How Much Money Did I Make From My First Game?

I just released my first commercial game for the Playdate, a little handheld console, and in this video I talk about how much I made from it. I also cover 3 lessons I learned from the experience.

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[SquidGodDev]

After payment processing fees and the 10% cut I give to Itch IO, the total profit is around ~$650 so the hourly wage ends up being close to exactly the federal minimum wage. You can change how much Itch IO takes though, even down to 0%. Also, people are still buying the game - I think there's still ~40, 000 Playdates that still need to be shipped out so that's pretty significant.

Anyways, something a little bit different this week since I was busy with some other stuff, but we'll be back to my regularly scheduled devlogs next week. Subscribe to not miss it!

[FattyBrent]

I wish the playdate had some sort of online store to make things like playing your game easier. Once I have a moment to figure it out, you'll have another $4+ from me. Thanks for your hard work and I look forward to more content!

[sulaymanadham]

Congratulations on your first release man! Thanks for the awesome content! When I buy a PlayDate I'll make sure to buy your games.

[guccihabenero]

Keep it up Atsu. Your videos have inspired me to get a playdate myself and I am still saving up so I can order one here in the UK. Thank you for your videos they will really help me when I get down to business

[GrilledPandas]

Congrats on the release big man! Really enjoying your channel.

[SamiTheAnxiousBean]

it's honestly pretty Interasting !


And you're totally correct about finding your neiche, for example you're the reason I even know of playdates and Nowerdays I find them really neat

[SeppoHelava]

Fantastic. I just bought it for $6. Wonderful video, I love the transparency, and as someone who's been making games for 20+ years, finishing lots of games is without question the best way to learn. Keep at it, and congrats on your game. Looking forward to diving in!

[josephineblum]

This is so inspiring! Hopefully I'll be able to make my own games very soon, at the moment I'm dealing with a lot of mental health issues but these videos make me eger to start making things I love ( or likely hate, as my first few games will be terrible since they will be my first attempts at a new hobby)

[NKCubed]

That's surprisingly decent for your first commercial game! GL for future stuff

[avery_IO]

love ur content man. when i get a playdate i’m getting anything you make for sure 😎

[MikhaelHld]

Thank you so much for sharing your experience, very helpful. And all the best in everything you do!

[kamjr]

I've never watched you before but i have to say i really liked this video, you've got a new sub!

[sergio_henrique]

Great insight on this, very interesting. Wish you the best!

[lynnwillis]

I can't wait to get my Playdate so I can get this game. It was featured in a "Ten games you have to get" videos. I should have mine in January.

[Twice_Tess]

ALGORITHM 👍👍

(gotta help build that audience to fund these awesome games)

[verdomtnochmal]

A new sales video on Core Fault would be very interesting :-)

[RKIOrbMage]

Hi! My account original orb mage google account got terminated so i had to create a new one and resub to a lot of people. When i got around to your channel, i binge watched every video you made and they are great! I love the vlog-like devlogs and the idea of transmitting level IDs through sound. Congrats on releasing pocket pets!

[elledotcom]

Idk if you want to keep working on pocket pets, but like, always add outfits if you have cute characters. For something like pocket pets, make them stickers that just attach to the sprite

[ThePhantomBowtie]

okok pretty nice video! I didn't know playdate creators get a 10% cut. This is gonna suck for when even more devs try to make games for the playdate

[tiger_vii]

I bought a copy! But Still don't have a playdate. My country isn't even on their pre-order list