How Much Do Indie Game Developers Make? Can You Survive as a Solo Developer?

Are you wondering, “how much do indie game developers make?” You’ve come to the right place. Every year, the gaming industry surprises the world with many innovative new items. Games have made more money than movies and sports combined in the previous three years. That’s because of a work-from-home culture that’s become commonplace. Consumer expenditure is predicted to reach $203.1 billion in 2022 for the gaming sector.

The average annual income of an indie game developer is around $79,943.00, which is more than the average income of a typical household.

Indie game creators will be in great demand as the need for new games grows. A career as a Game Developer may be a good fit if you have a strong interest in video games. You’d be able to spend your workdays creating and testing new games instead of doing administrative tasks. 

How much money can you make as a game designer? In this article, we’ll look at how much an average indie dev makes, as well as the factors that affect it, and the most successful Indie games.

Table of Contents

• What Is The Average Income Of An Indie Game Developer?
• How Many Indie Game Developers Are Successful?
• Indie Game Genres That Make the Most Money
• The Most Important Factors Affecting How Much You Can Make As An Indie Game Dev
• Study on Salary Trends for Indie Game Developers
• Successful Indie Games
• Average Indie Game Developer Salary According to Location
• Bottom line

What Is The Average Income Of An Indie Game Developer?

According to data provided by ZipRecruiter, the typical annual income of an indie game developer comes in at $79,943.00. The median income for a household is $68.703. Therefore, it is safe to assume that the typical salary of an indie game developer is significantly more than the norm.

How Many Indie Game Developers Are Successful?

70% of all independent video games are not successful on the market. Only 7% of the games that make up the 30% get deemed successful. They will be the only ones that have enough money to support the development of a project.

If you want to make money off of your project, you need to put some effort into developing independent video games. You must shift your perspective from that of a hobbyist to that of a businessperson.

Many people also have somewhat varying conceptions of what constitutes a successful endeavor. It is quite acceptable to have the goal of having only a small number of people love your game while you are just starting.

Now, how you calculate your costs will determine how you figure out how much profit you made. For instance, if you operate as a single software developer, you might be able to state that your costs are zero. That is nearly impossible; but, you might be able to say that you had an opportunity cost of working for a large software development firm that was $50,000.

You have to consider the opportunity cost if you want to be realistic. If this is the truth, close to 82% of independent games on Steam never made above $50,000. Additionally, accounting for Steam split, discounts, returns, and other factors bring the total closer to $25,000 to $30,000. We may say that fewer than two of every ten independent video games generate a profit. 

According to another survey, approximately 20% of all independent video game developers either break even or earn a profit on their projects. Therefore, in general, the earnings that an indie developer made off of their highly successful successes stay sufficient to compensate for the significant losses incurred. How can independent game developers acquire more attention for their creations?

• Don’t give up on what you’ve already started. The only thing that keeps independent software engineers going is their passion. They have to confidently face criticism and negativity head-on and keep working no matter what happens to improve their project.
• Put your attention on quality. For an independent game producer to produce a significant number of games with the hope that at least one of them would be successful is a strategy that makes no sense. This is a lousy use of both the time and the available resources. Concentrating on a single activity and seeing it through to completion is the most effective tactic.
• Make use of your unique ideas. What aspects of a vast studio game make them unbeatable by independent developers’ creations? The peculiar storyline and game mechanics. You can find true works of art in storytelling among independent video games; these games are analogous to graphic-rich, interactive books. Because of their premise, many become iconic and amass significant fan support.
• Promote your work. Indie game developers typically do not have access to dedicated marketing staff; thus, it is up to them to spread the word about their products. Everything released, including announcements, trailers, press releases, advertising art, and posts on online communities and themed forums, will be of high quality.
• Make a plan for retaining information. Indie games are not a genre in which players can be encouraged to continue playing by releasing substantial fresh patches and downloadable content. It is crucial to think over the strategies of their retention and encourage them to revisit them to obtain new accomplishments, unblock insightful data, and other such things for the gamers to proceed to interact with the game even after the storyline has concluded. In other words: Replayability.
• Decide on monetization. Standard monetization strategies such as in-game purchases, advertising, and cross-promotion are all up to consideration for independent game developers. To avoid alienating the player, their incorporation must be done immaculately and naturally. Some independent game producers are moving away from traditional revenue means and instead opting to sell the complete game for a single, predetermined price. Users that get it through the Epic Games Store, Steam, or other supported platforms pay for it only once and are granted access to all its features.
• Participate actively in the community. After the game has been released to the general public, you can no longer just let it run on its own. It is vital to keep watch of mentions, make comments, respond to criticism, address questions, and stimulate the attention of all of those who are not indifferent in any way possible.

