from choosing an engine to monetization issues

Each of us, if not playing, then saw adult games on the Internet. Many are sure that this is a goldmine – know for yourself how to strap sultry beauties in various poses, tie everything together with a simple plot and put it on Steam. But is it really that simple? What developers of erotic games are dealing with. And is it worth it?

We decided to investigate this issue and collected the most common issues that developers of erotic games need to solve. These problems sometimes complement each other. So, if you want to put the picture together and feel respect (or pity) for the developers, happy reading.

Who makes games 18+ and on which engines

To create erotic games there is no need to download a top secret game engine on the dark web – most products are made on popular platforms used in mainstream games – Unity, Unreal Engine and Flash. Many projects are assembled in RPG Maker, which jRPG fans are sure to be familiar with. But especially “followers” gathered a niche engine Ren’Py. It is tailor-made for creating visual novels and has all the necessary tools.

Engine stats on one of the popular services for clarityEngine stats on one of the popular services for clarity

Who makes these games? It’s simple – ordinary developers, no different from those involved in the indie sector. There are relatively well-known established teams (DarkCookie, NLT, Sad Crab), as well as solo enthusiasts who often rely on freelance programmers and artists.

At first glance, developing adult games is an easy task, but pitfalls emerge soon after the process starts.

You can’t put that in your wallet.

It is quite difficult to find a freelancer willing to take on such a project. Most artists, especially abroad, value their reputation and are in no rush to take on dubious assignments. Believe me, if someone suggested to make a 3D model of the anal door (in the game) Boobs Saga had an anal sphincter-shaped door – approx. edition) or a naked old centaur in BDSM gear, you would also think a hundred times.

The imagination of game designers is limitless, but will anyone take it upon themselves to execute it?The imagination of game designers is limitless, but will anyone take it upon themselves to execute it?

You should not brag about such projects. You can’t put them in a portfolio (especially if you’re applying for a job at Rockstar or Ubisoft). You can’t show them during the interview, and the flow of such orders to specialize in them is often unstable. The professional community is far from large enough to put your reputation on the line with your colleagues in the shop: if you get carried away, the title “dildo generator” won’t wash off your head.

ethical moment

But hey, reputation and portfolio – how do you work when your family or even just co-workers are around? You can’t work in the office, you can’t work from home either. Let yourself be distracted for five minutes and the son already adheres to the far from the most modest reference of the next model. Later explain yourself to your wife and try to prove that you are not a camel.

Of course, many live alone or find mutual understanding in the family, or even just lock themselves in their room. But it is not always possible to predict the development of the situation …

For example, how do you explain yourself if you get caught developing something like this?For example, how do you explain yourself if you get caught developing something like this?

Another sketch. Here you are, for example, in a bar. Chatting with two beautiful young girls. The workday is long over, but your employer decides to take the initiative: and now a dozen photos with “references” in full screen appear on the phone.

How to respond? What will your companions think? And how will the bartender, peacefully rubbing his glasses, act? But the situation is not fiction and happened to the developer of the game Boobs Saga.

“My taste is very specific”

You have found an artist. Design project developed with ideas and rough sketches. But which style should you choose? hentai? 3D graphics? A comic with a focus on realism? Is censorship necessary? What chest size will the heroines have and what is the “dignity” of the hero? And finally, how do you strike a balance between gameplay and adult content? Many questions.

Very often, developers can not decide on the target audience of the project, because it is not enough to develop gameplay mechanics – you need to carefully monitor the visual style, the complexity of the plot, look for a balance between classic fetishes and outright perversions, as well as cruelty and surrealism. And not everyone can handle it.

Succubus, despite the excessive rigidity and violence, was able to define the target audience and gain popularity with the help of competent marketing.Succubus, despite the excessive rigidity and violence, was able to define the target audience and gain popularity with the help of competent marketing.

The real situation: The authors of the aforementioned Boobs Saga were literally branded for their specific visual in-game. A barrage of criticism even forced the lead programmer to leave the project.

There are plenty of controversial frank tin games on the internet, but most of them are created by one person and posted anonymously to thematic sources – who knows what will happen if the author’s identity is revealed? Maybe it’s okay, but he’ll probably lose the respect of family, friends, and coworkers.

How to make money with this game?

A long and thorny path will pass – the game is over. But how to make money with it? There aren’t that many ways. Developers choose between Patreon and Steam and often combine both options. The rare lucky ones find a publisher.

But still, the world knows many cases when the team managed to monetize their mature creativity. Fortunately, the authors of masterpieces like Summer Saga, lust epidemic, wild life and Monster Girl Island. Patreon’s monthly income runs into the thousands and tens of thousands of dollars. It is these stars who are bringing fresh blood to the developer community with their success.

With Patreon revenue, it is quite possible to fully support a team of several dozen peopleWith Patreon revenue, it is quite possible to fully support a team of several dozen people

Another way is to go through Steam moderation and sell your game as a regular indie project. This path has a difficult obstacle in the face of the moderators of the service.

Some follow the policy of the service with commendable zeal and generally state everything that is in the projectSome follow the policy of the service with commendable zeal and generally state everything that is in the project

Despite changes in company policy and the apparent dominance of NSFW (Not Safe For Work) games on the Steam charts, not every game gets published. Much depends on the candor of the project, the presence of scenes of brutality and violence, as well as, say, the “level of unusual fetishes” in the game.

criminal liability

We decided to finally leave the saddest (for developers) and “everyday” look – the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation No. 242, which tells us about the illegality of the production, storage and distribution of relevant products among minors. We are silent about receiving revenue from the sale of such content. You can find the full text yourself.

For example, what legal assessment should be given to this?For example, what legal assessment should be given to this?

Of course, the vagueness of the wording and the difficulties in determining the place of development play a role here. Is material stored on servers somewhere in the Netherlands considered content produced in the Russian Federation? And to make a legal assessment of the game, it is necessary to put together a special committee. But that doesn’t make it any easier for developers.

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Maybe, well, him? Will we make it with classic projects like visual novels or another Minecraft clone? Barely. Most adult project authors are enthusiastic people who genuinely love their work and in many ways work for the idea. Therefore, content from 18+, like cats, will always be – that’s the fate of one of the pillars of the Internet.

What do you think of the developers of such games? Maybe you know of other problems that we haven’t mentioned? Write in the comments.

Do you want to become an adult game developer?