Extending the game lifecycle
In the dynamic realm of gaming, where hundreds of games are released every hour, the secret to crafting everlasting adventures lies in the ability to extend the lifecycle of your game. It's more than just a launch; it's a continuous fight for Steam/Epic Games/name your store user’s attention. So, here we are with a few tips gathered from hours of reading articles, our own expertise… and at least one solution.
Maximize your outreach on the platforms:
Our journey begins with the heartbeat of a thriving game - regular updates. These aren't mere patches; they represent chapters in a developing narrative. While you might miss this angle during development due to an overload of milestones, this is absolutely major to catch up after the game's launch.
As revealed in a study on Medium in the Understanding Games that Retain it is crucial to be up to date with your community's expectations and to fulfill them. This approach keeps players engaged and eagerly anticipating what's next, fostering a dynamic and evolving gaming experience.
Expansions and DLCs: Creating New Realms to Explore
Let’s venture even deeper into adding content to your game. Each expansion, DLC, and holiday update is a new opportunity to have a small launch. Now, you can focus on things that worked during the game launch or develop a whole new marketing strategy.
Having a meaningful event and planning marketing support for it can be tricky, but we have a perfect solution! Here, at ReadyCode, we can help with both of those things. Adding user-generated content to your game is a HUGE event that can affect bringing in new players and retaining the old ones. Proper celebration of this requires all hands on deck; that is why, together with the UGC update, you get a marketing plan tailored to your game and community and the help of our experts with each step.
Your viral strength - Community:
No epic journey is complete without companions. In the gaming world, your companion is the community. A compelling account by Forbes underscores the significance of involving players in the game's development process. It's about co-authoring the story with your dedicated community, creating a bond that withstands the test of time. That bond is important, especially if your game is good enough to recommend it to a friend or if it has multiplayer and allows players to invite friends.
⭐ Do you have experience or insights about building a strong gaming community? Share it with #ReadyCode on X!
In conclusion, extending the lifecycle of your game requires a multifaceted approach, from consistent updates to community engagement and effective use of social media. Remember, the journey doesn't end with the game's launch; it's an ongoing adventure that evolves with the active participation of both developers and players. Keep the spirit alive, and your game will thrive!
How to bridle social media platforms?
Imagine your game as a living, breathing city and social media platforms as bustling marketplaces. VentureBeat sheds light on the role of social media in amplifying your game's narrative; it's about fostering a community, sharing user-generated content, and making your game a topic of discussion.
There are cases that show that being a devoted developer and sharing your work can be successful, as well as cases showing memes can make a difference in your SM presence. There is no ready-to-go scenario, so treat your platforms as an experimental playground, a place for fans of your work, and develop it with them. With that, our new feature - an in-game screenshot tool that allows players to set up location lighting and run the animations- can be helpful. If you would like to learn more about it, contact us here.