There's something about NewGrounds….

Newgrounds।com or in its humanly name Tom Fulp (a young, talented site/games developer and naïve some might say) is a veteran gaming portal, still aiming for thaws lonely-lets-play-all-day teenagers. Nevertheless, Tom's wife gave birth almost live on their blog, the site handles hundreds of new summation daily, the unique points system still kick's ass, and the new gold membership method, along with the independent merchandise store, there's something about NewGrounds, that keeps it ticking.

Let's take a look at NewGrounds.com statistics

1. Tom (`30) launched NewGrounds.com on 1995.
2. More than 1.5 registered users.
3. Since Nov, 2007 about 500K of Flash files were submitted, about 30% are online.
4। July, 2007 – Tom relaunched the site with its content rating methods.

NewGrounds, in a social way

NewGrounds is one of the oldest 'let's make it a little more than just a game portal and let people create content regardless to the game' sites around। Every user gets a cool personal page with blogging capabilities and games/images/Flash files uploader। Flash game developers are enabled to integrate NewGrounds's API kit, and make money while serving NewGrounds Ads.

NG, Pros:
- Great games.
- One of the best places to be after you're a serial game developer.
- Tom keeps it updated - graphically and mentally.
- The game developing community is there.
NG, Cons:
- For a Flash game developer, it'll be very hard to start among sharks.
- Not that friendly for first time user, especially not for casual gamers.
- The personal pages are somehow boring if you see more then 10.
- It seems like only professional are welcomed.

Are there any NG alternatives?
1. For socializing and gaming: Kongregate, Nonba.
2. For gaming and socializing: Miniclip, ArmorGames and Hallpass.

The best six tips for Flash game developer to make money

There are a lot of tips which I can blurb (and already blurbed) about, in money making methods and the ongoing marathon। However, now – today – you've just came across the best six tips for Flash game developer about 'how to make money from Flash games developing'.

1. The oldest way to make money is getting the game sponsored – You do it after developing it, getting the best audio and graphics you can. Pros: It's cash. Cons: Hard to get.
2. Host your games and draw the players in – There are several independent Flash game developers who activated personal sites for own games hosting. They put ads around it, they have millions gameplays. Pros: No middle-man. Cons: You should understand SEO.
3. In game ads – Their simple, gets you a fluent income and possible to combine with 1 + 2. Pros: Very fast integration. Cons: Less than $1 for every 1000 gameplays.
4. Sell the game/your abilities – McDonalds, CNN and other great companies are looking for game developers for commercial needs. Be the one. Pros: Lots of money. Cons: Very hard to get.
5. Good game is a one with lots of "I die for this game" users. So make a better version and take money for it. They'll buy it. You'll make money. Pros: You make money for a game 90% already developed. Cons: You should first develop a hit.
6. API Integration – Hallpass, Kongregate etc, might pay you for integrating their API into your game. This way, you'll be sending highscores directly into their database, and get paid for each user/integration/game. Pros: Trendi, very important for public relation and social marketing. Cons: It's the end of the tip.

Big changes – Kongregate is getting social

One of the only (and lonely) independent game developers community sites, is as well known – Kongregate। K gives a very profitable business model for game developers and recently changed their whole interface in order to become more social. Is it all about a new gamers/developers social network?

Since early 2007, young/old, companies & independent game developers has finally got the right web support they needed। Mochiads started serving in game advertising (as Google does since last month), NewGrounds became more serious and two American brother & sister established Kongregate.
The K interface changed few weeks ago living no doubt: Kongregate needs the casual gamers and is whiling to invest in socializing tools. As long as K's developing community stays in-house (as they called to stay since the restriction of using other in-game advertising methods), that just might work.

However, since the launch of the other gaming social networks for game developers, there are rumors about amazing socializing and marketing tools for game developers. The business model is the same as K's (without the restriction) + the Google Adsense revenue sharing.

Three web sites no Flash game developer can avoid these days

As a Flash game developer, you have 3 reasons to check out new/leading web sites: 1. You take a break (and this is what porn sites are for). 2. You have to see others work & trends. 3. You have to make money from your casual games and you're looking for monetizing methods. Well, drop the porn sites, and I'll show you how deep the rabbit hole goes.

