I think you're missing his point. He's already said that he just enjoys making the music, he's doing this for some sort of project.

Pure chiptune music will probably remain in the hands of the hardcore followers however it will develop a larger following and with that more opportunities.

What I do find interesting though is elements of chiptune music crossing over into mainstream popular music. So while I can't see the next Beiberbot autotuned to gameboy beats in front of masses of gamer girls, I am starting to hear a lot of chip chord arpeggios, drums and SID samples being used more and more. I think it'll remain popular due to our generation being bought up alongside videogames, so we won't be able to escape this now.

I'm trying to understand the M.O. behind this post. If you are legitimately interested in making music, it shouldn't matter how "promising" it is. Just do it.

This is going to sound kind of douchey but if you are just window-shopping for "marketable" subcultures you have no business here.

I think there is a bit of daydreaming up in this thread, but lets go with it...

One thing to seriously consider is that the VAST majority of chiptune is released for free or as donation-ware, even the absolute best artists, and I don't see that changing any time soon. So competing in that area is going to be pretty much impossible. Like as with any indie musician at this point.

Also outside of the chiptune community, the genre is completely unknown. Think of what CDK said: in the whole world, there are like 5 or 6 regular chiptune shows, and those are SATURATED with booking requests (if boston8bit is any indication). So, ahem, [marketing speak: go!] what you need is another growth market, and that is going to take some sweat-equity on your part: Build your own local scene.

As you said, New Orleans has a rich musical culture and would be a prime location. So, start your own concert series, book well-respected "national" artists and develop local talent. Expose New Orleans audiences to chiptune. You will bring in new fans to chiptune, and bring the scene to you. Everybody is happy.

Its hard, its expensive, its time consuming, but it is rewarding and from my perspective, the only way.

Chiptune music here is for 30+ years, and it is not a genre, as it was said above. Chip is an instrument, like a guitar or piano, you can play any music using it. Therefore chiptune music progresses as much as music in general does, i.e. - not much, if at all.

I really appreciate everyones responses so far. My question comes out of curiosity and I was needing help defining the market for chiptunes for a marketing project i was working on.

I as a musician love making chiptunes ( I just started) and i love making other music as well.

To clarify to nickmaynard (and everyone else) promising really has multiple meanings here. Does it look like it is catching on with people who are more than just your friends? Does it have a lot of potential to grow or does it seem like it's not progressing at all? Both in a market/revenue sense and in a sense of musical experimentation.

I'd also like to say that I did not ask these questions because I believe I can get rich or where to push/spam my music onto people. But on the other hand I believe it is every musician's dream (and I count chiptune creators as musicians) that one day they could play their music and not have to have another job (unless they wanted to).

That I believe is the dream. And as a society (I am from the United States) that consumes so much music I believe we should be properly supporting the people who make that music.

But once again thanks everyone for your responses so far. And please keep posting

I forgot to answer most important part of OP: my measurable audience are 25-35 yo males in many countries, strongest results in US, Canada, Germany, Japan, and UK. (That's where I got "spread thinly" from)

pssssh i don't know what ya'll are talkin about, chiptunes made me rich as fuck

Beware that wanting to make money out of this results in instant death,
like Malcolm Mclaren (too soon anyone ?)

This thread sickens me.

This.

Where do ya'll see the market for chiptunes at?
People in their 20's. People who like electronic music. People who had Gameboys when they were younger. But I don't think chip music has a "market" (except for in an extremely broad sense) because chip music isn't a genre. Different bands would have different "markets" because they sound totally different.

Where do you perform? (if you do)
I set up a monthly chip music event in Rochester, NY. I play at bars, clubs, houses, basements, etc.

Have you made any money off of the chiptune scene?
I get paid for playing shows. I get paid for merch at shows. I get paid for selling music online. Not a lot but some.

Like what cities are you all from? and do ya'll get together? 
If you look under our avatars, you can see the cities we're from. Also, there are some larger festivals.

Also does the market for chiptunes look promising?
Promising in what way? I have a lot of fun making chip and non chip music. It looks promising that I will continue to have fun with it.

I'm glad the right people have answered on this thread, and hope I'm adding something useful by saying:

Speaking mostly for myself, the chipmusic audience is spread very thinly around the world and is occasionally on the socially introverted side, so if you're in this gig/art to make money you are probably barking up the wrong tree.

In the places where there are regular gigs and big festivals, I have a lot of respect for the hard work (and hard-earned funds) put in to create them, so much thanks to the people that make it possible.

Where do ya'll see the market for chiptunes at?
A passionate few who are committed heart and soul.  The market is the people who care enough to come to gigs, and sometimes their friends who are curious to come and enjoy the show.  If it isn't raining. Chip artists also occasionally fit in as a novelty act at commercial events.  Sometimes you even get a free drink card!

Where do you perform? (if you do)
Everything from our door dance events to nightclubs to boat parties, a warehouse party in Germany, birthday party on LI, even an indie music festival in NZ.  Then on multiple radio shows and once at a sound engineering conference.

Have you made any money off of the chiptune scene?
It COSTS me about $5000 a year. Hardware alone has cost almost $500 this week (new Lynx, Lynx flashcart, a 2nd Harmony cart and a new effects unit).  It also takes most of my holidays, time off work and almost cost me my girlfriend on the last tour.  But it's fun and the people are amazing. The only thing close to payment is the fact you can travel to another country / city and get accommodation with other chip artists.  But I'd not visit these places without the chip / demoscene being there in the first place.  It has been an amazing way to see the world so far and I wouldn't trade it for any money.  As Shiru from Russia said (just a few posts ago) "it is really difficult to make a money from any music".  A few will find their way commercially I suspect; although probably not pure chip music.

Like what cities are you all from? and do ya'll get together? 
We are all from different places and we all get together yes.  Stay at each others houses and borrow gear, etc.

Also does the market for chiptunes look promising?
  I think it'll stay exactly as it is - with a lot of satellite small shows scattered in citys around the globe.  With a few international "bigger" events a year (and maybe those events might even cover 50% or more of flight costs in the future if they get more people!)  It's not even up to the point where it's self sufficient - it just relies on love.  And the odd handy from 10k ;-)

Yeah, scratching is rarely good.