Marketing/Promoting a game

Draconem · Apr 2, 2022

Hello everyone and thank you for taking the time.

First of all this is my first thread, I haven’t used this wonderful place but I will for sure. And hopefully I will meet the amazing people in here and make some friends.

I am in a situation where i need any advice or insights from anyone regarding marketing a game.

I have this idea, it’s a mobile puzzle game. It has been reviewed by some friends who like to play puzzle kind of games and all of them seemed very impressed with the idea and encouraged me to create it and not let it only in my head. It has the potentials to be a successful game…. But of course not guaranteed to be one.

Now the thing is I’m seriously considering making the game, however, MARKETING the game is what is stopping me from doing so all these days or probably months , as what i see, it all depends on your marketing strategy. Either it can be a hit or a fall.

My strategy for now is YouTube and Snapchat. They are decent and on my budget, but I’m thinking of more than those options since the game is very engaging and challenging so it will not be a problem to grab attentions. Whenever i begin creating, i jump into conclusions of not being able to promote it and stop.

Here is where i need your help! Do you think having this approach and stopping there just for the sake of lacking the promotion is a bad move? Do I have to take the decision of making it (the game) regardless of my strategy for now? Is it easier than what I’m speculating?

All replies are welcomed and will be helpful, even if you only say Hi, that would definitely help even more!

apologies if the thread should be in a different section, as I have seen this is the most relevant place for it.

N1ckG2 · Apr 2, 2022

You should make a prototype, run a small paid user accuision campaign to check CPI and D1 and D7 retention.

This is the only way to chdck if to make the game or not.

If you dot have any money for an initial ua campaign you can join a game publisher who will do this for you free.

Do not spend months on an app you think will be a good one, test it right from the beginning.

Draconem · Apr 4, 2022

N1ckG2 said:
You should make a prototype, run a small paid user accuision campaign to check CPI and D1 and D7 retention.

This is the only way to chdck if to make the game or not.

If you dot have any money for an initial ua campaign you can join a game publisher who will do this for you free.

Do not spend months on an app you think will be a good one, test it right from the beginning.

Thank you Nick for your helpful reply!
I really appreciate it.

I have to comment on a few things.

First, making a prototype for the game is something i know, but making a user campaign? For checking the CPI and D1 , D7 retention is very new to me. I still have a long way to go from here, so I am not sure what is an initial campaign or what mentioned above.

I absolutely agree with your logic here, it might be a waste to spend this much time when I have the opportunity to check it from the beginning, but I do not know how to do that?

What I understood is probably I can involve someone in this game, a publisher that is willing to help without any cost?
Also last question and apologies for making it long, how much does a user campaign cost?
I seriously appreciate your time and efforts.

N1ckG2 · Apr 4, 2022

Draconem said:
making a user campaign? For checking the CPI and D1 , D7 retention is very new to me. I still have a long way to go from here, so I am not sure what is an initial campaign or what mentioned above.

You need tracking in your app, Firebase is a good start.

Running an initial campaign is easy, you just nerd some money. You set up app install campaign in Google ads or Facebook ads and check D1 retention and game play time.
Target t3 countries.

To test D1 retention you need an working app, they must have a reason to come back on the next day and play again. You don't need a lot of levels. Just a decent game they can play.

Chris Newman · Apr 4, 2022

Create an app version of the game, list the game on Google Playstore and then run effective Google Ads app promotion campaigns. Ths is the best possible way to market and "grow" a game.

VAT · Apr 4, 2022

Do not spend money on marketing, it's not worth it, unless you can spend 10s thousands of dollars per month to place the app above everyone on the rankings.

Your best bet is to go the ASO route, where you create games based on the perceived competition rather than for an idea.

Draconem · Apr 5, 2022

N1ckG2 said:
You need tracking in your app, Firebase is a good start.

Running an initial campaign is easy, you just nerd some money. You set up app install campaign in Google ads or Facebook ads and check D1 retention and game play time.
Target t3 countries.

To test D1 retention you need an working app, they must have a reason to come back on the next day and play again. You don't need a lot of levels. Just a decent game they can play.

Nick you legend, thank you again for your help and insight.

Things I will keep in eye on, D1 retention is the players’ behaviour, and how much time it took them to play without skipping.

So creating a working app is a must! Does it have to be a complete, ready app? Or a prototype will do the job? Since real players will be testing the game!?

