I have been a little frustrated with the marketing of my favorite games lately. Is it really that hard to market a mmorpg? Why is the marketing budget so small for a game that has invested so much time, and money?
Everyone can see the marketing power of PAX. The thought of being able to play a game that is in early beta, or not even beta yet is the greatest. Players love it. Word of mouth is the most powerful marketing tool out there. Why wouldn't you want to let as many players as possible get there hands on the game?
Pax unfortunately only lasts a few days, and than players are left suffering from withdrawal symptoms until they either get accepted to beta, or the game finally releases.
I wouldn't leave players hanging like that. You can't give players a taste, and than expect them to go cold turkey. They need something that keeps them talking about your game.
If at PAX your demo is playable than why not just let players keep playing it? The fifteen to thirty minute demo, and up to two hour wait is worth it most of the time, but most players are yearning for more.
If I was in charge of the marketing department I would take the AOL approach. Remember how that company grew just by giving away free cd's? These mmorpg companies need to do the same. I am not saying giving away your whole game, but give players an opportunity to take it home, and play it in the comfort of there own home.
How great of marketing would it be that during PAX you handed out 66k worth of free demo cd's to Guild Wars 2, SWTOR, AC Brotherhood, Dragonage 2, and so on just like how AOL used to have free cd's everywhere you looked? Why not let players play this limited version of the game until it comes out?
The best salesman will always tell you that you can sell anything once the product is in the persons hand. Why are mmorpg companies failing to hook people by putting the product in their hands?
I think mmorpg companies are really missing the boat on how to market games. What do you think?
Everyone can see the marketing power of PAX. The thought of being able to play a game that is in early beta, or not even beta yet is the greatest. Players love it. Word of mouth is the most powerful marketing tool out there. Why wouldn't you want to let as many players as possible get there hands on the game?
Pax unfortunately only lasts a few days, and than players are left suffering from withdrawal symptoms until they either get accepted to beta, or the game finally releases.
I wouldn't leave players hanging like that. You can't give players a taste, and than expect them to go cold turkey. They need something that keeps them talking about your game.
If at PAX your demo is playable than why not just let players keep playing it? The fifteen to thirty minute demo, and up to two hour wait is worth it most of the time, but most players are yearning for more.
If I was in charge of the marketing department I would take the AOL approach. Remember how that company grew just by giving away free cd's? These mmorpg companies need to do the same. I am not saying giving away your whole game, but give players an opportunity to take it home, and play it in the comfort of there own home.
How great of marketing would it be that during PAX you handed out 66k worth of free demo cd's to Guild Wars 2, SWTOR, AC Brotherhood, Dragonage 2, and so on just like how AOL used to have free cd's everywhere you looked? Why not let players play this limited version of the game until it comes out?
The best salesman will always tell you that you can sell anything once the product is in the persons hand. Why are mmorpg companies failing to hook people by putting the product in their hands?
I think mmorpg companies are really missing the boat on how to market games. What do you think?
