1. How to sell videogames Eugen Harton #DayZ
And not starve to death <3

2. Who am I and how to contact me
Working on DayZ as Lead Producer
Worked on mobile/facebook/PC/Console
Started in Enterprise (Operations)
11 years, 7 titles and multiple platforms for almost every title published
Linkedin/Twitter/ /Facebook

3. I have a game, what now?

4. Disclaimers!
This talk is based on my experience, delivering titles on multiple platforms.
Always question your and my perception of the topic. Don`t be afraid to think for yourself. Do your research.
Read, talk to people, network. There is no recipe for success, lot can change in short time

5. When do I start ? Before you start making game preferably
Think ahead, platforms might change the amount of work considerably.
Look for opportunities in new platforms

6. So what should I think about?
Target audience
Target platforms
Monetization model
Development model
Sustainability
Upfront/Operation cost
Future

7. Let`s ask the audience Who is working on a game now?
Alone or in a group?
Who is your target audience?
What platform?
How do you want to monetize?

8. Target audience Define the basics Themes Age Crossover Gender
Region/Global

9. Monetization Digital vs retail Free to play Pay to play Freemium
Subscription
Trading
Not all platforms support all models

10. Development/Sale models
Before release
Crowdfunding (equity)
Investment / Publisher
Release
Early Access
Gold
Post-Release
Platform conversions
Content/Microtransactions

11. Platforms? Single HW platform can have multiple sale platforms
Dedicated HW platforms (Consoles, Accessories)
PC / VR
Mobile
Web

12. What are the differences?
Revenue split
Reach (DAU)
Approval process
Technical requirements
Services
Upfront cost
Patching Process
Tax handling
Payment details
Marketing tools

13. What platforms are there? (PC)
Web based / Client based
Examples
Windows Store, Steam, Good Old Games, Amazon, Green Man Gaming, Gamersgate, Desura, Indiecity, Facebook, regional social sites etc.
Large fragmentation of users / Large variation in HW

14. What platforms are there? (Mobile)
Dedicated stores
Examples
Amazon, AppStore, Google Play Store, Provider Stores
Large fragmentation of users, Large variation in HW

15. What platforms are there? (HW)
Dedicated stores to single HW
Examples
Xbox 360, Xbox One, PS3, PS4, Nintendo Switch, Nintendo 3DS, etc.
No fragmentation of users / No variation in HW (at least for now)

16. What platforms are there? (Own)
Sell directly (Offer a demo)
Buy a domain , proper webhosting, mailing list provider
Don`t handle payments directly
Use dedicated companies (BMTMicro, Plimus etc.)

17. Revenue Split Yeah platforms have a cost Varied
30/70 (industry standard)
Can vary quite a bit
Shared add revenue
Payment model (monthly, quarterly etc.)

18. Reach Time your release properly Very large variations in userbase
Different discovery models
Different visibility options
Different marketing opportnuties

19. Approval Process Direct approval Might involve quality testing
Famous TRC (dedicated HW platforms)
Community based approval
Steam Greenlight

20. Technical Requirements
Technology restrictions
Cant use certain redistributables
Force engine use
Possibility of BlackBox
And more

21. Services available Tools for publishing Tools for matchmaking
Player chat
Community tools
Distribution Framework
Stats

22. Upfront costs Some platforms require a payment before publishing
They may also require payment for deploying a patch
Be aware of all costs associated with the platform

23. Platform support
Be aware that some actions you need to go through take a lot of time.
Publishing, changing prices, sales, making sure your plans go through start talking about them early.

24. How can I even choose?
Do your research, watch for changes, try to target as many platforms as possible without going thin.
Not all platforms are available for a starting developer
Every game is specific and can succeed or fail based on platform

25. Success stories
We increased revenue with a F2P title by a large margin, just through changing platforms. We created our own portal and shuffled users to it via carrot on a stick to get rid of 30/70 revenue split.

26. And more!
Developer post-mortems are a good way to look into these. Minecraft, Factorio, Stardew Valley.
All of them chose a different platform, and approach. Made a fit.

27. Q&A + please rate my presentation (send me a message)
Q&A + please rate my presentation (send me a message)! Feedback is important.