Whether you should make what you want to make or what will sell? Indie game development

When it comes to indie game development, whether you should make what you want to make or what will sell development, the question is whether you should make what you want to make or what will sell.

This question comes up regularly, but my answer has never changed from the past until now.

Money is important first.

There are many ways of thinking and values, and the correct answer is different for each person, so I would like to write a little about my thoughts below.

It is different for those who have a separate income and are developing games as a hobby, but for those who develop games as a job, regardless of the scale, the problem is how to make money from the games they develop. There is no escape.

Without money, companies would go bankrupt, individuals would not be able to make a living, and game development itself would not be able to continue.
In the first place, we do work to earn income, so we choose a job that is as close to our life purpose and values ​​as possible from among a variety of balances.

If you don’t expect to earn money, it’s a hobby, not a job. It’s great to make games as a hobby, so I think that’s the way to go. However, in that case, I would need to have a regular job, and I would like to use that time to create games! In that case, unless you have sufficient assets or are in such a situation, you need to approach it as a job.

Is it money after all? Some people may feel that way, but that’s not the case; money is important from beginning to end.
I would like them to make games that sell, make good money, and continue making games.

Developing games and making money is quite different from just making what you want to make.
It is necessary to research what the current society is looking for, plan accordingly, and promote appropriately. If you are a company, you have to make something even if you don’t want to make it in order to make a profit. Many senior game creators unanimously agree with this, and it is a necessary way of thinking for anything that is not a game, but a business.

As an individual, you first need to stabilize your income. Once you have achieved financial stability, you are at the starting line to pursue your artistic potential and create what you want to create.
With the exception of a few geniuses, playing such games without income is akin to gambling, and in fact, many game creators around me have failed.
I completely understand the idea of ​​making what you want to make once you become independent, but first make something that sells, gain financial stability, hone your development skills, create fans, and then create something that will sell well. I think it’s best to approach challenging development in a safe system.

I think it depends on the person when they reach that point, but just because they are early or slow doesn’t mean they are better or worse.

First, create something that will sell. There’s a lot to be gained from that, not just financial stability. And money solves many problems.
I think making the game you want to make is a great goal. I believe that in order to do that, we first need to be able to make something that sells.