This is probably a stupid question but if you would humor an old man it would be appreciated. How are these shovelware games on steam making any money? Is it because they can churn out rpgmaker or any other generic game development software games really quick and just take their cut even if is a small amount? Or, is it the Cards? I'm not sure how much the devs get from card sales, but pennies do add up. Anyway if anyone feels like letting me peek behind the curtain it would be appreciated.

7 years ago

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I never even thought about devs making money on cards, I suppose they probably do get some small cut.

Even the worst games will get some sales, doesn't take that many to make their money back is my understanding.

With youtubes intentionally playing bad games often, that's near guaranteed sales, making it especially bad might even help this.

7 years ago
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Hadn't thought about the youtube angle. But I can see your point about it the notoriety of being so bad it's funny. Works with movies why not with games

7 years ago
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How are these shovelware games on steam making any money?

They mostly make money off steam. Use bought assets, make a game in a week, sell 1000 keys to a bundle site for $300 and move on to the next project.

7 years ago
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They make money from Trading Cards, that's why most end up giving away tens of thousands of copies, then they get a cut for each trading card sold on the Steam market

7 years ago
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The card sales was the major one I was thinking. The selling of keys to bundle sites was another I hadn't thought of.

7 years ago
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