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Game devs what should I charge for this roguelike project?

I've been working on a boilerplate project to make your own Roguelike and I don't know what to charge for it. It's a zip file containing a browser based graphical Roguelike with all the source code and detailed instructions for how to change it to make it into your own game.

The idea is you buy the boilerplate project (one-off purchase) and it gives you a head start on your web based Roguelike game, so you can focus on the fun stuff. I've tried to put enough in there that it would be easy to use this to build a complete game during a 48 hour game jam.

Can you help me figure out what to charge? What are some prices of similar projects? Or can you give me a gut-feel for what you would pay for this?

I could only find two similar points of reference:

  • Web page templates. These are usually design focused and sell for around $20 to $50.
  • Game builder applications like Game Maker and Construct. These lack the focus of a boilerplate, and they retail from $40 to $800 (!) for one year of use.

Features

✔ Fully playable minimal Roguelike with source code.
✔ The license to use it for a personal or commercial project.
✔ Commented index.html and short, readable JavaScript code that you can modify to customise to your game.
✔ Level generation, rooms, scenery, 10 item boxes, and one example monster.
✔ Splash, start screen, game-over screen, menus, with NES.css pixel styling, and instructions on how to change them.
✔ Working win/lose condition and screens.
ROT.js library integrated with common roguelike utils.
✔ A nice pixel tileset from kenney.nl with instructions on how to change them.
✔ Sound fx generated from sfxr.me with instructions on how to change them.
✔ Juicy game-like CSS animations.
✔ YouTube tutorial walking you through how to edit everything.
✔ The license to use it for a personal or commercial project.
✔ Works on mobile devices.
Bonus: pointers for turning it into a phone & desktop app.

I'll be releasing this later in the week. If you want to know when it goes just out sign up to the infinitelives mailing list.

I look forward to your pricing feedback, thank you so much!

  1. 3

    I love the idea of templated/boilerplate games!

    What I would be doing is looking at ways you can basically ask the customer how much they want to pay, without saying as such.

    So do something like:

    • $30 for the template and nothing else
    • $60 for the template and instruction/guidance on using it
    • $100 for the template and ongoing support via email
    • $200 dollars for an initial video call and 12 months email support

    This is how other template sites, e.g. WordPress themes and plugins operate.
    You could also look at having add-ins. E.g. you get the boilerplate but for an extra $20 you can have fantasy sprites, for another $20 you can have an in-game wizard that does something special.
    Then you get into having bundles, e.g. $30 dollars gets you the fantasy sprites and the wizard.

    1. 1

      This is great, thank you. Here's what I am thinking:

      • $25 = student / hobbyist
      • $50 = commercial license + PDF manual
      • $75 = access to the discord support community
  2. 1

    Wow, thanks for sharing this. Reminds me of the game Aviator. I checked it out at https://aviator-game.in/. Aviator is probably the most popular online game of this decade. Last years she sure equals keeps in the tops of all known online casinos. It is played by hundreds of thousands of people around the world. Dozens of positive reviews of Aviator speak for themselves.

  3. 1

    Is there any manner to test out the roguelike? Love the idea - and I'm quite sure some human beings could truly pay for that! I've been having fun hacking on PICO-8 lately, and it jogs my memory of your project. it was more information seen this website you tub apk https://bestgamesapk.com/youtube-mod-apk/

    1. 1

      Hey, I just realized I never replied to this. Yes, you can test the boilerplate roguelike here: https://chr15m.github.io/roguelike-browser-boilerplate/

  4. 1

    there can we download simulation game like The sims 4

  5. 1

    Is there any way to test out the roguelike? Love the idea - and I'm pretty sure some people would definitely pay for that! I've been having fun hacking on PICO-8 recently, and it reminds me of your project.

    1. 2

      A way to test the roguelike is a great idea. I can probably put a playable version up for people to try.

    2. 1

      Hey @m15o I'm getting really close to releasing this. Would you be up for testing it out and giving me feedback?

        1. 1

          How can I send you the zip? You can find the landing page here :

          https://chr15m.itch.io/roguelike-browser-boilerplate

          Thanks for checking this out.

  6. 1

    To be honest I don't have any experience selling templates and I have no idea what you should charge. But I can imagine paying maybe $50 to $100 for something like this.

    Whatever price you decide, I would suggest launching it with a "limited time offer" that sells it for say half the "full" price. This way it's easier to move the price point around to experiment.

    1. 1

      Thanks Dylan this is actually super helpful. I'm thinking I'll try tiered pricing ($25, $50, $75 for different features), and I'll definitely start with a 50% short-run discount out of the gate.

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