Game Publishing reports and market data
1,268 documents·96 writers·259 charts and tables
Documents
Thomas Brush51 min
His Indie Game FLOPPED... Then It Made $100k!
The commercial trajectory of the indie game Roll serves as a case study in overcoming a failed launch through targeted outreach and iterative development.
- The indie game 'Roll' increased its revenue from an initial $150 to $100,000 by pivoting from a failed launch to a strategy of iterative development and targeted outreach.
- Personalized, authentic communication with content creators proved significantly more effective for sales growth than automated marketing efforts.
- Overcoming the 'spotlight effect'—the tendency for developers to obsess over minor technical flaws—allows creators to focus on a clear, honest design aesthetic that better resonates with players.
Thomas BrushJun 2022
Presentation101 pages
tinyBuild Capital Market Day 2022
tinyBuild operates as a vertically integrated publisher and developer with a strategic focus on building long-term, transmedia franchises.
- Owned intellectual property accounted for 81% of tinyBuild’s total gaming revenue in 2021, signaling a strategic shift away from third-party publishing reliance.
- The company utilizes a vertically integrated model that combines internal development with a partnership-first publishing strategy to mitigate developer risk through centralized marketing, porting, and platform relations.
- Growth is driven by a transmedia strategy that expands core gaming franchises into secondary media, exemplified by the Hello Neighbor brand’s transition into literature and animated series.
tinyBuildJun 2022
Deconstructor of Fun55 min
Tokenomics #9 - Understanding the WAX blockchain with gaming veteran Michael Rubinelli
The WAX blockchain serves as a specialized infrastructure designed to bridge the gap between traditional gaming and decentralized technology.
- The WAX blockchain is optimized for gaming with transaction speeds of up to 8,000 per second and zero gas fees, currently supporting 13 million wallet users.
- The industry is shifting from 'play-to-earn' models, which are criticized for prioritizing unsustainable financial speculation over long-term player engagement.
- Future gaming success relies on a 'play-and-own' philosophy that integrates free-to-play design principles to prioritize entertainment value and player retention.
Deconstructor of FunMay 2022
Game Dev Unchained110 min
LIVE | Roundtable News: Union Busting and Selling IPs
The gaming and technology sectors are undergoing a significant market correction following the unsustainable growth experienced during the pandemic.
- The gaming industry is undergoing a market correction as post-pandemic consumer demand stabilizes, leading to declining active user metrics and widespread cost-cutting measures like layoffs and hiring freezes.
- Industry consolidation is accelerating as firms like Embracer Group prioritize acquiring established intellectual property and proven development teams over the high-risk strategy of building new studios.
- Corporate leadership is increasingly mandating a return to physical offices, signaling a shift away from pandemic-era remote work policies to prioritize centralized control and perceived productivity gains.
Game Dev UnchainedMay 2022
Thomas Brush8 min
How To Land A Deal With A Game Publisher!
Securing a publishing deal in the independent game industry requires a strategic focus on marketability and a deep, nuanced understanding of a specific target audience.
- Publishers prioritize projects that identify and serve a specific, underserved niche rather than attempting to replicate major studio flagship products.
- Developers must demonstrate proven market demand by targeting communities centered around specific gameplay styles, such as speedrunning or niche RPG combat.
- A successful pitch requires a game design document that explicitly balances honoring established genre inspirations with unique mechanical twists that differentiate the project.
Thomas BrushApr 2022
Game Dev Unchained72 min
The Making of Genesis Noir with Evan Anthony and Jeremy Abel | 303
The development of Genesis Noir serves as a case study in transitioning from motion graphics and web design into the independent game industry.
- Marketing and promotional efforts should be integrated directly into the game engine workflow, as these activities can consume up to 50% of the total development cycle.
- Securing professional publishing partnerships is essential for managing the logistical complexities of console certification, localization, and multi-platform deployment.
- Independent developers can successfully transition from motion graphics to game development by leveraging vertical slices and detailed pitch decks to secure both crowdfunding and external funding.
