I had a brainstorming session with a friend and we really want to try some family friendly - especially child friendly - software. I'm specifically thinking about interactive storybooks and very, very light puzzle games for the grade school set.

We're really excited about the idea (since we're both just big kids ourselves) but in researching the market I've had a heck of a time finding anyone who published these sorts of things as low cost shareware. Obviously there a places like Infogrames that have children's divisions but these seem mostly like afterthoughts and not a priority to the company.

I'm basically left wondering if a) no one has bothered with this market or b) there is no market because parents don't buy PC games for their toddlers. I know a few parents who have toddlers and a computer but few of them own any children's software - but they claim they would be interested in a product that would let their kids use the computer. I'm really confused as to whether this idea is worth pursuing.

If anyone knows of any on-line publishers who are in the children's market would be able to direct me there? Thanks for any help or info!

I know if you walk into comp usa, a lot of childrens games are franchise games like pooh or bob the builder and are usually published by their respective brand owners ala disney etc.

I agree however that there is very little in the way of childrens games in the indie/shareware game scene. I can't think of a single one i've seen. I actually thing dexterity would be the closest fit for a publisher if you didn't want to do it yourself as there is a lot of overlap in your respective markets.

Tom Guthery at http://www.flixprod.com has been successfully selling children's software for many years. You can also check out the Educational Software Cooperative (ESC) at http://www.edu-soft.org for a list of those involved in educational software. Dexterity Software has been an ESC member for a couple years. Even though we don't sell educational software, the $35 ESC membership pays for itself by giving us a link on their site, which generates some extra sales each year. And we even sell a few school licenses now and then for certain puzzle games.

Also, check out http://www.twolights.com -- they sell a couple non-educational games designed for children.

Incidentally, we've decided not to enter the children's games market at this time. Although we have gotten some submissions in this area, we don't feel we could really offer enough games that are significantly better/different from what's already available at retail.

Cool, thanks for the info.

I've looked around and all I can assume is that the market isn't really that large or more people would have jumped on it by now. I might still give it a go but it will be more of a backburner project than a priority.

Thanks again!