VN What does it take to have a successful Patreon?

[reaperentertainment]

Like the Subject title says. What makes a Patreon page successful? There might not be a specific way to make a successful one but I'm sure that there are things to could give devs a better chance of having it be successful.
Anyways if anyone has any suggestions please comment below.

 

[Hagatagar]

By having a good product?

You can't force something like that. You can try to get more visibility by advertising your product on sereval sites, but other than that you just need a good product.

 

[Jofur]

What Hagatagar said. Make a game people want and they will support it. Don't expect to get much of anything until your game has a fair amount of content and you have proven that you can maintain and update your game. It also helps to communicate a lot and build up a sub-community within the patreon by posting news and other stuff frequently. Maybe even setting up a discord server if you have a lot of them.

As a side note, this is a personal pet-peeve of mine and it might not be entirely logical. But I refuse to support a patreon who has content locked behind a paywall(unless it's like behind the scenes stuff or timed exclusivity). At that point it stops being a donation service and starts becoming a subscription service. And I'm never gonna fork out money for a subscription service with that little inherent value.

 

[moskyx]

Describe your game in the best way possible, this is your storefront to get the money so you may want it to look attractive. So write a good game's description, post some of the best artstyle you can show from your game and state clearly what your goals are, both in terms of game development and funding needs. Then offer a balanced tier system, with appropiate perks considering what you can actually deliver without stalling game's development, and don't fear offering a high-priced tier for crazy whales (chances are no one would be willing to sign up to that tier, but don't close yourself that option). Of course, communicating is key, so write at the very least one dev update every 2 weeks (weekly ones are preferable) and leave some of them public so non-patrons can see your communicating skills and progress rate (these factors are key for many people while deciding to support a new dev). And then marketing your game anywhere else because your page won't show up in Patreon's searchs

 

[Alcahest]

As a side note, this is a personal pet-peeve of mine and it might not be entirely logical. But I refuse to support a patreon who has content locked behind a paywall(unless it's like behind the scenes stuff or timed exclusivity). At that point it stops being a donation service and starts becoming a subscription service. And I'm never gonna fork out money for a subscription service with that little inherent value.

You have to lock porn games behind a paywall if you want to follow Patreon's guidelines.

"Content with mature themes should be marked as “Patron Only”. This means that you cannot post nudity in public areas including your profile picture, banner, tier images or about me section."

You must be registered to see the links

 

[Jofur]

You have to lock porn games behind a paywall if you want to follow Patreon's guidelines.

"Content with mature themes should be marked as “Patron Only”. This means that you cannot post nudity in public areas including your profile picture, banner, tier images or about me section."

You must be registered to see the links

I should clarify, I don't mind at all the patreon and the posts are behind a paywall. I'm talking exclusively about the "product". Be it YouTubers who have exclusive videos, porn game makers who have exclusive scenes, or artists having exclusive or high-res pictures/animations. As long as they release them for free, be it on patreon or another accessible website it counts as a donation service in my book. Otherwise it's a subscription.

I also want to mention when I say product, I mean the type of content that the people are generally supporting that creator for. For example a porn game maker having exclusive renders/posters/wallpapers that are separate from the game as a bonus is more than fine. Same with YouTubers having behind the scenes footage or Q&A videos.

 

[Jaike]

I think this is close to the conventional wisdom:

• Provide a clear overview of the game's content and describe in general what you have planned for the game.
  • Be upfront from the start about the intended audience and controversial fetishes and state what will be (un)avoidable. Some people will complain about new stuff entering the game anyway but it is better to keep the drama as small as possible.
  • Do not include a detailed timetable or any targets for fundraising. You can set targets and deadlines like these privately, but don't publish them on your page. People would see you as a money grubber or they will flood you with complaints when you don't meet a deadline.
• Don't release the game as a finished product, but push out updates that are released in a regular and consistent manner. Every update creates more hype and draws in more supporters.
  • Keep both patrons and non-patrons informed about the development with regular posts. It's fine to make some update posts exclusive to patrons but make some info public.
• Make your communications on Patreon and other official channels appealing. Throw in a preview artwork now and then, that kind of thing. Ron ur poests froo spelchek.
• Provide some benefits to patrons that you can control. Earlier patron access to game versions is common, but pirates don't like it and some versions will get leaked. If enough people like your game, that is. So think of benefits that you can deliver and that cannot be leaked or are still meaningful even if they get leaked.
  • Giving patrons a voice in what content to include and what to prioritise is a common perk. If you choose this option, you have to set limits to the scope of patrons' choices, or the game may stop feeling like it's your game or content creep may get out of hand.
• Don't set your lowest tier too high but also not too low. Don't go under $2 per month.
• Many people will not support any first-time devs. Having a track record of finished games helps.
• Content sets limits to success. Games with a male MC tend to do better than games with a female MC. Some fetishes or themes scare off casual supporters even if they are optional.