Indie Game Genres That Make the Most Money

An interesting pattern emerged from VG Insights’ investigation into the sales and revenue of indie games of various genres. RPG, strategy, and simulations are the most lucrative genres in terms of revenue. Adventure, action, sports, and racing games are the following most popular genres and should only be considered if you are sure of your concept. Casual games are the worst kind for indie developers because they have a meager chance of making big money. In the chart below, you can see how much an average indie dev makes through different indie game genres. 

The Most Important Factors Affecting How Much You Can Make As An Indie Game Dev

Desired Competence

A well-versed indie game creator should undoubtedly have a genuine love for games in their heart. To become a true professional in this business, one must have extensive gaming experience, awareness of industry trends, and a thorough comprehension of game mechanics. A bachelor’s degree in electronic games development, computer programming, games design, etc., is required for most indie game developers, although practically all of them further their technical expertise through self-education and practice.

Level of Expertise

Independent IT specialists, in contrast to other types of IT professionals, lack a clear hierarchy of knowledge because of the obscurity of their work history. At a young age, most of them begin working on their projects in the gaming industry. Developers that want to work on larger projects may form their team or join existing communities, firms, or even AAA organizations. As a result, when employing an indie, it’s essential to find out how long they’ve worked on amateur games and how effectively they’ve worked with game studios in the past.

Company

Developers have the option of working on their own or in AAA studios. The amount of money you make and how much time you spend can vary depending on your choice. When working on promising projects backed by significant publishers, AAA studios often employ teams of over 100 professionals. As a result of this independence, small indie studios love making the video games they want to make. Regarding their budgets and salaries, the latter tend to be far lower than the former.

Location

Independent contractors can come from a wide range of countries. As a result of these factors, each location has its unique advantages and disadvantages when it comes to attracting and retaining highly-skilled professionals. Consider the price-to-quality ratio while choosing a place to live. Your best location may be one of the European countries where game development has been gaining steam over the past five years. 

The gaming business in this region is expected to be worth $25 billion by 2020, up 22% from its current value, according to the ISFE. Furthermore, Europe’s game creators have access to more than 350 institutions offering top-tier training. Consider Eastern Europe, particularly Poland and Romania, if you’re looking for a talented game developer at a reasonable price.

Study on Salary Trends for Indie Game Developers

In light of the estimated $435 billion gaming market by 2028, publishers are expected to invest more in-game creation, resulting in increased compensation for game developers. However, as most independents know, they work alone and rely on their resources.

Regarding indie game production, it’s all about making games that players will enjoy, rather than just for making money. Minecraft, Super Meat Boy, Among Us, and Hollow Knight are a few examples of great indie games that have captured the hearts of millions. With an average income of $4 million per game, those independent teams that “made it” earn an excellent indie developer success wage. Not everyone can reap the benefits of such a windfall. As a result, some indie developers prefer to work for large corporations, where they can receive a regular salary.

Successful Indie Games

Although the previous year was a disaster owing to the outbreak, the market for video games had a significant increase in sales. At home, people acquired far tighter ties to the virtual entertainment world than they had previously. As a result of the phenomenal success of several independently developed video games, the gaming community has been inspired to create fanart and even animations based on their favorite games.

According to many gamers, indie games are not using recent visual developments, although this does not appear to have impacted their popularity. The fact that they are prepared to support independent creators is not just because they have the bravery to take on substantial AAA blockbusters but also because their games have complex narratives, compelling stories, and delightful surprises that completely compensate for the simplicity of the art.

Spiritfarer

The Steam page for this indie simulator describes it as a “cozy game about dying.” You may consider that the developers went too far with their creations. However, this is not the case in reality. Players who are initially puzzled and even scared discover afterward that the game is beautiful, thought-provoking, and leaves a lasting bittersweet taste in their mouths. Over a million copies of Spiritfarer have been sold worldwide.

You’ll get to play Charon in this section. In this role, you will serve as a ferryman for the deceased, bringing their souls to various underworld destinations. Also, you’ll be responsible for tending to your garden and harvesting, as well as fishing in the river of the dead. Allows you to contemplate death from a non-judgmental perspective without fear or prejudice.

Coffee Talk

Coffee Talk is exactly what you’d expect from a typical cup of Joe with pals. At night, many people feel cold, lonely, and plagued by severe thoughts. Relaxing and upbeat, this game is packed with fascinating stories from all walks of life and adorable mini-games that make you smile. In less than a month after its release, the Indonesian studio behind Coffee Talk recorded gross revenues of $550,000.

