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POPULAR GAMES
Posts
RedMask
1139
RedMask
View playlists
CloseHow does one effectively get the word out about their game?
How do games like Pom Gets Wi-Fi get so popular? (I don't mean that in a bad way, just so you know I think that game is great.) I'm sure the fact that Lucahjin did a Lets Play of Pom Gets Wi-Fi had to help its fame but surely for her to play it, the game must have already had some good notoriety. So, besides the fact that its a fun and unique game, how did it get so successful?
Basically I just want some tips on this sort of thing.
Thanks in advance.
How do games like Pom Gets Wi-Fi get so popular? (I don't mean that in a bad way, just so you know I think that game is great.) I'm sure the fact that Lucahjin did a Lets Play of Pom Gets Wi-Fi had to help its fame but surely for her to play it, the game must have already had some good notoriety. So, besides the fact that its a fun and unique game, how did it get so successful?
Basically I just want some tips on this sort of thing.
Thanks in advance.
Ephiam
8579
Pom struck incredibly lucky in the fact that Pewdiepie played through the entire game. If not for that, I doubt it would be NEAR as popular as it is; when he started, so many people flooded the site that it even experienced slowdown.
Other than pure luck, you just have to try you darndest and pour your heart and soul into whatever it is you're working on! That, and just make a game that's fun to play and an overall entertaining experience.
Other than pure luck, you just have to try you darndest and pour your heart and soul into whatever it is you're working on! That, and just make a game that's fun to play and an overall entertaining experience.
Here are the most popular RPG Maker games on this site, sorted by downloads.
Pom Gets Wi-Fi because the most subscribed channel on YouTube, PewDiePie, created a video of him playing it. I think he saw it on tumblr or something. That video was split into 4 parts, and each part has 2-3 million views. So it seems, at most, 5% of those people came to download and play the game themselves. And the rest is history. So if you want to make a game that's meme-y and goes viral like this, then do the following steps: 1. include lots of beautiful custom art about puppies or kittens or something; 2. speak in really "cute" language and use lots of emojis and internet jokes; 3. put a really beautiful blog on tumblr with all your art and then just post your game there and let all the views trickle in.
But really, would you want that? Pom Gets Wi-Fi gets a lot of hate. Sure, people play it, but even the creator says she doesn't like all the negative attention...
Why do you want your game to be popular anyway? I mean, wouldn't it be nice if just a small audience played your game, and if it was good, then your audience would grow? Isn't that a better way to go?
I admit, Graphics help a whole frickin' lot. If your game has great Graphics, then about 10x more people are bound to come. Because if you have great Graphics, then it shows you actually have talent and give a dam about stuff. I mean, there are some games here that use full RTP, but the most popular games generally use custom material. So they create their own style, and they're generally either fantastic artists, or they know how to make their limited skills work for them.
Basically, make a great game and the audience will come. On this site, we already have a good mechanism for buzzing games that deserve it. Sure, gems go under the radar, but even they can market their game slightly better. Posting on different forums, being active, making friends and asking people to "Let's Play" your game can all account to a greater following.
Pom Gets Wi-Fi because the most subscribed channel on YouTube, PewDiePie, created a video of him playing it. I think he saw it on tumblr or something. That video was split into 4 parts, and each part has 2-3 million views. So it seems, at most, 5% of those people came to download and play the game themselves. And the rest is history. So if you want to make a game that's meme-y and goes viral like this, then do the following steps: 1. include lots of beautiful custom art about puppies or kittens or something; 2. speak in really "cute" language and use lots of emojis and internet jokes; 3. put a really beautiful blog on tumblr with all your art and then just post your game there and let all the views trickle in.
But really, would you want that? Pom Gets Wi-Fi gets a lot of hate. Sure, people play it, but even the creator says she doesn't like all the negative attention...
Why do you want your game to be popular anyway? I mean, wouldn't it be nice if just a small audience played your game, and if it was good, then your audience would grow? Isn't that a better way to go?
I admit, Graphics help a whole frickin' lot. If your game has great Graphics, then about 10x more people are bound to come. Because if you have great Graphics, then it shows you actually have talent and give a dam about stuff. I mean, there are some games here that use full RTP, but the most popular games generally use custom material. So they create their own style, and they're generally either fantastic artists, or they know how to make their limited skills work for them.