1. ArmorGames - a। The first thing you should know is that they have no porn content. Sorry. b. Armorgames is an amazing place for casual games. They have it all - they sponsor games, they hire game developers - they need new games in order to pass the next month, and as a content creator you are wanted!

You also have MiniClip, Meez, Cafe, NewGrounds etc - Don't worry most of them are unique and special in it's own way। Flash game developers should take advantage over the differences between these great sites. Mochiads is a little different - they're all about giving you great business modal.

2. Facebook - a। They know gaming (especially social gaming) is the thing that makes it going, so they invest in game developing and the usabilty of their applications. b. They have more audience that you need.

Myspace as Facebook, Bebo (with the dual support of facebook applications as well as OpenSocial methods by Google) all give a great stage for gaming between the virtual worlds they create around you। Use them to market.

Good old Kongregate (which disallow having in game advertising rather then they're own), give flash game developers the opportunity to upload games, having them monetized by in game and around game ads, socialize and getting the suitable stage as been a real content creators. Kong treats game developers as YouTube(/Google) treats film makers.

How much money can a Flash programmer make from Flash game developing?

Since start blogging about making money as a Flash developer, I've been filtering the big question of most of the Flash developers out-there: How much money can a game developer make as a freelancer? How much money can a Flash developer make by developing Ad-games? Join in-game-advertising networks? Let's start…

Most of the Flash technology programmers in the world were in some point of her life in the situation where they had to decide: Should I go into casual games developing? This issue was on my mind as a Flash site developer since it’s all about finance questions – How much money will I make if I'll stop developing crappy Flash sites and start develop amazing casual games. If you try to calculate how much will you exactly make – you're heading the wrong way.

Ask yourself first:
1. Can I run my own business?2. Can I work from home?
3. Do I have the ability to work alone, in professionalism matters?
4. Am I ready to get into the online life of MySpace/Faceboook/NewGrounds/Xpogames etc…? (If you just said: "Huh?" them forget the rest, you're not ready!).
Check out these few facts:
1. There are special portals for game developers: Kongregate, Armor Games, Miniclip etc. Use them.
2. Mochiads (and Google with new bet testing) can supply advertisers for any Flash game. You get paid per click (for 1000 gameplayes, you'll get around $1).
3. Developing games in Flash is the easiest way (the easiest, not 'easy') to get into the game development world.

Can you make the best casual game ever?! (Part 3)

Developing the best casual game ever means you deeply understands the true meaning of casual gaming। It means you are skilled developer and it means you should stop…

1। ॥asking your mom how does she feels with the main character movement across the game platform. Loose old & bad habits, use QA gamers.

2। ॥developing while using different substances. Yes, I know – half of you think: " substances?!...using?!?! SAY WHAT?!?" and the other half thinks: "But hi, dude, I mean common, no as in NO?!?...no way". Try. It'll make your eyes reopened.

3। ॥embedding downloaded MP3 files or ripped YouTube audios into your games. Use talented artists, they waiting for your call.

4. ..using 'black-hat' methods & tricky ways to revile your games. Use the dedicated portals, be dynamic – remake them as application in major social networks. Start your own blog (… ).

That's it for now...C U on Part 4 of "Can you make the best casual game ever?"

Game developers, stop using Flash for game developing!!!

As a game developer, casual games that is, you can choose to develop your game (assuming the graphics, audio and the idea itself are 'no problem' missions for you) in Java, Shockwave, Flash or SilverLight. Let's look closely on the Yes's and No's regarding casual games development platforms and developing languages.

Silverlight – Silverlight, a new technology by Microsoft is in its (very) early stages and therefore should be treated differently. I think you should read and test it, it might become a hit. For these days, leave MS products as far as you can from your mind.

Java –"Every computers runs Java", true although there are more Flash players installed on PC's around the world then Java support.

Shockwave – forget it! It's a dying technology with no real future.

Flash:
a. Once upon a time, there were many site developing companies who developed full Flash sites. However these days, no reasonable client would ask for full Flash site and Adobe invests in the Flash abilities as casual game developing platform.
b. Most of the worlds PC's runs Flash player.
c. Most of the game portals accept Flash games with no problems.


