I Regret Working With Game Publishers — What I’m Doing Instead

1-on-1 Reality Check Call: https://buy.stripe.com/00w00b4XNcho3L... Blue Ocean Games (Not Sponsored): https://blueoceangames.com/ If I were funding my game again today, I wouldn’t go with a publisher. After working in games for over a decade, I’ve seen how publisher deals actually play out — not just when things go right, but when they quietly fall apart. In this video, I break down why publishers aren’t always the right default choice for indie developers, what those deals really cost, and what I’m doing instead. This isn’t a rant, and it’s not anti-publisher. Publishers can make sense in specific situations. The problem is treating them as the automatic path forward without understanding the trade-offs. If you’re an indie developer thinking about funding, pitching, or going full-time, this video is meant to help you make that decision with clear eyes. Topics covered: Why publisher deals fail more often than people think What the pitching process actually looks like How leverage disappears once funding is locked in When working with a publisher does make sense Alternatives to traditional publisher funding The real cost of the wrong deal If you’re at a crossroads with your game and want a second opinion, I do one-on-one calls. It’s a grounded conversation about your options — funding, publishers, or what to focus on next. Details are in the description. Chapters: 00:00 - How I lost the $300.000 deals 00:25 - The Pitching Experience 01:33 - When It Goes Bad 03:11 - Do It Yourself 03:45 - What To Do Instead 04:45 - The Real Cost #gamepublisher #gamefunding #gamedev