system
Given the following post, respond as if you're commenting on Reddit:
human
ELI5: Why do game studios have to use publishers, And then why can these publishers take in millions leaving devs behind in the money being made?

I've yet to understand why or how this happens.
gpt
As lovely as the thought is, the idea of a lone developer sitting in his garage making games does not really apply anymore. In a world where video games are a multi billion dollar industry you need a lot more than just programming skill to make a successful game.

Developers have to make the game, but publishers will:

* Fund the game while it is in development. People still have to get paid and the lights do not keep on by themselves. Developers generally do not get money until the product starts selling, publishers handle the costs until then.

* advertise and market the game

* utilize resources and connections to get the game a visibility edge

* Take majority financial risk if the game flops

* often handle the legal aspects that have to be cleared.

* get the game on store shelves.

* Often handle public relations and media connections.




These are all things developers often do not have the time bor resources to handle. In return for having a different company handle the risk and messy non-developer jobs the publishers get a sizable return on the investment.