For the succesfull shareware developers who sells more then one product, what is your bestseller game? Can you explain why it's a bestseller ? And why aren't the other games on your site a bestseller ?

Aargon is probably my best-seller although Twilight Mahjongg converts pretty close or higher depending on the audience. A Snake's Life does poorest. Why? I honestly don't know exactly why. It's either too easy, or too hard, or the demo is not quite right or... well or something. (I'd be happy to get comments on what small changes would improve the game as I don't think it's reached it's full potential) But then I've also heard that arcade games convert lower than puzzle games so perhaps my expectations are too high. Despite being my worse game it still sells pretty decently.

Longbows DX Ball 2 is a besteller I think for two reasons.

1) DX Ball 1 was a very long time a well known freeware game on the internet.

2) The author of the game DX Ball 2, became very sick and unfortunately died. I think that this attracked the press, so publicity.

The main author of DX Ball 2, is Seumas. But in the credits I noticed that the "whole" family made parts for the game like, graphics etc. We know of course not if some family members work full time or part time on the project (and got a dayjob) etc. We don't know if the game generates enough income for the whole family.


The developer of Fitznik can live in New Zealand from the earnings, but here in Europe or the USA it isn't possible, unfortunately. It depends very much on the live circumstances in the country of the developer (cost of living). And the developers personal live (prefer what kind of car, house, kids, income of partner etc.).

Not much replies, unfortunately :(

Originally posted by johnson
The developer of Fitznik can live in New Zealand from the earnings, but here in Europe or the USA it isn't possible, unfortunately. It depends very much on the live circumstances in the country of the developer (cost of living). And the developers personal live (prefer what kind of car, house, kids, income of partner etc.).

I thougt I should qualify this. The developer royalties from Fitznik are split between two of us (Artist/Programmer) with some extra money sent here and there for music and levels.

I pretty much live on half the proceeds from Fitznik. It's a lean living but it's a living. The biggest problem is the value of the US dollar. The first payment I received for Fitznik the NZ Dollar was worth 0.42 US cents. Now it's closer to 0.56.

It's almost time to get a few more products out the door.