Publish with Zaparoo
Sell your games on physical NFC cards and as digital downloads. Tap a card, the game launches.
Get in TouchWhat is Zaparoo?
Open-source software that turns NFC cards into game launchers. Tap a card on a reader, the game downloads and launches. For indie devs, homebrew creators, and retro game publishers.
How It Works
You provide the game
Upload your build and card artwork. We handle hosting, production, and distribution.
We make it available
Your game goes live on Zaparoo Online. Physical cards are printed with your art and encoded.
Players tap and play
Card on reader, or redeemed with a digital code. The game downloads, installs, and launches.
Two Channels, One Platform
Physical Cards
NFC cards printed with your game art. Each card carries a unique code. Tap the card on a reader and the game downloads, installs, and launches.
- ✓ Sell at conventions, bundle with merch, ship direct
- ✓ From $1 per card at volume
- ✓ You provide the art, we handle production
Digital Downloads
Your game listed on Zaparoo Online. Players purchase or redeem a code, then download and play. No physical card required. Free games welcome, no fees.
- ✓ No production cost, no inventory
- ✓ You keep 90% of every sale
- ✓ Available worldwide, instantly
First Partner
Reboot Games
Our first game release features 10 Atari Jaguar homebrew titles from Reboot Games. Each card is printed with unique game art and works with one tap.
See it in the shopPricing
You set your price. Here's what we charge.
| Zaparoo | Steam | Epic | Switch Cart | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Platform fee | 10%* | 30% | 12% | 30% |
| Physical media | From $1/card | N/A | N/A | $6+/unit |
| You keep (digital) | 90% | 70% | 88% | 70% |
| Physical option | ✓ | — | — | ✓ |
Swipe to compare
* Founding partners pay 0% on the first $1K revenue per year. Learn more
Why Zaparoo
- ✓ Low minimums
No thousand-unit print runs. Order what you need. Cards are cheap enough to experiment with.
- ✓ Fast turnaround
No 12-month production queues. Cards are produced and shipped in weeks, not seasons.
- ✓ Built-in protection
Downloads are delivered through Zaparoo's system. Every download is tied to a unique code.
- ✓ Open source
The Zaparoo platform is open source. You can see exactly how it works, and your players can too.
Limited Spots
Founding Partners Program
We want developers involved early while we're still building this out. As a founding partner, your first $1,000 in revenue each year is commission-free. 0% platform fee, you keep everything. After that, the standard 10% applies. This deal stays with your account permanently. It doesn't expire.
FAQ
- •
What happens if Zaparoo goes away?
Zaparoo is open source. If the platform ever shut down, the software could be updated to handle game links directly. Your players aren't left with dead cards.
- •
What file formats do you accept?
Any format your target system can run. ROMs, executables, archives. The platform is file-agnostic.
- •
Do I need to handle customer support?
No. We handle all player-facing support for download issues, NFC setup, and software questions. You focus on making games.
- •
Can I sell on other platforms too?
Yes. No exclusivity, no lock-in. Sell wherever you want.
Register Your Interest
We're working with a small group of developers for our first wave of releases. Tell us about your games and we'll be in touch as spots open up.
Prefer email? Reach us at partnerships@zaparoo.com