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???

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.

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!