A simple desktop application called Bongo Cat has been in the top five most played games on Steam for several months. The game has been alongside the likes of Counter Strike 2 and PUBG.
The developer of the viral game explains why the game with more than 150,000 concurrent users isn’t making money.
Behind the Viral Phenomenon
Marcel Zurawka, CEO and co-founder of Irox Games, recently stated the disappointing fact behind Bongo Cat popularity. Though most people would expect such a title to sell very well, the numbers disagree.
Zurawka added. He revealed that the revenue 100 percent after Steam takes its cut for March is $2,000; for April, which was the peak festivity, it’s $4,050; for May, it’s at $3,800, and for June, it’s $2,800 so far.
Zurawka said even these numbers do not cover the salary of a developer. He explained that, looking at the actual figures, we are actually losing money in the end.
What Makes Bongo Cat So Popular?
Bongo Cat is a free idle software that works more as a desktop pet than a game. A little cat will pop up above your taskbar that taps its paws on a counter with every keystroke and mouse click. The more users tap, the more hats the cat is able to find. These hats can be sold on Community Marketplaces for real money, which has been another big target for bot usage.
Revenue Sources and Philosophy
Bongo Cat’s Overall Revenue Derived from Marketplace Transactions is Less than 50%, Claims Zurawka. Most of the earnings come from paid cat skins that are purchasable as in-game microtransactions.
However, Bongo Cat was never about making money. Zurawka said, “I want it to be an accessible companion tool for all without ever requiring any payment. For me, it should always be as accessible as possible. I don’t want to put anything behind paywalls.”
The Real Value of Viral Success
Though Bongo Cat may not make a direct profit, it’s really helped Irox Games gain exposure. The game has done a great job of marketing, bringing lots of eyes and wishlists to the studio’s next game, Oku.
This show how an instant hit in gaming may not translate to instant wealth but, for developers with a long view, there could be other values.