I got mentioned in a comment, GRAHARHARHARHAR!!!!
Yeah, sponsorships have started sucking since about early 2011 and I'm glad I don't do it any more. Mostly cos I don't have to keep up with people completely milking FGL and that horrible what's-trending-this-month community. Which-- I understand iOS device games are just as gross with that.
Also I don't have to use some idiot's miserable splash screen n logo for Crazy Kiwi Lol Random Games Ninja Free Game Site dot com.
I dunno man! I don't like Reincarnation, or adventure games, and that's your whole thing- so I've not bin paying attention for like the passed 5 years. I think starting with a seperate idea every time has definately helped me get better and expand into things I have no business being good at.
Realistically I don't have much to add except YEP! I think I wrote this exact news post a while ago!
Try teaming up with the other people who make adventure games and can't get anywhere. Cos yo I bet the guys making Detective Grimoire right now thought the exact same thing you did.
ClickShake
Ya, in general I've realized that sponsorship is not a strong business model all by itself.
You're in the weaker position as far as negotiating goes, as you've already invested the time (and possibly money) and are therefore already in debt with the project, only now hoping for someone to toss money your way. The amount of money out there settles somewhere not too much higher than what a desperate developer would reluctantly have to accept, except in cases where a game really shines and possibly gets a good bidding war going. FGL has really helped bring up sponsorship amounts, but unless you're living with your parents still, it's hard to make enough to cover expenses reliably (game after game).
It's also a risk trying to sell directly to consumers, but the difference there is that the ceiling is much higher with the number of people in the world, so the potential high-end earnings are at least proportional to the risk you take making a game and then trying to sell it.
Sponsorships are great for new developers as you can make more than selling 100 copies for $5, and it's also a great way to make a bit of money to test out a new game concept, so it's still an awesome thing. However for us, what's really helped the most is contract work, and our first pay to play game has exceeded all sponsorships we've gotten so far (though took us a lot longer too).
Good luck getting things figured out.
- Steve Castro