Yes, it is possible for individuals, particularly game developers, to publish a game.
Publishing Options for Game Developers
If you are a game developer, you have many options when it comes to publishing your games. The landscape for game publishing has become quite accessible, with numerous platforms and methods available.
In the past, platforms like itch.io, Poki, and CrazyGames have provided avenues for developers to share their creations. Today, one of the most significant platforms is Steam. Steam is possibly the largest online storefront for PC games, offering developers a vast potential audience.
Here are some common ways and platforms where developers can publish their games:
- Digital Storefronts: Platforms like Steam, Epic Games Store, GOG, and console-specific stores (PlayStation Store, Xbox Games Store, Nintendo eShop) allow developers to list and sell their games. Getting onto some of these platforms might involve application processes or specific requirements.
- Indie-Friendly Marketplaces: Platforms such as itch.io are known for being very open, allowing developers to easily upload and sell their games with flexible revenue sharing options.
- Web Portals: Sites like Poki and CrazyGames specialize in web-based games and often partner with developers to publish games directly on their platforms, reaching a large casual audience.
- Self-Publishing: Developers can also publish their games independently through their own websites or by distributing them directly, though this requires handling distribution, marketing, and sales entirely on their own.
While the act of publishing requires having a finished game and navigating the specific processes of each platform, the opportunities and avenues for publishing a game are widely available to developers today.
