Game developer vs publisher: Which side do you choose?

Head of Recruitment & HR | Dec 23, 2022

Today, the game sector has evolved into a viable business field with a significant impact on the global economy. With new members and players coming every day it’s the tough part for the developers to keep all the users engaged. However, in this competitive market, developers must choose the right platform to exhibit their skills. With such a large sector loaded with exceptional talent, it’s normal for most developers to go unrecognized, even if they have a lot of promise.

Well, now comes the role of game development studios and game publishers, who can become samaritans in this dangerous journey. But there is always uncertainty when deciding between game developers and publishers. So, let us first examine the differences before deciding which side we must support.

Who is a Mobile Game Developer and What Does They Do?

A mobile game developer creates and designs games for app stores on smartphones. Your responsibilities as a mobile game developer include performing design reviews, developing prototypes, troubleshooting technological challenges, and documenting the entire game and design workflow. But let’s look at this profession in more detail.

How to Become a Mobile Game Developer?

A bachelor’s degree in computer science is required to work as a mobile independent developer. This is not a passing fancy, but a genuine stepping stone in your future development career. Everything requires time, attention, and experience. So, at first, be patient and attempt to absorb all of your notions. Once you have a good handle on the basic principles, you can start applying for jobs in this industry during the process of assessment. Refreshing your skills is important in the IT sector, so look for any specialist courses that will help you design better, more innovative mobile games.

BENEFITS OF BECOMING A MOBILE GAME DEVELOPER

Making mobile games is very different from making PC games in that you can spend fewer resources and your team can be much smaller. The mobile app market changes too fast, so you have to come up with fresh ideas fast enough. But this is what will help you fill your portfolio with projects to get bigger projects in the future. Indie mobile game developers are full of freedom and self-expression.

Meanwhile, mobile game development is now one of the few areas where Indie game developers have a chance at all of getting their games built for, therefore it’s a marketplace that shouldn’t be disregarded by both those developing games and those purchasing them.

Skills You Need to Become a Successful Mobile Game Developer

With the range of platforms and genres that the game business is investigating, a job as a game producer can be lucrative. Depending on the platform and the genre, a potential developer needs to have these 5 important abilities to survive and achieve success in the marketplace. Other competency sets differ depending on the position one holds in the industry of game development.

1
Game Passion
Like a developer of video games, you must understand the audience you are aiming for. Understanding the changing dynamics and trends of what the audience is wanting requires a passion for gaming. Because you are passionate about games, you can explore new routes and gain insights into what gamers want as a developer.
2
Programming
Video game developers require the ability to program as well as understand specialized coding languages. The programming language used is determined by the platform on which the game will be constructed. A smartphone game, for example, requires knowledge of Java, but PC games are frequently made in C++.
3
Creative thinking
Success in learning UI/UX and coding can assist a team or individual developer in developing a technically sound game, but creativity is also essential for a game to flourish. You need an active imagination as a game producer since a good game has a core concept, outstanding characters, and an interesting storyline. Moreover, creativity can supplement or overcome technical inadequacies in a variety of ways.
4
Time Management
Indie devs necessitate meticulous time management because meeting deadlines is critical to ensure the completed game is published on time and completely functional. Poor time management can result in unnecessary delays, resulting in a loss of interest from the target audience, or, in the instance of a release on the scheduled date, it might mean the difference between a polished, bug-free title and a release that ruins the developer’s image.
5
Communication Abilities
Sometimes smaller indie products are made up of multiple people, and a successful release is based on excellent communication between the numerous cogs in the development cycle. A mobile developer should be able to successfully communicate both the requirements and the recognized obstacles to other teams. Good communication skills improve the level of the final result and keep the project on schedule.

The Challenges of Becoming a Mobile Game Developer

The main challenge that beginners and many experienced mobile game developers face is the amount of competition in this area. You need to really be creative control try and come up with something new and interesting to win your place under the gaming sun.

It is where 3D modeling services for games comes in, enabling developers to create modern character concept art, environments, and objects that engage players on a deeper level.

Therefore, you need to draw attention to your product, and your game. Here we, perhaps, for the first time, will mention game publishers. Marketing and sales strategies are definitely not the strong points of video game developers. But it’s important to think about it if you want to be successful.

Who is a Video Game Publisher and What Does They Do?

Publishers most often are big companies with the resources to finance games and put the final game on the market for the rest of the world to enjoy. Creating a video game is not inexpensive. To get a game into your hands, developers, particularly those in the indie sector, must collaborate with other developer companies. It is based on a combination of physical and online merchants to ensure your product is visible to the gaming community.

An indie developer often does not have the means to create, distribute, and support a game entirely by publishing it on their own servers. That is why there are publishers.

WHAT SKILLS DO YOU NEED TO BE A GOOD PUBLISHER?