Basically, make a great game and the audience will come. On this site, we already have a good mechanism for buzzing games that deserve it. Sure, gems go under the radar, but even they can market their game slightly better. Posting on different forums, being active, making friends and asking people to "Let's Play" your game can all account to a greater following.
GoatBoy
706
I think there's an article about this on-site, isn't there?
Yep, here is it.
Aside from that, I've found that maintaining a development blog on tumblr can attract some more attention too.
But really, just make a quality game.
Yep, here is it.
Aside from that, I've found that maintaining a development blog on tumblr can attract some more attention too.
But really, just make a quality game.
author=GoatBoy
I think there's an article about this on-site, isn't there?
Yep, here is it.
Aside from that, I've found that maintaining a development blog on tumblr can attract some more attention too.
But really, just make a quality game.
Oh yes, that is a great article. Artbane is a great entrepeneur. His and Volrath's game Master of the Wind is really popular. But that's because that is a quality game. So create a quality game, and a better quality following will... follow.
GoatBoy's doing that. I can see a quality game coming out of his loins.
That sounded a bit wrong. Maybe I should get some sleep.
GoatBoy
706
In summation:
Quality game = quality audience.
But another equally valid method is to get CashmereCat interested in your game and he'll talk you up in the forums lol.
Quality game = quality audience.
But another equally valid method is to get CashmereCat interested in your game and he'll talk you up in the forums lol.
RedMask
1139
author=CashmereCat
Why do you want your game to be popular anyway?
The main reason I want it to get popular will probably sound cheezy. Basically I want to get more people, especially gamers into African culture because I figure if more people start to get interested in Africa then maybe African themes might become more prevalent in games and other media. I know it's a ridiculous dream but we all gotta have dreams.
Ah OK, that's understandable then. Well then, I reckon you just take these steps, and keep in mind these are really broad and sometimes very hard to reach:
These are the kinds of games that blow up. For instance, Dreaming Mary blew up because it was a very, very, very pretty game. VorlorN also. It Moves. Tristian: Lady of the Lion. By the way, I'm listing the games that currently have the highest buzz right now.
Most popular/buzzing games just look really really good, and that's what attracts people to them. So if you have to hire a mapper, or use interesting tilesets and effects to make your game look unique and appealing, then you might have a hit on your hands!
Edit: I just saw the topic for Nsala Liberation. It's a really good looking game! I think you should go find some Let's Players to play your game. Post the game on other sites as well (just google "RPG Maker forum" and put it on all of them). Look for all the places you can request a review, and then request one.
For example, I've got my own thread going, but I'm kind of in the middle of assignments but I can play it after that! :) Just try your best to get it out there kinda thing. But I reckon it'll come anyway if the game is good enough ^_^
- Make it look really nice and appealing. Mostly screenshot-wise, possibly some character busts
- Have a real sense of polish to your game, whilst still making it unique
- Ask people to play your game. (Let's Players, reviewers)
- Really hone down on the quality of the game while keeping length at a reasonable amount.
These are the kinds of games that blow up. For instance, Dreaming Mary blew up because it was a very, very, very pretty game. VorlorN also. It Moves. Tristian: Lady of the Lion. By the way, I'm listing the games that currently have the highest buzz right now.
Most popular/buzzing games just look really really good, and that's what attracts people to them. So if you have to hire a mapper, or use interesting tilesets and effects to make your game look unique and appealing, then you might have a hit on your hands!
Edit: I just saw the topic for Nsala Liberation. It's a really good looking game! I think you should go find some Let's Players to play your game. Post the game on other sites as well (just google "RPG Maker forum" and put it on all of them). Look for all the places you can request a review, and then request one.
For example, I've got my own thread going, but I'm kind of in the middle of assignments but I can play it after that! :) Just try your best to get it out there kinda thing. But I reckon it'll come anyway if the game is good enough ^_^
Just make a horror gam. :\ Everyone and their mother loves a horror on this site ( not me, though ).
