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Oftentimes, I got some friends who asked me how they can support indie games (and the developers) more than they already did.
Should they buy the games on Steam or itch? Should they wait until the launch discount ends or not?
So, here is a mini thread on how to support indiedev
Should they buy the games on Steam or itch? Should they wait until the launch discount ends or not?
So, here is a mini thread on how to support indiedev
1. The fact that you even consider to support indiedev more already means so much for us. Without spending anything, you definitely can help spreading out the words about the game to your friends or a simple retweet on Twitter (or share on FB/share stories on IG).
2. http://Itch.io or Steam?
Itch is an amazing platform! They are good friends with indies, and they give developers the freedom to choose how much rev share the store received.
Unlike Steam (and every other store, except for Epic) who takes 30% of the revenue.
Buuut!
Itch is an amazing platform! They are good friends with indies, and they give developers the freedom to choose how much rev share the store received.
Unlike Steam (and every other store, except for Epic) who takes 30% of the revenue.
Buuut!
Steam is where most people look for games. By buying the game on Steam, the God of Steam with their mysterious algorithm might do something to help the game got featured on the main page.
Which will have stronger impact in the long run compared to giving the dev more rev share.
Which will have stronger impact in the long run compared to giving the dev more rev share.
It's sad, because personally I really want to see http://itch.io get bigger and be more relevant for devs and players, but for now, if we're making games for PC, we are all under the mercy of Valve.
3. Should I wait for the launch discount to end so I can give more money?
Please don't. Thank you so much for thinking about giving us more money. But the truth is, as mentioned before, we are under the mercy of the mysterious Steam algorithm.
Please don't. Thank you so much for thinking about giving us more money. But the truth is, as mentioned before, we are under the mercy of the mysterious Steam algorithm.
The common conception agreed by most dev: The first week of your launch is one of the most important moment of the game lifetime sales.
Of course you can get back up with updates or platform port, but the first launch week on Steam is a big battle.
Of course you can get back up with updates or platform port, but the first launch week on Steam is a big battle.
If you buy the game on the launch week when it still have the launch discount, it's an additional copy sold. The more copies sold on the launch week, the bigger the chance for dev to see their game on the front page.
And being on the front page of Steam is life-changing.
And being on the front page of Steam is life-changing.
4. Leave good review
No matter what the platform is, be it PC or mobile, Steam/GOG, Google Play/Apple Store ... if you like the game, PLEASE LEAVE A POSITIVE REVIEW.
Review means so much for the developer. The better the review, the bigger the chance they have to be featured.
No matter what the platform is, be it PC or mobile, Steam/GOG, Google Play/Apple Store ... if you like the game, PLEASE LEAVE A POSITIVE REVIEW.
Review means so much for the developer. The better the review, the bigger the chance they have to be featured.
Having more positive reviews also important to let people who were just looking around got interested with the game.
Plus, it kinda sucks that most of the time we leave feedback or review only when it's a negative one. By default, we don't leave positive feedback and that sucks.
Plus, it kinda sucks that most of the time we leave feedback or review only when it's a negative one. By default, we don't leave positive feedback and that sucks.
5. Talk about it online!
The dev rarely update their social media? Do it yourself.
I still find it weird two or three of the most viral tweets about Coffee Talk didn't come from the game/studio/developer, but from random persons (or random celebs).
The dev rarely update their social media? Do it yourself.
I still find it weird two or three of the most viral tweets about Coffee Talk didn't come from the game/studio/developer, but from random persons (or random celebs).
I don't know why, but the fact that their opinion is not biased might have something to do with it.
Either way, talk about it. The game will get more exposure simply by you talking about it. And you'll make a random indie dev smile because we stalked our game's keyword so much.
Either way, talk about it. The game will get more exposure simply by you talking about it. And you'll make a random indie dev smile because we stalked our game's keyword so much.
