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How to advertise a video game and the company, 2024

cliniverse365

Updated: Oct 14, 2024

How is advertising important for a game developer?


Marketing is essential for every business and product, as it significantly impacts their success. For a game, effective marketing is crucial; without it, sales may fall short of their maximum potential. To ensure robust promotion, there are 13 distinct strategies you can use to advertise your game. Each method offers a unique approach to enhancing visibility and boosting sales.


References


Methods to advertising your video game


  • Word of Mouth

    Word of mouth is the most important form of advertising. If your game is good, people will talk about it and spread the word. Like "Did you hear about that cool new Zelda game? Phenomenal!" Whether its the players or other developers, its is extremely effective and versatile. Word of mouth is how the best games became so successful.


  • Adverts on Social media and Games

    Adverts prioritize quick interruption and fast-pace advertising. There are many types of adverts, like banner ads, video ads, and integrated ads. You must show as much positive information as quickly as possible, at least 5 seconds for video ads. Interest the viewer quickly, so that they follow for a few more seconds. Show lots of information and keep viewer's interest.


  • Sponsor Gaming Influencers

    Sponsoring influencers is an easy way of trust building. You don't necessarily need to sponsor gamers. Keep in mind what the price might be when you start negotiating prices. There are many factors, like size and scope, platform, and popularity. 1 minute showcase length is fine. Negotiate what is beneficial for both.


  • Paying people play your game

    Even more expensive than sponsors with the same factors, sure, but this technique can be extremely effective. A much more indept review. You can just pay for 1 episode, and if the view count is high enough and the game is fun, the gamer can continue the series of their own accord. Episodes should be 11-20 minutes.


  • Social Media and Web browsers

    You need a way to communicate to your fans online. it is important for every company to have an online presence and a website for formal introduction. A presence on social media is for more personal communication, while a website is for formal inquiries, but also has some personal benefits.


  • Join Blogs that let you advertise your game

    There are lots of different blogs that let game developers advertise their games. As in, not all let you advertise. Join the community to interact with fellow developers and fans of various communities. You can approach others for businnes inquiries, and vice versa. You can advertise on the blog so that your brand will be well-known. But make sure to choose blogs that let you advertise. Otherwise you won't have much marketing power.


  • Develop Alpha and Beta versions of your game

    Alpha and Beta phases are typically used for testing purposes, but they can double as a marketing tool. They let you get recognition before the game is released. For example, Minecraft made $80M before release. Alpha comes first, and this phase is really buggy, so expect your game to crash at any high fps moment😂. Beta comes second, and it's less buggy and more fun. It's fine to just release Beta, because you're might just rage at how unpolished it is."Why! Why does this game suck so much!?"😁. Anyway, releasing early-access provides for major word of mouth. Not to mention the effect it has if you execute them well. For example, Stick War:Saga spent 2-3 years in beta(and cycled through 3 names).


  • Craft Demos for your fans

    Demos are free versions of the game that aren't the full game. Before you buy the game, you can play a demo to see if you like the game. In a demo, maybe there is a set time for you to play before the demo stops. Or maybe you are supposed to play through some parts of the game. It's essentially a sneek-peek of the game. You need to see if the demo is suitable for your game. Your demo shouldn't exist entirely of tutorials. The player must want to play more. On the other hand, the demo must not be too long. Demos are a tool for persuading others to play your game. If executed well, you will get satisfactory results.


  • Participate in Events and Contests

    You can meet your fans in person! You can participate in contests and get recognition to make a name for yourself! The problem is that traveling and lodging is expensive. It's stressful and an absolute nightmare (or maybe I'm exaggerating?But I've gone to lot of flights). But events are fun, and you can interact with a lot of people! You can meet investors and strike deals. It's important to establish your presence among seasoned professionals. You should sell merchandise and gain detailed feedback.

Chairs to watch what the event managers have to say

Source: Wix AI generated


  • Formulate promotional Trailers for your video games

    Creating trailers for your game is an excellent strategy for gaining traffic for your game. They are displayed on various game stores. Make sure to upload them online on all social media platforms your company participates, as well as on your website. Make it show what is good about the game. 2-3 minutes length is good. For storyline games, a trailer with crazy music like Breath of the Wild's would be awesome. Trailers have frequent cuts, showcasing gameplay and mechanics. Splash text and animation would be cool.


  • Produce and compose Gaming Content Online, and tap into other Media

    Gaming content is extremely popular, it amasses billions of views every year. For example, Minecraft is the most popular game on Youtube so the content creators basically do the advertising for them. Mojang devised a strategy to teach people the art of content creation as a cool marketing strategy. The most popular platforms for content creators are Youtube and Twitch. If you have the budget, you can even tap into other media. You already have instant marketing, so that lowers the budget a little. Video game animation series and movies can be awsome, but beware. If not handled correctly, the projects may flop. Video games are better for toys and graphic novels. Books with no audiovisual elements aren't that cool when it comes to video game spinoffs.


  • Collaborate with other Game developers

    When you collaborate, the budget is split(that includes marketing). Word of Mouth effect is doubled. Collaborating in advertising can significantly boost reach and impact by combining resources, audiences, and expertise.Collaborating in advertising can significantly boost reach and impact by combining resources. Keep in mind, collaboration can be hard if you're not good or experienced at working with others.audiences, and expertise.


  • Devise Spinoffs for your Superior games

    Sequel games build of off the original. Storyline games have to be faithful to the original. Prequel games are more about the world before, giving more info. People always like spinoffs that are faithful and give what they want, just as long as they aren't treated like cash grabs. When you make spinoffs, they already have set marketing. You only need to tell the news. Stick war:Saga had 5 games behind it. There are 2 categories. Same game with different experience/genre like Minecraft's sequels, or same game with significant add-ons and changes. Remakes are created to evoke nostalgia, leverage technological advancements, enhance the gaming experience, revitalize interest, reach a broader audience, and meet market demand. Your game must be worthy of a sequel. Revenue-wised, audience-wised, design-wised, optionally story-wised.


Conclusion


These are 13 awsome ways of advertising your video game. The techniques shown are modern and detailed. They meet all types of budgets. I hope you like my article. I worked hard on it. 1350 words! Bye, and hope you read on X GameWorks again!



Notes

I was taught about the importance of word of mouth from my mom😂. I didn't like that there aren't as many pictures, but articles for the Guides page won't have too many audiovisual elements. I did what I could¯¯\_(ツ)_/¯.




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