Yes, that’s 100% true. But even there, we might ask why that is. Is it because those supporters play a lot of new games but think they aren’t as good as the old devs – quality wise it’s hard for a new dev like me to compete with devs with several render machines with several 3090 like DrPinkCake – or is it because they aren’t even aware of many of the good games that are in the early phases of development?
But that is an unfair comparison. We can try to do better and compare games that were launched at similar times. For example,
Artemis was launched just ~3 months before my game, and (afaik) is one of the best success stories of games launched last year by a new dev. I has:
2.7x more page views;
2.7x more comments;
2.5 more likes;
0.1 more star rating;
3.5x more reviews;
3.7x more patrons;
I haven’t played it yet, but it has been recommended
on this thread several times, so I’ll assume it has a good story. A lot of reviews also mention above average/good/great renders, so I’ll assume it has good graphics.
You’ll notice that all the metrics are around 3x better than mine – which means that both games can generate similar levels of engagement, but one got more exposure. Yes, the patron numbers are a bit higher than that, which could mean that game has a better download to patron conversion ratio. Or that’s just a compound effect because the same thing happened in several platforms. For example, on itch that game is constantly above mine on the
You must be registered to see the links
, which means, once again, more exposure, more downloads, more patrons.
I don’t have much time to play games, but anyone else can try to make this kind of analysis with other games they know of that released at a similar time and focused more on gameplay, renders, or story, and then see which ones got more patrons and exposure. I still think that better graphics will bring more exposure. and that alone will explain a lot of the reason why prettier games (all else being equal, like release date) seem to have more support or to be more popular. Prettier games get more clicks and more downloads because you can’t see in a render how good the story is, but you can see how sexy the girls are. However, that doesn’t meant that the majority of players just want good renders and don’t care about the story.
Well, the point are all valid. For sure.
Here is how i see it. I don't plan to make a career out of it. I develop my own little game and i am not investing really anything, except my own time.
So i make a game out of joy and the sheer fun on it.
My goal isn't to make money but to offer a game play that isn't really represented. And i am sure not a lot of people will love it because they are seeking games/themes i don't cater to.
One thing that is kind of a guarantee of success is when you have big titted females in your game that fit the likeness of most users.
But i'll get it. There are dev that can invest heavily in equipment and have a farm of computers to do the process much quicker. Perhaps they also hire art developers and story writers.
Though i think for most of the devs, that is a dream. Its probably a lucky shot to deliver what people like and being famous for you do.
I wish i had that money. But what keeps me away from sites like Patreon is the freedom what i can do.
As a bystander, gamer, hobbyist, i always wondered whats about those "donations".
I mean they are not really donations but a payment. On the other side you can say, people like to thank you with their wallets.
Whatever the case, i think if you made early on a great title and people loved it, they will flock around you and give you all their money. Out of appreciation. People pay with real money.
I am not really critical of all that but i think that one can be jealous of someone making really a ton of money.
Now i checked the top earner from that link that was sent earlier.
So its a game called Wild Life. It earns a lot of money. Though its not the kind of game i would play just by the fetished that are in there. But people seem to love that.
The stranger something is, maybe thats the key. I dunno.
Like i said, for me personally, its more of a whatever. But most of the time, you need advertising of any sort to make people aware of your game.
And mouth propaganda is of course another key.
But perhaps the key that made his game available 3 month before just hit the lucky spot. But fame is not eternal. Especially in the digital age.
Yes, that’s 100% true. But even there, we might ask why that is. Is it because those supporters play a lot of new games but think they aren’t as good as the old devs – quality wise it’s hard for a new dev like me to compete with devs with several render machines with several 3090 like DrPinkCake – or is it because they aren’t even aware of many of the good games that are in the early phases of development?
But that is an unfair comparison. We can try to do better and compare games that were launched at similar times. For example,
Artemis was launched just ~3 months before my game, and (afaik) is one of the best success stories of games launched last year by a new dev. I has:
2.7x more page views;
2.7x more comments;
2.5 more likes;
0.1 more star rating;
3.5x more reviews;
3.7x more patrons;
I haven’t played it yet, but it has been recommended
on this thread several times, so I’ll assume it has a good story. A lot of reviews also mention above average/good/great renders, so I’ll assume it has good graphics.
You’ll notice that all the metrics are around 3x better than mine – which means that both games can generate similar levels of engagement, but one got more exposure. Yes, the patron numbers are a bit higher than that, which could mean that game has a better download to patron conversion ratio. Or that’s just a compound effect because the same thing happened in several platforms. For example, on itch that game is constantly above mine on the
You must be registered to see the links
, which means, once again, more exposure, more downloads, more patrons.
I don’t have much time to play games, but anyone else can try to make this kind of analysis with other games they know of that released at a similar time and focused more on gameplay, renders, or story, and then see which ones got more patrons and exposure. I still think that better graphics will bring more exposure. and that alone will explain a lot of the reason why prettier games (all else being equal, like release date) seem to have more support or to be more popular. Prettier games get more clicks and more downloads because you can’t see in a render how good the story is, but you can see how sexy the girls are. However, that doesn’t meant that the majority of players just want good renders and don’t care about the story.
Usually its probably two key factors.
a) advertisement
b) word to mouth
Me personally am more ambivalent about all Patreon as i don't seek support.
But if one is more professional oriented, i wonder if Patreon has options for visibility.
Another factor is of course the game itself. In my experience a game can be technically perfect but still falls short.
I am not sure if prettier graphics alone make a game more successful.
It may be and its what i don't understand really.
Are people really playing these games for their story and not for sex? A game like AWAM comes to my mind. Sex isn't the main driver but the story.
Its pretty and has lots of supporters.
Or maybe i am more perverted than i thought and everyone else is more normal.
As for sexy girls. I am definitely not on board with most games. Its so stereotypical and is a turn off for me.
Sure, hooters are great but if the main character or any female looks like a bimbo out of a bimbo factory, i ask myself, are men really that shallow?
Don't get me wrong. I live boobs but i think its almost comical how most of them look.
Anyway, i think that answers what people want to see.