Indie Game Not Getting Attention? Your Step-by-Step Recovery Plan
September 10, 2024
After months or even years of hard work, it’s tough to face the reality that your game may not get the attention you anticipated. However, this is a challenge many developers encounter. Here’s a strategic approach to pivot and keep your project moving forward.
1. Evaluate Your Marketing Strategy
Even the best games won’t succeed without strong marketing. Revisit your marketing efforts and ask yourself if you did enough to build awareness before launch. Engaging influencers, streamers, and journalists early is crucial. A strong media outreach plan can reignite interest, so don’t hesitate to revise and expand your marketing.
2. Engage Your Community
If your initial launch didn’t go as planned, focus on your existing players. Reach out to them through social media, Discord, and other community platforms. Engage with feedback, offer updates, and create events that involve your players. A small but active community can still grow over time with the right care and interaction.
3. Optimize Your Store Page
Your store page is often the first impression players get of your game. If your game hasn’t gotten the attention you wanted, take a look at your store presentation. Polish your trailer, add high-quality screenshots, and make sure the game’s description and tags accurately reflect what it offers.
4. Leverage Post-Launch Updates
Regular post-launch updates, such as new features, bug fixes, or even free downloadable content (DLC), can help reignite interest in your game. Announcing updates across social media, newsletters, and media outlets can draw new attention to your game and give existing players more reasons to stick around.
5. Partner with Influencers
Don’t give up on influencers just because your game didn’t immediately catch on. Reach out to YouTubers, Twitch streamers, and bloggers who focus on your genre. Offering them early access or exclusive content could help generate renewed interest. Tools like KeyRedeem can streamline game key distribution and help track who’s playing and promoting your game.
6. Discounts and Sales
Offering your game at a discount or participating in platform sales can dramatically increase its visibility. Steam’s sales events, for example, can put your game in front of a broader audience and give hesitant players the push they need to try it out.
7. Consider Relaunching
If your launch didn’t go as planned, you can always consider a soft relaunch. After adding new features, fixing bugs, or improving performance, promote the game again like it’s a new release. Use the momentum from updates, influencer partnerships, and marketing pushes to create renewed interest.
8. Learn and Adapt
Every launch teaches valuable lessons. Analyze what went wrong, whether it’s the timing of the launch, the lack of visibility, or perhaps a feature that didn’t resonate with players. Use this data to improve not only your current project but also future games.
Conclusion
A game not getting attention on launch isn’t the end. With strategic marketing, community engagement, post-launch updates, and influencer partnerships, you can revive your game’s success. It’s all about staying flexible, learning from the experience, and adapting your approach as needed.
Even the best games won’t succeed without strong marketing. Revisit your marketing efforts and ask yourself if you did enough to build awareness before launch. Engaging influencers, streamers, and journalists early is crucial. A strong media outreach plan can reignite interest, so don’t hesitate to revise and expand your marketing.
2. Engage Your Community
If your initial launch didn’t go as planned, focus on your existing players. Reach out to them through social media, Discord, and other community platforms. Engage with feedback, offer updates, and create events that involve your players. A small but active community can still grow over time with the right care and interaction.
3. Optimize Your Store Page
Your store page is often the first impression players get of your game. If your game hasn’t gotten the attention you wanted, take a look at your store presentation. Polish your trailer, add high-quality screenshots, and make sure the game’s description and tags accurately reflect what it offers.
4. Leverage Post-Launch Updates
Regular post-launch updates, such as new features, bug fixes, or even free downloadable content (DLC), can help reignite interest in your game. Announcing updates across social media, newsletters, and media outlets can draw new attention to your game and give existing players more reasons to stick around.
5. Partner with Influencers
Don’t give up on influencers just because your game didn’t immediately catch on. Reach out to YouTubers, Twitch streamers, and bloggers who focus on your genre. Offering them early access or exclusive content could help generate renewed interest. Tools like KeyRedeem can streamline game key distribution and help track who’s playing and promoting your game.
6. Discounts and Sales
Offering your game at a discount or participating in platform sales can dramatically increase its visibility. Steam’s sales events, for example, can put your game in front of a broader audience and give hesitant players the push they need to try it out.
7. Consider Relaunching
If your launch didn’t go as planned, you can always consider a soft relaunch. After adding new features, fixing bugs, or improving performance, promote the game again like it’s a new release. Use the momentum from updates, influencer partnerships, and marketing pushes to create renewed interest.
8. Learn and Adapt
Every launch teaches valuable lessons. Analyze what went wrong, whether it’s the timing of the launch, the lack of visibility, or perhaps a feature that didn’t resonate with players. Use this data to improve not only your current project but also future games.
Conclusion
A game not getting attention on launch isn’t the end. With strategic marketing, community engagement, post-launch updates, and influencer partnerships, you can revive your game’s success. It’s all about staying flexible, learning from the experience, and adapting your approach as needed.