From Free to Minimum Wage

1. From Free to Minimum Wage My Transition to Commercial Games

2. The Games • In 2007, started making F2P, Flash Point and Click Adventure Games.

3. The Games • In 2007, started making F2P, Flash Point and Click Adventure Games. • First game “The Visitor” was a viral hit getting over 20 million plays.

4. The Games • In 2007, started making F2P, Flash Point and Click Adventure Games. • First game “The Visitor” was a viral hit getting over 20 million plays. • Most popular series “The Several Journeys of Reemus” 5 chapters with millions of plays.

5. The Games • In 2007, started making F2P, Flash Point and Click Adventure Games. • First game “The Visitor” was a viral hit getting over 20 million plays. • Most popular series “The Several Journeys of Reemus” 5 chapters with millions of plays. • Every chapter award nominated

6. The Games • In 2007, started making F2P, Flash Point and Click Adventure Games. • First game “The Visitor” was a viral hit getting over 20 million plays. • Most popular series “The Several Journeys of Reemus” 5 chapters with millions of plays. • Every chapter award nominated • Earned top spots on Kongregateand Newgrounds.

7. The Games • In 2007, started making F2P, Flash Point and Click Adventure Games. • First game “The Visitor” was a viral hit getting over 20 million plays. • Most popular series “The Several Journeys of Reemus” 5 chapters with millions of plays. • Every chapter award nominated • Earned top spots on Kongregateand Newgrounds. • Average rating of 4 out of 5.

8. The Situation • Lack of replayability = limited sponsorship $$

9. The Situation • Lack of replayability = limited sponsorship $$ • Sponsorships a gamble – rates varied greatly between games and seem to be declining. • March 2011 - $7500 • November 2011 - $6000 • June 2012 - $3000

10. The Situation • Lack of replayability = limited sponsorship $$ • Sponsorships a gamble – rates varied greatly between games and seem to be declining. • March 2011 - $7500 • November 2011 - $6000 • June 2012 - $3000 • Time spent not worth the return, especially splitting with partner.

11. The Situation • Lack of replayability = limited sponsorship $$ • Sponsorships a gamble – rates varied greatly between games and seem to be declining. • March 2011 - $7500 • November 2011 - $6000 • June 2012 - $3000 • Time spent not worth the return, especially splitting with partner. • Try selling direct to fans.

12. The Challenge • Could I follow in the footsteps of Indie Adventure companies like Wadjet Eye?

13. The Challenge • Could I follow in the footsteps of Indie Adventure companies like Wadjet Eye? • Could I convert fans of free games to paid?

14. The Challenge • Could I follow in the footsteps of Indie Adventure companies like Wadjet Eye? • Could I convert fans of free games to paid? • Would there be backlash?

15. The Plan • Convert “The Several Journeys of Reemus” our most popular free series to paid.

16. The Plan • Convert “The Several Journeys of Reemus” our most popular free series to paid. • Avoid fan backlash - Create two games, commercial game with new story and next chapter in free flash game series.

17. The Plan • Convert “The Several Journeys of Reemus” our most popular free series to paid. • Avoid fan backlash - Create two games, commercial game with new story and next chapter in free flash game series. • Smaller game self sponsored with ad for commercial game.

18. The Plan • Convert “The Several Journeys of Reemus” our most popular free series to paid. • Avoid fan backlash - Create two games, commercial game with new story and next chapter in free flash game series. • Smaller game self sponsored with ad for commercial game. • Started pre-orders early to help fund production.

19. The Outcome • After two years of production “The Ballads of Reemus” launched January 2012 along with companion game “The Several Journeys of Reemus: Chapter 4”.

20. The Outcome • After two years of production “The Ballads of Reemus” launched January 2012 along with companion game “The Several Journeys of Reemus: Chapter 4”. • No backlash among the free fans.

21. The Outcome • After two years of production “The Ballads of Reemus” launched January 2012 along with companion game “The Several Journeys of Reemus: Chapter 4”. • No backlash among the free fans. • Free game satisfied them and everyone generally excited about a longer game also being available.

22. What Went Right? • We Finished it!

23. What Went Right? • We Finished it! • $5000 in Pre-orders helped pay for voice actors and music.

24. What Went Right? • We Finished it! • $5000 in Pre-orders helped pay for voice actors and music. • Video diaries created hype and built community. People felt a part of the process – Helped createsome hardcore fans.

25. What Went Right? • We Finished it! • $5000 in Pre-orders helped pay for voice actors and music. • Video diaries created hype and built community. People felt a part of the process – Helped createsome hardcore fans. • “The Several Journeys of Reemus: Chapter 4” best episode in the series.