So…do you really think you should stop using Flash for game developing???

Can you make the best casual game ever?! (Part 2)

The first part of "Can you make the best casual game ever?!" was mostly about basic steps every game developer should take in order to accomplish his best casual game ever. This one is all about 4 points that every casual gamer is hoping to find in your game.

1. Scoring – Your scoring system should be based on skills and achievements, remember the psychological factors involved in getting rewarded. Remember that a casual gamer is looking for fun, relaxation and….fun.


2. Make the thumbnail, the intro and the game itself similar – Flash game developers tends to use professional help for the thumbnail & intro graphics while presenting a poor puzzle/maze game. You should keep in mind that a casual gamer is like a new user at your online store – you really need him to pass through all the intro stuff and checkout (play the game) while trusting you as you let him pick on the gameplay just before he started it.


3. Good feedback helps making an intuitive gamplay. Use audio and video to emphasize the positive actions of the gamer.


4. Make sure you develop an idea you're all excited about. You're probably different then your end-customer, however, a work of an excited professional is always better then another crappy puzzle.

That's it for now...C U on Part 3 of "Can you make the best casual game ever?"

Can you make the best casual game ever? (Part 1)

Flash game developers are trying their best to create hits. Line Rider, Zuma and other casual games made millions for their developers and if you ever developed a Flash game, you've probably thought - "Hi! this might be a hit, I'm going to be reach!!!". Well, this is Part 1 if 'Can you make the best casual game ever?'

The "Can you make the best casual game ever?" series will be mainly a list of Dos & Don'ts, lets start with the obvious:

1. There’s no formula for a good idea/casual game, but there's one for a bad one. Developing games is art rather than science. Think of: Luck, personal experience and inspiration.
(Check these link: a. The worst game ever. b. Inspiration platform).


2. Allow the gamers to choose different difficulty levels.


3. Make the reading part as fun as you can, people don't like it.


4. Don't ask for any kind of sponsorship, if you agree for every thing, it means you don't believe the ability of your game to become a hit.


5. Don't mix different input devices, using the mouse and the keyboard at the same time is something most of the casual gamers don't like.


6. Pick an easy to spell, easy to pronounce game title. You want people to remember and recommend it don't you?


That's it for now...C U on Part 2 of "Can you make the best casual game ever?"

Gaming is good for….gamers?!?!

According to a research held by Boston University, gaming can improve surgical skills, junior high students' abilities, and the scientific thinking of real sports players. The bad news? Violent games can make you….violent!

In the American yearly psychology conference, researchers displayed their series of gaming researches, showing that a computer based game, can improve learning abilities and has a real influence over the gamer.


7 grade students had better processing and planning ahead abilities after playing 20 minutes in a video/computer base game they've never seen before. Medical teams were operating better surgical maneuvers as being (after hours…;-)) gamers.


"If you want to find a great doctor, ask him for his gaming history" said the psychologist Duglass Gentiel from Aiwa University. "Instead of – what are my chances, ask your doctor are you a gamer".


World of Warcraft is getting (you) better!!


Studies shows that playing World of Warcraft online multi player role game can really make you think better and calculate more parameters then the next person.


Another research shows that students, who used to play in violent games, were comfortable with real life violence.

Monetizing Flash games – What kind of Flash game developer are you…?

Monetizing Flash games is the act of making money out from the game you've developed। As a Flash game developer, you must already know that in order to develop Flash game, you'll need: 1. A good idea. 2. Flash developing skills. 3. Design skills (or a designer partner). 4. Web connection (to download free audio or send your audio partner – 'hey mate, I need a new track for my new game'). So you're not spending any money? Oh yes you are…the time, the work, the 'if I'll win this contest you'll get 25% mannn!' etc. In order to monetize your Flash game, first think of how much time & work, you're going to spent.

Before going into in-game-advertising, game sponsorships rendezvous etc, you have to determined what kind of a Flash game developer are you…?

