The Biggest Mistake Indie Studios Make
Indie games are a growing segment of the gaming industry, offering creative individuals an outlet to showcase their original ideas and gameplay concepts. Through this subculture, we’ve seen numerous examples of games that have gained wild success. That can be a daunting task, but you can successfully market your game without spending a fortune with a bit of effort and creativity. Here are some tips to get you started.
One reason these games have been so successful is that they’ve struck a chord with gamers who are interested in unique gameplay experiences or the desire to create rather than consume. This hunger for creativity has created a thriving indie game community, where developers can share ideas and feedback with other like-minded individuals.
While there is so much potential in the world of indie gaming, a lot of it has yet to be realized. One of the biggest problems facing the indie game community is that while many studios and developers pour their heart and soul into creating a game, they will often fall short in the way they share it with the world. So much so in fact, that although Indie games account for over 95% of all games on Steam, they make up only 40% of total sales. The following are just some of the most common mistakes indie studios make when developing and marketing their game.
Lack Of Product Positioning
When you don’t have a clearly defined target audience for your game, it’s very difficult to market to anyone. If you can’t tell people who your game is for, then it becomes nearly impossible to get them excited about it.
One of the most important tools in your marketing arsenal is gameplay footage. This can be a great way to get potential players interested in your game, but only if it’s done well. If you post low-quality or misleading gameplay videos, you may turn people off from your game before they even have a chance to try it out.
Ineffective Social Media Strategy
Social media is one of the most powerful marketing tools available to indie studios, but if you don’t know how to use it effectively, you’re missing out on a huge opportunity. If your social media presence is spammy and unengaging, then people will just ignore it or even worse—reject your game outright.
Despite the challenges facing indie studios, there is still a lot of potential in the world of indie games. By positioning your game correctly, creating high-quality gameplay videos, and developing an effective social media strategy, you can connect with the right audience and help your game stand out in a crowded market.
