Marketing 101 For MMORPG's

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?

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My Biggest Disappointment At PAX

One of the games I was most excited about seeing left me very disappointed.  Why was it my biggest disappointment at PAX?  I actually felt numb when in the booth playing.  There was absolutely nothing that made me say here is my money for my preorder right now.

What game could be that high on my list, and than completely drop off?  Actually it is one of the most anticipated mmorpg's coming out in the near future.  It is SWTOR.  I know they say they are bringing innovative stuff to the genre, but I didn't really feel it.

I hate the whole questing, and lore in the game as it is, and to have to listen to it makes it so much worse.  Yeah it sounded cool when I first heard about it, but I really don't care how I am in the situation I am in.  Just tell me what to go kill, or who to go visit.

I wasn't real impressed with the booth.  They were back in the corner near the mens restroom.  No real front and center stage like another game coming out around the same time whose booth was spetacular.  All the stations were running with small monitors, and seriously the booth lacked the awe factor.

If you looked around everywhere else games were flaunting huge 50+ inch monitors, 3d monitors, and once I was at the SWTOR booth I felt like I was visiting the dollar store.  It felt like I was watching myself play on a 17 inch monitor.  I am sure it was bigger, but compared to all the other games it really was lackluster.

I really didn't feel anything when I played the game.  It felt like SWG's with better graphics.  My feelings could change, but right now I don't see myself buying the game at release.

Related articles about SWTOR 

• PAX: SWTOR Presentation Video (darthhater.com)
• Darth Hater Episode 51 - PAX Ahoy (darthhater.com)
• My Top Five Games From PAX (wasdstomp.com)
• Was PAX A Success? (wasdstomp.com)

My Top Five Games From PAX

Rift Planes of Telara

I spent this last Friday at PAX.  I have to say it was better than even I imagined.  It was just great to see, and play games.  It truly makes a difference on your decision making.  I found some games I never even knew about, but are now on my list of games to buy.

The top of my list goes to Guild Wars 2.   The game is just fun to play.  The graphics are amazing.  It is the first MMO that really makes you feel like you are making a difference.  I couldn't find any flaws with game, or find a reason to not like the game.  I think this game will definitely make a huge impact in the mmorpg genre.  If I somehow get selected for this beta I will play it till my fingers blister up, pop, and blister on top of the old blister. 

The next game on my list is Rift Planes of Telara.  I spent three different sessions playing this game.  Each time I fell in love with the game more, and more.  Of course it is hard to judge a game in such a small little bit of time, but for me games are mostly a love at first sight.  I either like a game, or don't in the first few minutes of playing.  Fortunately I snagged a few beta keys, and will be downloading the beta, and having a contest to give away the others.

The third game on my list is Tera.  It is another mmorpg with amazing graphics.  They will have world pvp servers, battlegrounds, and arena fighting.  It sounds like my type of pvp game.  I signed up for the beta, and talked quite a while with the dev.  I enjoyed this booth the most because it wasn't like a swarm of bees hovering around, and I could ask lots of questions.  The dev said I was the only one the whole day that actually asked detailed questions about the game.  This MMO shouldn't be overlooked.  I think it is going to be a good one.

My fourth game on my list is Assassin's Creed Brotherhood.  I have never played a game like this, and I didn't actually play it at PAX because I didn't want to look like a noob playing it.  I was mesmerized by other players playing it though.  I just love the killing part in that game.  It is so gruesome, and brutal.  The graphics seem so realistic.

My fifth game on my list is not SWTOR, but instead Star Wars Force Unleashed II.  The game should seemed full of action, and killing.  Playing it was just so exciting, and fun.  I guess sometimes a game like this is a great game to play when you need a break from the grind of an mmorpg.

Wasdstomp's Better Than a Blogroll...

• A Letter To All MMO Developers Out There (dontfearthemutant.com)
• Making SWTOR Not Suck - Ending the MMORPG Launch Curse (swtorstrategies.com)
• GC 10: Assassin's Creed Brotherhood beta dated for Europe (destructoid.com)
• Guild Wars 2 - Promises, Promises (weflyspitfires.com)
• Good Morning, PAX (killtenrats.com)
• Guild Wars 2 Is Unbelievable (wasdstomp.com)

SWTOR On Rails

SWTOR keeps falling lower, and lower on my to play list.  A recent article in a German magazine explaining space combat in SWTOR is leaving me quite disappointed.

The space combat will be on rails, or by the explanation it will be a Tunnel shooter.  What does this mean?  It means space combat is going to feel like you are on a rollercoaster.  You will be on it basically for the ride shooting stuff as it comes toward you.   It will be no different than playing a single player game.

You won't be taking your space ship, and exploring space, and flying anywhere you please.  I don't see how this is exciting at all.  Insert your gold coin, and enjoy your five minute carnival ride.

The real deal killer for me with space combat is no pvp.  Of course they add a little blurp at the end that says they may add pvp at a later date, but how is that going to be possible with space combat being on rails? 

Related articles

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