User Forum

(1) With over 64 million monthly active players, up to 1 million of whom are logged on simultaneously during peak times, chances are you have heard of the online game creation platform. Fans are probably also aware that all the games in the Lego-like virtual world are created by users, typically teens and young adults.
(2) What is not as widely known is that the California-based company gives 30 percent of any revenues earned from the games to the creators. In 2017, they paid out $30 million, $3 million of which went to one developer while two others received $2 million apiece. In 2018, the company has distributed an astounding $70 million to the most popular games created by members of its four-million-strong developer base. Although the percentage of player/developers is tiny, those lucky few, around 1 percent get substantial payouts.
(3) Among the biggest beneficiaries of the revenue-sharing policy is Alex Jafanz, the publisher of a role-playing game where inmates escape from prison and run from the police. While the 19-year-old and his business partner have created several other games on the platform, none have been as popular. Just three days after its release on April 21, 2017, the game boasted 75,000 concurrent players, the highest ever on the development platform game. Within three weeks, Jafanz's game reached 44 million place visits, making it the fastest-growing game ever in the company's 14-year history!
(4) As to what inspired these young entrepreneurs to develop or design games? They are all former game players and just wanted something different. Many just thought it would be fun to make a game that they wanted to play themselves, with little thought about the potential acclaim and remuneration they could receive for developing the highest grossing games. So, if you are a fan, you may be on the path to prosperity - provided you use your imagination and work hard, of course!