Hey Hackers,
It seems like almost everyone dreams of developing their own video game. People play them so much that they believe they can create one out of thin air, easy-peasy. Unfortunately, even developing a small indie game can take a lot of time, effort, and money. There have been countless gaming startups that have tried to develop a game but failed in the end. If you’re the founder of a gaming startup yourself and don’t want to meet the same fate, here are 3 things you should know before you even begin developing a single line of code.
1. People can’t play a game they’ve never heard of.
Most gaming startups believe their sole job is to develop a great game. That is a major part of it. However, great games are made every year – most of them will go unplayed. It’s not because they weren’t good enough; it’s that no one has ever heard of them. Your marketing is equally, or maybe even more important, than the actual game itself.
Gaming startups start to worry when they hear the word “marketing.” They immediately think of how much money it will cost them and how many people they’ll have to hire. Yes, some marketing will come at a price. However, you can still implement some strategies for free.
For example, you can promote your game in gaming communities such as Discord, Reddit, or even HackerNoon. You can reach out to journalists and ask them if they’d like to review your game. You can also approach gaming streamers and YouTubers to see if they’ll be interested in checking out your game in front of their audience. Not all marketing is expensive.
2. Don’t throw everything (including the kitchen sink) into your game.
When a gaming startup forms with a bunch of like-minded people, it’s easy to get lost in the sauce. Good idea after good idea gets thrown into the discussion, and your team wants to implement them all. More often than not, this is a mistake.
If you’re a gaming startup just starting out, chances are that your budget isn’t very high. And every single one of these ideas will take time and money to implement. They all sound cool, and they would probably improve your game, taking it from a good game to a great one.
However, you don’t want to spend years developing your game, adding every single good idea your team has, then realizing you’re all out of money. Now, not only is your budget spent, but your game is unfinished as well.
3. Identify your target audience.
This is the third and final point, but it should be one of the first things gaming startups should consider. Who is the target audience for your game? Are you looking for hardcore players or casual players? Are you looking for primarily FPS fans or action-adventure fans? These questions matter.
Your target audience will be your core audience. After your game is released and all the hype dies down, and all the curious players leave, this will be the audience that sticks around.
That’s why it’s important to understand what they actually want from your game. The features, mechanics, art style, difficulty, and even your marketing strategy should all be influenced by the audience you’re trying to target. If you don’t know who you’re building for, you’ll have a much harder time deciding what belongs in your game and what doesn’t.
Want to find your target audience, or want to let people in general know about your video game?
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Now, let’s check out some awesome gaming startups that are making their mark on the world.
Meet Neko Games, Brainspark Games, Binpong: HackerNoon Startups of the Week
Neko Games
When you think of bingo games, you probably think of elderly people at a retirement home. But why should they get all of the fun? Neko Games is here to bring fun bingo games to everyone’s screens. This gaming startup offers games such as Pachinko, Crazy Monkey, and Golden Tiger.
What sets Neko Games apart from other gaming startups is that they want to create entertaining games while also being responsible. According to its website, Neko Games is “committed to creating safe and engaging gaming experiences for players aged 18 and over.”
Brainspark Games
Video games don’t have to be violent and gruesome to be considered fun. You can have a good time all while learning something new. Gaming startups such as Brainspark Games are proving that every day with their wide selection of games, all designed to be as entertaining as they are educational.
This gaming startup currently has a ton of English games to help kids learn, but they are also working on a bunch of other subjects. According to its website, math, history, science, and art games are all coming soon.
Binpong
We’ve seen how games can improve a classroom, but they can also improve the environment around us. Binpong is one such game. It rewards you for recycling and being responsible with your trash. The cherry on top, though, is that you can get rewards while you clean up and have fun.
You can get coupons for coffee, electronics, and even flowers. Sounds too good to be true?
Its App Store page explains how it works. Basically, you take your recyclables and go to a recycling drop-off point. Take a picture of your recyclables, drop them off, and you’ll receive points that go towards your rewards.
:::tip
Want to be featured? Share Your Startup’s Story Today!
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That’s all for now.
Until next time, Hackers!