The "APP + mini-game" model is bound to become a key growth point for the mini-game industry in the future. In recent years, the development of mini-games has become increasingly popular. More and more game companies or individuals want to enter this track. Many individual developers are struggling with the issue of version number and qualifications. Today’s article will explain it to you.
Do mini program games need a version number?
Individual developers:
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Free games: No version number is required if payment is not activated (can be monetized by advertising); required reports: "Computer Software Copyright Registration Certificate" or "Electronic Copyright Certification" (except WeChat for the time being) and "Game Self-Assessment Report". For chess and card games and fishing categories, additional submissions are required: "Online Game Publication Number Issuance Form", "Product Compliance Report", and "Product Operation Report". The platform withholds 20% of personal income tax.
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Paid games: Individual developers cannot list paid games.
Enterprise Developer:
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Free games: No version number is required if payment is not activated (can be monetized by advertising); required reports: "Computer Software Copyright Registration Certificate" or "Electronic Copyright Certification" (except WeChat for the time being), "Game Self-Assessment Report". For chess and card games and fishing categories, additional submissions are required: "Online Game Publication Number Issuance Form", "Product Compliance Report", and "Product Operation Report". Enterprises pay their own taxes of 0% to 6%.
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Paid games: To activate virtual payment games, you need to submit: "Online Game Publication Number Issuance Form", "Computer Software Copyright Registration Certificate" or "Electronic Copyright Certification" (except WeChat for the time being), "Game Self-examination and Self-Inspection Report", " Developer Commitment Letter". Mini-games contain a certain degree of text content and plots, and require online text filing to ensure that the content complies with relevant regulations. Enterprises pay their own taxes of 0% to 6%.
After talking about the version number issue, let’s take a look at the difference between the newly launched electronic copyright certification in 2022 and soft copy.
Can electronic copyright certification replace soft copy?
It is worth noting that starting from the second half of 2022, the new soft-licensing policy will be implemented, and the soft-licensing application will become more and more strict, and for a period of time, the license will not even be issued. In order to improve the efficiency of the qualification review of small games and reduce the rejections caused by the time difference in the uploading of soft works, Douyin, QQ small games, OPPO small games (quick apps), and Xiaomi open platforms have all started to support electronic copyright certification.
1. The difference between electronic copyright certification and soft copy
Scope of application for paper soft copies: suitable for application for game version numbers, high-tech enterprise certification, intellectual property protection, etc. Scope of application for soft copies of electronic copyright certification: mainly applicable to the launch of APPs in major application markets. It can be used as a replacement for paper software copyrights for listing software. Both can be applied for at the same time without conflicting with each other.
2. In which application markets is electronic copyright used?
In Huawei, Xiaomi, Tencent App Store, Xiaomi Open Platform, 360, Alibaba-Wandoujia, vivo, OPPO, Baidu and other App stores, Momoyu developer platform, and massive development that have access to the electronic copyright certification service system Developer Platform, Pangolin Developer Platform, ByteDance Developer Platform, QQ Mini Games, and software certified electronic copyright can be used as proof of valid copyright qualifications when the App is put on the shelves.
If you are in a hurry to put your APP on the shelves, you can choose soft-copy electronic copyright certification, because the application time is very fast and the review is not difficult; if you are not in a hurry, it is recommended to apply for paper software copyright for the sake of intellectual property protection.
How to expand distribution channels for small games without relying on big platforms?
Whether it is WeChat, Douyin, or QQ mini-games, as long as it is a large platform, it needs to be subject to the limitations of the platform's review. Here I will introduce a small game distribution model with greater autonomy and selectivity. Developers or publishers can use mini program container technology to expand the distribution channels of mini games. For example, by integrating the mini program container, the channel APP has the ability to run mini programs. This means that mini-program games can be put on shelves not only on major platforms such as WeChat, QQ, and Douyin, but also on any channel APP that has traffic and is willing to cooperate. For example: FinClip applet container technology is compatible with WeChat syntax. Mini games that have been developed before can be put on the shelves in multiple channels such as self-owned APP and partner APP without secondary development, saving development costs and at the same time , which also enables mini-game revenue to be maximized.
This flexible cooperation model can often achieve win-win results. For developers, it broadens the distribution channels for small games and increases user reach. For channel partners, high-quality mini-game content can also increase APP activity. Compared with the traditional game industry that is trapped in "stock competition", the small game industry also contains huge business potential.