What can I say, Im a newbie at this game developement stuff. Ive had a game creation package sitting on my desk for years now, but it has been always untouched. I always enjoyed making games, just never had the time. Recently however I picked up the cd-rom, and used the software for the first time ever to make an ERnglish project (A Hamlet video game.) What can I say, I was very bored.

But now Im HOOKED! Making video games is so much fun, and Im honestly thinking about a career in game development. I came across this website a few weeks ago and fell in love with the idea of programming for a living. I have just 5 short months until I have to face the biggest challenge of my life, COLLEGE. So I have just 5 short months to start my way into the industry and maybe use indie development as a 5 year nest egg. This way I hope to spend my time educating myself instead of paying my tuition with on campus jobs.

I have found numerous websites that discuss indie development, but none of them give me any raw numerical facts on the market or the industry. That is why I am making this post. I want to know if anyone in this forum may have some hard data on various statistics in the indie game world. Would anybody happen to know the average income for a single indie game. Anyone happen to know any numbers for online sales of indie games vs. retail. Would anybody happen to have any idea the ratio of indie success to indie faliure.

The only information I have gotten so far is a few email replies from a couple of indie developers. A few of them all told me to not bother even trying the path of an indie, and getting a real job. One developer however lifted my spirits by claiming that the game he released earned him 2500 in the first month of sales. (Many of you may be giggling but that's a lot of money in my world):) Can you guys maybe comment on how realistic this figure is.

Basically I am two weeks into my game project that I plan on sending into Dexterity, but Ive reached the half-way point where Im tired, grouchy, and shouting at my computer screen. Does anybody know of any websites full of indie developer success stories. I could use a little lift in spirits.

And finally, does anyone happen to have any words of advice for the new kid on the block. Any words of wisdom would be helpful!:)

Thanxxx!!!

There are some nice stories and figures in this thread (http://www.dexterity.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=270) if that's what your looking for. It also describes dexterities publishing options in more detail.

I doubt you'll find any sources of good statistical data on indies and indie games, since we tend to fly below such radar. Most indie companies will be privately held, so there won't be any public data. I remember seeing a statistic many years ago that shareware was a $400 million industry. I doubt that figure was more than a guess, and I think it would be too low a figure today, but that's just a hunch. In any case I doubt it would be helpful to have such data about averages unless your goal is to be average.

Indie development is something of a frontier. There are no perfect maps... just some rough-cut paths through the underbrush. Going indie is like exploring uncharted territory. You might find yourself stuck in a pit of quicksand, or you might discover a cave full of treasure. Some luck is involved, but success in the long run is mostly a matter of persistence. Those who come in saying, "I'll try it for a year or two and see what happens," often get discouraged and give up long before unearthing the treasure. Those who say, "I'm going to stick with this and make it work for me whatever it takes," will inevitably find a way to prosper.

So ultimately, you are the one who will decide whether or not you will make it as an indie. You'll succeed or fail based on the effort you put forth, not based on statistics and probability. If you need a statistic, use this one: Your likelihood of success is determined 20% by what's in your head and 80% by what's in your heart.