Game sponsorship

[m0ds]

Hi folk! Well, I've started a new 'thing' - it's basically advertising in computer games because it seems there are quite a few companies/online sites that are interested in the audiences that download and play games like these of AGS.

So, what I'm initially looking for and thought would be good to give the AGSers a head start, are up-coming projects that may be willing to feature an advert/sponsorship logo for some dollar. There is of course no cost to you, the developer, other than placing either a second logo after your own company/individual logo, including a URL in your documentation or on websites, having an in-game poster/advert or doing all of those (and any others you can think of) to squeeze out extra pennies from advertisers. I can also do this for JUST ads on websites (relating to games).

Smaller games could expect to earn $50 to $200, whilst larger more ambitious projects could make $500 - $1000. Naturally though it's still early stages and I'm still getting things up and running, so those are just estimates, from what I've been offered in the past and stuff...

I realise adverts in games aren't appealing, but a 5 second splash screen isn't too obtrusive, especially if it will earn you a hundred dollar! Although yes, as the middle man I will also get a share, but the game maker will get at least 70% of the final amount. I however take a percentage because I do all the negotiating with company & game-maker, make sure the game is up to standard depending on the advertiser & costs, amongst many other things.

If you're interested, although there will be a special form and website for this, right now there isn't quite. And as I said before this is for anyone wanting a bit of a head-start. If you can provide the following details, just do - here in the thread, in a PM or to my email - I'm not fussed. But this is what I need to know to pair your game up with the right sponsor/advertiser:

1. The name of your game
2. A simple plot outline and your target audience, also, any special interest elements, ie. The game focusses on Golf
3. Estimated month & year of release
4*. Any evidence to support your games interest, a website URL if applicable & any previous download figures of your own games, similar games or your website hits.

* Not essential

Usually I would ask that:
1. The game is 75% complete
2. You have at least 3 screenshots available
3. You can estimate the gameplay length of the game & its difficulty

Some other things:
1. All money is handled over PayPal. You will need it to get your money!
2. The advert process can take a couple of months, especially if the game is not nearing completion
3. ALL the content in your game MUST be original.

Right. Well, I can't guarantee it will work, at least, not to begin with - but if anyone is interested in earning some no strings attatched cash then please tell me!

www.computergamesponsors.co.uk is the web address but it won't be online until the new year. If anyone wants to help me with a website then please get in touch. You will also have the chance to earn from some ads placed on the website

Thanks for reading! Please, do discuss - and tell me how its all going to crash and burn...

[Atelier]

Argh I had this idea just a few days ago!

So thanks for doing all the work for me.

I think it sounds like a good idea, and Mods as a middle man even better. So... if I made the game entirely about the product would I be drinking champagne in a penthouse by Sunday? I mean, would a company be willing to pay for me to make a game about their product? I picture that now. I hand over my portfolio to the fat cats. Impressed by APP-PACK they sign me up for a million dollar contract starting at sunrise.

Then the one with the pin-stripe suit snaps his fingers and I'm back in the room. :'(

[Dualnames]

3. ALL the content in your game MUST be original.

Ah, well, that settles it then.

[Danman]

That sound's like quite a clever idea I like it  . I might just give it a go.  ..... one day

[Stupot]

No offence old bean, but If I wanted advertising in my game I'd rater have a go at trying to negotiate something myself first.  No point paying a middle-man if you can avoid it.

[m0ds]

That's fine! But it's clear if some people need art, some people need music - others will need help in this area. Some people make games to make money, I can't do that - so I'm going to tinker with advertising After all, advertising has us on teh run! Game-makers are bound to hate the idea of middle men but seriously, clients who want to advertise generally use them. Obviously a lot of people here are hobbyists, and don't want to see a penny hence why their game is free - that's cool! But I'm opening the floor to anyone who just wants some dosh. Because I ****** do! I won't deny this is all about money, but through me you'll also be supporting projects like AdventureX, Mittens, Ben Jordan movie 2, and other things people/me haven't invented yet & simply can't afford otherwise. Earning money on a game means you can make an even better game later, or have a good night at the pub with your friends and say; "This was funded by my creativity. Not manual labour." A happier world for all by making this a bit simpler for beginners. Of course, if you care about the ****** money as I do, it makes sense you WOULD just go and find these advertisers/sponsors yourself. In fact, in America - you'd have kickstarter.com to do it for you

I think it sounds like a good idea, and Mods as a middle man even better. So... if I made the game entirely about the product would I be drinking champagne in a penthouse by Sunday? I mean, would a company be willing to pay for me to make a game about their product? I picture that now. I hand over my portfolio to the fat cats. Impressed by APP-PACK they sign me up for a million dollar contract starting at sunrise.

