Engaging Game Communities Before Launch: Unique Strategies
Embracing Discord for Community Building
One standout approach is using Discord, a popular platform in the gaming community. By offering exclusive content and beta access, developers can create a unique and engaging space for their community. For instance, RageSquid, creators of 'Descenders', effectively utilized Discord by offering exclusive items, beta game access, and introducing a meta-game that allowed players to join different teams. This strategy not only enhanced engagement but also played a crucial role in the game's success upon launch.
Leveraging Twitch for Transparency and Feedback
Another creative method is utilizing Twitch for live streaming game development. This approach allows developers to interact with their audience, gain feedback, and keep the community involved in the game's progress. Wase Qazi’s experience with 'Shotgun Farmers' is a prime example. He used Twitch to broadcast his development process, providing a platform for community feedback and even hiring a programmer from his stream audience. The key takeaway here is the importance of transparency and community involvement in the development process.
Innovative Email Marketing Strategies
Lastly, email marketing, tailored to a game's unique selling proposition (USP), can be a powerful tool. 'Boyfriend Dungeon' by Kitfox Games demonstrated this by sending personalized love letters from game characters to their email subscribers. This approach not only captured the game's essence but also created a strong, personal connection with the audience, significantly contributing to their Kickstarter campaign's success.
Wrapping Up
These examples underline the importance of creative community engagement strategies in the gaming industry. By leveraging platforms like Discord and Twitch, and employing unique marketing approaches like personalized emails, developers can build strong communities that contribute significantly to a game's success even before its official launch.
