Is developing worth it?

scribblstudiosscribblstudios Member Posts: 118
edited April 2012 in Business and Marketing Theory
I'm going to buy a license to submit my apps, but I want to know one thing first. How much do most GS developers drag in every month? About how much does each app make?

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Answers

  • mynameisacemynameisace Hull, UKMember Posts: 2,484
    edited April 2012
    That question can't be answered with averages or previous people's work. The quality and polish of the game is extremely important. People expect an extremely professional game for a dollar now and even if you had the most beautiful, well-executed game then there is still definitely no guarantee at all - Especially now compared to a couple of years ago. I've been living solely off (all GS money pays the bills, rent, food etc and my music career just pays for luxuries) GS for over a year now and so have a number of other users. Create games because you have a burning desire to and you can't go wrong. Create games for a quick cash in and it's more than just a gamble.

    Ace
  • LiquidGameworksLiquidGameworks Anchorage, AKMember, Sous Chef Posts: 956
    Also, it should be pointed out, that you can publish with GS without a PRO license.
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  • mynameisacemynameisace Hull, UKMember Posts: 2,484
    I took it he meant an Apple license ;) You may be right though

    Ace
  • LiquidGameworksLiquidGameworks Anchorage, AKMember, Sous Chef Posts: 956
    Hm... I didn't think about the Apple Dev account. It's surprising how little some apps make, and what platforms produce what. I've made profit on the two apps I've produced, but only because of Amazon/Nook sales. Those two Android stores have outsold iOS by 5 to 1 or so.
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  • PhiliePhilie PRO Posts: 240
    You shouldn't be asking this question, honestly. Pretty much everyone here does it because we love to do it. Yeah, of course, we could use the money.. but we wouldn't develop if we didn't love it. Make sure you really love everything about development before you put any money into it. Also, have you made games in Game Salad? Are you satisfied? If so, then yeah, get a license!
  • xforcexforce Member Posts: 187
    i agree with the above poster. while it would be nice to make a bucketload of money in the future from my apps, i dont give a s**t about the income side. im here to make awesome games.
  • mynameisacemynameisace Hull, UKMember Posts: 2,484
    Agreed - I have been fortunate to make money from GS, but if not, I would have still put the same amount of money and time in to it.

    Ace
  • tenrdrmertenrdrmer Member, Sous Chef, Senior Sous-Chef Posts: 9,934
    I'm going to buy a license to submit my apps, but I want to know one thing first. How much do most GS developers drag in every month? About how much does each app make?
    If your not gonna be happy with $0 then you might wanna think twice about that developers license. :)
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  • mynameisacemynameisace Hull, UKMember Posts: 2,484
    I'm going to buy a license to submit my apps, but I want to know one thing first. How much do most GS developers drag in every month? About how much does each app make?
    If your not gonna be happy with $0 then you might wanna think twice about that developers license. :)
    +1 lol - that's unfortunately the reality of the app market :)

    Ace
  • SAZ_1SAZ_1 Member Posts: 397
    yep you want the harsh reality i'll give it right here...less than £100 in 8months and im a pro user all that etc... i've made a huge loss on using GS if you count advertising, pro fee, dev account fee, start up costs( getting mac, software the lot)... but im sticking with it because im loving every minute of making games, and im working hard to make better ones and hopefully one day it will pay off... thing is make the games because you love to, money will come in automatically after that, i'd love the support of people from forums etc. but sometimes you just dont get that heck Frenzy pop is coming out soon and im worried it won't make me any money. but that hasn't stopped me from trying to make it the best game possible. Just manage your time, available assets and then just enjoy the rest of the experience.
  • MotherHooseMotherHoose Member Posts: 2,456
    what is the problem? … @scribblstudios

    is it worth 6 pizzas to have the joy of seeing your game available for others to enjoy?

    fortunately, for me, I like making games better than I like eating pizza!

    image MH
  • BIG_THINKIN_APPSBIG_THINKIN_APPS Member Posts: 944
    what is the problem? … @scribblstudios

    is it worth 6 pizzas to have the joy of seeing your game available for others to enjoy?

    fortunately, for me, I like making games better than I like eating pizza!

    image MH
    Hey same here
  • LeonardDeveloperLeonardDeveloper Member Posts: 4,630
    It depends if you get caught off... or get lucky..
    But i think if you get one good game out their you'll recoup $99 in no time..
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  • UtopianGamesUtopianGames Member Posts: 5,692
    Its hit and miss for most developers, as i said before we made games in about a day that have got top 20 and then games we spent 3 months on did nothing.

    There is one thing that money can't buy though and that's the dream of having your creation on the app store in front of the masses and you never forget your 1st game.

    People say with each new game it gets better than the last so i would plan on making 3-4 games and see how things go.

    Best of luck.

    Darren.

  • mynameisacemynameisace Hull, UKMember Posts: 2,484
    what is the problem? … @scribblstudios

    is it worth 6 pizzas to have the joy of seeing your game available for others to enjoy?

    fortunately, for me, I like making games better than I like eating pizza!

    image MH
    I am a big fan of pizza :)

    Ace

  • Bolt2Bolt2 Member Posts: 41
    As all of the above have stated, I imagine you really have to enjoy the process rather than thinking developing an iPhone app is a cash cow or 'Get rich quick scheme'

    That having been said, it could be. If you look at a company like Rovio who made Angry Birds, their recent venture Angry Birds: Space sold 10 million copies for 69p or 99cents in less than a week.

    £6.9 Million revenue.

    Draw Something was sold to Zynga for £120 Million ($200 million) which, if you don't know, is an app that again sells for 69p.

    It can pay off with the correct premise for your app and of course, marketing.

    -Blackmill

    PS: Dream big.
  • EatingMyHatEatingMyHat Member Posts: 1,246
    If it is not fun and you are doing it for the money, it is not worth it. If you really enjoy it and the fact that you might even make some money is a nice bonus, it's totally worth it. If you'll come in with the money in mind, there is a good chance that you will be disappointed (the stats are against you).

    At the end of the day, to make money you will need a good game and a great deal of luck.

    Follow Eating My Hat on Facebook and the Blog
    Check out my templates in the GS Marketplace or at the store
  • EbreezeEbreeze Member, PRO Posts: 481
    I've had some apps out for almost 3 months and have grossed @ $600.00, Im about to release an app in which I've worked @ 9 months on, essentially my baby..and have another app coming out soon after that.I love this stuff, I've also learned unity 3d and still use GS for 2d...yeah it's worth it....it probably won't pay a mortgage right away...but all my friends are blown away at my accomplishments
  • itwebsolutionitwebsolution Member Posts: 40
    Do you know how to make a small fortune making apps?

    --Start with a large one!

    Actually, that is what people say about investing in stock options. So far I am in @jonmulcahy's camp. I am not getting rich, but I am enjoying the experience and the prestige that comes with app publishing.
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