
Despite the lack of financial support from the government, the Australian games industry continues to thrive. SMG Studios - a local developer behind Death Squared - has revealed it sold 52,000 copies of the game in its first year on the Nintendo Switch.
Even though this amount might not seem impressive in contrast to other sales on the eShop, the team at SMG is more than happy - explaining how the Switch release has helped increase its overall revenue.
While this title has not had the same breakout success as the fellow Australian-made game, Hollow Knight, it at least illustrates the possible financial gain for smaller developers who are willing to take a chance with Nintendo's latest system.
Last month, Reggie Fils-Aime revealed Hollow Knight had shifted over 250,000 copies within the first two weeks of its release on the Switch. It appears indie studios are going from strength to strength down under.
Tell us below if you are one of the many people to purchase Death Squared on the Switch. If you aren't one of those people, it might be worth taking a look at the demo available on the eShop.
[source twitter.com]
Comments 24
These success stories are always nice to hear!
This was one of my favorite co-op games on the Switch in its early days. A great party game.
I haven't bought Death Squared, but Hollow Knight I have. Gonna take a second look at Death2
Good to hear it was profitable. I hope it gets them to make another game on Switch!
congrats to the team who made Death Square. happy to hear your success
@John_Deacon You don't happen to be Queen's former bass player, right?
I don't own it but I know it's supposed to be pretty good,so I'm pleased to know they've had some success with it. The more funds talented developers have the more ambitious games they can go on to make.
Did this game come out on the other consoles? If so how did it sell there?
Good for them.
I fear the success rates once indie quantities pile up per week.
I bought this right when it launched. Excellent game.
Death Sqaured is great puzzle game. The kind of challenge that’s rewarding to solve. Glad it’s doing well. Hollow Knight is also well worth buying.
Haven't bought the game yet but loved the demo! Hope this goes on sale again though.
You forgot Golf Story, another success story from down under, it probably sold more than Hollow Knight.
Death squared is a really great party game. Its a shame to hear it sold so little. Its far better than sinperclips (which is its self ok) It was our holiday family game and we loved it although it does encourage frustration with each other as a party game should. I highly recommend it. And if you have not bought Hollow knight yet... WHY!
@jobvd Oh, man, I wish!!! But no. I'm just a huge Brazilian fan. He may be in hiding, but his amazing work lives on and on.
@John_Deacon I'm a big fan too. Queen isn't queen without Deacon (and Freddie).
@jobvd totally agree! I went to one of their latest tours but of course it's more like a celebration and tribute to the years of glory. The original four set a standard that can't be matched without one of them, let alone two
@leo13 --- REPLY TO LEO13 SOMEWHERE UP THERE IN THE FIRST COMMENTS:
@smgstudio
"But we're making more revenue, a year in, than we did when we launched on the other consoles."
The game still stands pretty tall even today. The game is great, and has some amazing co-op. The banter was the best, really brought the game experience to a new level.
Easily one of the best puzzle games I've ever played, I highly recommend it.
I liked the demo. I'll keep my eyes peeled for a sale.
Wait, why would video game developers get financial support from government? Is that some sort of an Australian in-joke or is it because Image and Form got EU funds or what?
I don't understand that line at all.
@SmaggTheSmug RE funding. When we founded SMG we received funding to help pay for salaries. As games take time to make and you dont get any revenue until you release. So working for a year with no $$$ makes it hard to start up. The government funding (which was 50% loan and 50% grant) meant we had some runway. We repaid our 50% and also paid MUCH more than that in salary tax, and corporate tax. So the small investment from the government of less than $200k total has resulted in 25 FT jobs, millions in revenue and millions in tax paid by the company and those 25 jobs. Pretty good ROI!
To clarify Death Squared is still making revenue and more than we made on launch month. The other platforms sold very badly as we came out at a noisy time (right after Switch, BOTW, HZD, and many other big games) We feel lucky we landed on Switch when we did.
cheers
Ash
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