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app store optimization aso crossy road DISCOVERABILITY indie game marketing mobile game marketing twitter Uncategorized

Crossy Road Indie Game Marketing: At Home Update

Crossy Road by Hipster Whale app store optimization mobile game marketing iOS
Crossy Road by Hipster Whale app store optimization mobile game marketing iOS

Crossy Road At Home:  Hipster Whale Indie Game Marketing

crossy road hipster whale indie game marketing aso video game marketing
crossy road hipster whale indie game marketing aso video game marketing

2020.  What a year!  Just as the second wave of the Covid-19 pandemic hit the world…  Indoors dining, bars, and pubs?  Gyms and barbershops too?  The same businesses and politicians leading the charge to reopen the world’s economy?   Retreating, back-peddling… Most of them, at least.  Right back to closures until further determination.  This year?  We have come to know hibernation.   Virality and Pandemic?  No longer obscure, esoteric concepts.  But rather something touching our lives.  As in each and every single day… What’s one to do with all the idle free time, stuck indoors?  For many of us, screen time, video games, Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, Spotify, Apple Music, you name it.  The enterprising maestros at Hipster Whale?  The indie game marketing experts who made Frogger bigger, faster, better… In App Purchase micro-transaction style…

In case anyone questions Crossy Road’s Ubiquitous “Translation: Everywhere” Marketing, and Discoverability, Check It Out on the App Store, Google Play, Amazon Store, Android TV, and More…

Frogger retro video game indie game marketing crossy road hipster whale
Frogger retro video game indie game marketing crossy road hipster whale Source Replay Museum

 

Indie Game Marketing – Crossy Road Topical Promotion, Minus Wukong’s AAA Pomp and Awareness

Clearly there are more than one way to do indie game marketing right.  As the world stays home, we keep busy with either work or play.  In September, we were wooed, wowed, and ahhhed by the indie blockbuster Black Myth Wukong. Like any well-heeled AAA, the Chinese indie future classic teased an awe-inspiring gameplay trailer via IGN.

Black Myth Wukong AAA graphics Game Science Unreal Engine
Black Myth Wukong AAA graphics Game Science Unreal Engine

Other indies?  Some opted for a lower-key reveal. The play side of things has seen significant changes. Many encouraged people to stay at home. In other words, play at home, having fun, infection-free, and healthy.

Early on in the pandemic, many developer-publishers banded together.  Given hyper-competition – from hyper-casual idle games to eSports – and the state of the video game industry, it was understandably inspiring.  Many games offered unlimited playtime, boosters and power-ups…FREE.  Again to keep people entertained while isolated.

 

With everyone doing their part, Crossy Road has adapted to the theme of the pandemic and has released their new At HOME update.

What’s so special anyways?  Crossy Road’s At Home update was very inclusive.  As in encompassing the environment art and map.  Busy city highways and railroad tracks evolved into living rooms with rugs, furniture, and Roombas.  The pandemic and shelter in place are here to stay a while?  Why not embrace and laugh and celebrate the change.

 

New At HOME Crossy Road Content

The update has an overhaul on the map that features interiors rather than the colorful exteriors that we are used to seeing on the Crossy Road app. The main focus?  Its cast of adorable playable and unlock-able characters.  While traditional console gamers may see this as nickeling and diming, for most mobile, Amazon, or Android TV players of Crossy Road?  Merely in-app purchases where the individual purchases are already in line.  As in in line with what we have already paid in $.99 to $3.99 bundles.  Totally consistent with video game pricing that we have already seen and embraced.

 

Our famed chicken crossing the road is now a chicken who’s crossing across to the other side of his apartment with a coffee mug in its hand. The new playable character roster includes:

 

  • Home Chicken
  • Cat-in-a-Box
  • Frying Pan
  • Sad Plant
  • Laundry
  • Slippers
  • Toaster
  • Toothbrush
  • Toilet Paper

 

Marketing strategies across platforms

Mobile game marketing is a relatively newer field compared to marketing console or computer games. Clearly I’m over-simplifying.  Anyone in video game marketing can attest to this.  There’s a complete art and science in fields like Instagram marketing, Tiktok marketing, video game market research, app store optimization, and more.  In the last decade, we have seen some amazing marketing.  For games like Candy Crush, Temple Run, Angry birds, just to name a few.  But arguably the best mobile game marketing still comes down to one avenue, one channel.   Word of mouth.  Whether in-person, from one friend to another.  Or aptly disguised as user generated content or UGC.

Just in case anyone questions this…  Just look at the clever update post.  One that lets us relax and laugh at the technical challenges of working from home.  Not to mention a deluge of many many web conferences.  Complete with audio issues?  Been there, done that.

 

Crossy Road Hipster Whale Facebook indie game marketing humor work from home aso webconference
Crossy Road Hipster Whale Facebook indie game marketing humor work from home aso webconference

 

In the last month, Among Us the game has seen a surge in users after PewDiePie played the game. Now everyone and their uncle is playing among us and sussing everybody.

Crossy Road is an endless version of one of Frogger, which many of us think of as the grand-daddy of the entire genre.

Not to take anything away from other accomplished studios making video games.  Clearly we have seen browser games like sheepish come out that mimic the gameplay. Crossy Road?  It brings out the same game with a whole LOT more humor and characters.  Translation? Engagement and long-term retention.  All by keeping the game fresh and interesting.

 

With new updates every few months, Crossy Road has retained its users by offering more characters and terrains to play in. although the gameplay remains the same, the unlock-able merchandise is the main marketing way.

 

App Store & Google Play Store

When it comes to App Store Optimization (ASO), there are a handful of things that you can keep in mind to market your app successfully. These include:

  • Title
  • Description
  • Screenshots
  • Reviews
  • Backlinks
  • Number of Downloads
  • Engagement
  • Keywords
Crossy Road by Hipster Whale app store optimization mobile game marketing iOS
Crossy Road by Hipster Whale app store optimization mobile game marketing iOS

When we compare how differently the app has been uploaded on App Store and Play Store, it is apparent that the Play Store app page just has the video.

To understand the gameplay and art style of Crossy Road?   Plenty good enough to understand both.   And for a player to decide whether it’s his or her game.  Or Not.

 

The video also contains different characters.  And more importantly how to unlock them via in-game purchases. Or by playing the game and earning coins.  Translation into game design terminology?  Pay or Grind.  One way or the other.  You know you want these characters!

 

 

The game boasts over 100 Million downloads plus a 4.5 rating, which is good enough for an app to be listed as some of the most games played and is also recommended in similar game searches. So overall, for the Play Store, the app is pretty well handled.

 

Looking at the App Store for iOS, there is a slight difference in the way it is marketed over there.

The game similar to Android is advertised with a trailer video, but along with that, there is also a description which reads, “Hop till you drop, Crossy-Road is a perfect retro-style romp.”

For a detailed analysis of marketing retro video games?  Check out the post about Wreck It Ralph, and how it was done with classic marketing genius.

Donkey Kong Wreck It Ralph Source_Fanon

On the one hand, the App Store has a video – updated with the At HOME video content.  By contrast, the Crossy Road page on the Google Play store does not. You know what else?  The App Store game page uses the Endless Arcade Hopper line below the title above the rating of the game.  This further describes the gameplay on iOS.  On the hand, the game page on Google Play Store merely uses the developer’s name.

