From: Oliver Stiller <os AT netcomuk DOT co DOT uk>
Newsgroups: comp.os.msdos.djgpp,rec.games.programmer,alt.comp.shareware.for-kids
Subject: Re: Publishing a game
Date: Sun, 19 Jan 1997 02:15:18 -0800
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To: djgpp AT delorie DOT com
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Jason Barstow wrote:
> 
> My partner and I are currently finishing a game.
> We are at the stage of approaching publishers. We are also
> checking out the shareware route as an alternative form of distribution.
> 
> This is our first game and we're desperately trying to form a
> basis for discussion (with retail/shareware publishers). We're
> finding it difficult to get real-life facts and figures. Without
> these we can't really begin...
> 
> The game:
> (This is from the blurb we're sending publishers....)
> 
> *Arcade style educational game for children and adults.
> *Multiple puzzles/information pages.
> *Written with DJGPP (DOS,32bit).

DOS could be a minus when talking to publishers :-(

> If *anyone* has *any* experience in this area please send us
> information.
> 
> Particularly,
> 
> Can we expect support (resource/financial) to finish the game?

Yes (financial), but this largely depends on the quality of
the game and how well it fits into the publishers scheme.


> What percentage should we expect to receive for a retail product?

Deals are very different depending on the amount of advance,
the product quality etc. Expect anything between 5% and 20%
of the retail price. The last figure is realistic for registered
shareware copies only but not for CDs sold via stores.

> Can we expect an advance?

Yes, in form of financial support to finish the product but only
if the product is very good. If this is your first product and
it's a educational game and it's of "average" quality you should
not expect anything in the range of an appealing hourly rate for
the support.


> What sort of sales can we expect to make (presuming the product is 'average')?

Unfortunately "average" products don't sell average but bad.
It's hard to put that into sales figures. Is it for the UK
market only ? For Europe ?  US ?

If it's an educational product expect less sales than for an
entertainment game. Educational CDs sell rarely more than
10.000 copies in Germany and I don't know much about the UK
market.

regards

Oliver