Getting a Game Sponsored

Hey guys and more guys.

A few weeks ago I finished making a humor game that's much more of a "get a kick out of it and have something to think about afterwards" game than a "play long into the night to reach the climax" game. I made it with hopes of getting a sponsorship so I could buy a better computer (I have a beige mac from 2001), but I have no idea how to find someone who would be willing to buy this aberrant flash game. Are there people out there willing to buy licenses for games like these, or is there no place on a standard flash-gaming website for games that are directed towards an older audience who would appreciate structure & writing over gameplay?
YES, I have tried FGL.

Also, here's a screenshot:

Getting a Game Sponsored

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ryphos 2011-12-10 18:27:51

o.o... a mac from 2001? I hope you can get some cash to get a new rig :| Good luck man

Emrox 2011-12-10 18:27:51

It's a mac pro from the OS9 days with no working internet access, but since 2001 it's been upgraded to OSX puma. (Remember Puma? That's the first one that had iTunes with the green music note logo, which has never been updated because of the lack of internet.)

PIED3 2011-12-10 19:15:25

Start a bidding war. I'll start of with £1.40!

Emrox 2011-12-10 19:15:25

My first dollar :3

LewToons 2011-12-10 21:04:36

i learned the hard way (just like you are doing right now) that getting games sponsored is VERY VERY hard - - -i hope your shit gets picked up though! love your work as always - peace - drinking time

Emrox 2011-12-10 21:04:36

Thanks for the kind words, man! I'm definitely gonna keep at it.

Graeme 2011-12-10 21:14:56

End of the year is when sites are also working through the thin ends of their budgets. In January they'll have their biggest amounts of money to spend on games (both big and small investments).

I have had luck with FGL in the past. But you're going to have to do a little research too. Find sites that are given top recommendations as sponsors, then email all of them.

Also be sure to watermark the SHIT out of your game. I've had a game stolen during this process. If you riddle the game with messages saying things along the line of "This is an unfinished demo for sponsors, and appearing anywhere other than X is a stolen copy"
As long as messages like that are all over the menus (and even watermarking the game slightly during gameplay) will stop people from stealing it.

Looking for a sponsor takes a lot of time and work. But once you've gotten a few games, and make a few friends in the sponsorship zone, the it's a lot easier since you can hand it directly to them to look at.

Emrox 2011-12-10 21:14:56

Excellent advice. I found a code for a sitelocker, so I covered as long as no one takes the time to decompile the file and find the code to delete.

I suppose that this may have not been the best project to start a game making career with, as seeing as this is a pretty unconventional project.

Fro 2011-12-10 22:17:54

I've only tried to get one game sponsored and it was grabbed within the week. It really wasn't worth it, but meh, whatever they thought it was so I wasn't going to say no. :P

Anyway, 2 dollars is my bid.

Emrox 2011-12-10 22:17:54

Well, I suppose it's really hit or miss, then.

And isn't that less than £1.40? (I don't actually know, but I think that's around 2.1 USD)

Graeme 2011-12-11 00:42:33

My first sponsorship was with Kill Boe 2. Now that's pretty unconventional. It's not even a game!! So I'm sure if you keep at it, something will come along :)

Emrox 2011-12-11 00:42:33

Shall do.

OmarShehata 2011-12-11 02:25:54

Getting games sponsored isn't that hard, you just need to have contacts and/or know which sponsors to contact and how to negotiate.

There are games made in 3 days that have gotten sponsored for over $1000. I definitely think you could get a sponsorship for your game if you start emailing sponsors and perhaps pitch offers to certain sponsors. What's the game's name on FGL?

Emrox 2011-12-11 02:25:54

"I Can't Afford A Wheelchair"

And it is open for developers to play-test, so give it a shot!

molkman 2011-12-11 06:18:22

Trying to find a sponsor is worse than hugging a cactus, KNOW WHAT I'M SAYIN?

Emrox 2011-12-11 06:18:22

I've never tried hugging a cactus, but I can only assume it would be a bit uncomfortable for the both of us.

SpikeVallentine 2011-12-11 11:32:50

I'll bid 10$.

Are you excited about this project? How excited? If you share that you're excited with the sponsors, they will be excited too.

If you're not excited, then plan the future better.

Also, once you have the information you want, delete this post asap.

It may be dangerous for people to know your lack of knowledge. You wouldn't want to be taken advantage now do you? x.x

Hope you do well mate! Take care!

Emrox 2011-12-11 11:32:50

I'm pretty excited to release this on NG. I'm pretty confident that it'll be well received, and I had a lot of fun making it.

Thundaboom 2011-12-12 20:21:23

I wouldn't suggest getting sponsorship advice from Goat-man, ask someone EXPERIENCED like Pjorg

Emrox 2011-12-12 20:21:23

Loldick.