 

What does this mean in layman’s terms?  A better description converts an app page visitor into a download much more successfully. Although the star ratings being the same on both stores, the listing on the App Store is superior.  The more descriptive screenshots – illustrating the game play – makes the App Store likely higher-converting than that on the Play Store.

 

 

Facebook Marketing

What does this all mean in terms of the player community?  For one, the Crossy Road community has been very active.  Translation:  on Facebook the community has expressed plenty love for the At HOME updates. Yes, the Hipster Whale team changed the cover photo and profile picture.  But they went further.  By coming up with a few creative posts, the team has entertained the community.  All the while, keeping the community active in asking questions and contributing to the conversation.

Crossy Road Hipster Whale pandemic at home update humor toilet paper work from home aso
Crossy Road Hipster Whale indie game marketing pandemic at home update humor toilet paper work from home aso Source Facebook

 

A unique artwork and caption highlights how we all have been maintaining a safe distance and have been using online methods to communicate with each other.

 

 

Finally, the big reveal, the latest At HOME update on Facebook, is a video that has a caption highlighting some of the main features of the update and what to expect.

 

 

The update looks like fun, and the way it is presented to the people who are struggling with the lockdown is a good way to increase more downloads.

 

Indie Game Marketing: Twitter

With Twitter, the posts related to the At HOME update are the same as Facebook, but with the addition of the hashtags, #CrossyRoad #Quarantine life added to them.

Crossy Road Hipster Whale At Home update aop store optimization aso zoom webconference
Crossy Road Hipster Whale At Home update aop store optimization aso zoom webconference Source Twitter

 

 

 

With similar posts across both platforms, the word has gotten out pretty well, and any users who are regular players will be rushing to check out the new update as soon as they can.

 

Since the update is something that everyone can relate to, creating graphic posts with captions that connect to people through both copy visual and caption is the best way to go. The At HOME update is very well advertised on both platforms, keeping all these points in mind.

 

Twitch

Crossy Road on twitch has seen some activity in the form of streamers playing the game with the last Crossy Road Pac-man update. With the new update, streamers will need to be pushed a little to start advertising the game once again.

 

Since Crossy Road is not much of a competitive game and most twitch channels are running due to highly competitive games, creating content that is humorously appealing will do the trick.

 

 

The At Home update has been promoted has a lot to do with how people cope with the pandemic and the drawbacks that come with it, letting us acknowledge and laugh at the limitations and constraints that we ALL deal with.

The whole update is about how we are well acquainted with the things we have inside our homes, and our technological devices are what’s keeping us sane in this house arrest sort of a situation.

 

The game is light-hearted and fun to play to pass the time, and combining the comfort of your own home with the gameplay is a gentle reminder of how we are lucky enough to be the ones who are still safe, and we need to stay safe. The update is a sort of public service message to everyone to stay put and stay at home a bit more in these trying times.

 

The developers, along with providing the users with a fun new update, made sure they did their part in flattening the curve as many other forms of media have done. Kudos to the team for doing their part and promoting this update, and let’s hope we all come out of this alive and kicking. Stay Safe.

 

 

 

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consumer insights Uncategorized video game market research video game marketing

Video Game Market Research

2D vs 3d super mario
2D vs 3d super mario Source Appshunts video game market research

Ask and You Shall Receive…Video Game Market Research

Ask and you shall receive?  What does that even mean?  Before writing this off as a religious overture, hear me out here.  A video game marketing professional, I find this critical.  As in critically important for anyone in video game publishing.  And even more important for anyone making video games.
Allow me to explain.  Like any quantitative minded marketer, I think of the world as a funnel.  As in One.  Big. Funnel.  Borrowing something that my team had created some couple years ago, check out the following.

Esports competitive gamer behavior video game market research consumer insights
Esports competitive gamer behavior video game market research consumer insights (Src: Research Now/Peanut Labs)

More aptly, if you are in the business of making video games, you are already familiar with the game development framework or process. No matter how you slice and dice it, it roughly breaks down into:

animation-throwdown-ios-video game market research ios
animation-throwdown-ios-video game market research ios Source Apple App Store

I. Concept –> II. Pre-Production –> III. Production –> IV. Launch –> V. Live Service/Maintenance

Needless to say, a marketer isn’t necessarily a ninja in agile product development.  Nor a 6-degree black belt in financial planning and forecasting  However, allow me to illustrate. HOW CAN video game market research benefit a video game?  Literally in each of Concept, Pre-Production, Production, and Live Service/Maintenance stage?   And I will use a random video game example to make my point.  Disclaimer:  I deliberately selected games that I did NOT work on.  Translation:  no Nondisclosure Agreements signed OR violated here.  But if you are in the business of making video games, keep reading.
But regardless, I hope you walk away with a solid understanding of how video game market research helps increase your ODDS of the commercial success of YOUR game.
Let us begin.

I. Video Game Market Research: Concept Validation

Before writing a single line of code, the developer needs to assess market opportunity and the Total Addressable Market.  To get at the answer, we may get creative.  Assume the developer is thinking about building a card battle game with strategy and RPG.

Continue reading “Video Game Market Research”
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app store optimization consumer insights digital marketing making video games UGC Uncategorized user-generated content video game marketing video game marketing agency video game publishing

Questions to Ask a Video Game Marketing Agency or Publisher

STEAM video game marketing video game publishing
STEAM video game marketing video game publishing - Source Steam

7 Questions to Ask a Video Game Marketing Agency or Publisher

A video game marketing professional, I get asked these questions.  A LOT.  When to work with a marketing agency?  What about full-service shop – all things video game publishing?  Especially by indie game developers.  Both by actual paying clients, and by prospects.  To someone new to making video games, these topics are easily misunderstood.  Esoteric.

STEAM video game marketing video game publishing
STEAM video game marketing video game publishing – Source Steam

To tell the truth, I have lost count.  A former brand director with an AAA video game developer-publisher and head of marketing for an early social game developer, I have been pitched a LOT.  As in dozens of times each year.

Developing and marketing a video game?  AND to have it become a chart-topping hit on the App Store, Steam Store, or Google Play Store?

It is a lot like being in the boxing ring with a Manny Pacquiao, Sugar Ray Leonard, Mike Tyson, or Muhammed Ali…in his prime.  The odds are against you.  No ifs, ands, and buts about it. Do not forget that for one single second.  But if you ask a strapping young lad named Cassius Clay in 1964?  At least you are going into the ring with a shot at immortality.

 

Two possible outcomes really.

Get them right?  And your game has the rightful chance at GREATNESS.  Be the next Super Mario, Angry Birds, Halo, or Assasins Creed.

Get them wrong?  And your game will die on the vine.  Like a concept aircraft, that never ever lifts off the runway.

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indie game marketing making video games Uncategorized unreal video game industry video game marketing video games

Black Myth Wukong: Unreal Indie Game vs AAA

Black Myth Wukong indie game indie game marketing aaa
Black Myth Wukong indie game indie game marketing aaa

Blurring the Vision:  Black Myth Wukong: Indie to Best the AAA’s?

