A lot of people seem to be using affiliate sales now adays to give them the appearance of a larger product lineup (and to increase revenue as well.) Along the same lines, I was thinking what if a goup of game developers created an 'Umbrella' company under which they would sell there games. The 'Umbrella' company would simply be a name under which the developers would brand there games, making it a publisher of sorts (at least in name.) Each developer would then not only sell there own games, but others in the 'umbrella' company through affiliate sales programs. Maybe even create a website for the 'Umbrella' company with each developers game listed for sale, making it seem more publisher like.

Has anyone else thought along these lines, or has this been tried yet?

That is essentially a publishing company. The legal and ownership issues would require some careful planning or they would get thorny and things could really, really wrong.

Affiliate sales allow a way to have a business relationship without a lot of the complexity of partnering.

Simple is good, usually.

-David

I guess the main difference in my thinking on this site would be that the 'umbrella' company would act like a publisher, but wouldn't take a cut of the money (since all the games would still be sold online through whomever the developer uses to sell there game.)

I have thought this same thing... altough I see problems with the desicion making (considering the "main website & decision making") and quality control (which products are allowed to publish...?)

Morphecy,

I agree with you about the decision making. I had thought of that also, and there doesn't appear to be an easy solution. It would require all the developers (especially the startup developers) to work closely together. I'm not sure how quality control would be handled, maybe some sort of vote amongst existing members?? I think if all the details could be ironed out, it could really pay off big .