Marketing and Advertising
by Kornelije Petak · in General Discussion · 01/30/2001 (3:39 am) · 7 replies
How to spread the word about your game if you have not money for advertisments, or publisher??
#2
1. You need a web site to promote the game, screenshots, features, etc.
2. You need a downloadable demo. If it's not a shareware game then you need to build one.
Once the site and demo are ready...
3. Formulate a short press release and distribute it to every game site you can find that carries news (like www.bluesnews.com)
4. Approach the magazines that do CD's (like PC-Gamer) and see if they'll add your game/demo to their next CD.
5. Get your demo posted on all the sites that support links to games.
6. Approach the online game sites that do reviews and ask them if they'll review your game.
I would probably try to stage noteworthy events, new features, whatever, so that you can generate several press releases over the period of a few months.
I'm sure there is more that can be done, but this might get your started :)
02/07/2001 (9:15 am)
Wonder what happened to our marketting guru? We'll I'm not a marketting expert, but off the top of my head..1. You need a web site to promote the game, screenshots, features, etc.
2. You need a downloadable demo. If it's not a shareware game then you need to build one.
Once the site and demo are ready...
3. Formulate a short press release and distribute it to every game site you can find that carries news (like www.bluesnews.com)
4. Approach the magazines that do CD's (like PC-Gamer) and see if they'll add your game/demo to their next CD.
5. Get your demo posted on all the sites that support links to games.
6. Approach the online game sites that do reviews and ask them if they'll review your game.
I would probably try to stage noteworthy events, new features, whatever, so that you can generate several press releases over the period of a few months.
I'm sure there is more that can be done, but this might get your started :)
#3
Currently I am in North Carolina at the University of North Carolina at Wilmington but I'll be graduating in May. You can visit my resume website at http://www.cyprmedia.com if you are interested in learning more.
James Hills
03/17/2001 (1:55 pm)
I am not sure what the economics are yet for consultants in the new dev model that Garage Games is developing, but I am interested in helping small developers on a part time basis (at very least to bounce ideas off). I have several years of professional experience with small developers and also working in the gaming and Linux media, so if someone wants me to do more serious consulting or in house work, I am open to hearing more. Currently I am in North Carolina at the University of North Carolina at Wilmington but I'll be graduating in May. You can visit my resume website at http://www.cyprmedia.com if you are interested in learning more.
James Hills
#4
Secondly, make your web page fast. It shouldn't look like poo, but be more worried about peoples patience than their desire to be wowed by eye candy. Just look at the games you play. After the second time you play them you aren't even aware of the graphics, if you even play with them on because they take up speed. But the quality of the game keeps you playing. The same can be said for web sites. Don't boor people by making them wait, but have your information in a format that is simple and quick for a 28.8 modem to retireve. I guarentee that more people will come to a site that they can get a lot out of in ten minutes, rather than a site that takes ten minutes to load.
Those are just a few suggestions for marketing from a web standpoint. But what do I know? I thought Crystal Pepsi was going to be a big hit...
07/06/2001 (10:07 am)
Well, there are a couple things that you can do as far as your web site is concerned. I would say the most important part of a web page, beyond any graphic or flash wizardry is having new content regularly. This shows not only commitment on your part, but also that the game is alive and kicking. This way if you distribute copies of the beta, or the actual game, to PC Game magazines, and they go back to check your site and find out more about your game, they will find a web site that is alive and has all the answers they need.Secondly, make your web page fast. It shouldn't look like poo, but be more worried about peoples patience than their desire to be wowed by eye candy. Just look at the games you play. After the second time you play them you aren't even aware of the graphics, if you even play with them on because they take up speed. But the quality of the game keeps you playing. The same can be said for web sites. Don't boor people by making them wait, but have your information in a format that is simple and quick for a 28.8 modem to retireve. I guarentee that more people will come to a site that they can get a lot out of in ten minutes, rather than a site that takes ten minutes to load.
Those are just a few suggestions for marketing from a web standpoint. But what do I know? I thought Crystal Pepsi was going to be a big hit...
#6
1. Have a 3rd party check over your Web site. Even if they are only a few buddies they might spot something you missed or mixed up.
2. Try not to overload your press releases or news. Simply deliver the information without sounding like a sales ad.
3. Make sure its the truth. Remember the huge snafu with Ultima Online and thier MANY "promises" of new and inovative stuff to be in the game... that never quite made it? Gamers tend to remember that and expect what you say to be gold, even if we know its not.
Peter
08/15/2001 (5:52 am)
Actually Pepsi Clear brings up an interesting point. Not all internal ideas/plans are good ones. 1. Have a 3rd party check over your Web site. Even if they are only a few buddies they might spot something you missed or mixed up.
2. Try not to overload your press releases or news. Simply deliver the information without sounding like a sales ad.
3. Make sure its the truth. Remember the huge snafu with Ultima Online and thier MANY "promises" of new and inovative stuff to be in the game... that never quite made it? Gamers tend to remember that and expect what you say to be gold, even if we know its not.
Peter
#7
Make forums where players can meet. If the game is teamplay-orientated, then make "clan" sites where players can come together as teams. Make em a place where they fell at home with the other players.
Don't underestimate the power of "small talk" :)
- Tobias Dedenroth
11/13/2001 (12:35 pm)
Besides the website, demo releases, press releases, magazin demo cd's, 3rd person site links and ofering interviews/reviews to gaming sites... There is also the "player community"!Make forums where players can meet. If the game is teamplay-orientated, then make "clan" sites where players can come together as teams. Make em a place where they fell at home with the other players.
Don't underestimate the power of "small talk" :)
- Tobias Dedenroth
Scott Miller
Scott