Game Science.  Chinese indie game developer.  Age-old tale based on the classical 16th century myth of the Monkey King.  Sun Wu Kong. Within the video game industry?  We are quick to categorize.  EA Sports?  AAA.  Star Wars? AAA.  Assasins Creed?  Same.  Franchises and titles we would say, with our heads held high as the team responsible for making video games or publishing such household titles.

Flappy Bird?  Definitely indie game.  Translation: low budget, low- to mid production value.  Graphics and storyline?  Similarly lightweight and sub-AAA.  By a mile or more…

What does it do RIGHT in terms of video game marketing?

For starters.  It let the gameplay do the talking.  Just look at the stunning gameplay shot.  Check out the amazing graphics to ooh and ahhh anyone. Indie game or not, this game is beautiful.

On the r/games subreddit,  Reddit user xg4m3CYT said, “The game came out of nowhere, is made by an indie studio, and completely swiped the floor with most of the announced AAA games.”

Black Myth Wukong AAA console graphics from indie Game Science
Black Myth Wukong AAA console graphics from indie Game Science

Black Myth: Wukong – Stunning Graphic. Beautiful Fun Gameplay.  And a Familiar Back Story.

In a 13-minute long trailer, what exactly did they show? In short the trailer showed FOUR hard, thunderous punches.

  1. BACK STORY – It Told the Story through a Sage Narrator, not unlike the opening of the Lord of the Rings
  2. CONSOLE GRAPHICS – Stunning graphics made possible through the Unreal Engine.  Arguably one of, if not THE video game engine to beat.
  3. ACTION-PACKED COMBAT – Incredible combat and cinematic fight scenes, to rival the best AAA gameplay we’ve seen in recent years.
  4. ROLE-PLAYING VERSATILITY – Shape-shifting abilities.  True RPG style, this lets the player transform from the combative monkey king into an unassuming cicadas, to avoid detection by foes.
Black Myth Wukong AAA graphics Game Science Unreal Engine
Black Myth Wukong AAA graphics Game Science Unreal Engine

On the record, I have never marketed or published a game so beautiful, regardless of Indie or AAA, Unreal or otherwise.

If this gameplay trailer is any indication, this indie game is breathtaking.  That this is PRE-Alpha gameplay?  I can only imagine.  As in just how beautiful and stunning the Beta or GA version will be.

Oh, let’s not forget the amazing combat.  For a guy who marketed and published titles like Dragon Age and Ultima, this game took my breath away.

Mind you, my games were not shabby.  But this game?  On another level of breathtaking photo- and video-realistic AAA graphics and real-time action combat altogether.

HODA Saboteur Hawke character tier progression
HODA Saboteur Hawke clear character tier progression: material, gear, costume, etc

 

Since the game doesn’t come out for a while, I have no real-world first-hand experience.  While not MY personal video game greatest of all time, this game has definite disruptive potential.

Did the Game Science team do ample consumer insights and market tests in Asia? From the reception that the gameplay trailer had received on IGN and Youtube?  This game is well-received, well tested, if it were tested.

Wukong’s gameplay looks to be a single-player Action RPG.  But could it be turned into a team-based co-op Action RPG instead?

Or maybe the Game Science guys are even thinking eSports multiplayer combat down the road?  If not this game, perhaps another awesome MMO Action RPG waiting in the wing?

This surely begs the question.  What defines an AAA game studio?  Is it the team size?  Is it the size of the budget spent making video games?  Or is it the quality of the video game content, UGC or otherwise, that’s presented to the players?

I have no idea what the video game pricing may be, whether it be a $59.99 premium price like we are accustomed to.  Or if it were a special collector’s edition premium price game like the NBA2K21 Black Mamba Edition.

One thing is for sure.  Whatever its price, I want it.  AAA or indie, I want it.  What say you?

Did we mention the gameplay narrative is 100% in Chinese with English captions and subtitles?  Didn’t seem to stop gamers on Youtube and Reddit, gushing over how much they want to play this…

Per what the IGN reporter mentioned, Black Myth Wukong has approximately 15 hours of gameplay.  Given the game is pre-alpha, I imagine there will be much more content and gameplay by the time it launches.

While not exactly a branded IP franchise, the Journey West is a tale familiar to many across Asia.  For my $.02.  This one has legs.  Two thumbs up.  All the way.

Black Myth Wukong Game Science AAA graphics gameplay from indie studio
Black Myth Wukong Game Science AAA graphics gameplay from indie studio
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100 dreams fund 1df consumer insights eSports Niantic pokemon go re-engagement UGC Uncategorized user-generated content

BroadcastHer eSports to Pokemon Go 6′ Apart

Pokemon Go ASO
Pokemon Go ASO App Store optimization social distancing style

1000 Dreams Fund for Girl Gamers to Catching Pokemon 6′ Apart

A video game marketing professional, I’ve been following both gaming and eSports.  Now, more than ever. Which video game studio is being agile and nimble?  How exactly is the video game industry transforming and adapting?  Dean Takahashi of Venturebeat just reported what we all suspected.  Newzoo had adjusted its 2020 eSports revenue down again. Again.  From a forecast of $1.1 billion pre-COVID in February, to $1.059 billion in April, again to $973.9 million in July, and now to $950.3 million.

With the pandemic raging still, the attendance of eSports events notwithstanding, along with sponsorship dollars and merchandise sales.  What’s the silver lining?

eSports Arena
Competitive eSports Arena

That the Video Game Industry and eSports  Are Positively Resilient

A shining example of agile evolving gameplay to accommodate social distancing?  Why, Niantic and Pokemon Go of course. COVID sucks.  Social distancing is unnatural.  Wearing masks everywhere is bothersome.  Not to mention people cannot see facial expressions, a fundamental way we communicate through body language. These suck.  Get it.

Continue reading “BroadcastHer eSports to Pokemon Go 6′ Apart”
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app store optimization instagram instagram marketing mobile apps mobile marketing UGC Uncategorized user-generated content video game marketing

5 Keys to Mobile App and Game Marketing Success with Instagram

Instagram Marketing NBA 2K promoted ad UGC promoted content video game marketing
Instagram Marketing NBA 2K promoted ad UGC promoted content video game marketing

5 Keys to Mobile Game or App Marketing Success with Instagram

Got a kick-butt mobile game or app?  Sweet.  Then Instagram is one marketing channel you cannot afford to ignore.  Instagram’s potential cannot be underestimated especially when it comes to marketing or promoting products and services.  Not just for ordering fast food, or driving foot traffic to a brick-and-mortar store or gym. 

A visually-oriented social media platform, Instagram can be leveraged to enhance app store optimization, discoverability and retention marketing for mobile apps and video games as well. 

 

Meaning, you don’t just use Instagram for sharing how you looked this summer. You carve out an Instagram marketing strategy that will help you not only introduce your mobile game or mobile app to your target audience but also drive major traffic to your product website.

 

However, it won’t be possible if you don’t take some of the most successful Instagram marketing tactics into consideration. Instagram marketing, especially for promoting a mobile game or application, is tricky. So, how do you get over the marketing hurdles and develop a highly converting video game marketing strategy? Stay with us till the very end find out!

 

5 Keys to Mobile Game or App Marketing Success with Instagram

 

Here are some of the most important revelations that you will need to introduce to your mobile game or app marketing for Instagram. We will go through each of them in detail to help you figure out the technicalities involved. 

