It seems there are as many (or more) people wanting to become indie game developers now as there were 10 years ago. However, they all now seem to be different people. Almost all the people who were indie game developers 10 years ago seem to be gone.
I've been in this business for nearly 20 years now. My game Pretty Good Solitaire was first released in 1995. So this is my advice to people who want not only to be indie game developers, but who also want to last a long time doing it.
Rule 1) Outsource As Much as Possible
If you want to be an indie, you will be small. You will be one person or a very small team. Either way, there is only so much you will be able to do. It will be crucial to outsource as many things as you can. Outsource, outsource, outsource. It is better to pay someone else to do things than to use your valuable time doing it. You can even outsource some of your development. Outsource your ecommerce. And for heaven's sake, don't try to do your taxes yourself.
Of course, when first starting out, you may have to do everything because you won't have the money to outsource it. But as money comes in, you can start sending tasks out to others.
Rule 2) But Don't Outsource the Important Stuff
But with that said, don't outsource the most important things - which would be the design of your games, and contact with your customers. Do not outsource your email support or any other contacts with your customers - always do that yourself. It's the biggest advantage that a small company has - the one to one dealing with your customers. Make sure you are doing it, because knowing what your customers are thinking is the most important thing to know.
Rule 3) Don't Get Funded
Seriously, don't get funded! The worst thing that can happen to an indie game company is to have external funding. You will never survive. You need to grow from revenues from your games - anything else is disaster. So many times I've seen indie game companies suddenly get money or get bought out - once that happens, it's over for them. No way they will last even a few years, let alone 20.
It is quite possible to last 20 years as an indie game company - even though everything changes in that time (20 years ago, we were called shareware game companies). Of course, you need at least one great game, a game that doesn't go out of style and isn't a fad, but that's another topic.
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