RyaReisender
200
Getting a game popular is basically the same as succeeding on Kickstarter, so basically the same hints apply:
1. Game must stand out, look interesting and unique just from screenshots/gifs/videos and short descriptions on the mechanics.
2. You need some fame ahead of time. Getting press attention helps a lot, but if you can't do that, you can also try to be active in many communities.
3. Sell a game for very cheap on a popular platform (XBLIG/PSN, etc.) and then make it clear that your new game is from the same developer (follow-up fame).
1. Game must stand out, look interesting and unique just from screenshots/gifs/videos and short descriptions on the mechanics.
2. You need some fame ahead of time. Getting press attention helps a lot, but if you can't do that, you can also try to be active in many communities.
3. Sell a game for very cheap on a popular platform (XBLIG/PSN, etc.) and then make it clear that your new game is from the same developer (follow-up fame).
author=Archeia_NessiahThey also appreciate a good indie game, which is great for us! And your game, especially, should draw an audience there as there's always a lot of talk about representation for non-white characters/civilisations in games, as well as non-standard settings. It'd probably hit a few lists. Just use the right tags to spread it and it should go well.
Tumblr has more audience and easier word of mouth sharing than any other sites.
Tumblr is all about tags and followers, really. Also, quirk.
SnowOwl
5188
I dunno if I necessarily agree about tumblr being great, maybe I'm just bad at making good looking posts, but I've got maybe 2-3% of my downloads from tumblr.
I actually get pretty much 70% of my downloads from this site and 20% on Game Jolt.
There's always the chance you'll get lucky and someone famous will play your game if you post it on social sites like tumblr, but personally I think that chance is so small that it's negligible.
I've tried posting my games on other RPG Maker forums too, but the amount of feedback and downloads I get from those are always pretty bad compared to the 2 formerly mentioned sites. I dunno if it's the genre of games I make or if the sites are just that much smaller, but it's barely worth posting them there. I guess it doesn't hurt, just something to consider.
I actually get pretty much 70% of my downloads from this site and 20% on Game Jolt.
There's always the chance you'll get lucky and someone famous will play your game if you post it on social sites like tumblr, but personally I think that chance is so small that it's negligible.
I've tried posting my games on other RPG Maker forums too, but the amount of feedback and downloads I get from those are always pretty bad compared to the 2 formerly mentioned sites. I dunno if it's the genre of games I make or if the sites are just that much smaller, but it's barely worth posting them there. I guess it doesn't hurt, just something to consider.
UPRC
5516
You want your game to be popular? Well, just work hard. That's the key to success. Work, work, work and do it hard. Eventually, if your game is even passably decent, it will all pay off for you tenfold.
RyaReisender
200
It's really not just about making a good game. Often it's so that there are developer who are really good at making games and they can make great games, but then they fail horribly at marketing them.
It's also about being nice and kind enough when questions are asked. Your audience, the people that are interested in your game are your everything. Your freeway ticket to RPG Maker heaven.
So be nice to them and don't pull a "OMG your criticism is SO out of dis world I don't even care!" - that can be the downfall of your game or at least let it shine in a bad light.
So be nice to them and don't pull a "OMG your criticism is SO out of dis world I don't even care!" - that can be the downfall of your game or at least let it shine in a bad light.
RyaReisender
200
Especially when you pretend that you got a perfect score on all reviews and consequently get removed from the super popular website RMN amirite.
SnowOwl
5188
author=RyaReisender
Especially when you pretend that you got a perfect score on all reviews and consequently get removed from the super popular website RMN amirite.
Wörd.
Darken
3952
make hipster pixel art, force injokes, make the game in a month, post it on tumblr,
this sounds like im facetious or shitting on pom/sf/wither but I'm not lol.
edit: oh yeah know someone who works at rockpapershotgun
this sounds like im facetious or shitting on pom/sf/wither but I'm not lol.
edit: oh yeah know someone who works at rockpapershotgun
Housekeeping
3571
author=RyaReisender
Especially when you pretend that you got a perfect score on all reviews and consequently get removed from the super popular website RMN amirite.
It also helps to make memes from your own characters and use them in response to criticism because everyone likes memes since they're the apex of comedy.
