So, I have some projects and
one is a shmup and I was considering it as a commercial project.
The problem I have is that it is not clear to me how you can sell such kind of game. To be precise, it would be a game in the same niche than Ikaruga (whatever the differences in quality ).
My current understanding is that:
1. It is extremely hard to sell such games on PC.
2. On console it can sell but not much.
3. bullet hells are not very good on tactile platforms.
Am I correct? Can someone make a summary of the current market for shmup/bullet hell (commercial) games?
I would say all 3 of you assumptions are not correct.
Recently a lot of SHMUP have been published on PC, including the awesome Jamestown which seems to have sold fine.
On the other hand, reaching your audience on console may be harder as it's a more closed market.
And, finally, iDevices are currently the main channel for SHMUP. Cave, among others, published Mushihimesama 1 and 2, DodonPachi Resurrection and EspGaluda on iDevices, giving the opportunity to play these games at no more than 10$, while you had to spend around 100$ per title before the advent of app stores and iDevices. Also, they are incredibly smooth and fun to play.
Developer
