Indie Game Brand Preferences: Real Name, or Company Name?

[Cruise Elroy]

This is something I've briefly discussed with another MFGGer or two and I thought it could make an interesting topic. If you were to create a brand name to sell/distribute your indie games under, would you prefer to have your real name attached to it (such as how Edmund McMillen distributes most of his games), or would you rather create an entirely new company name (such as how Edmund and Tommy Refenes went under the name "Team Meat" for Super Meat Boy)? If you've already had a few indie games under your belt using one or the other, tell us why!

[Kritter]

I prefer a proper company name. I feel like using your own name can come off a bit pretentious, especially when it's used in the title of your games.

[Friendly Dictator]

im not a company, im just a guy

DO NOT under estimate this lakitu to much or it will be the end of that life (note: do not over estimate him either).

LONG LIVE LITTLELUND

[Briraka]

i'd go for a company/developer name if the whole team had creative input for most of the games content.

if most of the game was envisioned by one person with everyone else only doing the practical work and giving feedback as to whether the ideas presented by the director are good or plausible, then i'd say to use the person's name.

personally, if i'm ever going to start making indie games, i'm most likely to do the latter considering most of the work being into them is going to be carried out by myself with the most assistance coming in the form of the music department.

[Mariotroid]

I think company name is always best. It's good to be anonymous. It' good to be known by a catchy phrase, again, especially if many games have been produce.

[Gato]

Whatever flies.

MFGGirc | SW-0797-6485-1104 | 2019 REF

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[HylianDev]

Whenever money is involved, and ESPECIALLY contracts, you're gonna want the legal protection of a company.

If you're not financially responsible, your company could end up in debt. Don't lose your house over that!

If you get a bout of cryptomnesia and accidentally remake someone else's game, or god forbid you dare make a game in the same genre as PUBG, you could end up getting slapped with a crazy lawsuit. Then there's Jim Sterling, who was sued for like $10 million. Of course these are more or less frivolous, but won't you sleep better knowing that the only thing at stake is your company rather than your own finances?

Hylian's day job, little did we know, was saying controversial things on the internet.

you fool!!!! you fixed it wrong!!!!

Bibby Team