Why Most Indie Game Developers Don't Make Money

Summary

In this insightful discussion, Scott Miller, the mind behind iconic indie games like Wolfenstein 3D and Duke Nukem, shares his expertise on the challenges faced by indie game developers. He highlights why most indie games fail to be profitable, emphasizing the competitive nature of the industry, the importance of persistence, networking, and marketing. Scott also discusses the significance of self-learning, humility, and constant growth in the game industry, as well as how one can improve their skills by analyzing and learning from other games. Ultimately, he stresses that success requires dedication, a great idea, and sometimes, a bit of luck.

Takeaways

• 😀 Not every indie game can be profitable due to the competitive nature of the market.
• 😀 Success in indie game development requires a combination of talent, luck, persistence, and networking.
• 😀 A unique and innovative idea is crucial for standing out in the crowded game market.
• 😀 Marketing is a key factor for getting noticed and ensuring the success of an indie game.
• 😀 Developers must invest time and effort into building wishlists, creating demos, and generating press coverage.
• 😀 Success often comes after experiencing several failures and learning from them.
• 😀 Constant learning and self-improvement are essential for success in the game industry.
• 😀 Reading books on marketing, business, and game development can significantly help indie developers.
• 😀 Game developers should always be thinking critically about games they play and how they can improve them.
• 😀 A growth mindset and humility are important traits for both game development and personal development.
• 😀 Game development should feel like play, not just work, to foster passion and creativity.

Q & A

Why do the majority of indie games fail to be profitable?

The market is highly competitive, with thousands of games released each year. Many indie games fail to return their investment because not every game can be successful. Factors such as luck, persistence, talent, networking, and a great idea are crucial to a game's success.

What are the key factors contributing to the success of indie games?

Success is influenced by various factors including having a unique and great idea, persistence, networking, building the right team, and effective marketing. Additionally, it’s important to be constantly learning and improving, as well as having a bit of luck.

What role does marketing play in the success of an indie game?

Marketing is a significant factor. Developers need to put in the time and money to build visibility for their game. This includes creating trailers, demos, building wishlists, getting articles written, and working with the right marketing team to get noticed.

How important is it to have a 'growth mindset' in the game industry?

A growth mindset is vital in the game industry. Constantly learning, improving, and being open to advice helps developers stay competitive. Those who stop improving will likely fall behind, as the industry is always evolving.

Can failure lead to eventual success in indie game development?

Yes, failure can be a stepping stone to success. Many developers experience several 'swings and misses' before hitting on a profitable game. The key is learning from these experiences and continuing to improve.

How does persistence affect success in the game industry?

Persistence is essential. Developing a game takes time and effort, and not every project will be successful. Developers must be willing to keep going even through setbacks and failures, which ultimately helps them find success.

What was Scott Miller's approach to learning about the game industry?

Scott Miller learned through self-teaching by reading books on various topics including marketing, IT, and business. This constant self-education helped him position his label, 3D Realms, for the emerging market of 3D games.

What advice did Scott Miller give regarding playing games?

Scott Miller advises that playing other people's games can be an excellent learning tool. It helps developers understand what works and what doesn’t, and it encourages critical thinking about how games can be improved.

Why does Scott Miller emphasize learning and reading books?

Scott Miller believes that constant learning and reading books on various subjects, especially marketing and business, is key to success in the game industry. This helps expand knowledge and ensures that developers don’t fall behind in an ever-changing market.

How does Scott Miller suggest involving others, such as friends or family, in the game development process?

Scott Miller suggests involving others in the process by asking them for feedback on games. For example, asking them what they liked or didn’t like about a game and how they would improve it encourages critical thinking and helps game developers refine their ideas.