 

  1. Instagram for Mobile Marketers

 

Instagram is well equipped for marketers that are looking to promote visually appealing products. Well, to be honest, you don’t necessarily require a visually appealing product to run a successful marketing campaign on Instagram. The creatives, however, cannot afford to NOT grab eyeballs and hearts.  Native ads and formats that look like legitimate bonafide user-generated content or UGC.  

 

The social media platform has provided enough opportunities for mobile marketers to promote their products. No matter what your products are, it mostly depends on how you portray them in the creatives. The creatives you prepare should be designed appropriately to 1) be a scroll-stopping agent and 2) depict your product’s functionalities to perfection.

 

You have got to grab your target audience’s attention since you are fighting with other players for a place on the feed. Now, how can you do that? Well, the answer to that question is the content you produce, of course, to leverage the different functionalities Instagram has to offer.

 

Here the types of content that you can design and publish to promote your mobile gaming application on Instagram:

 

  • Photo Ads

 

These ads look exactly like an organic Instagram picture post and give the users options to like, leave a comment, and share the content.

  • Video Ads

 

Video Ads give you ample space and time to play with your content and grab attention for at least a minute. Capturing attention and coming up with effective CTA is crucial to make successful video ads on Instagram.

 

  • Carousel Ads

 

You can give amazing effects using the Instagram carousel ads. Since you are a mobile gaming company, you can use it to showcase different features of your application by weaving a story.

 

  • Instagram Stories Ads

 

The stories ads do what it says – create stories worth sharing. These are vertical ads that appear between stories. You can design your story ads or use Instagram’s creative tools to create high-quality stories for your audience.

But, you will never succeed in using the above content efficiently if you don’t have your Instagram marketing objectives figured out.

Instagram Marketing NBA 2K promoted ad UGC promoted content video game marketing
Instagram Marketing NBA 2K promoted ad UGC promoted content video game marketing

  1. Mobile Marketing Objectives

 

When it comes to setting up mobile marketing objectives for social media platforms like Instagram or Facebook, will have to implement a full-funnel approach. In other words, we will have to map out our target audiences’ journey right from install to re-engagement and then retargeting. 

 

This is an important part of your overall App Store Optimization strategy and will have a huge impact on the strategies you will use for advertising your mobile application on Instagram. Let’s figure out how app installs, re-engagement, and retargeting are different and how they impact different parts of a funnel.

 

  • App Installs

 

App installs usually forms the upper funnel advertising strategies that are implemented to attract both new and existing mobile app users. You need to find the right users because you are not just looking for people that will download your application but also for the ones that will actually use it. 

 

  • App Re-engagement

 

App re-engagement campaigns on Instagram form mid-funnel advertising strategies. In this, you will be focusing on the audiences that have become inactive on the application. You will also be targeting the users that have uninstalled your application. The idea is to maintain an active user base.

 

  • App Retargeting

 

Lower-funnel marketing strategies involve in-app advertising. In this, marketers can use machine learning to understand the real-time behavior of the active users. The information will help them come up with personalized ads to bring the users back once they leave the application.

 

  1. Targeting New Prospects

 

Targeting new prospects to drive more app installs on Instagram is not complex at all. However, you will have to consider a few points, especially when it comes to developing an advertising strategy.

 

  • Choice of Ads

 

As we mentioned earlier, you have several Instagram ads that you can run for mobile app advertising. You have got photo ads, video ads, carousel ads, stories ads, and collection ads. The best thing is that you can optimize these ad types for your advertising objective, which in this case, is getting mobile app installs.

 

  • Call to Actions

 

You don’t just want the users to consume your advertisement and scroll away. The users should be encouraged to take action once they are done consuming the content. This can be done using a well-drafted call to actions or CTAs. In this case, you will be using CTA buttons like ‘Install Now’ or ‘Learn More’. There are almost 10 different CTA buttons available on Instagram, so you better select the right one.

 

  • Creativity

 

The online user is inundated with a barrage of content every single second. How would you make a space for yourself? Well, you do that by being extremely creative and mindful while designing the ad creatives. In other words, you have to figure out what exactly stops people from scrolling and triggers them to click on your ad or perform the desired CTA. This requires many rounds of A/B testing, so create a budget for that as well. You can also run ads on user-generated content that will give you more credibility.

 

  • Audience Targeting

 

Lastly, you don’t want to show up before the wrong people on Instagram. Since Instagram is owned by Facebook, you can easily access the latter’s targeting options and improve the conversion rate of your ads.

 

  1. Targeting Re-Engagement

 

Re-engagement campaigns are, as we mentioned earlier, run to bring the user back to your application. The targeted users have stopped using the application (inactive users) and can be brought back by introducing them to new exciting features or updates in your application. How do you do that? Let’s find out.

 

  • Start with the right users

 

Use mobile analytics to figure out the right people to target on Instagram. Spend a good amount of time setting up an audience for re-engagement campaigns because running ads against the wrong audience might result in bad publicity.

 

  • Opt-in Push Notifications

 

Always try to make your application users opt-in for push notifications. This will ensure that they are in contact with the application even if they don’t open it for a long time. This is quite a basic strategy to keep your users actively engaged.

Starbucks Push Notification mobile marketing Instagram marketing
Starbucks Push Notification mobile marketing Instagram marketing

  • Advertise using Rich Media

 

Then, you can also attract inactive users on social media applications like Instagram, Twitter, or Facebook. However, you will have to focus on creating high-quality content and implement a structured App Store Optimization strategy.

 

  • Deep Linking

 

Deep linking is a phenomenon that you can leverage to redirect your users to the desired application screen. All you have to do is pick some of the right keywords, select the precise app screen for the link, and then advertise using the same link on various online marketing platforms. This will not only help you improve your conversion rates, but also boost customer retention.

 

  1. 3 Notable Instagram Ads in Mobile Games & Apps

 

Here are some of the best examples of Instagram ads for mobile games:

Certain mobile games are better with friends! What better way to celebrate a common love for “candy crushing” than a dance challenge?  The below Instagram Candy Crush Saga mobile game campaign, positive captured the spirit.  The lovely eye candy that the mouth-watering, visually stunning candies…  Topped and amplified with a properly laid-down challenge…with friends!

Instagram Candy Crush Saga mobile marketing mobile apps video games

Here are some of the best examples of Instagram ads for general mobile applications:

In case anyone questions the marketers and agency at KFC Italy?  Be certain this simple catchphrase “How Dip Is Your Love?” has been tested thoroughly.  Extensively tried and tested over and over, via consumer insights and market research.  Marketing genius, backed by data!

KFC How Dip Is Your Love Italy Instagram Marketing
KFC How Dip Is Your Love Italy Instagram Marketing

 

 

Final Words

 

Instagram, if we go by design, is perfect for branding mobile games or applications. But you are not going to harness its potential if you overlook the above mentioned key aspects of Instagram marketing. The reason is simple. Instagram is evolving every minute and the factors that lay the foundation for evolution have been covered in the post. We highly recommend kickstarting your mobile game or app marketing on Instagram by understanding the ‘What-How-Why’ of it. Are you using Instagram to market your mobile game application? Do share the challenges and obstacles you have faced during the course in the comments section!

