The 3 Biggest Mistakes Game Devs Make When Starting A Game Company (and how to avoid them)

Summary

In this video, game developer Darius outlines the three biggest mistakes developers make when trying to grow their game studios: not gathering player feedback due to fear of rejection, avoiding demos for fear of damaging the game's reputation, and using ineffective marketing strategies that ask too much from players too soon. He emphasizes the importance of validating game ideas early, creating polished demos that attract interest, and using a gradual, relationship-building marketing approach. By avoiding these common pitfalls, developers can build games that resonate with players and grow a loyal fan base.

Takeaways

• 😀 Avoid fearing rejection when seeking player feedback. Gathering early feedback is crucial to ensuring the game meets market demands.
• 😀 Validate your game idea step-by-step throughout development to align with players' interests and minimize the risk of rejection.
• 😀 Avoid spending too much time polishing the game before seeking feedback. Testing ideas early can save time and money in the long run.
• 😀 A demo can be your best marketing tool. It offers a free, engaging experience that convinces players to invest in the full game.
• 😀 Treat your demo like a polished version of your game. It should be a complete, self-contained experience to effectively represent the full product.
• 😀 Demos should help build a following, increase wishlists, and generate excitement. Don't see them as unnecessary but as a marketing asset.
• 😀 Marketing shouldn't immediately ask players to buy, wishlist, or join your community. Instead, focus on creating valuable, engaging content first.
• 😀 Players are self-interested. To market successfully, focus on showing players what's in it for them, not just promoting your game.
• 😀 Gradually build trust with your audience. Instead of pushing for immediate action, guide them from initial curiosity to deeper engagement.
• 😀 Use a step-by-step marketing strategy. First, attract attention through engaging content, then offer your demo, and finally, ask for wishlists or purchases when trust is established.

Q & A

What is the biggest mistake that game developers make when starting a game company?

The biggest mistake is not getting player feedback due to a fear of rejection. Developers often spend a lot of time polishing their game before asking for feedback, which increases the chances that their game won't meet market needs.

Why is avoiding player feedback harmful to game development?

Avoiding feedback leads to developers wasting time, money, and energy on a game that may not align with market demands. It increases the chances of rejection, as developers are guessing what players want without testing their ideas.

How can game developers validate their ideas before fully developing their games?

Developers can validate their ideas by engaging with niche communities early on, gathering feedback, and refining their game design document. This should be done iteratively through prototypes, testing each step with players before committing to full-scale development.

What is the correct strategy for avoiding rejection in game development?

The correct strategy is to validate the game idea step by step, gathering feedback at every stage from potential players. This helps ensure that the game aligns with what the market wants and prevents wasted resources on an unmarketable product.

What is the second most critical mistake developers make when growing their game studio?

The second mistake is avoiding creating a game demo, believing that it will do more harm than good. Developers often worry that issues in the demo will deter players from buying the full game.

How can a game demo help with marketing and growing a game studio?

A demo serves as an effective marketing tool by offering players a free, tangible experience of the game. It is easier to convince players to download a demo than to ask them to buy the full game, helping to build a fanbase and increase wishlist numbers.

What should a good game demo include to be effective?

A good game demo should be a polished, self-contained experience with a beginning, middle, and end. It should accurately represent the game's final quality, offering players a complete taste of what the full game will be like.

What is the third mistake developers make when marketing their games?

The third mistake is creating marketing content that asks players directly to wishlist, buy, or join a Discord. This approach is too direct and often ineffective, as it asks for too much commitment from players too soon.

Why is it important to avoid asking players to wishlist or buy early in the marketing process?

Players need to be engaged and build trust before being asked for a commitment like purchasing the game. If marketing is too direct, players are likely to disengage. Instead, the focus should be on providing value and building a relationship with potential fans.

What is the recommended strategy for marketing a game effectively?

Marketing should follow a stair-stepping approach: first grab the player's interest with valuable content, then lead them to download the demo. After that, engage them through relationship-building content and, finally, ask for actions like wishlisting once trust is established.