Publishers collaborate with game developers, specifically producers. They also communicate with marketers, sellers, researchers, and game testers. Unlike game developers, major publishers do not need to be deeply versed in programming and coding. But there is a list of skills that every publisher in the video game industry should be proficient in:

Project management;
Communication skills;
Knowledge of the video game industry;
Understanding of copyright and licenses;
Budget management;
Manage large amounts of money while staying within the cost.

BENEFITS OF BEING A GAME PUBLISHER

A publisher cannot work independently. He needs a team of specialists who will work together on the production of many games. Therefore, if you are looking for large developer companies and are ready to become part of a team, this job is the right choice for you.

This profession allows you to develop your skills in several areas at once. You will have knowledge in both game development and marketing and advertising, as well as production.

HOW DOES A PUBLISHER DECIDE WHETHER OR NOT TO PUBLISH A GAME

If you are sure that your game is ready to see the world, it’s time to look for a video game publisher or a company that provides such services. But what do you need to know to choose your game? Let’s figure it out.

A well-written email, as well as a presentation describing the project, greatly influences the decision of publishers in favor of your development. The major publishers can also search social networks and evaluate the mentions of your project if it is already in the public domain for users.

As an indie game developer, here are three top tips to keep in mind when submitting your project to publishers:

1
Be honest
On the Internet, everything hidden becomes clear, so it is better not to make mistakes in communicating with potential partners.
2
Assess your options
Choose publishers and developer companies that match your abilities and expertise.
3
Keep deadlines
Make a precise work plan and stick to it.

How do Mobile Game Developers and Game Publishers Work Together?

Concept generation is primarily shared by game publishers and developers. The game developer may create the groundwork for a video game, but because the publisher is concerned with marketability, certain elements may be added during development to help promote the game.

These choices may include whether or not to include content, as well as when and how to release that game. Such judgments are essential to the overall success of a game in the industry. As we know, it is not always the developer who comes up with the idea for a game. Large publishers have the resources to create a new game, but they have other priorities.

What Challenges Do Developers and Publishers Face When Creating Games?

The main difficulty that game developers may face when starting a collaboration with publishers is that other developers are not used to working in a team. Publisher conditions, tight deadlines, and deadlines can scare off new developers. In such a situation, it is always worth remembering the ultimate goal for which you have gathered. If you want your product to be of high quality and have as many players as possible from around the world participate in it, you must follow the rules.

Another challenge is that if game developers and publishers are unable to make large-scale expenditures, it will most certainly result in a bad game experience and a reduction in long-term profit (We could say that mobile games are more profitable in this aspect)

Final Words

Game publishers may absolutely help you sell your game well, but it’s not as straightforward as it appears. The firm forces the developers to make any changes that will help the company sell it effectively. This may not suit your idea, but you are limited in your activities.

Working with publishers in a huge company, on the other hand, not only improves your programming talents but also expands your potential as a product developer. You become acquainted with industry trends and norms to form yourself into workflow. It allows you to become more efficient while also making you more recognized. You may earn less money at first, but with time, you will undoubtedly shape yourself into something significant. It is up to you to pick based on the product type and your requirements.

Frequently Asked Question

Fake

What is the difference between a game publisher and a developer?

The main difference is that these are two completely different professions. The game developer is directly involved in the creation of the game. While the game publisher will be busy further promoting the already finished product.

Do game developers need a publisher?

This is not mandatory. But if you’re new to the world of game development and want as many people as possible to know about your game, it’s worth contacting a company or a specific game publisher.

Do game developers pay publishers?

Unless you work directly with a publisher without the use of intermediaries, In this case, you need to pay for his work.

Why do game developers use publishers?

In the developing gaming industry, it becomes difficult to stand out from the others. That’s why game developers turn to publishers to make more games and increase their chances of becoming the favorites of gamers.

What are the three main categories of game developers?

The three main categories of game developers are indie developers, large-scale developers, and third-party developers.

What happens when a video game developer pitches a game to a publisher?

When a video game developer pitches a game to a publisher, the publisher may provide funding for the game’s development. They will then work with the developer to create milestones for the game’s production. Once the game nears completion, the publisher will market and distribute the final product.

Can video game developers choose to self-publish their games?

Yes, video game developers can choose to self-publish their games. They have the option to create and publish their own games without the assistance of a publisher. However, this can be a more challenging and costly process, as they will need to handle all aspects of the game’s development, marketing, and distribution themselves.

Who is a Mobile Game Developer and What Does They Do?

How to Become a Mobile Game Developer?

BENEFITS OF BECOMING A MOBILE GAME DEVELOPER

Skills You Need to Become a Successful Mobile Game Developer

Game Passion

Programming

Creative thinking

Time Management

Communication Abilities