 

[redknight00]

Furry porn.

 

[MrSilverLust]

I can talk about this from a dev perspective.

As said above, one of the most important things is a good game. But don’t think for a moment that’s enough. Yes, there are a few success stories of games that get overwhelming support overnight. But for most of us, new devs, it’s tough to just get noticed. I have a 4.9 rate over here and 4 at itch and fapnation, so I think that means people think that my game is relatively good. Regardless, 99% of people haven’t heard of it and my patreon isn’t particularly successful.

I think the most important thing it’s just time and slowly getting exposed to new players. Keep your vison of the game, keep making content, and make the most of the exposure you get after each new release during those 3 days you get in the 1st pages of the new updates list.

It probably also helps being recommended by other players in the many threads that are here for different kinks/type of games, etc. That’s something fans of a game sometimes overlook: you can help your favorite creators by just recommending their games to other players you think might enjoy them.

But all in all, it’s a slow grind and there’s not much one can do to speed it up. Just don’t come thinking it will be easy money or you’ll quickly get disappointed. Enjoy the ride and all the support and good comments you get and try not to think too much about money.

I should clarify, I don't mind at all the patreon and the posts are behind a paywall. I'm talking exclusively about the "product". (...) As long as they release them for free, be it on patreon or another accessible website it counts as a donation service in my book. Otherwise it's a subscription.

I’m not sure if I get your point. If anyone has a public link to their game on patreon, they are infringing Patreon's guidelines. Sure, they can have it for free in another website, but they can’t link it anywhere in patreon that’s not restricted behind a paywall. The idea is preventing any minor to ever get any +18 content on patreon. So, technically, no one is allowed to link to “the product” for free on patreon. If it is available in another website, you have to find it yourself. All of us that have free games linked there are a report away to be made to put them behind a paywall or gtfo.

But it gets more complicated than that. For example, looking at my itch.io analytics, I believe that games that have content behind a paywall get pushed by the algorithm. This is the graph of my daily views:



Having 10-20x less daily views after going free hurts.

 

[おい！]

 

[Jofur]

I’m not sure if I get your point. If anyone has a public link to their game on patreon, they are infringing Patreon's guidelines. Sure, they can have it for free in another website, but they can’t link it anywhere in patreon that’s not restricted behind a paywall.

I don't mind that they can't link it. Just give people an avenue to find it somewhere else. Be it on websites like these, or one of the booru/rule34/DeviantArt(is that still a thing?) type sites for images. And if you can't bother doing it yourself, give others the permission to do it for you.

Having said that. Just doing a quick glance over at the Summertime Saga patreon, and he's openly linking to a free download on his website for non patrons. Seeing as he's one of the most exposed game creators on there, wouldn't Patreon would be on his ass in minutes?

 

[MrSilverLust]

I don't mind that they can't link it. Just give people an avenue to find it somewhere else. Be it on websites like these, or one of the booru/rule34/DeviantArt(is that still a thing?) type sites for images. And if you can't bother doing it yourself, give others the permission to do it for you.

Having said that. Just doing a quick glance over at the Summertime Saga patreon, and he's openly linking to a free download on his website for non patrons. Seeing as he's one of the most exposed game creators on there, wouldn't Patreon would be on his ass in minutes?

Until a few months ago milfy city still had incest, never mind it being one of the biggest games on patreon. They aren’t necessarily consistent at enforcing their own rules. But, under their Terms Of Use, any adult content not behind a paywall isn’t allowed. I’ve read testimonials of some devs that were made to remove their public game links. But, apparently, there doesn’t seem to be a problem in linking to, for example, a discord channel and distribute the game over there…

Unfortunately, as most things with patreon, it is inconsistently enforced/depends on who reviews what and it’s actually not very clear what is allowed or not. Anyway, this was just an aside to (try to?) clarify that topic. Doing it like you just said above is fine.

 

[SchaakaKon]

Question for you as you are quite in the know, Im looking over at patreon and it says:
"we don’t allow pornography or sexual services to be funded on Patreon."

You must be registered to see the links

I got led to this page because Im trying to find an answer of what patreon means when they say that. They say nudity is fine but depicting sex and masturbation are not allowed? I know there is a bunch of porn games that use patreon so am I misinterpreting what they mean?

 

[moskyx]

Question for you as you are quite in the know, Im looking over at patreon and it says:
"we don’t allow pornography or sexual services to be funded on Patreon."

You must be registered to see the links

I got led to this page because Im trying to find an answer of what patreon means when they say that. They say nudity is fine but depicting sex and masturbation are not allowed? I know there is a bunch of porn games that use patreon so am I misinterpreting what they mean?

