How do online gaming companies make their money if all their games are free like Codemasters?

[Robin D]

Hello,
All right now to get down to business, the scenario is you have made a great flash game that you want to make money from.

1. You could get the game sponsored by another games website. This means that the other website will pay you money in exchange for putting their logos and links in the game. You might be thinking why would they do that, well it's because people who played the game might go on their website through a link and so the other website could earn money from ad revenue or other means. The amount you get paid depends on how good the game is so it could range from $50 - $2000+. Different websites pay different sums of money, their website usually contains information on how much they pay. Some sponsors are ArmorGames, CrazyMonkeyGames and FlashRage. This way is a definite way of getting some money for your hard work.

2. If you have your own website, then in your game, link to your website so you get traffic to your website after you have submitted to some game portals like Newgrounds. On your own website put some advertisements on so when visitors come from through the game, they might click on ads earning you more money.

3. On your game you can put advertisements from Mochi ads in so each time a player plays the game, you earn ad revenue. Mochi ads are The World's First Ad Network for Casual Games and right now they are accepting only some developers so you can apply now and get in line. Even, if your game is placed on other websites, the ads still show so you still get money.

4. Some games websites offer contests and prizes for the best submitted games such as Newgrounds. Check them out every once in a while for new contests. This way usually offers a higher amount of money (depends on the contest hosting by the website) than sponsoring a game, however, if you don't win you might not get any money.

5. Some websites also offer some of the ad revenue from their website if you submit the game to them. This is a great way to get some cash for your game. Some websites that offer this are GameGum.