 

 

 

 

 

Categories
tiktok triller UGC Uncategorized user-generated content

Step Aside Tiktok. Triller’s on Deck

Triller entertainment app UGC user generated content
Triller entertainment app UGC user generated content eclipses Tiktok

Step Aside TikTok: Triller’s On Deck!

Triller entertainment app UGC user generated content
Triller entertainment app UGC user generated content eclipses Tiktok

The Trump government has banned two major Chinese applications – Tiktok and WeChat – from the US market. This is only getting more intriguing.  TikTok’s owner ByteDance has sued the Trump administration.  Its CEO just stepped down.  After a mere 100 days on the job!  All this will open the market for US-based TikTok’s alternatives like Triller.

 

The orders imminently banned the Chinese applications citing national security concerns. The bottom line?  Chinese applications are being sidelined for various political and security reasons.  And their US-based competitors?  Surely WILL NOT miss this opportunity.  

 

One such application is Triller. With exceptional market exposure and hefty capital and war chest, Triller IS on deck. All set to snatch the spotlight from its Chinese nemesis. Things are getting hotter in the US tech market.

 

What is TikTok?

 

At its core TikTok is a short-form video social media application.  It lets users create short-form user generated content.  Tiktok users can create and share entertaining 15-second videos on topics of their choice.  TikTok is ByteDance’s international product.  Wait, what?  The company has maintained a separate application for the Chinese market. The application is called Douyin which in China, has over 300 million monthly active users.  Mind you, this is almost the entire population of the United States!

tiktok mobile app marketing social media video sharing
Tyumen, Russia – January 21, 2020: TikTok and Facebook application on screen Apple iPhone XR

 

TikTok was born as a result of two major applications coming together.  Think Douyin meets Musical.ly. How can you tell?  This is the reason why it has many of the same features the two applications have. It has quickly risen through the charts to become a primary social media application for users looking to create and watch short musical videos.

 

Two years since its launch, Tiktok has already amassed over 800 million active users worldwide. And this is newsworthy HOW? For starters, Tiktok has achieved something phenomenal – considering there are already many video-first social media platforms. Tiktok has consistent been at the top of Google Play Store and Apple’s App Store list of best mobile applications. In particular, Tiktok has done a wonderful job of engaging influential content creators.  Not to mention dominating organic app store optimization.  So, what’s stopping the US government from letting their people use TikTok?  Let’s dive deeper.

 

Apart from censoring politically-charged content, mainly critical of the Chinese government, TikTok has been accused of many security flaws over and over again.

 

Security and Privacy Issues With TikTok

 

President Trump has anxieties about China.  He doesn’t hide his fears that China will overtake the US when it comes to setting the ground rules on the Internet.

 

Trump has gone to the length of banning TikTok and WeChat from the US market if the parent companies don’t sell the applications to a US-based company.

 

But WHY? The current administration alleges companies like ByteDance are in agreement with the Chinese government. You may be asking, HOW is this a concern?  First and foremost, this can leak American user data or any uncensored content.  THAT in turn gives the Communist Party an upper hand. So, will ByteDance give the rights to a US-based company?

 

Well, Microsoft and Twitter have been showing interest in purchasing TikTok.  And Walmart.  And Triller.  More on that later.

 

They have been in talks with ByteDance and are looking to purchase the application for use in countries like the US, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand. While it would be the first time when a company split happens on the regional lines, but it is very much on the cards at the moment.

 

Apart from the national security concerns, a lot of the debate has been about the kind of content people post on TikTok. While many videos are just memes and incredibly funny, some videos are just downright cringy and disgusting. We don’t even want to talk about them here because it’s just gross.

 

Then there had been a lot of news related to how TikTok became the epicenter of the Black Lives Matter campaign and the riots in the US cities. So yeah, the US government has plenty of reasons to get rid of the application once and for all.  Or at the least,  regulate or censor it.  In the name of natural security, of course.

 

What is Triller?

 

Let’s get back to the topic. President Trump has already maligned the reputation of TikTok.  This will only open the door for TikTok’s competition to fill in the gaps. What’s the name of the application that’s leading the pack? At the head of the pack there is…

 

And then there is Triller.

 

Triller was released in 2015 and was branded as an AI-powered video editing application. People responsible for Triller – David Leiberman and Sammy Robins. These are the same creators behind Disney’s Frozen: Karaoke and many other mobile applications.

 

The application allows users to shoot multiple takes of the same thing and then compile all the clips to give you the best music video. It’s similar to TikTok but has features that will definitely beat TikTok any given day.

 

There are many similarities and notable differences between TikTok and Triller

 

  1. Monthly active users on TikTok – 800m with over 2b downloads. Monthly active users on Triller – 65m with 250m total downloads.
  2. Music Industry – Triller was designed to work with the music industry while TikTok planned to disrupt it. 
  3. Artificial Intelligence – Both have integrated Artificial Intelligence in some form or the other.
  4. Social Media Intereoperability –  videos on both Tiktok and Triller are shareable on other social media channels.
  5. Video Editing –Triller edits the videos for you while TikTok allowed users to edit the videos the way they liked using the excellent editing features for the creators.
  6. Content Discovery – Discovery on both platforms are different too. On TikTok, you will get the list of trending hashtags, top videos, and other campaigns. On Triller, you will find leaderboards, genre categorization, and more.
  7. Genre Focus – Triller focuses on hip-hop and EDM. The discovery page on Triller is full of hip-hop and EDM songs and challenges. On the other hand, TikTok gives users the choice of genre.

 

Latest Funding and Capital For Triller

 

So, Triller is growing and it’s growing fast. The application is backed by big Hollywood celebrities in the music industry like Snoop Dogg and Lil Wayne.  How is this important? Put simply, Triller is bound to balloon both in size and valuation. The time we wrote this piece, Triller was pitching for a new funding round of $250 million, which will easily make it a billion-dollar application.

 

This will be huge as the company was valued at $130 million in October 2019.

The founder and CEO of Triller, Mike Lu believes that Triller could very well take over TikTok in the coming months given the backlash it has received recently.

He also believes that Triller has been very successful in establishing its own identity and ecosystem – a feat very difficult to achieve in such a competitive genre of mobile applications.

 

Not just that, Triller even  sued Tiktok for patent infringement! The lawsuit was filed in the U.S District Court for the Western Division of Texas. The patent number in consideration is 9,691,429. The patent is about ‘systems and methods for creating music videos synchronized with an audio track.’

 

Latest Triller Publicity Campaigns

 

Unless you have been living off the grid, you must have heard.  The ‘Mike Tyson v. Roy Jones Jr.’ fight is happening on 28th November 2020 and Triller is a major sponsor!

Triller exclusive streaming rights of Roy Jones Jr and Mike Tyson
Triller video social networking app secures exclusive streaming rights of Roy Jones Jr and Mike Tyson for an alleged $50 million

After years in retirement, Mike Tyson and Roy Jones Jr. are returning to boxing.  And who else but Triller is headlining their return to the spotlight. This IS like a battle between Superman and Batman.  Or between Thor and the Incredible Hulk.  As part of the ‘Triller Battles’ campaign, the social media app is sponsoring the Pay-Per-View event and is bound to earn a major reputation for the same. 

