Почему VK Play верит в инди? Александр Егоров, руководитель VK Play Indie

Summary

The video offers insights into the current state of the indie game development community, focusing on challenges and strategies for success. It discusses the role of community networks, online resources, and the importance of expert feedback. It emphasizes collaboration, marketing in the absence of large budgets, and the need for effective game testing. The speaker highlights the efforts of VK Play in supporting indie developers, offering mentorship, and promoting Russian indie games. The challenges of navigating both local and international markets, along with the growth of mobile gaming, are also explored.

Takeaways

• 😀 The community has grown to over 16,000 members, with a strong media presence and reputation.
• 😀 The main goal of the community is to help indie developers by creating necessary infrastructure and networking opportunities.
• 😀 There is a focus on helping developers find specific talents, like 2D artists, through community resources such as a Telegram forum.
• 😀 The community is decentralized, but continues to grow and adapt, offering support through expert feedback and advice.
• 😀 Conferences and talks often repeat success stories, but the community aims to break this cycle by offering fresh insights and expert talks on practical topics like marketing on a low budget.
• 😀 The platform is evolving to offer greater exposure to indie games and is actively working on creating new spaces and opportunities for game developers to showcase their work.
• 😀 Developers often rely on word-of-mouth and low-budget marketing strategies, with the community offering practical advice on navigating these challenges.
• 😀 The importance of testing and gathering feedback is emphasized, with developers encouraged to engage directly with their audience to improve their games.
• 😀 The community organizes online and offline events, such as webinars and workshops, to help developers share knowledge and collaborate.
• 😀 The growth of the mobile gaming market in Russia is recognized, and developers are encouraged to consider it as a viable option for indie game distribution, despite some challenges in monetization and audience perception.

Q & A

What is the main focus of the speaker's presentation?

The speaker focuses on the development and growth of the indie game community in Russia, discussing how platforms like VK Play support developers, the importance of networking, and the challenges faced by indie studios in the country.

How does the speaker describe the role of community and networking for indie developers?

The speaker emphasizes that community and networking are crucial for indie developers, providing opportunities to connect, share knowledge, and find collaborators. The speaker mentions local meetups and the VK Play platform as key components of this community.

What is the significance of feedback in the indie game development process?

Feedback is highlighted as essential for improving games. The speaker mentions how developers often face criticism, which helps them identify issues with their games early. They also stress the importance of receiving genuine feedback from the community rather than just praise.

What challenges do indie developers face when trying to promote their games?

Indie developers struggle with promoting their games due to limited marketing budgets and a lack of visibility. The speaker mentions the issue of developers sending trailers to the wrong audiences, and how important it is to target the right people to generate interest.

How does VK Play help support indie developers in Russia?

VK Play provides a platform for Russian indie developers to showcase their games, offering tools for game publishing and monetization. The platform also organizes events, webinars, and provides a community space for developers to share their work and get feedback.

What advice does the speaker offer to indie developers about marketing and monetization?

The speaker advises indie developers to focus on effective marketing strategies, even when resources are limited. They also mention the importance of understanding the target audience and using platforms like VK Play to promote their games. For mobile games, the speaker suggests focusing on progression and retention.

What are the key features of VK Play's approach to indie game development?

VK Play's approach includes supporting indie developers through a dedicated platform for game releases, organizing community-driven events, offering tools for game marketing and monetization, and providing a space for direct interaction between developers and players.

What is the current state of the indie game market in Russia according to the speaker?

The speaker indicates that the Russian indie game market is still in its early stages, with much potential for growth. They note that the industry is young, and developers are still figuring out how to effectively reach the local audience and monetize their games.

What challenges do indie developers face when testing their games?

Indie developers often face the challenge of limited resources for proper game testing. The speaker suggests that larger studios invest heavily in testing, while indie developers may lack the means to conduct extensive player feedback sessions. They mention the use of Discord servers and community involvement to gather feedback.

What is the speaker's stance on mobile games in the indie space?

The speaker acknowledges that mobile games have great potential but highlights that many indie developers are not prepared for the mobile game market. They stress that mobile games require a different approach, focusing on monetization, progression, and player retention, which some indie developers are not equipped to handle.