Game Dev UnchainedApr 2022
Two & a Half Gamers51 min
two & a half gamers session #12 - Metacore 65M loss, Niantic 1 hit wonder, Industry conference guide
The gaming industry currently faces significant challenges regarding marketing efficiency, platform monetization, and the long-term viability of major titles.
- High-budget TV advertising is not a guaranteed path to profitability, as evidenced by Metacore incurring a $65 million loss despite significant revenue growth.
- CD Projekt Red experienced a 63% year-over-year revenue decline, highlighting the difficulty of maintaining long-term financial momentum following a troubled product launch.
- Security vulnerabilities remain a critical industry risk, exemplified by the $600 million Axie Infinity crypto heist attributed to state-sponsored actors.
Two & a Half GamersApr 2022
Thomas Brush8 min
How to Negotiate With Game Publishers
Negotiating with game publishers is a nuanced, iterative process that requires developers to balance creative vision with realistic financial expectations.
- Avoid signing publishing agreements that lack clearly defined schedules and milestones, as these omissions often lead to a loss of creative control or the need to buy back project rights.
- Developers frequently undervalue their projects due to imposter syndrome or immediate financial pressure, which results in trading excessive equity for insufficient capital.
- Tailor every pitch to align with a publisher’s specific business criteria and portfolio focus rather than sending generic proposals.
Thomas BrushMar 2022
PocketGamer.biz42 min
Panel: Snap Games, HTML5 & a New Generation of Hypersocial Games
Snap Games represents a shift toward hypersocial gaming, leveraging HTML5 architecture to eliminate traditional barriers like downloads and installations.
- Integrating friends directly into gameplay on the Snap Games platform increases day-one retention by 70 percent.
- The platform enables massive organic reach, with titles like Battleship and Ready Chef Go achieving 40 million and 100 million users respectively without traditional user acquisition spending.
- Snap Games utilizes HTML5 architecture to eliminate download and installation barriers, prioritizing instant access for Gen Z and millennial audiences.
PocketGamer.bizMar 2022
PocketGamer.biz45 min
Panel: What is Giving Hypercasual its Longevity? The Recipe for a Successful Game
The hypercasual gaming sector has demonstrated remarkable resilience, maintaining its market position despite significant headwinds such as the deprecation of IDFA and rising acquisition costs.
- The hypercasual market has shifted from a primary focus on CPI (Cost Per Install) to a more holistic analysis of retention, playtime, and LTV (Lifetime Value) to justify higher acquisition costs.
- The deprecation of IDFA on iOS forced publishers to move beyond simple CPI-based decision-making and adopt more rigorous data-driven development cycles.
- Successful hypercasual games now require deeper engagement mechanics, such as clear progression paths and session planning, rather than the simplistic, short-level designs of the past.
PocketGamer.bizMar 2022
PocketGamer.biz30 min
Fireside Chat: Monetisation Strategies Beyond the Appstores for 2022
This discussion explores the evolving landscape of video game monetization, specifically focusing on strategies that bypass traditional mobile app store ecosystems.
- Developers are migrating high-value users to external web shops to bypass platform commission fees and gain greater control over revenue margins.
- Implementing a centralized publisher ID system is essential for enabling cross-platform progression and facilitating commerce outside of traditional app store ecosystems.
- External web shops allow developers to offer higher-priced bundles and more flexible value propositions specifically tailored to high-spending 'whale' players.
PocketGamer.bizMar 2022
Thomas Brush9 min
How To Sell Your Demo To Publishers For 6-Figures
Securing a publishing deal for an independent game requires a strategic approach to demo development and pitch presentation.
- Prioritize visual impact in your pitch by placing high-quality screenshots or trailers at the very top, as publishers prioritize aesthetic appeal during initial contact.
- Select the appropriate demo format based on genre: use a 'vertical slice' for mechanics-focused action games or a 'perfect picture' for short, highly polished narrative experiences.
- Focus on creating a 'heartbeat' for your game—a polished, representative segment that conveys the final vision—rather than attempting to build a complete or halfway-finished product.
Thomas BrushMar 2022