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RPG Evolution: Making It in the RPG Industry
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<blockquote data-quote="joe5mc" data-source="post: 8058643" data-attributes="member: 7025734"><p>I read the original article with interest. While I'm not exactly what the article is looking for, I am getting there. A few things to note - I'm not completely self-employed, I draw a small salary, but most of my income is freelance. Also, one can argue if I'm actually an 'RPG' writer or not. I have done a bit of RPG writing, but most of my income has come from Rangers of Shadow Deep and Frostgrave. The later is wargame with rpg-flavours. The former is either a solo/co-operative wargame with a lot of RPG trappings, or a solo/co-operative RPG that requires the use of miniatures.</p><p></p><p>I don't know if I have 1,000 true fans or not, as this isn't always an easy question to answer. I suspect my number is closer to 500. Frostgrave has a lot more than 1,000 fans, but, as it is released through a traditional publisher, I get a royalty that is much smaller than if I self-published.</p><p></p><p>Rangers of Shadow Deep, I self-published through DriveThruRPG and Amazon. I convinced an artist friend and a graphic designer friend to join the project, and both receive a royalty on everything. To date, I have released six supplements for the game. After the game reached Adamantine level on DriveThru, I decided that the sales had peaked, and licensed the main rulebook to Modiphius, who are currently selling a Deluxe Edition. However, I retained all rights to create and release supplements myself. I've also licensed a couple of foreign publishers to release the game.</p><p></p><p>I have never used either Kickstarter or Patreon, but am ready to give either or both a try if it proves necessary.</p><p></p><p>I have never earned $100,000 in a year, but I also don't need near that much to live. I guess if I had some advice to people trying to make it in the industry, it would be:</p><p></p><p>1) Diversify your income streams. You never know which parts of your work will take off, and which will dry up, so try to have as many different income streams as you can manage. Self-Publish, try to get main-stream publishers to publish your work, and do work for hire. Use Patreon and Kickstarter if you need to and think you can. (Also, create a blog, use affiliate links, etc.). The more things you try, the more likely you are to succeed.</p><p></p><p>2) When you can, focus on the projects where you retain the most ownership. In the long term, creating your own game has by far the greatest earning potential, and anything you own has at least the possibility of earning money in the future. </p><p></p><p>3) Keep your expenses as low as possible. The less you spend, the less you have to earn. The life a game writer can be a great one, but in general, it's not likely to be a hugely profitable one. So, likely, you are going to have to make sacrifices in other areas of life to make it viable. Buy the small house, or rent the smaller apartment. </p><p></p><p>4) Learn to love marketing...</p><p></p><p>5) Write every day.</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="joe5mc, post: 8058643, member: 7025734"] I read the original article with interest. While I'm not exactly what the article is looking for, I am getting there. A few things to note - I'm not completely self-employed, I draw a small salary, but most of my income is freelance. Also, one can argue if I'm actually an 'RPG' writer or not. I have done a bit of RPG writing, but most of my income has come from Rangers of Shadow Deep and Frostgrave. The later is wargame with rpg-flavours. The former is either a solo/co-operative wargame with a lot of RPG trappings, or a solo/co-operative RPG that requires the use of miniatures. I don't know if I have 1,000 true fans or not, as this isn't always an easy question to answer. I suspect my number is closer to 500. Frostgrave has a lot more than 1,000 fans, but, as it is released through a traditional publisher, I get a royalty that is much smaller than if I self-published. Rangers of Shadow Deep, I self-published through DriveThruRPG and Amazon. I convinced an artist friend and a graphic designer friend to join the project, and both receive a royalty on everything. To date, I have released six supplements for the game. After the game reached Adamantine level on DriveThru, I decided that the sales had peaked, and licensed the main rulebook to Modiphius, who are currently selling a Deluxe Edition. However, I retained all rights to create and release supplements myself. I've also licensed a couple of foreign publishers to release the game. I have never used either Kickstarter or Patreon, but am ready to give either or both a try if it proves necessary. I have never earned $100,000 in a year, but I also don't need near that much to live. I guess if I had some advice to people trying to make it in the industry, it would be: 1) Diversify your income streams. You never know which parts of your work will take off, and which will dry up, so try to have as many different income streams as you can manage. Self-Publish, try to get main-stream publishers to publish your work, and do work for hire. Use Patreon and Kickstarter if you need to and think you can. (Also, create a blog, use affiliate links, etc.). The more things you try, the more likely you are to succeed. 2) When you can, focus on the projects where you retain the most ownership. In the long term, creating your own game has by far the greatest earning potential, and anything you own has at least the possibility of earning money in the future. 3) Keep your expenses as low as possible. The less you spend, the less you have to earn. The life a game writer can be a great one, but in general, it's not likely to be a hugely profitable one. So, likely, you are going to have to make sacrifices in other areas of life to make it viable. Buy the small house, or rent the smaller apartment. 4) Learn to love marketing... 5) Write every day. [/QUOTE]
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