How can I earn money?

COLD · Sun 27/09/2009 12:40:10

I have to do freeware adventure game. But i need some money to do it (translation, graphic).
My question: where i can find sponsor, or how i can earn some money on finished freeware game?

* Mods has edited the title to make it seem less like spam!

Andail · Sun 27/09/2009 13:00:05

The idea with freeware is that you don't make money on it.

I think you should just get going and make a game first, and worry less about how to make money on it later.
It's exceedingly unlikely that you will get a "sponsor" if you can't show them something that resembles a playable game first.

COLD · Sun 27/09/2009 13:16:21

1. Freeware - is free to gamers. But it does not mean that i cant earn money on it.
2. I have screenshots ant story. But i cant find sites of sponsors. Only tonns of flash-games sponsors.

Calin Leafshade · Sun 27/09/2009 13:30:33

I have to agree with cold's definition of freeware.

The only company ive ever seen sponsoring something like this is PC Gamer.. I think they sponsored the They Hunger mod for HL.

But generally to get a sponsor you would need a proven track record of delivering good games with solid content.

m0ds · Sun 27/09/2009 13:45:43

Huh? How can you earn money from a freeware game? Yes, you could have donations and yes, a sponsor could fund the development - but then charging people for the end product, in any way, means it isn't freeware. Getting a sponsor and not using the money on the game is also not a particularly great idea, but hey - that isn't to say there aren't any companies out there that won't want their logo at the start of your game for a donation, cos I'm sure there are, and I've tried to get a couple myself. In fact, if I mention it, anyone who's expecting a lot of hits with their downloads should contact me, cos I might be able to make you some sponsorship money in exhance for a logo.

The best thing to do is talk to personal friends who perhaps own their own businesses and might be willing to invest in your project, there's still quite a big risk factor - even though the sums of money you'd need to make a point & click are fairly low on the scale of things, so don't expect companies to jump up and sponsor a game that isn't ready, or barely exists. Start a website and try & earn from it or hey, do like the rest of us - use no money or your own money!

COLD · Sun 27/09/2009 14:01:57

I have thought, and have understood that old-style adventure game is not necessary to sponsors. Because they not earn on it.
But I have found two interesting sites:
1. gamejolt.com - every member who has signed up to the site and uploaded at least one game will go into a hat to join the beta and start earning a whopping 50% of the ad monies.
2.kickstarter.com

Can you know similar sites?

Gord10 · Sun 27/09/2009 17:54:18

We can be more helpful if you state why you have to make a freeware game.

The easiest way is to place advertisements (like Google Ads) into your website that contains the information about your game.

As it's stated before, making a really successful game first is the necessary part. We don't make freeware games to profit, our incomings (advertisements, donations, etc, if they even exist) hardly pay the costs. You need to start with your own money or find a way to finish the project without any cost. Nobody said that's easy.

COLD · Sun 27/09/2009 19:12:39

Thanks you for your answers. I bother people at different forums all the day with my question. As a result the situation for me has cleared up.
1. create game site.
2. advertisements (like Google Ads).
3. donations.
4. site like depositfiles (cant explain it on English

). (i think you understod).
5. sign up on gamejolt.
6. maybe merchandising.

But the most important is certainly quality of game, creativity, pleasure from creation. Do not blame me please for that that I wish to earn money, for me it not the main thing, believe. Simply it is better worked, if from it is also material return

.

m0ds · Sun 27/09/2009 19:22:05

I think you need a number 0 on there, which is - create game(s) for portfolio

SSH · Sun 27/09/2009 19:25:47

1. Make a game about a guy in a space station and a sentient computer
2. Make a split-screen wierd game in 2 languages
3. Start making a cool game with short and long term memory things
4. People throw money at you

Gord10 · Sun 27/09/2009 19:35:32

7.

?
8. PROFIT!!!

COLD · Sun 27/09/2009 19:57:04

SSH thanks you, I have forgotten to write that it is necessary to make mega-super game still ( It will be point 7).
8. push money on the pockets.

Snake · Sun 27/09/2009 21:47:10

make money on game

Shane 'ProgZmax' Stevens · Sun 27/09/2009 23:08:27

I read the title last night and thought YOU were going to tell ME how to make money

.

I claim false advertising!

veryweirdguy · Sun 27/09/2009 23:18:31

Quote from: COLD on Sun 27/09/2009 19:57:04
SSH thanks you, I have forgotten to write that it is necessary to make mega-super game still ( It will be point 7).
8. push money on the pockets.

I think the main point you are missing here is that, as m0ds says, the "making mega-super game" should be point 0, the money comes after (and maybe not even after then.)

Vince Twelve · Sun 27/09/2009 23:19:00

Quote from: SSH on Sun 27/09/2009 19:25:47
1. Make a game about a guy in a space station and a sentient computer
2. Make a split-screen wierd game in 2 languages
3. Start making a cool game with short and long term memory things
4. People throw money at you

*I'm taking notes here. Sounds like a good plan.

Andail · Mon 28/09/2009 07:46:21

COLD, instead of bothering people at various forums all day long, just start making the bloody game. Nobody will care about you or your projects until you've got something to show.

And just remember that the dimes you'll collect from ads and donations will be liducriously small amounts compared to the hours you'll spend making the game.

Happy money hunting!

Leon · Mon 28/09/2009 14:15:59

Ask Dave... he's got the answer.

Gilbert · Mon 28/09/2009 14:24:25

Indeed. He earned a lot by giving out free games.

blueskirt · Mon 28/09/2009 17:39:01

If you want to make money out of freeware games, I'd suggest that you look and ask on flash gaming portals like Armorgames and similar. A lot of those portals actually pay the people who make flash games, based on the number of time the game was loaded rather than the time people spend playing it. But I'm not sure it would be very successful for an adventure game.