COMP150 Game Design
LESSON #14: Game Marketing #3
TODAY:
1. Open Digital Prototype Testing!
2. Review of first drafts of
Game Marketing Materials:
Website, Press Kit and Trailers.
3. Marketing #3: Conferences
DUE NEXT TWO WEEKS:
Gold Build, Final Marketing Materials, Peer
Evaluations and Presentations
PART 1: DIGITAL PLAYTESTING
SET UP (<5 minutes):
1. Teams Choose Tables
2. Set up game digital prototype on 2-3 laptops.
3. Decide initial Observers (1-2) and Players.
4. Discuss: Do you want 1-3 points/
instructions to share with visiting players?
Write them down!
PART 1: DIGITAL PLAYTESTING
PLAYTEST ROUNDS (20 minutes each):
1. Observers stay to manage playtest, Players
find other games to play.
2. If team chose 1-3 instructions, give them.
3. Players attempt to play prototype (5-10 min).
Observers take notes!
4. Players fill out questionnaire (5 minutes).
5. Time permitting, discuss answers.
PART 2: Marketing Materials Review:
TRAILERS, PRESS KIT, and WEBSITE
Due Today: zero-drafts:
WEBSITE: Use school webspace or another free
option like Wix.com. Include: Trailer/Press Kit, Team
(bio/class/photos), Game Download Link
PRESS KIT: High Res images (screenshots, characters,
logo), Press Release, and Trailer.
TRAILER: 30-60 seconds, featuring gameplay.
Consider audience to decide core message (explain
game vs awesome) and pacing. Capture with Fraps,
Quicktime, etc., edit in iMovie, After Effects etc.
Trailer Examples
GGJ 2014: Maintain Eye Contact:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PTUW0pO2d28
Robot Roller-Derby Disco Dodgeball: Audience/Genre?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FUVUIAneLE4
DinoTrucks: Mechanics and Audience
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nSWlfwNcCss
Slam Bolt Scrappers: Mechanics and Audience:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bVOyEPyPZCU
Girls Like Robots: Mechanics
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MmVoTDjAWBk
Ridiculous Fishing (Pacing): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vzKcJ8QFbMk
Kiwanuka (pacing, music): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VH_RAP7_LvU#t=55
Organ Trail (Call back): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-kPob1KAQYg
AaaaaAAaaaAAAaaAAAAaAAAAA!!! (Force = Mass x Acceleration)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=51SX-xUNzUs
Shoot Many Robots:
Teaser: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dpt8DQpvrhM
Gameplay: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Je-zFnjO28Q
Re-announcement: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-imuGQTCIOs
PART 3: Marketing #3: Conferences
Question: Why Show at Conferences?
Question: Why Show at Conferences?
1. Meet Public: Spread the word
about your game!
2. Meet the Press: Get contacts,
write-ups and reviews
3. Get tons of testing: Get 100-500
testers in one weekend!
Question: Why Show at Conferences?
WHAT CONFERENCE TO CHOOSE?
1. PAX……..
2. SXSW…..
3. BFIG…….
4. GENCON
…etc
Question: Why Show at Conferences?
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
COSTS:
Rent table/booth space.
Packing in and packing out.
Presentation materials: posters, banners,
support structures, branded give-aways.
Clipboards/tablets for capturing mailing list
Many game display devices, including a large!
People (teammates/friends) to invite traffic to
booth, manage game sessions, manage
mailing list and give-aways, talk to
press/interviews.
Kelly Wallick’s INDIE MEGABOOTH
Kelly Wallick’s INDIE MEGABOOTH
Kelly Wallick’s INDIE MEGABOOTH
Kelly Wallick’s INDIE MEGABOOTH
1. Cheaper booth, added/directed
traffic, support structure for packing
in/out and interfacing with
conference management.
2. Community and extra press access!
THE MOST IMPORTANT THING
Making a game and/or creating/running a
business are not the same thing, but they do
share one critical element in common: they are
about forming relationships! With an audience,
with the press, with colleagues in the industry.
Conferences help you meet these people.
It is up to you to follow up with them
afterward, or most of that time
and energy and money are wasted!
FOLLOW UP!
REVISE YOUR MARKETING MATERIALS!
These last two weeks you are revising your game, your
marketing materials, and your presentation: 10 minutes to
show your website and trailer, and fro each member to talk!
CELEBRATE your game, and others will want
to join you in the party!
COMP150: Revised Marketing Materials Due next:
• Marketing Plan, based on audience research.
• 30-60 second Game Trailer featuring gameplay.
• Website showing Trailer, Team, and Game.
• Narrative Press-Release, with Press Kit images.
Due Next Two Weeks:
HOMEWORK #14: Game Gold: POLISH levels/content,
and complete Marketing: Website, Trailer, Press Kit
TEAMS:
1. Divide Unity/Art/Audio production equitably.
2. Meet with your team at least twice a week to
discuss progress, solve problems, consolidate build,
and revise Marketing Materials.
3. Test clarity with at least two new players a week.
4. Submit ninth digital build to class next week, and
final the week after.
Individually: Progress Report #10: Submit typed page:
What you agreed to produce, what you accomplished,
self-evaluation/related screenshots.
PART 4: TEAM MEETING
(if not in class, then outside as soon as you can)
Convene to discuss observations and materials.
• Read responses and review test-runner notes.
• Choose a facilitator.
• Discuss responses—what feel like the biggest
ideas, the most pointed critiques?
• Plan to type-up and post your notes.
Discuss Production and Marketing goals
(top priority items for POLISHING your game,
and creating final marketing materials)
and divide work equitably.
Have an extraordinary last 2 weeks!
And don’t forget to email us with questions:
Instructor: JASON WISER
[email protected]
Available an hour after class and daily email.
TA: MIKE SHAH
[email protected]
Lab hours: Wednesday Evenings