You might be surprised! If someone approached Mars or Tango and offered to make them a game for some kind of monetary settlement, or product settlement if that be your thing - I think you'd find there would be some interest along the line and one of these companies would pull through. I can think of a couple of shops in my town that I could create a specific bit of software for and they'd love it and pay for it.

Alteir - it's an untapped market. Couldn't find a single page on google of anyone offering advertising space within a computer game. Just one site charging 29.99 to give you a PDF of tips to get advertising through gaming clans! So, dumbo fucking world, I finally beat you!1 Sorry, WE finally beat you! Do it. Why don't you become the (insert your country here) contingent?

Page 1 & 2 exist on the website but they're just for me to get some of whats in my head about all this out, and it will be refined later. And maybe given a nice design! And yes I do realise not all computer games live forever But yes - good comments, thanks for letting me know people. I'll be experimenting with my game Santa Claus Down to see if I can get an advertiser to show you it's possible. Also I hope to post back soon with some interested companies, just gotta piss some of them off first Demos are most welcome too. If anybody has a game currently that is getting satisfactory downloads (40+ a week) then you should consider getting in touch!

This is still an early idea, crazy short term plan and so forth - but I don't mean to rip anyone off by it. It's just a way to get cash. Easy cash! Well, easy online cash. Time to share it in a scam like manner, and buy a scam-spam-bot.

Ah, well, that settles it then.

Yes, the creator of (big red) TIME PARADOX will certainly NOT be able to use computergamesponsarse.co.uk!!1

[Danman]

I know an example of an old game that did this too the game was called ZOOL
The best advertising technique I think.

[Jim Reed]

Yes, chupa-chups used zool (amiga) if I remember correctly.
Also there is pepsi-man (ps1) and a few others.

[Scarab]

So Mods, are we talking a bit of "this game brought to you by Bubba Lou's home style Moonshine" across the screen every time you load the game, or something more along the lines of an "ask me about Loom" in-game plug?

So... if I made the game entirely about the product would I be drinking champagne in a penthouse by Sunday? I mean, would a company be willing to pay for me to make a game about their product?

This has been going on since way back

[GreenBoy]

 :'(  If only I had known a month ago.

[Clarvalon]

I realise they're estimates, but I'm slightly sceptical of the numbers quoted so far. 

It's not a fair comparison, but web-based games get a fraction of that when sharing ad-revenue with their host gaming portal (perhaps 50 cents to $1 from 1000 plays).  On that basis, a game with 40 downloads a week would only accrue pennies each month.  I have a feeling that the majority of small Indie games wouldn't be able to accrue any amount of serious sponsorship/advertisement, unless they were supported by some sort of generous benefactor. 

Having said all that, I absolutely believe that the bigger projects that have a more mainstream following would be very capable of attracting interest from sponsors (those games put forward towards this years IGF, for instance).

Whether advertisements compromise artistic integrity is another matter.  I'm all for Indie developers getting as much remuneration as they can for their efforts, so it's entirely possible you've found a worthwhile niche.  Good luck!

[Calin Leafshade]

I think i echo what clarvalon has said.

My blog gets many thousands of hits every month (despite updating way too infrequently) and ive still barely earnt enough in ad revenue for a few drinks. The very few people that have donated to me for my game, music and blog content actually double my ad revenue so i'm skeptical.

It would be wonderful to see indie devs getting some cash for their hard work though and I fully endorse the sentiment.

[InCreator]

Games with very visible advertising and/or product placement in them usually get torn to bits in reviews.
Only acceptable stuff is Nvidia or Intel logo at intro screen, real car (or any vehicle whatsoever) and weapon names and... well, that's pretty much it.

So unless it's a pile of gold coming in, I wouldn't suggest smearing your game.
Making a good game commercial (even if very cheap) would probably be much more worth than sticking ads onto it.

Then again, if I made GTA/driving/etc game based on my home city, I would go through every business at game locations and ask them if they want their true logo/name on game shops and how much is it worth to them. Of course, you should have game so ready that only logos/etc are missing and a good demo to show what and where. Or even with/without your-business-here comparasion. And maybe a dumb substitute name. Maybe walmart will buy the advert just so their building wouldn't be named walfart when they refuse.

Would probably earn more than game sales do!