Basically they are saying they don't allow what Onlyfans allows (that is, people getting funds thanks to their nudes, porn clips and even prostitution services). Porn games are considered 'creations' so they are allowed as long as they don't break content guidelines (incest, bestiality and so on)

 

[Hagatagar]

Question for you as you are quite in the know, Im looking over at patreon and it says:
"we don’t allow pornography or sexual services to be funded on Patreon."

You must be registered to see the links

I got led to this page because Im trying to find an answer of what patreon means when they say that. They say nudity is fine but depicting sex and masturbation are not allowed? I know there is a bunch of porn games that use patreon so am I misinterpreting what they mean?

It's mostly about real people.

Pornography is defined as real people engaging in sexual acts such as masturbation or sexual intercourse on camera.

Also, there's the fact that Patreon wants to make money, and as long as no one reports the game, you can be lucky and get through even if you break other polices.

 

[Wildman Dev]

I can talk about this from a dev perspective.

As said above, one of the most important things is a good game. But don’t think for a moment that’s enough. Yes, there are a few success stories of games that get overwhelming support overnight. But for most of us, new devs, it’s tough to just get noticed. I have a 4.9 rate over here and 4 at itch and fapnation, so I think that means people think that my game is relatively good. Regardless, 99% of people haven’t heard of it and my patreon isn’t particularly successful.

I think the most important thing it’s just time and slowly getting exposed to new players. Keep your vison of the game, keep making content, and make the most of the exposure you get after each new release during those 3 days you get in the 1st pages of the new updates list.

It probably also helps being recommended by other players in the many threads that are here for different kinks/type of games, etc. That’s something fans of a game sometimes overlook: you can help your favorite creators by just recommending their games to other players you think might enjoy them.

But all in all, it’s a slow grind and there’s not much one can do to speed it up. Just don’t come thinking it will be easy money or you’ll quickly get disappointed. Enjoy the ride and all the support and good comments you get and try not to think too much about money.



I’m not sure if I get your point. If anyone has a public link to their game on patreon, they are infringing Patreon's guidelines. Sure, they can have it for free in another website, but they can’t link it anywhere in patreon that’s not restricted behind a paywall. The idea is preventing any minor to ever get any +18 content on patreon. So, technically, no one is allowed to link to “the product” for free on patreon. If it is available in another website, you have to find it yourself. All of us that have free games linked there are a report away to be made to put them behind a paywall or gtfo.

But it gets more complicated than that. For example, looking at my itch.io analytics, I believe that games that have content behind a paywall get pushed by the algorithm. This is the graph of my daily views:

View attachment 1552550

Having 10-20x less daily views after going free hurts.

As someone who's about to release their first game tomorrow on a brand new Patreon, your message is taken to heart, however thoroughly depressing it might be, Silver.

I'm in it for the long haul, though.

 

[Icarus Media]

You must be swift as the coursing river,
With all the force of a great typhoon,
With all the strength of a raging fire,
Mysterious as the dark side of the moon.

 

[MrSilverLust]

As someone who's about to release their first game tomorrow on a brand new Patreon, your message is taken to heart, however thoroughly depressing it might be, Silver.

I'm in it for the long haul, though.

Good luck! First of all, just know that I also have only one game and just two releases, so I’m almost as much of a noob as you are and you should take everything I say with a grain of salt (well, that should be done for anything in the internet).

Reading your introductory post you seem to have prepared a big 1st release with an interesting elevator pitch. If you don’t become one of the very few that achieve success overnight, remember you are in good company and you just need time to gain the trust of more players and to just be better known.

Finally, enjoy the process. At least for me, releases are always a nerve wrecking experience, but it's also amazing to read all the supportive comments or alternative point of views that make you consider improving a bit some game mechanic and ultimately make a better game. There’s nothing else like this community anywhere, the feedback you get here in your game thread is huge, and is generally a delight to discuss our game with people that enjoyed playing it. So, have fun!

 

[berny]

Honestly, imo only two things matter.

1. Making a good game, or rather making a game many people are interested in. Having a good game alone is not enough.

2. Promoting your game whenever and wherever possible. Get as many people as possible to try your game. 1% patrons out of 1000 players is more than 5% out of 100. Also you only get one first impression, so make the first release as memorable as possible.

All the other things mentioned in this thread (good communication, regular updates, fair prices etc.), basically everything that makes a good developer outside the actual game, should matter more, but my firm believe is that the vast majority of patrons don't really care for it as long as they get a product they like.

Sure, a good reputation and mouth to mouth marketing can certainly help in the long run, but not nearly as much as the other two. People like us, and by that I mean people who use forums, talk about games etc., have a tendency to overestimate the importance of things like communication and fairness for the majority.

Edit: I should probably mention that I merely tried to answer the question that was asked in the OP. My personal oppinion on the matter is much different and traits like transparency and honesty are very important to me, especially on a platform like patreon. Also my personal oppinion is that making a game you don't care about just because you believe it will be more successfull is pretty much the worst you can do, but then again, financially it might the complete opposite.