GAMESbrief unveils revenue projection tool for freemium games
As development across mobile and social platforms flourishes, so those entering the field for the first time tend to let their sky-high expectations get the better of them.
A new revenue forecasting spreadsheet aimed at freemium games from GAMESbrief founder Nicholas Lovell aims not only to bring newcomers into line giving a realistic projection of a game's takings but also allow them to identify just where they're getting things wrong.
Performance play
The spreadsheet, which can be downloaded for free from the website, identifies the health of a game via six key performance indicators that Lovell has determined paint the most accurate picture.
All users have to do is adjust the default numbers planted in each metric to "reflect their own reality". In response, the spreadsheet will then project the game's annual revenues as they stand.
"The next step is key," adds Lovell.
"Ignore the metrics that are above their relevant benchmarks. You need to focus your development team on fixing the areas where you can make the biggest difference fastest. So identify the problem areas and work on those."
Lovell adds the spreadsheet can't detail any specifics - "I don't know what exactly is wrong with your game," he clarifies but it at least gives developers a clue as to which areas are currently lacking, such as problems with user retention.
Backing up with benchmarks
Lovell also hopes to use publicly available data from interviews and conference to generate benchmarks to show those using the spreadsheets how their titles compare.
"Each of the key metrics will have a reference page here on GAMESbrief," he concludes.
"Every time a new datapoint is made public, Ill add it to the page.
"Over time, I hope to build a comprehensive set of benchmarks that show, for example, what conversion rate to payers you might expect for a Facebook game, for a browser-based casual game, for a free-to-play MMO, an iPhone game and many more."
You can pick up the spreadsheet plus its explanation from GAMESbrief.