I will read more about D1 and ads campaigns.

I appreciate your help Nick.

Draconem · Apr 5, 2022

Raj Kesu said:
Create an app version of the game, list the game on Google Playstore and then run effective Google Ads app promotion campaigns. Ths is the best possible way to market and "grow" a game.

Hello Raj

Thank you for your help. I have just commented on Nick’s reply regarding making the app. So a version of the app is different than creating the ingame.

My question along with the others, why not make the actual game and from there running an effective Ads on it, after listing it?

I am now aware of something called Google Ads campaigns. I only knew Google and Facebook through their annoying ads within games, but never knew about this. One last question, is it only available on Google playstore? If you want both devices?

Thank you again for your help

Draconem · Apr 5, 2022

VAT said:
Do not spend money on marketing, it's not worth it, unless you can spend 10s thousands of dollars per month to place the app above everyone on the rankings.

Your best bet is to go the ASO route, where you create games based on the perceived competition rather than for an idea.

Hello VAT and thank you for your advice.

I agree more than you do on not spending 10s of thousands, per month, because simply i am not capable of doing that hahaha and if I’m able to do it, i will definitely won’t, like you said it’s not worth it.

I will go with the bet which is what I will apply for now a competitive competition plan, and build on it based on what players are seeking.

Thank you VAT.

N1ckG2 · Apr 5, 2022

Draconem said:
Nick you legend, thank you again for your help and insight.

Things I will keep in eye on, D1 retention is the players’ behaviour, and how much time it took them to play without skipping.

So creating a working app is a must! Does it have to be a complete, ready app? Or a prototype will do the job? Since real players will be testing the game!?

I will read more about D1 and ads campaigns.

I appreciate your help Nick.

Please Google D1 retention. In short this is the percentage of people who open your app on the next day. There are d7 and d30 metrics as well, you will don't need them now.

Play time is the average time an user use your app.

There are a lot more than this, I have written an ebook on the subject of marketing apps but now I see I should write a guide for testing a prototype. It won't be ready soon as I try my best when explainng a thing and it will take time to collect most asked questions first.

In general, before D1 you should test your idea. You don't need a working game. Instead you create game play ads. If they like your game they will react. Can't say all here.

Chris Newman · Apr 5, 2022

@Draconem : With Google App promotion campaigns, you can promote only Google Play Android apps on Google Play and if you wish also on Google Search & YouTube (as paid ads).
Apple has Apple Search Ads to promote only Apple / iOS apps on Apple App Store.

N1ckG2 · Apr 5, 2022

Raj Kesu said:
@Draconem : With Google App promotion campaigns, you can promote only Google Play Android apps on Google Play and if you wish also on Google Search & YouTube (as paid ads).
Apple has Apple Search Ads to promote only Apple / iOS apps on Apple App Store.

I like to use Google play first because you can split test everything - title, icon, description, visuals, builds and when you see a winner you can go ios. Marking ios apps is usually more expensive with better roi. As for the other search, tube, and all other channels, yes, you should try then when you have a winner.

ArbitrageMarket · Apr 6, 2022

Mobile app advertisements for puzzle games even the pop up ads if u get desperate, or write a blog about the game for more viewers

Scarlet Witch · Apr 10, 2022

Draconem said:
Hello everyone and thank you for taking the time.

First of all this is my first thread, I haven’t used this wonderful place but I will for sure. And hopefully I will meet the amazing people in here and make some friends.

I am in a situation where i need any advice or insights from anyone regarding marketing a game.

I have this idea, it’s a mobile puzzle game. It has been reviewed by some friends who like to play puzzle kind of games and all of them seemed very impressed with the idea and encouraged me to create it and not let it only in my head. It has the potentials to be a successful game…. But of course not guaranteed to be one.

Now the thing is I’m seriously considering making the game, however, MARKETING the game is what is stopping me from doing so all these days or probably months , as what i see, it all depends on your marketing strategy. Either it can be a hit or a fall.

My strategy for now is YouTube and Snapchat. They are decent and on my budget, but I’m thinking of more than those options since the game is very engaging and challenging so it will not be a problem to grab attentions. Whenever i begin creating, i jump into conclusions of not being able to promote it and stop.