 

Verdict on Triller: Just Another Social Media Channel or a Legit Heavyweight Champ?

 

Well, the growth of Triller is looking bullish. It definitely has a solid foundation as it is a well-established application in its genre and is not leaving any opportunity to land itself the top spot. It has a long way to go to earn the popularity and audience TikTok amassed in just a few years. It’s growth, however, looks very promising.  Oh Yes, and its leadership team?  Top-notch technical and publishing talent.  Its Mobile Marketing and go-to market strategy?  Rock solid.  Even though Triller has publicly said it has spent $0 on marketing.  

 

Triller also has the back of big names in the music industry.

A recent news update was that many US-based TikTokers are planning their exit on the platform to join Triller. It can be a publicity stunt to manipulate the general sentiment about TikTok and persuade its audience to join Triller instead.  Given the strong gaming background of its leadership team – and the convergent paths between the video game industry, music, and entertainment – one cannot help but think of the mighty Triller becoming a ten thousand pound gorilla.

 

The battle between the two is definitely getting heated. There are so many factors in play here and therefore, only time will tell which application comes on top, at least in the US market.

 

Triller Plus Tiktok? Hmmm…

Need even more intrigue and plot twists?  Triller is now said to be in the race to acquire Tiktok.  Count them a contender next to Microsoft, Twitter, Walmart, and others…

 

Regardless of WHO ends up with the crown jewel of Tiktok’s 800 million monthly active users? With Go Big campaigns like Mike Tyson-Roy Jones and partnerships with Little Wayne and Snoop Dogg, one thing is for sure.

WHATEVER happens, Triller will win HUGE, among the coveted Gen Z demographics… and much much more.

 

Social Media Post Copy –

 

TikTok US ban and Triller on a ride of its life! Find out why TikTok is quickly getting sidelined and Triller is getting the spotlight. Read now to learn more!

Categories
construct godt making video games Uncategorized unity

Three Best Game Engines for Newbies

3 best game engines for Newbie Unity, Construct and Godot
3 best game engines for Newbie Unity, Construct and Godot

Three Best Game Engines for Newbies

Which game engine should you start out with?

image1

Interested in a career making video games?  Not at all surprising, given the blistering growth and the state of the video game industry.  Speed dating, game dev style.  When it comes to making video games, picking the right game engine is a HUGE decision.  It can mean the difference between making or breaking the video game development experience. Like to work in the video game industry? Perhaps as a game developer?  Or a Level designer?   What about as a game concept artist?   Or even a game scriptwriter?  All look like compelling options. Alas you must choose ONE to start with.

When getting started, choosing the engine that will help you develop a specific skill set can go a long way.

Considering all these factors, I have selected three best game engines for beginners. These will, of course, help any beginner learn about game development.  Bear in mind the role you want to adopt. The engine you CHOOSE will help you hone your skill on that aspect of the development.  As opposed to giving you a simple generalized view of everything.  Shallowly spread on a piece of toast, just like creamy peanut butter.

Without further ado, let’s get to it.

Construct 3: Browser-based.  Ideal for the Design-focused and the Newbie

Construct: Powerful Game Engine that works inside a Browser
Construct: Powerful Game Engine that works inside a Browser

Construct 3, as a game engine, is more so focused on designing through visual programming. 

And not so much on hardcore, technical coding.   Translation:  newbie friendly.

It is a multi-platform game engine.  With one of the easiest animation editors that you can readily take advantage of as a new developer.

An interesting feature of Construct 3?  Well, you don’t actually need a PC to make games.

Running inside a browser, you can start video game development on your tablet, Macintosh, or even Linux for that matter.

What’s the verdict?  I would recommend Construct 3 to someone who has a knack for designing. Its simple video game development design makes it ideal for a visual artist.  Especially one who does not want to code, and just want to make a simple game. It also works out for scriptwriters or dialogue writers. Any video game writer can use Construct 3 to play out a script in an easy, fun game format.

Another thing, since Construct 3 runs inside a browser, many people might think for a minute…  Dare we say, weak?  Far from it!  What many don’t realize is that Construct 3 is actually one of the most powerful game engines out there.

Specifically built from the ground up for easy of use.  So that anyone with a working browser can make games on it. Period.

Construct 3 is constantly updated.  Its community of developers? Active and available to  help you out if you ever need advice with something.  On top of all that, there are a lot of Construct 3 tutorials available online.  All to assist you in getting started with the game engine, and make that first game.

But keep in mind that, Construct 3 is a subscription-based; you have to pay $4.89 a month if you want to keep using it on a monthly basis.

Godot:

Game Engines for newbies: Godot is a powerful intuitive 2D game engine
Game Engines for newbies: Godot is a powerful intuitive 2D game engine

Godot is an open source, cross-platform, 2D/3D game engine.  More importantly, it is taking everything by storm. Godot is a fairly new game engine.  Started out as a fun project between friends, it has since, has seen steady bursts of  growth ever so often.

It is a game engine that combines a lot of modern features. 

Features such as the scene and node system, which helps to optimize game development.  Add to that a built-in script editor, helping you sort through bugs and glitches faster.  Both making video game development a whole lot easier than traditional game engines. 

Although for Godot, you DO need to learn programming languages like C#, C++, and GD Script, a variant of Python. 

That’s the bad news.  But fret not.  You don’t have to learn all these languages, just the GD script. Godot’s own proprietary language is enough.

If you are just starting out and want to experience video game development first hand, take note. 

For future video game careers, especially in level or area design, or to create a complex game design without getting overwhelmed, check out Godot.

Godot’s GD script is easy enough and intuitive enough.  Anyone can quickly learn it with a few weeks of dedication.

While it supports 3D video game development, Godot truly shines in 2D games.

Its dedicated 2D engine has pixel coordination, which makes any 2D game a whole lot easier to develop.

And Godot supports extremely powerful animation tools too that can easily give any Indie that professional AAA look, making this free game engine all the more worth it.

Unity:

Game engines for newbies: Unity game engine is one of the most popular amongst indies and AAAs.
Game engines for newbies: Unity game engine is one of the most popular amongst indies and AAAs.

Last but certainly not least, we have the Unity game engine. If you ever type game engine in the google search bar, Unity is bound to pop up.

Among the most popular game engines in the industry, Unity can count healthy portfolio of AAA video games made on Unity.

The question remains.  Should a Beginner really start their game development journey with Unity?

The answer to that question is, of course, yes. One of the main reasons Unity is on this list is because it has massive community support.

Unity is the game engine that has the most tutorials and online courses that teach you how to make games using this engine.

Unity uses C#, a powerful programming language that teaches skills that, even outside Unity, are readily transferrable.

Making Unity a great Engine for anyone who is ready to invest time and is willing to learn professional video game development right off the bat.

Final Thoughts:

So, this is my list of top three game engines that you can easily learn. As an inspiring new developer, these should be on anyone’s short list. Depending on the video game careers that you want to opt for, and the extent you want to get involved in Video game development, I hope that you have a clearer view of what you want. And can now make an educated decision on which game engine to choose according to your needs.  

Please check out my review of the Manticore game creation engine.  Especially if you are a fan to multiplayer RPG, which appears to be its sweetspot.  Or for that matter, are looking for a game development engine with built-in discovery and video game publishing.

