{tocify} $title={Table of Contents}
The developer makes the game, but a publisher usually helps it reach players. The publisher can cover many different things.
Providing the money to make the game
Making a game can take years and cost a lot. A publisher usually helps by paying for it. They might cover salaries, software, or marketing costs while the game is being built. In return, they get a share of the profit after the game is released.
If the game fails, the publisher might lose that money, not the developer. That is why publishers often choose projects carefully and keep an eye on progress. Some may even set milestones, which are small goals that need to be finished before the next payment.
Handling marketing and publicity
Publishers often take care of marketing, which means making trailers, setting up ads, and getting attention from gaming websites or streamers.
$ads={1}
Managing distribution and store access
In the past, publishers printed discs and shipped them to stores. Now, most of the work is digital, so publishers generally deal with online stores like Steam, Epic, or PlayStation to make sure the game gets listed properly, featured, or even negotiate deals for better visibility.
For console games, the publisher usually helps with certification, which is the process of getting approval from companies like Sony or Nintendo. Without that help, many small studios may not be able to release on those platforms at all.
Technical and extra support
Publishers may help with technical tasks. This can include testing for bugs, translating the game into other languages, hosting servers for online play, or moving the game to different platforms like Switch or Xbox.
Smaller teams often do not have enough people to handle all that, so the publisher provides this support.
(Sometimes) Acting as producers
Some publishers also give feedback on design or story and check that everything stays on schedule. This can be helpful when the team is new or the project is big.
Of course, not every developer likes being told what to change, so how much control a publisher has usually depends on the contract between them.
Taking both the risk and reward
Since publishers often pay for development, they carry more risk if the game does not sell well. But when the game becomes a hit, they often get a large part of the revenue first until their costs are covered. After that, profits are shared.
How fair this split is can vary a lot. Developers usually research and negotiate before signing any deal.
$ads={2}
Why some developers choose to self-publish
Today, digital stores generally make it easier for developers to release games by themselves. If a studio already has money and knows how to do marketing, they can self-publish and keep full control.
Still, for console releases or big projects that need worldwide marketing, a publisher can still be very useful. It really depends on what the developer needs most: independence or support.
In short, a game publisher is like the business side of making games. They may fund it, promote it, distribute it, and support it technically.
With today’s tools, some developers can do more on their own. But a publisher is still an important part of how many games reach the world.
Source: Reddit (ELI5: What is the role of a publisher for video games?)