Game Development Reference
In-Depth Information
Spreading the word about your
awesome game!
Releasing your game is certainly exciting, but it's not the end of your development.
The most important thing you must do is market your game. Whether through
Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, or even YouTube, spreading the word about your
game is very important, or else it will get lost in the deep sea of other titles.
Send out posts, tweets, and videos about your great game; let everyone know!
Advertising on these social websites is a fantastic way to spread the word as well.
I advertised a trailer for my latest game
SpaceRoads
, and in one day, I got over
7000 views on YouTube. Facebook is another great advertising source, as there are
millions of active users, and with these, you can target specific interests, ages, and
genders who you believe will be interested in your game.
In one Facebook campaign that I ran for a week, I saw a huge surge in likes and
purchases of my apps.
I've seen too many times a game get released where the developer doesn't advertise
it, and after a matter of
hours
, the game gets lost in the list of new releases.
A few other things you must know when developing an app or a game:
•
Have a website
: Whether it's for your studio or just the game, it needs to be
updated regularly. You also need to make the main page appealing and pop.
If you don't, you will see a huge
bounce rate
(the time it takes for people to
visit then leave your site).
•
Have a development blog
: This goes hand-in-hand with the website and
social media outlets, but it's still important. Gamers love to read about
the struggles and overcoming of obstacles that developers go through.
(Phil Fish anyone?)
•
Create awesome trailers
: This comes later in the development, but an
awesome looking trailer creates buzz and hype for gamers.
I've heard people recommending going to conventions and opening up booths. I've
done it. I went to
Comic Con
, and I bought a stark 100 copies of SpaceRoads. By the
end of the last day, I only had a few copies left, which I later gave away through a
Facebook contest. Granted, this is a pricey way of advertising, as it cost me and Marc
from
KFaction Productions
close to $1000 to have the booth. Did the profit make up
for it? Not really. My suggestion is to go to a place that specializes in gaming.
E3
and
PAX
are just a couple to mention (and that I have been close to opening a booth at).
