How many units do Indies sell?

[TKE Super Dave 182]

I've been doing some research about what it would take to make my game and some rough estimating of what my sales figures will need to be in order to break even and/or to make a profit of any kind. I've come up with some numbers now and would like to compare them to statistics of indy games that have actually made sales. Really what I'm looking for is number of unit solds over a 2 year, possibly 3 year, span (also if available the price for which it was sold). I understand that not all indy games make money, especially their first year and first game, but I'm also trying to make sure I at least get close to breaking even on my investment. Does anyone know of a website or is willing to share number of units sold statistics?

[Tom Sloper 16375]

I'm pretty sure this question was asked and answered helpfully just recently, either here on this forum or on the IGDA business forum. I'm pretty sure if you check the other posts' subject lines for similar-sounding questions you'll find a useful link.

[eedok 982]

Take a look at gameproducer.com, here's a couple links
Morning's Wrath
Gish
Tribal Trouble
Pharoahs Curse

[blippblopp74 122]

You need to check out the sales figures but I would say that indie game development is the worst possible workpath choice possible at the moment.

Royalty is so low now that even developers from the poorest countries (if they had developers) on the planets couldn't live on it. It's not impossible, popcap for example is a quite sucessful company. But to make a living I would look at other directions if i were you, there is a global high demand for high paying system development consultants in various fields for example.

[TKE Super Dave 182]

I don't plan on making a living off my games sales I'm just thinking of doing it on the side. Also I'm not looking to sell to a publisher or anything I'm doing the true Indy experience of gorilla marketing and shareware.

Thanks eedok for the site. They really helped me make see that my goals are attainable especially if I market right and do what some of those successful people did.

[eedok 982]

surely you mean Geurrilla?

[grapemilk 122]

Quote:

Original post by eedok Take a look at gameproducer.com, here's a couple links Morning's Wrath Gish Tribal Trouble Pharoahs Curse

Whoa, those sales stats aren't encouraging at all. Makes me want to rethink the game I'm currently designing...

[Tom Sloper 16375]

Quote:

Original post by grapemilk Whoa, those sales stats aren't encouraging at all. Makes me want to rethink the game I'm currently designing...

If you're designing it to make money, sure - go ahead and rethink.
So is that it? The only reason you're designing that game is to sell it and make a profit? Really?

[grapemilk 122]

I feel that's the only way I can justify the time commitment, in light of more lucrative pursuits...

[Smoothballer 100]

Do not rethink your plan, unless your game clearly isn't as good as those listed above.

But those aren't really great examples of indie games that have sold well. There are many, many more that have sold much more then they have. There is plenty of money to be made. You just have to make a good game and market it properly. Easy stuff.