The indie scene thrives on passion, innovation, and trust—but sometimes, that trust is misplaced.
Many developers dream of landing a publisher deal that promises marketing, funding, and visibility. Unfortunately, not all publishers play fair.
I learned that the hard way.
Promises Are Cheap. Actions Matter.
It all started with enthusiasm. A mid-tier indie publisher—well-known for quirky hits and loud marketing—reached out after seeing our prototype. Their pitch was flattering, their terms looked reasonable, and their promises? Endless.
- “We’ll support you every step of the way.”
- “Expect weekly updates from our team.”
- “You’ll retain creative control.”
Those lines felt reassuring. In reality? Delays, ghosting, and silence became the norm. We went weeks without hearing from our assigned rep. Milestones were ignored, feedback was canned and generic, and we were told, “Just finish the game, we’ll handle the rest.”
Spoiler: they didn’t.
The Post-Launch Black Hole
Once the game launched, support evaporated. Bug reports from players piled up. Requests for post-launch marketing? Ignored. We were told it was “too late” for additional exposure.
And the revenue split we agreed on? Let’s just say we learned that “recouped expenses” can mean almost anything when you don’t have a lawyer reading the fine print. Not a single dime was used on its staff.
We didn’t just feel abandoned. We felt used.
Publishers Are Not Your Friends
That sounds harsh, but it’s a hard truth more devs need to hear. Many publishers genuinely help indie devs succeed—but some are just farming games for their portfolio, hoping one hits big while the rest are forgotten.
Here’s what to seriously consider before signing anything:
- Ask about post-launch plans. If they can’t give a clear answer, run.
- Demand clarity on revenue splits and what counts as “recoupable.”
- Talk to other devs they’ve published. Some will tell you the truth—off the record.
- Check if they’ve ever tried to claim IP ownership or inserted last-minute contract changes.
Trust takes years to build and one contract to destroy.
We’re Not Alone
Since our experience, we’ve talked to several indie teams with eerily similar stories. Publishers who start strong and vanish post-release. Publishers who fight over IP rights. Publishers who fail to pay on time—or at all.
The sad part? Most devs stay quiet. Out of fear. Out of NDA restrictions. Or because they don’t want to look like “difficult” partners in the future.
But silence enables the cycle to continue.
Conclusion: Protect Your Vision
We’re still making games. We’re still passionate. But we’re also a lot more careful.
If you’re a dev hoping to break out, remember this:
Don’t be blinded by big names, loud voices, or past success.
Be guided by transparency, consistency, and respect.
That’s worth more than any marketing campaign a publisher can offer.