The only midnight barista in the city is here to tell you what they have to deal with on a nightly basis. Attracting those with nowhere else to turn and no one to turn to for help, you’ll get to know their stories and provide advice as you search for the perfect drink to soothe their troubled spirits. As you examine the characters of nocturnal guests, you can assist them in discovering solutions to both primary and complex inquiries thanks to pixel images and excellent music. People who need encouragement can find it here, the only illuminated harbor in the dark. And a cup of hot cocoa!

Fall Guys: Ultimate Knockout

Extravagance plus a dash of lunacy, perhaps? Fall Guys: Ultimate Knockout got inspiration from game shows like Legends of the Hidden Temple, which included wacky obstacle courses. Teams of up to a hundred people can compete in a chaotic race through a world filled with obstacles and traps. Battle royale style, you’ll start with others and compete until only one remains, but with a lighter tone and a more upbeat theme. Revenue from the sale of more than 11 million copies is more than £175 million (or more than $245 million).

To score victory points, you’ll need to push your opponents, exploit the game’s physics, and avoid pitfalls. Comedic themes and colorful and cheery colors get used in the game’s peculiar physics engine. To maintain the players’ interest, the project will continue to evolve and add new aspects and themes.

Average Indie Game Developer Salary According to Location

USA

The United States of America is often gets regarded as the country where gaming first began. It is home to one of the most technologically advanced game industries. It also has the most significant gaming market, which brought in 47.32 billion dollars in 2021. Thus, it should be no surprise that the United States comes first as the country that provides the most significant average compensation for independent game developers ($86K), with New York and California leading the list.

South America

North America

Canada

Even though the gaming sector in Canada is developed, independent developers make less than their peers in the United States. They make approximately $64,000 annually.

Mexico

Compared to their professional counterparts in Canada and the United States, independent game creators in Mexico receive the lowest pay. Their annual wage, on average, doesn’t even reach $16,500.

Brazil

The median annual income for an independent game developer in Brazil is $21,000. That is $5,000 more than the median yearly income in Mexico.

Argentina

The compensation given to Argentinian Indies is the lowest in South America. They earn only $12,000, which is almost twice as little as it is in Brazil.

Germany

In Western and Nordic Europe, Germany has the second-highest average income for independent game developers, coming in at $69K. 

France

The average yearly salary in the French gaming departments is around $54,000. This is around $15,000 less than the average salary in Germany.

Italy

Around $44,000 is the average yearly salary for experts working in the Italian independent gaming industry. That makes it one of the lowest in the region.

Spain

Spain, like its neighbor Italy, has a relatively low average wage for independent game developers, coming in at $37,000.

Norway

Norwegian independent game professionals have the highest pay rate of any other country in the region. They have an annual salary of $73,000 on average.

Netherlands

The compensation of an independent game developer in the Netherlands is $56,500. This is only a $2,500 difference from the salary of an independent game developer in France.

Sweden

The average salary of an independent video game developer in the region is quite appealing in Sweden. Sweden is located in Europe and here the developers earn around $61,500. 

Ukraine

The annual wage for independent game developers is not the greatest in Ukraine compared to other countries in the region. However, at a mean of $28,000, it is still above and beyond what may be considered decent.

Poland

The average salary for a specialist in an independent video game in Poland is $32,000. This makes it one of the countries in Eastern Europe with the highest pay rates in this industry.

Romania

At $21,500 yearly, the minimum wage for independent contractors in Romania is one of the lowest in the European region.

Hungary

At $26,000 per year, the median income for independent game developers in Hungary is comparable to that of their Polish counterparts.

Czech Republic

An annual salary of $27,000 is a good incentive for independent video game producers in the Czech Republic.

Japan

The annual salary of Japanese independent game specialists is one of the highest in the region. Developers here earn an average of $46,000. This places their salary in the top spot.

South Korea

The average salary for independent game developers in South Korea is $44,500, slightly less than the average salary in Japan.

Singapore

The annual salary for indie game developers in Singapore is above $50.5 thousand. That makes it the absolute leader in average rates for independent game developers in South Asia.

India

India is widely regarded as a hub for independent game creators. But, the average yearly salary for these individuals is only $15,500. That’s significantly less than what their Asian peers earn.

Bottom line

Can you make money as a solo indie developer? Yes, you can. The realm of independent game creation is a fantastic place with no barriers. Any of your wildest and most brilliant ideas can become a reality. You could run into some challenges along the way. But the fact that you have a mental picture of how to overcome them and are prepared to do so regardless of the circumstances is the essential thing. 

You have to be in tune with your intended market and have a firm grasp of your craft. That way, you can generate annual revenues of between $3,000 and more than $6,292,982 as an Indie game developer. Just don’t give up and stay passionate and determined to make your game successful.

New to game development and want to start making games? Take a look at my other article about the recommended types of games for beginner indie developers.

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