Are you an indie game developer looking to make a name for yourself in the gaming industry? Or perhaps you’re a gamer who’s curious about how much these talented individuals earn. In either case, you’ve come to the right place. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll delve into the topic of how much indie game developers make and provide you with all the information you need to know.
What is an Indie Game Developer?
An indie game developer is a self-employed individual who creates and sells their own video games. These individuals typically work alone or in small teams, often working out of their homes or a co-working space. Unlike larger gaming companies, indie game developers have more freedom to create the games they want, without the constraints of corporate budgets or marketing campaigns.
The Average Indie Game Developer Salary
According to a survey conducted by the International Game Developers Association (IGDA), the average indie game developer earns around $60,000 per year. This includes both salary and revenue from game sales. It’s worth noting that this is just an average, and some indie game developers can make significantly more or less than this amount depending on a variety of factors.
The Top-Earning Indie Game Developers
While the average indie game developer salary may not be as high as you might think, there are still some individuals who have made significant amounts of money in the industry. Here are some examples:
- Minecraft creator Markus Persson reportedly earned over $20 million from the sale of his game.
- The creators of Among Us, InnerSloth, reportedly sold the game for over $30 million to Microsoft.
- The team behind Stardew Valley, ConcernedApe (real name Eric Barone), reportedly made over $24 million from the sale of the game.
These examples are certainly exceptions to the rule, but they do demonstrate that with hard work and a successful game, indie game developers can make significant amounts of money.
How Much Do You Need to Make a Living as an Indie Game Developer?
To make a living as an indie game developer, you’ll need to earn at least $50,000 per year. This includes both salary and revenue from game sales. However, it’s worth noting that this is just a rough guideline, and some indie game developers may need to earn even more depending on their lifestyle and financial obligations.
Factors Affecting Indie Game Developer Salary
As we mentioned earlier, there are many factors that can affect an indie game developer’s salary. Here are a few examples:
- Type of game: The type of game you create can have a significant impact on your salary. For example, games in popular genres like sports or shooters may be more likely to generate revenue and therefore higher salaries for the developers.
- Platform: The platform you release your game on can also affect your salary. Games released on consoles or mobile devices may generate more revenue than PC games, for example.
- Team size: If you’re working in a small team, you may be able to earn more per person than someone working in a larger team.