26. What Went Right? • Free game Converted 1 in 300.

27. What Went Right? • Free game Converted 1 in 300. • 1 million plays in first 3 weeks. Currently at 2.6 million plays.

28. What Went Right? • Free game Converted 1 in 300. • 1 million plays in first 3 weeks. Currently at 2.6 million plays. • Based on feedback added secret side quests, mini games & achievements to help pad out the length. Made game feel more robust.

29. What Went Right? • Free game Converted 1 in 300. • 1 million plays in first 3 weeks. Currently at 2.6 million plays. • Based on feedback added secret side quests, mini games & achievements to help pad out the length. Made game feel more robust. • Voice acting and writing universallypraised as high quality.

30. What Went Right? • Sold over 3183 copies to date - still sell 1-4 copies every single day.

31. What Went Right? • Sold over 3183 copies to date - still sell 1-4 copies every single day. • Blackberry Playbook port resulted in surprising amount of sales – 770

32. What Went Right? • Sold over 3183 copies to date - still sell 1-4 copies every single day. • Blackberry Playbook port resulted in surprising amount of sales – 770 • Made $30,000 in 18 months with every indication of a long sales tail.

33. What Went Wrong? • No Budget - stressful production schedule.

34. What Went Wrong? • No Budget - stressful production schedule. • Disappearing Deadlines - production dragged as focus kept switching to paid gigs.(created 3 other client games during time).

35. What Went Wrong? • No Budget - stressful production schedule. • Disappearing Deadlines - production dragged as focus kept switching to paid gigs.(created 3 other client games during time). • Name change was meant to differentiate between free and paid, caused more confusion. “The Several Ballads of Reemus”.

36. What Went Wrong? • No Budget - stressful production schedule • Disappearing Deadlines - production dragged as focus kept switching to paid gigs.(created 3 other client games during time). • Name change was meant to differentiate between free and paid, caused more confusion. “The Several Ballads of Reemus” • Long production timeline created hype, but short length made people wonder why it took so long and caused some disappointment.

37. What Went Wrong? • Game story chopped due to time. Made game feel “small” despite being longer than free ones.

38. What Went Wrong? • Game story chopped due to time. Made game feel “small” despite being longer than free ones. • Free games had a much more epic story scale. ie. Death slugs invading the world vs trying to get a new bed.

39. What Went Wrong? • Game story chopped due to time. Made game feel “small” despite being longer than free ones. • Free games had a much more epic story scale. ie. Death slugs invading the world vs trying to get a new bed. • Flash chugged as the file size hit 200mb. Large audio and cutscene files caused Flash to buckle.

40. What Went Wrong? • Game story chopped due to time. Made game feel “small” despite being longer than free ones. • Free games had a much more epic story scale. ie. Death slugs invading the world vs trying to get a new bed. • Flash chugged as the file size hit 200mb. Large audio and cutscene files caused Flash to buckle. • Performance issues with vectors and alphas.

41. What Went Wrong? • Game story chopped due to time. Made game feel “small” despite being longer than free ones. • Free games had a much more epic story scale. ie. Death slugs invading the world vs trying to get a new bed. • Flash chugged as the file size hit 200mb. Large audio and cutscene files caused Flash to buckle. • Performance issues with vectors and alphas. • Lack of standard commercial design features (Standard installer, hint system) ruined chances with publishers.

42. What Went Wrong? • Vector art “Flash” look meant we had to overcome “ALL FLASH SHOULD BE FREE!” stigma.

43. What Went Wrong? • Vector art “Flash” look meant we had to overcome “ALL FLASH SHOULD BE FREE!” stigma. • Using Flash limited ability to port game to iOS.

44. The Breakdown

45. The Conclusion • Successfully converted free fans to paying customers with no backlash.

46. The Conclusion • Successfully converted free fans to paying customers with no backlash. • Free Chp.4 fueled all sales of commercial game - doubtful commercial game would’ve had any sales without it.

47. The Conclusion • Successfully converted free fans to paying customers with no backlash. • Free Chp.4 fueled all sales of commercial game - doubtful commercial game would’ve had any sales without it. • With an actual budget could’ve made the game 6-8 months.

48. The Conclusion • Successfully converted free fans to paying customers with no backlash. • Free Chp.4 fueled all sales of commercial game - doubtful commercial game would’ve had any sales without it. • With an actual budget could’ve made the game 6-8 months. • When you break it down effort for Ballads of Reemus about the same per month as a sponsorship.

49. The Conclusion • With more marketing muscle and tighter production schedule, commercial could have more potential.

50. The Conclusion • With more marketing muscle and tighter production schedule, commercial could have more potential. • Cultivating a fan base creates a much more stable market base than relying on the ever changing landscape of sponsorships.