Categories
eSports NBA 2K League NBA 2K21 Uncategorized

NBA 2K21 and NBA 2K League

NBA2KLeague
NBA2KLeague

NBA 2K21 Pricing and the NBA 2K League

Another year, another summer. Another NBA season. Just unlike any other. What says NBA 2K publisher 2K Sports? For one, the much-anticipated game NBA 2K21 will see a price hike on next-gen consoles.

SEPTEMBER 4TH? That’s the official date when players will be able to purchase the game. This means on Google Stadia, PlayStation 4, Nintendo Switch, Xbox One, and Windows PC for the standard price of $59.99.

NBA2K21 Video Game Pricing

Later in the year, another version of NBA 2K21, more complementary to the PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X will be released as a launch title. Business as usual, right? Not exactly. 2K sports will NOT be offering the newer version for the next-gen console for free, as other publishers have decided to do. In the realm of the NBA 2K universe? The next-gen version of NBA 2K21 video game pricing is set at $69.99.

Will 2K be using Microsoft’s Smart delivery system? Or Sony’s unnamed similar feature? No. Instead 2K wants to go in their own direction. Even though this is not the standard way everyone is marketing and pricing video games this year. People who want to make a one-time investment for BOTH gen consoles will have to purchase the NBA 2K21 Mamba Forever Edition for $99.99.

This edition is going to have dual access for both gen consoles. It is also a tribute to the great Kobe Bryant who died in a helicopter crash in January. Kobe Bryant has had a long history with the NBA 2K universe. It is only fitting that Kobe graces the cover of NBA 2K21. Just like NBA2K10 and 2K17.

The GOAT: gracing the cover of NBA 2K21. And NBA 2K10. And NBA 2K17.

NBA2K21 Current Generation Mamba Forever video game marketing
Current Gen Mamba Forever NBA 2K21 video game pricing an d video game marketing concept

 

Disappointing that next-gen games will be seeing price hikes in the future? Should other publishers follow suit? Perhaps. Unjustified price gouging? No. Completely unexpected? Definitely not. Producing a single AAA title for developers gets more expensive. With never-seen-before level of detail and complexity of mechanics and graphics, so do costs increase.

Recall DLCs of extra content, cosmetic upgrades and extra storyline?  Never really FREE.

What about the previous generation consoles? We saw a steady hike in the prices when it came to certain gold or platinum editions? Digital downloadable content (DLC) have never ever been free. DLC of extra content, cosmetic upgrades, and even added storyline, too? Yes, give us more. Free to produce? No

.

Players want to pay upfront. Not be nickeled and dimed for DLC after.

Consumer insights don’t lie. Many people prefer buying the full versions of the game prerelease. For the greater experience to the player. In one go.

 

NBA2KL

NBA 2K League Perfect franchise brand and audience extension
NBA 2K League Perfect franchise brand and audience extension

The NBA is huge and growing business across the globe. As is eSports. It’s no wonder that the NBA2 League is one of the most serious esports ventures by a sports organization. What do the gamers expect? A sizable number of people are anticipating the NBA2K21 to be something very different. Different gameplay. Breathtaking graphics. Never-seen-before mechanics.

A global Sports audience for NBA 2K <—>A gaming audience for the NBA.

The joint venture between the NBA and Take-Two Interactive took off in February of 2017. Since then it has become a global Phenomenon. Drafts take place for the best players in the game. Millions watch the live-streamed drafts. From Munich and London to New York and LA. Add to that fervent contingent from Manila to Shanghai.  THIS is a clear sign of the state of the video game industry. How far the industry has come. Said to dwarf even music and movies.

Streaming rights in app, online, on Twitch and more to maximize audience tune-in and engagement

The NBA2K League is considered the fourth league. Alongside NBA, WNBA, and the [NBA] G League. No longer just a companion of a video game. It’s serious business. What about streaming rights? Broadcasting rights for live events such as the draft and the matches are given to different streaming platforms. To maximize audience and viewership, all to expand the already massive audience of the game.

Think You got what it takes?  What DOES it take to qualify?

As the league continues to grow in popularity, more and more people are waiting to get their hands on the next-gen of basketball gaming. What does it take to qualify? First, Players must be over the age of 18. Second, they have have the game either on the PS4 or the Xbox One.

After submitting an application, they compete in Pro-Ams. The qualifiers finally face off in a combat. Like a line from the US Marines recruitment ads. Only the few, the best are invited to the drafts.

A Vibrant Marketplace of newly drafted and tradable talent.  Like the NBA, like the NBA 2K League.

Some of the best players in the league enjoy protected status. What about the new blood, new talent? A LOT of newcomers are drafted alongside league players who are open for picking. These drafts are absolutely crucial for teams that were not able to perform well in the previous seasons.

This is the right moment in time. Teams get to scout the BEST newcomers and some of the not under-utilized draft-eligible players. To make their teams stronger. To round out gameplay. To become true contenders.

 

League Format for 2020

Force Majeure. And then the pandemic hit. Worldwide. Since the Covid-19 pandemic has halted a lot of public gatherings, sports and esports arenas alike sit empty. Numerous sports around the world have resumed without the presence of an audience. For esports, the online realm IS the arena.

 

NBA 2K League in the Face of COVID. Bigger, Better, more Resilient than Ever.

Similarly, in the NBA2K League, the 23 teams are playing via remote gameplay through their local markets. Remote gameplay resumed until Friday, July 17th. 

For the first two seasons, the broadcasting rights of the event were given to YouTube and Twitch. Effective? Very. This generated about 1.8 million views on YouTube and accumulated 48 million hours of watch time on Twitch. This year the broadcasting is on ESPN 2 and the ESPN app. A smart calculated move. For the NBA to bring the NBA2K franchise to a much larger audience. Far beyond video game marketing platforms like Twitch.

Thus, the average sports lover will also get to know how big the NBA2K League is. At the same time, this will generate a lot more interest for a different age bracket according to consumer insights. 

 

Teams and Players

 

Expanding Footprint of NBA 2K League.  Add to that the inaugural Gen G Tigers of Shanghai and Hornets Venom GT.

The NBA2K league currently comprises 23 teams. 2 of them, Hornets Venom GT affiliated with the Charlotte Hornets and Gen G Tigers of Shanghai associated with Gen G were inaugurated this season. 

NBA2K consists of teams that are affiliated with state teams of the NBA with players being drafted traditionally. Players contest in a 5v5 best of 3 formats where they use their unique custom players instead of the already existing avatars of NBA pros. 

Kobe, Magic, Jerry West – the GOATs of the NBA. 

The NBA2K League is filled with insanely talented players who have garnered a huge following in the world of esports. Only the ones who are absolute GOATS are given the protected status during the drafts because let’s face it, everyone wants the MVP.

Kobe Bryant talks about climbing GOAT mountain. In his quest to BE the best, he sought out and learned from the best.  The GOATs he sought?  Magic.  Michael.  Jerry West. For the NBA 2K League?  The players ARE the GOATs of this game.  Bar none.

