WHERE can you sell your game? What are the requirements?

[monkeynohito]

I've personally bought a lot of RPG maker games from Big Fish and Desura. I didn't even know there was a market for RM games before I saw them on BFG, infact.

Word of warning though: I've seen some seriously negative feedback regarding prices on Desura. I don't think anyone there wants to spend more than $5 on -anything-, so they really go for the throat on RPG maker games priced $15 - $20. I can remember spending twice that for janky NES games.

 

[Indinera]

Words of wisdom.

 

[Tsukitsune]

So I noticed the RPG Maker section hasn't ever been updated.  We also now have an RPGgameshq thingy.  So what are the requirements to sell your commercial game there?

 

[Indinera]

I'm pretty sure you can contact the staff about it.

 

[Chrome]

Is the word "Damn" consider swearing? I think that will be the closest swearing word I have. 

 

[Shaz]

I think you'd get away with it. And if anyone does object, at least you know it's there and it wouldn't take much to change it.

 

[Ocedic]

I assume it varies based on portal, but do the portals listed have exclusivity clauses? Could I hypothetically have a game hosted on both Amaranth and Aldorlea, as well as my own site?

 

[Indinera]

I assume it varies based on portal, but do the portals listed have exclusivity clauses?

You can have different deals based on that but most portals will take a non-exclusive game if they are interested.

Could I hypothetically have a game hosted on both Amaranth and Aldorlea, as well as my own site?

Yes. That's what we usually do. It's best to have your own website too indeed.

 

[Shaz]

Even if a portal offers you an exclusive for your game, you don't have to accept it.

 

[Chrome]

Even Steam does not make you exclusive, it is honestly really dumb is accept exclusivity. 

Also other portals that the OP did not mentioned.

Desura

indiegamestand

Gamersgate

Humble Store

We should just make a list in the OP of all the portals. 

 

[Indinera]

We should just make a list in the OP of all the portals.

There are like 30+ lol

Exclusivity can also mean they get the game first, not that they are the only ones who can sell it.

 

[Shaz]

It can also mean you get a higher % of sales from that portal for the duration, so if you list exclusively with someone who HAS a good RPG fanbase, it can be very profitable.

 

[Clord]

There are like 30+ lol


Exclusivity can also mean they get the game first, not that they are the only ones who can sell it.

Or in big companies case it might mean upfront payment even. Unless I'm mistaken about the subject.

 

[Shaz]

No. No company I know of (portals who actually accept RPG Maker games) will give you up-front payment.


The terms I've usually seen are like this:


- you get a slightly higher % of royalties for the exclusive period


- they may put more effort into advertising your game during the exclusive period


- you may sell the game on your own site at the same time (this might vary from one portal to another)


- you may not list the game for affiliation, but the portal may allow their affiliates to carry the game


- you may not release elsewhere or allow anyone else to affiliate the game until the exclusive period is over


- after the exclusive period is over, your % of royalties drops back down

 

[Engr. Adiktuzmiko]

btw, I've tried to download one of the games from Aldorlea Games, and I'm just curious if the buy now thingy before and after opening the demo/trial is automatically added by Aldorlea, or does the game devs do that themselves?

 

[Indinera]

The pop-up window within the game is added by the devs. Aldorlea has control of the website and the games they (err, I...) make.

 

[Engr. Adiktuzmiko]

The pop-up window within the game is added by the devs. Aldorlea has control of the website and the games they (err, I...) make.

I see... thanks... I guess I'd need to learn how to do that when the time comes...

 

[Indinera]

I can teach you. But first a complete and debugged game.

 

[Engr. Adiktuzmiko]

oh... maybe when I finish this project I'm working on... it's free though... but I'm really curious on how people add these checks to their games... XD

 

[Shaz]

Let's keep this on topic, please. Feel free to start a new thread for specific questions about the process.