The novice/the beginner/I'm in for the money Flash game developer:
- You can develop a game in one day….hack; even a few hours will be enough for you…
- You create a very simple gameplay, no leveling, no professional design.
- Your audience understands your game in seconds।

The talented Designer/Developer who decided he can make it big time:
- You understand the Flash abilities, and use them.
- Your need in a great game is leading your gameplay thoughts.
- You use powerups, complex leveling and great music.
- You might be under contract that demands games in time।

The Flash Games master:
- You use architecture methods to plan your game.
- It takes you months to make the final version.
- Amazing visualization of the gameplay, professional audio.
- Usually, you're working in a team।

Each of these Flash game developer types should know his/hers status and expect to monetize according to how much they've spent.

"...and the worst casual games are..." (Flash developers guide for bad games)

There are lots of guides about making great games. Me, myself and my blog are trying for months now to explain our position regarding how to develop top chart casual games (with Flash technology), but this time, it's all about how to make the worth casual game you can.

- Add loud irrelevant looping sound effects.
- Create new navigation psychology, let users explore before starting the game itself.
- Drop all 'skip' buttons.
- Change the main character look every stage and/or minute.
- Design the enemies to look like friends.
- Add ads for the 'full version' along the game play.
- Drop 'pause' option; 'restart';and make the credits scroll after every game play.
- Proportions? Forget about it...
- Don't add any text for the instructions, game play or closing. Let them guess....

Well, I'll stop here before someone starts developing these kind of game. Remember - think of the things you'd like to find in new games, and let it be the basics of your new game.

4 great tips to get your Flash game sponsored

This 'how to get sponsor to my Flash game' article could have been twice as long at list, however, I choose only 4 really important points so you'd remember them, implement them, and then come back to my blog for some more…and there will be more.

1: Take your time – sponsoring a game is not an easy job
You should take under consideration that sponsoring a game is somehow a daily job। You need to be patient, take your time…it might take a few weeks before all sponsors even read your request.

2: Let the world know you're looking for game sponsor
Send your 'sponsor my game' request to every site/portal/person who deals with sponsoring games। Send it again if you got no answer.

3: Make good relations with game sponsors
Be polite, don’t' barge or resend email to 'no' sources। Show the potential sponsor a finished game with great audio and graphics. Ask (gently) for tips, sponsors are familiar with this crazy market of casual games.

4: Game sponsorship is all about timing
a. Send your sponsorship request before reviling your game in game based communities.
b. Send your game to the sponsor without any in-game advertisement.
c. Don’t jump on a high offer, it might get higher.
d. Send a game as G-rated as you can.
e. Optimize your code for less processing power.

फ्लैश गमेस स्पोंसोर्शिप ब्लॉग

The truth about online gaming industry

There are many gaming industry resource and studies but there's nothing like one person accumulated knowledge to revile the truth about the online gaming industry

Myth: Making money from developing Flash games is hard!
Truth: It's not। Making money from Flash games developing is all about your marketing skills – do your homework, check out sponsorships, in-game advertisement, 'pay per intro' methods and 'pay per intro ads click' methods. Don't forget to submit your game into as many game development contests as you can integrate into your game, they'll make your game exposed and might win some amazing amounts for you.

Myth: Getting my game sponsored is easy!
Truth: It's not. The price of sponsorships went from $200-$1500 for the average Flash game, to $1000-$3000 still it is harder to get the sponsor to spend these amount on your game. There are many 'let's make sponsors and game developers come together sites' (like my own blog –

Flash games money making), but your game must be a potential hit to hit the Jackpot।

Myth: Great games are only made by developing teams!
Truth: They're not। Developing teams can make amazing games, but that doesn't mean you can't…If you'll write down everything, you'll make a better game: 1. The name. 2. The feel. 3. The Sounds. 4. The Main character. 5. The intro. 6. The ending. 7. The scoring. As you can see, developing teams succeed for their good developing management, that's it.

Myth: There are only 3 ways to make money from Flash games – Ads, Sponsorships and getting prepaid.
Truth: There are more – Game developing contests; Google Adsense along the side of your personal games portal; In-game advertising; Revenue sharing programs with social gaming networks and more.

