Uncovering the Unforeseen Expenses of Indie Game Development

For newcomers to game development, it's easy to underestimate the various expenses involved. Poor planning and a lack of understanding of the industry can lead to additional costs. Rebekah Saltsman, CEO of Finji, notes that many developers focus solely on creating games without considering the business side, which can result in unforeseen expenses. Adam Saltsman, Finji co-founder, emphasizes the importance of understanding the various aspects of game development, including marketing, business development, and production. Evan and Julia Wolbach, co-founders of Dead Drop Studios, stress the need for proper project planning, including revisiting the plan regularly during development. They warn that hidden costs can sneak up on developers and cause significant financial strain if not addressed. Experts share examples of hidden costs, including the value of time, human resources management, admin costs, hiring and contracting, marketing, QA, localization, and hardware. They advise developers to keep 20-30% of their budget aside for unexpected expenses and to plan their development journey as precisely as possible. Assessing development duration and costs is crucial, and setting up a budget is the first step. Developers should also consider seeking investment or working with publishers and factor in potential unforeseen costs. To prevent surprise costs, developers should try to plan their development journey as precisely as possible, using tools such as budget templates and project outlines. Regularly revising time and budget estimates is also essential. Ultimately, doing as much pre-planning as possible and having contingency plans for when things go wrong can help developers navigate the challenges of indie game development.