take your take to make another game to sell instead of trying to code this. Sometimes it is better in the long run to let others help you, even at the cost of a portion of profits. That's why people are using GM, because it saves them time for the money they spent.

[Freeload]

What hosting site do you use?

GoDaddy

[Freeload]

Assuming your hosting has the capabilities(as in the php, etc...) you'd have to code it. You'd also have to figure out a merchant, and code to get around that as well. Another part of the code would be the setting up a link for the purchases, that goes away on it's own, so it doesn't get used by everybody else who didn't buy the game.

Honestly, you are probably better off with sharing a small portion of the profits with someone like BMTMicro. They handle many of the details for you, meaning you can take your take to make another game to sell instead of trying to code this. Sometimes it is better in the long run to let others help you, even at the cost of a portion of profits. That's why people are using GM, because it saves them time for the money they spent.

I'm thinking I might just have to do something like this in the end.

[Gilden]

You may sell your game from Roencia Game Creators community site for free. Not all games apply. send an email to the appropriate contact: Contact Page

[Peggles]

You could upload it to my new website
It doesn't have many games yet, but it's completely free (although small fees will apply when you actually do sell a copy of your game, but it will never cost you anything).

http://www.indiegameshub.com

There are lots of possibilities. Many websites allow you to host your game, or you could create your own script for selling your game.
It's a lot of hassle, but I know PayPal has ways of letting you develop your own payment processor.

[GlazyHD]

Can't you use a Paypal "Buy Now" Button to sell your game? I sell things using that method.

[kburkhart84]

Can't you use a Paypal "Buy Now" Button to sell your game? I sell things using that method.

It is easy enough to put a bit of Javascript on your site to install that button, which would transfer the user to the paypal site, and then return to one of two specified pages depending on whether the payment was successful or not. The catch is that you then have to manage scripts for allowing the download, removing the link when that is done so that others can't use it. You also have to have a stable database of who successfully bought a product so that for at least a time, you can re-supply the files if they lose them or need to re-install and didn't back up. Lastly, if you get a sudden surge of earnings, paypal may think you have a fraud going and cut you off from your funds, which is why Yoyo is no longer using paypal to receive payments.

I'd say unless you have the help or are skilled enough to fully manage this, and you are willing to risk problems with paypal, I would say you are better off with BMTMicro. It also allows people to pay with things besides paypal, just a last added benefit.