How to Decide if Partnering with a Publisher is Worth it for Your Next Game

In the earliest days of gaming, there was a vast and vital (mostly underground) scene of game development enthusiasts, particularly once personal computers became household fixtures. There were freeware games, game swapping BBS's (and if you aren't old enough to know what those are, you're missing out), and even in-person meetups dedicated to the topic.

In the internet age, all of those relics of the past are all but forgotten, but it's been worth it. That's because the internet has enabled a new generation of game developers to become the masters of their own destiny by self publishing titles and – unlike their progenitors – making money doing it.

But as any indie game developer can tell you, the process of marketing a new title isn't as simple as it is for authors self publishing a book. Even with access to platforms like Steam, GOG, and others, getting a new game from the conceptual stage to a successful launch is a massive undertaking. And that's not something every developer is willing – or even able – to do.

Still, many indie developers believe they don't have any other option. They think that resorting to partnering with a publisher will take away their agency and rob them of creative freedom. But does it? And even if it does, is it worth doing anyway? To help indie developers make that critical decision, here's an overview of the pros and cons of working with a publisher to get a game to market.

The Upside of Partnering with a Publisher

As you might expect, game publishers aren't as successful as they are for no reason. It's because they rely on tried-and-true methodologies and lend economic and credibility heft to the titles they get behind. So, there are plenty of excellent reasons that an indie developer might want to partner with one.

The biggest reason is, of course, money. In most cases, a developer can score a solid advance payment if a publisher sees promise in the game they're creating. But the financial advantages don't stop there. Partnering with a publisher will also give a developer access to the publisher's (often vast) contact networks, testing infrastructure, and marketing expertise, which add value to the finished game product.

Plus, publishers know how to collect and use data to try and maximize the ROI of every game they put out. That alone can make partnering with a publisher worth looking into for an indie developer. If everything goes well, you could end up making far more money than you would have by self publishing the exact same game.

The Downside of Partnering with a Publisher

There are some significant drawbacks to working with a publisher, though. First, most are experts in making sure they get to keep as much of your game's profits as possible. So you have to know exactly what you're getting yourself into and be careful about the structure of the agreements you sign. And even after clearing that hurdle, there's more to look out for.

The second major drawback to working with a publisher is that they will establish the timelines for your game development milestones. So, if you were planning to work on your game in your spare time, forget it unless you're prepared to go without sleep for an extended period. And on top of that, the publisher will set the standards your game has to live up to at every phase of development, which can feel very limiting for any developer used to charting their own course.

Making the Right Decision

The bottom line here is that there's a strong case to be made both for and against partnering with a publisher on your next game. But the truth is if you're trying to build a career in game development, you won't be able to avoid publishers forever, and if you find a partner interested in your work you should give the arrangement some strong consideration. If nothing else, it will serve as a valuable learning experience in your growth as a professional.

At the end of the day, if you don't do well with deadlines and creative constraints, no amount of advantages will make working with a publisher worth it to you. And there's nothing wrong with that. Some of the best game developers in the world march to their own beat, and there's no reason you can't do the same. Just try and keep an open mind and weigh your options with care.

And if you have a real passion for the game you're trying to create, there's a very real possibility that you'll find a publisher that shares that passion or who at least respects it. And then you could find yourself in the best possible position of all. Creating something you believe in with an experienced team that believes in you, too – and that's not a bad place to be.