Comments on: Magic Stones Sales Stats: $27,500

By: Tycoon Games

Tycoon Games — Mon, 09 Feb 2009 16:28:40 +0000

You can’t import their model in a game and render them in real-time. If you pre-render images it’s completely legal.

By: Casemon

Casemon — Sun, 08 Feb 2009 14:17:27 +0000

What is the legality of using Daz3D as a content source? I hear many that say it is not allowed, and others who interpret the EULA differently.

From the EULA:
“User may not reverse engineer, de-compile, disassemble, or create derivative works from the 3-D Model(s). These restrictions do not pertain to rendered images or pre-rendered animations.”

Does “derivative works” apply to games or are they considered renders (realtime renders)?

By: Tycoon Games

Tycoon Games — Fri, 06 Feb 2009 09:22:45 +0000

For casual games for sure, for indie games you can still make it alone (see cliffski and soldak).

By: Jake Birkett

Jake Birkett — Fri, 06 Feb 2009 07:24:02 +0000

Maybe that means the way forward is with teams…

By: Tycoon Games

Tycoon Games — Thu, 05 Feb 2009 19:55:27 +0000

Well I was talking about single person, not teams. I don’t recall many portal hits made as single person (I consider single even a programmer contracting out art).
The only ones I can remember are Aveyond, Cute Knight, Build A Lot, etc. Also as you say I include in the percentage the games that are refused by portals.

By: Jake Birkett

Jake Birkett — Thu, 05 Feb 2009 19:19:52 +0000

Cool stats thanks. Interesting the low portal stats.

btw, the idea that only 0.01% of games can become portal hits may be too low. If you say 365 games per year are released on BFG, well quite a few get to no.1 or at least in the top 10, but certainly not all do. However, it is worth considering the many many games that they won’t even accept because they are not good enough to sell on casual portal OR too niche.

By: Colm

Colm — Thu, 05 Feb 2009 10:46:38 +0000

That’s great – thanks to Riva for sharing. Particularly agree with the idea that niche areas are totally underserved and are the way to go for indie game makers.

By: Oliver

Oliver — Thu, 05 Feb 2009 09:21:22 +0000

Thanks, that was very informative and inspiring! :)

I can’t wait to get out of college and pick up my game dev passion again. Currently using the time between classes and exams to learn marketing and selling on the side.

By: Karl Blueskied

Karl Blueskied — Thu, 05 Feb 2009 06:41:18 +0000

Uh oh, sales stats by Winter Wolves. Very interesting.

By: Brian

Brian — Thu, 05 Feb 2009 06:00:02 +0000

Harrington is a terrible font. :V