Getting to know the gaming scene and the game developers communities & social networks

There are many places to expose your work (flash games I mean) via free to use Internet tools. There are social networks, game developers communities and places where most of your kind hangs out. If game exposure is all you need (and it's not as the marketer of your own games), you know enough already and with this short tip you can handle it perfectly: Use social networks to draw the right amount of attention into your blog/site/portal. However, to get really socialized, to take advantages of the free tools, and the special abilities if every network and/or community, you really need to understand the background of each one: Lets take a deep breath and dive into: Kongregate, Newgrounds, Cafe.com, Meez and more.

Kongregate:
K' is unique. Rather then XPOGames.com promising yet to go online social network, Kong is the only place which aims his major themes to three audiences: casual gamers, independent flash games developers and addicted online gamers. Every one can open a profile page, collect friends, badges and get socialized. The community will mostly help you understand what you've done wrong and/or how good or bad is your game. As flash game developer you can join weekly contests, challenge online friends and earn money for being a content creator.
NewGrounds:
NG is also unique. Rather then it's amazing game index, it is a flash portal with movies and art creations with the cool Adobe(/Macromedia) technology. The flash game developers community is hostile. Yes, hostile - they'll kick your aXX virtually and actually। There is great technical help in NG forums, but don't expect anyone to be nice and smile (there wont be any!).

Meez + Cafe:

Meez and Cafe are similar, because of it's closed platform। Meez runs currently a great game development contest however it is a close one which you need to use the Meez API in order to make it a Meez game. Cafe is pretty much the same - there are inside games made by professional yet insiders developers.

Facebook:

It's not a gaming platform and i have no need to introduce Facebook to most of you। However you should remember that marketing is finding you audience and give them what they need. Facebook users need to d something so Facebook enabled social games among it's users. You can use others application and/or create your own. By that, you'll get an amazing expuser for your games. Keep i min three things: 1. Social networks are for socializing and time passing, combine them and it's a hit! 2. Facebook always give you the feel that if you don't like what you see/get you ca go fuXX yourself. It's true, and if you'll try otherwise, they'll close your account in no time.3. If you have a personal account in Facebook, use a different more professional 'flash games developer' kind of account.

MySpace:

Well, as long as Myspace is twice as big as Facebook among US users, you should think of getting to know it's new application platform, which suppose to be following the Google openSocial API and therefor makes your application suitable for at list 35 other social networks। Use an application to show your games, and get millions of social eyes on it.

GalonaG.

(Ohhh I almost forgot...this blog is about making money by developing great games, so I have to tell you about Mochiads competitor - BigWig.com, the new kid on the block. Check it out - in games advertising with revenue sharing methods).

Developing game with microsoft Silverlight

Silverlight is microsofts 'new' technology for designing great and dynamic visual content for sites. As flash by Adobe, developers are creating great games with the silverlight technology and making money from developing great flash/silverlight games. This is the basics, for developing Silverlight online game:

1. You'll need Silverlight - Not the developing platform (or it's little sister - Popfly, the mini Silverlight developing platform), you'll need the player. Remember the first time you were trying to run Flash and the browser asked you to approve the Flash download? Well, SL is the same - go to one of microsoft official sites and download it.

2. Check out some great online games written in Silverlight.

3. Get inspired with some samples.

4. Get sponsorship and intro ads for your game.

5. Market your game.

5 Major hit themes in online gaming

As flash game developer you'll find your self wondering about 3-4 times a month - "OK, I've done with my last flash game, what should be my next games theme?!?"
Lets talk about the five most wanted themes in the online gaming world: Shooting, dressing, sports, escaping, brain teasers.

Shooting games are always fun - you collect weapon, you kill the bad charters ad there's blood all over.

Dressing games can make you numb but they're real hit among Asia and female online gamers.

Sports games with traditional goals tends 2 be easy to understand without 'how to play' reading and therefor very popular.

Escaping games are the online version of quest games - you look for stuff to help you with coming issues.

Brain teasers (as Tettris RIP) can boiled your head and they're all about making your logical thinking work.

Develop wisely!

