If you’re a game developer, you’re probably wondering how much money you can expect to make per hour. The answer to this question can vary greatly depending on a variety of factors such as your experience, the type of game you develop, and the platform you target.
1. Salary:
The most common way that game developers make their money is through salary. This can come from working for a large gaming studio or from being a freelance developer who contracts out their services to various clients. According to Glassdoor, the average base salary for a game developer in the United States is $89,000 per year. If we assume that this person works 250 days per year, this equates to an hourly wage of approximately $348 per hour.
2. Freelancing:
Another way that game developers make their money is through freelancing. This involves working on a project-by-project basis for different clients. The amount of money that a freelancer can earn per hour will depend on their experience, the type of work they are doing, and the market rate in their area. According to Upwork, the average hourly wage for a game developer is $180 per hour.
3. Crowdfunding:
Some game developers choose to fund their projects through crowdfunding platforms such as Kickstarter or Indiegogo. These platforms allow developers to receive funding from fans and backers who are interested in supporting the project. The amount that a developer can earn through crowdfunding will depend on the success of the campaign and the rewards offered to backers. According to Kickstarter, the average game development project raises $13,000. If we assume that this project takes six months to complete and that the developer works 40 hours per week, this equates to an hourly wage of approximately $90 per hour.
4. In-game purchases:
Many modern games generate revenue through in-game purchases such as virtual currency or items that can be used within the game. If a game developer is responsible for creating these in-game items or managing the game’s economy, they can earn a share of the revenue generated from these sales. The amount that a developer can earn from in-game purchases will depend on the success of the game and the percentage of the revenue that they are entitled to receive. According to Forbes, the average game developer makes $150,000 per year from in-game purchases.
5. Advertising:
Some games generate revenue through advertising such as display ads or sponsored content. If a game developer is responsible for managing the game’s advertising strategy, they can earn a share of the revenue generated from these ads. The amount that a developer can earn from advertising will depend on the success of the game and the rate at which ads are displayed. According to Statista, the global mobile gaming ad revenue was $6.3 billion in 2019.
FAQ:
1. What is the average hourly wage for a game developer?
The average hourly wage for a game developer can vary greatly depending on the type of work they are doing, their experience, and the market rate in their area. However, according to Glassdoor, the average base salary for a game developer in the United States is $89,000 per year, which equates to an hourly wage of approximately $348 per hour.
2. How do game developers make money through crowdfunding?
Game developers can make money through crowdfunding by launching campaigns on platforms like Kickstarter or Indiegogo. These platforms allow developers to receive funding from fans and backers who are interested in supporting the project. The amount that a developer can earn through crowdfunding will depend on the success of the campaign and the rewards offered to backers.
3. What is the average game developer’s income from in-game purchases?
The average game developer makes $150,000 per year from in-game purchases. However, this amount can vary greatly depending on the success of the game and the percentage of revenue that the developer is entitled to receive.
4. How does a game developer make money through advertising?
A game developer can make money through advertising by managing the game’s advertising strategy and earning a share of the revenue generated from display ads or sponsored content. The amount that a developer can earn from advertising will depend on the success of the game and the rate at which ads are displayed.