Here is where i need your help! Do you think having this approach and stopping there just for the sake of lacking the promotion is a bad move? Do I have to take the decision of making it (the game) regardless of my strategy for now? Is it easier than what I’m speculating?

All replies are welcomed and will be helpful, even if you only say Hi, that would definitely help even more!

apologies if the thread should be in a different section, as I have seen this is the most relevant place for it.

Any thoughts on hiring a freelancer by posting in the "Hire a Freelancer" section?

Draconem · Apr 12, 2022

N1ckG2 said:
Please Google D1 retention. In short this is the percentage of people who open your app on the next day. There are d7 and d30 metrics as well, you will don't need them now.

Play time is the average time an user use your app.

There are a lot more than this, I have written an ebook on the subject of marketing apps but now I see I should write a guide for testing a prototype. It won't be ready soon as I try my best when explainng a thing and it will take time to collect most asked questions first.

In general, before D1 you should test your idea. You don't need a working game. Instead you create game play ads. If they like your game they will react. Can't say all here.

Thank you Nick, and good luck with your book. Having also information on how to test a prototype it will very much complete it.

Draconem · Apr 12, 2022

Raj Kesu said:
@Draconem : With Google App promotion campaigns, you can promote only Google Play Android apps on Google Play and if you wish also on Google Search & YouTube (as paid ads).
Apple has Apple Search Ads to promote only Apple / iOS apps on Apple App Store.

Thank you very much for your insights and time.

Draconem · Apr 12, 2022

ArbitrageMarket said:
Mobile app advertisements for puzzle games even the pop up ads if u get desperate, or write a blog about the game for more viewers

Thank you AM for your advice. What’s good is that with ads the game will drag attentions with the “right ads” of course.
And i hope i won’t reach the desperation phase hahaha.

Draconem · Apr 12, 2022

Scarlet Witch said:
Any thoughts on hiring a freelancer by posting in the "Hire a Freelancer" section?

Hello Scarlet and thank you for your reply. You mean hiring a freelancer for the purpose of promoting the game?

brucebanner · Apr 12, 2022

As i develop mobiles apps myself, i will give you my two cents.

What i realized, is that in 2022 any game you publish will have a fan base... if you check top apps downloads, u will see there is a bunch of totally stupid things that even in your worst dumb moment you would think of it. So it clearly demonstrate that any idea have his public. Retention is an important thing but as stupid apps seems to have customers retention it just show again that almost anything got a fan base.

So in 2022 what will make you successful or not? Its the marketing. Its simple, if you have a stupid cheap app but an amazing marketing and you can be seen, youll be successful... on the other hand, if you got an amazing app but cant manage to promote it and your app cant be seen, its useless in someway.

I found usefull way to promote apps. I coded an instagram bot and grow page for promoting apps(in the same niche). You can use reddit, youtube and etc. Your app is a puzzle game, input a score in it and challenge ppl around forums posting "your score" as you're a normal user... ppl will try to beat your score. There is alot of way to promote app and you make small google ads campaign too.

Good luck

Draconem · Apr 17, 2022

brucebanner said:
As i develop mobiles apps myself, i will give you my two cents.

What i realized, is that in 2022 any game you publish will have a fan base... if you check top apps downloads, u will see there is a bunch of totally stupid things that even in your worst dumb moment you would think of it. So it clearly demonstrate that any idea have his public. Retention is an important thing but as stupid apps seems to have customers retention it just show again that almost anything got a fan base.

So in 2022 what will make you successful or not? Its the marketing. Its simple, if you have a stupid cheap app but an amazing marketing and you can be seen, youll be successful... on the other hand, if you got an amazing app but cant manage to promote it and your app cant be seen, its useless in someway.

I found usefull way to promote apps. I coded an instagram bot and grow page for promoting apps(in the same niche). You can use reddit, youtube and etc. Your app is a puzzle game, input a score in it and challenge ppl around forums posting "your score" as you're a normal user... ppl will try to beat your score. There is alot of way to promote app and you make small google ads campaign too.

Good luck

Hello Bruce and thank you for your message it was a very helpful one.

That is exactly right and this is why i asked in the first place because you see dump games being the sought after while the real games are lacking interests.

It will be great if we managed to collaborate on this game of mine. I’m sure you will be a great effect on it.

the same goes to all who replied here, they amazingly helped with my decision and if this game becomes something, you will be rewarded with the access to all the features

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