Flash game developer, choose life, choose sponsorship, choose in game advertising

As a professional Flash game developer, you probably have new game every 2-3 week। As a hobby, amateurs Flash game developers has 1-5 games in total. So, if you're thinking about making money from your great Flash game, think about intro sponsoring, full game sponsorships, in game advertising methods and flash games developing contests.

Flash games contests are the best way to show the public what you've worked so hard (...) on।

1. Most of the game developing contests has demand - 'integrate this', 'change that'....do it.

2. Make sure you read the rules, you can actually take advantage of most the people out there if you just know exactly what do they don't know...

3. You can win prizes, you can take advantage and advertise yourself in your blog, social networks etc - "Please vote for me" etc.

Flash game sponsors as ArmorGames are looking for your kind exactly! Big gaming sites companies needs your game as you need their money, so don't sell yourself short। A good game can get an easy 500 big ones ($) and a great game can shoot for about ~$1,500.

Flash games 'in game advertising' has two major methods: 1। You can implement code like hallpass gives and make some money from intro ads (another good choice will be
mochiads service) 2। You can look for integrated advertising needs from large scale companies and make it an adgame.

Choose life, choose sponsorship, choose in game advertising.

Socialize and expose your flash game, in order to get sponsored and profitable Flash game in the long run

If you're creating a real cool Flash game, you should think of ways to monetize your game, which means - how do I make any money from my work? From the Flash game I've developed...
Well, first of all
1. Login to the social networks, gaming social network that is, for casual gamers and games developers.
2. Then, you can choose, change and update your developer profile. Take under consideration that many potential users(gamers) and games developing companies will see your page, make it cool, understandable, sell your self!
3. Upload games - you can use one of the site's contests or just upload your game and start making money for it's exposure..
4. Take advantage of the different businesses modal these sites/contests offers for Flash games developers: a. Sponsorship - they pay several (only pro's) Flash games developers in order to be the only link from the game open screen (as Armorgames does for many years now).b. They give you Google Adsense place for your ads, around your games (which is suppose to be the perfect online money making program ever).c. They let you advertise inside the game itself (Mochiads etc.).
Sounds great!?!Let the games begin...

Flash Game developers! Read the basic check list for making money by developing FLASH GAMES!

So, you've created a new Flash game. First off all, make a quick check list (which will follow you in your next developed games,and believe, me...after getting fine money for the first flash game, you'll never stop developing them - until you'll have some employees to do that for you):1. 'She's got the look'? Your game can make money for you, but as all selling things in our world, it should have a killer look, graphics etc.2. 'The sound of silence' Your game can make money for you, but as you'll read in all marketing methods books, it'll have to sound exactly as it has to sound.3. Marketing agenda - without marketing proven methods, others experience and brand new innovative marketing plans, your Flash game, will not make any dime for you.

How to monetize your Flash Games?

After being a Flash developer, Flash-sites developer that is, I've been working my aXX in the gaming industry. I love playing online, offline and in my back yard, so a figured - why not working in/with/among games and gamers?

Then cam Mochiads, ArmorGames, ArcadeTown etc, and gave sponsorships for game developers. Online Flash games developers that is.
The sponsors gave between $500 and numbers I don't want to write down cause you'll be thinking in your greedy mind: "Maaaann I'm going to develop a breaking Flash game" (It's about $60,000!!!). So, forget about the big money, most of the flash game developers make cents (which comes in total of $300-$600 per month) with pay per click systems (like Mochiads service).
"So that's it? I have to develop 5-10 flash games with more then 100 daily views to make $300-$600 per month?
And/or
Develop a hit Flash game and get around $5,000?"

No. If you're really a Flash game developer who want to make money form his work you'll have to combine three things:

- The pay per click systems
+
- The sponsorships requests sent to 2-3 'bug names' in the business
+
- Marketing
=
You can work from home, make a lot of money by developing Flash games. Online Flash games can make you money if you'll mix between the options and make you own marketing.

The first and the easiest way to start marketing your self and your games, is by entering Flash games development contests.
You can find them anywhere (Search Google for flash games development contests). Flash games contest will give you the right amount of exposure you need to begin with. Then to continue the magic, you'll have to follow my guide which is here, available for free in my new blog, depends only in the amount of time I'll have between playing and game developing.

Cheers!