The GOATS of NBA 2K League

2019’s MVP Neadal “Mama I’m Dat Man” Nasser sporting the number 30 jersey for Blazer5 gaming is an absolute pleasure to watch on the virtual court. Some may argue that his playstyle is a bit selfish with him trying to score without passing. For those who have followed the NBA for more than the last 10 years, we remember. Some pundits argued the same thing about Kobe and MJ.

That style is what gets the Blazer5 considerably ahead of their opponents. Some might even say it is the style of the great Kobe Bryant, and when you’re that good, you deserve the ball till it reaches the rim.

Then we have the best defensive player of 2019 Marcus “Goddof2k” Glenn, the shooting guard for the Cavs Legion GC. And WHAT a guard he is. Some of his best plays? They include him making the block at the most crucial moments and making incredible passes facilitating his teammates until the very end. Goddof2k is one man you don’t want defending against you.

Other great players include Feast, Reizey, Jeff Terrell, ToxSik, Jomar12, Dimez. And a LOT more. The roster is filled with talented players that provide the best esports entertainment one can ever hope for.

The Comps and Perks of Being in the NBA 2K League

All the players in the league sign a six month contract. All relocation and housing are all taken care of by the league. Other benefits include medical insurance, food costs, a retirement plan, housing, and transportation. Players can rest assured they are well taken care. Playing in the big esports leagues? Then showered with big league perks and fame.

 

The NBA’s Esports Era

As the Esports era is growing massively on a global scale, NBA made the right move to invest in a gaming league of their own. The level of support for the NBA2K League? Positively phenomenal.

NBA – a Global Phenomenon. From America to Europe and Asia and back – through NBA 2K

Numerous countries in the world experience the NBA for the first time. NBA 2K, through gaming and inclusion of the Esports genre as a fourth league, IS their taste and interaction with the NBA. The NBA can market itself globally very easily. Brand and audience extension at its BEST.

Millions of players logging in daily, clocking 90 minutes of NBA2K every day. Their perception of the NBA2K league? For some, the ONLY way in which they can experience a sport on a global scale. According to the esports market research, there are about 200 million online gamers who are competing in games such as Dota 2, LOL, and Fortnite, etc. Many STILL are not necessarily aware of the NBA2K experience.

With over 1.4 billion basketball fans around the world, NBA2K League can reach an INSANE number of followers. ESPECIALLY for the NBA and 2K, both eyeing expansion in the Asian markets. Places where most peoplem as mentioned before, have only experienced basketball through video games and documentaries. Something for anyone aspiring to make video games of their own. And reaching gamers by the millions across the globe.

What happens when theNBA2k League grows in these regions? More and more countries will start to watch the NBA . The overall NBA market can expand immensely. From the Americas to the East, where many have only watched live basketball games in the Olympics.

NBA2K league? Officially kicked off. NBA2K21? Closely watched and released. The pandemic? Making everyone stay at home.

Brand + Franchise + Audience expansion. At its BEST!

Next year’s season? Projeted to be bigger than ever. This is the year that the NBA and NBA2K can expect to see a significant increase in the number of fans and experiences they will have.  Bigger than last year. And the year before. Brand + Franchise + Audience expansion. At its BEST!

Categories
consumer insights gamer gaming Uncategorized video game video game marketing video games

Consumer Insights for Video Game GOAT: Duke Nukem

Video game FPS concept market testing via consumer insights
Soldier special forces with weapons in their hands on a futuristic background. Military concept of the future. Consumer insights for video game market research.

CONSUMER INSIGHTS VIDEO GAME GREATEST OF ALL TIME: DUKE NUKEM

Duke Nukem was and arguably always will be my favorite video game of all time.  Does it have a market among battle royale fans of Fortnite, PUBG Mobile, Call of Duty Mobile?

The first PC game that I paid for. With a HUGE $40 of my own money at the age of 20, I chose Duke over a pub crawl or infrequent meal of tacos in college.  Will brand equity aid discoverability? Consumer Insights hold the key.

 

Menacing flying aliens wielding rocket-propelled grenades.  Shade-bespectacled foes with tusks the size of Siberian boars.  Gratuitous scantily-clad young ladies dancing on stages, hips gyrating rhythmically to the electric pop background music.

 

The frequent drops of weapons – from rocket-propelled grenades, to shotguns, to pistols, and ammo – stimulate the mind.  In pure single-player mode, it’s easy to pick up, put down, save progress.  While heart-pounding exciting and exhilarating as ever, the ability to save and reattempt levels makes it forgiving.  

 

Playing the 2011 reboot Duke Nukem Forever on my Mac this week during the coronavirus shelter-at-home, I got to relive some of my early college years.  The nuclear waste and dancers still grab the eyeballs, even as I have laddered up in age.

 

This begs the question though.  I paid an entire $40 for the full game in 1996.  And again in 2020, I paid $40 for the game + downloadable content on Steam.  HOW can this game be reimagined for a different revenue model – say, monthly subscription or free-to-play in-app purchases.  

 

As a video game marketing consultant, I wondered.  If I were marketing this game as a Premium-Priced 1-time Download on Steam:

 

  1. What are my best options for maximizing branding (reactivating awareness) amongst existing fans of the Duke Nukem franchise?
  2. How do I best build excitement among brand-new first-person shooter fans?
  3. How can the game acquire and convert multiplayer battle royale games like Fortnite or PUBG?
  4. Which messages would resonate best with each of these audiences? 
  5. Which promotional tactics do I have to maximize downloadable sales?
  6. Is a time-limited MASSIVE discount promotion (say 50%, 60%, even 70%) the only way to crack the STEAM Store charts?
  7. Are there media channels (whether IGN, PCGamer, or EuroGamer) that can drive measurable sales?
  8. Should the developer choose to turn this game into a Free 2 Play, mobile games, what are some of the best content and monetization strategies?  
  9. How much time and resources should they devote to strictly Organic Discovery, like Apple or Google App Store Optimization?
  10. Is it more advantageous to launch during the Shelter in Place campaign (i.e. in the next 4-8 weeks)?  
  11. Or does it make more sense to create “evergreen” paid media advertising campaigns, that run throughout the year?
  12. What types of analytics and attribution are required?  And can these be put in place on startup budgets, without breaking the bank?

 From experience I know this much.

Consumer Insights and good old-fashioned market research are key to rock-solid brand positioning and laser-focused activation.

A combination of qualitative consumer research – targeted at the target consumer persona can answer these questions about how (1) Brand Loyalists like me and (2) fans of battle royale FPS and 3PS titles like Fortnite, PUBG Mobile, and Call of Duty can best be activated.

That and how and where the video game marketing budgets are best spent.  Is it more advantageous spent on paid media on Facebook, Google UAC and the likes?  Or strictly through trusted influencers through the likes of Youtube, Twitch Prime and reviewers?

These are precisely the types of questions that I help my clients (video game developers and publishers) solve, in order to maximize media coverage and measurable revenue and profits. And in a strange, inexplicable way, I relish the challenge of helping a game developer shop on startup, even shoestring budgets.

 

If you have a promising game project that you like to promote and burst up the STEAM Store, Apple App Store, or Google Play Store – and like to tap into the marketing expertise of someone who’s worked on both branded and original-IP games on Facebook, PC, Apple, and Android, reach out to me.  

 

In the meantime, make sure to stay safe, play apart, but always, always “kick ass and chew bubble gum.”