As a form of entertainment, gaming has risen up the ranks to become a go-to option for millions of people on Earth. As such, gaming companies are facing even more competition than previously, with new and improved games continually coming out for gaming audiences to get their teeth into.
In fact, the games industry is booming right now. Since 2017, revenues have consistently risen from $13.85 billion to $17.97 billion in 2024. Likewise, the population of gamers on the planet is continually growing, with around 3.32 million active gamers in the world right now. For developers with an independent video game to promote or for major companies with a highly anticipated release to share, it’s therefore increasingly difficult to stand out in what has become a highly competitive market.
Whether it’s an independent favorite like Fallen London or a top slot release that is gathering serious momentum, such as the 3 Coins slot on Pulsz, there are some inexpensive marketing strategies that can help:
Build a Discord Channel
Discord is a platform gamers everywhere turn to. As such, it makes sense to establish some sort of a presence on the community-focused site. In the early stages of your release, you can use Discord to host discussions with players and obtain invaluable feedback. Additionally, you can test new ideas, showcase your game to mass audiences, and essentially spread the word about your release to gamers all around the world.
Make a Trailer
A trailer is always needed to promote a game. Enabling audiences to gain an insight into what’s to come, a trailer doesn’t need to be expensive either. It can simply contain scenes from the game, comments from respected journalists and publications, and the game’s music to add even more value. Trailers don’t have to cost an arm and a leg to make, and they can really help promote a title.
Social Media is Essential
A place where you can share the aforementioned trailer for your video game, social media is absolutely essential when it comes to promoting anything these days. For gamers, platforms like TikTok and Instagram are particularly relevant, given the bite-sized chunks of video-based material that tend to be uploaded.
Game makers can share new trailers, snippets of games, interviews, and more. This content and more creates a buzz around a specific release and can potentially go viral in the process.
Team Up with Content Creators
Another effective way to use social media to your advantage is by teaming up with content creators in the space. These trusted voices within the gaming community can review your game, base numerous videos around it, and create awareness around the latest must-play release. All you need to do is create a short pitch, allocate some of your budget towards paying them, and gain what could be some invaluable coverage for your exciting product.
Make a Demo
A common mistake many game companies make is releasing a video game without testing the waters first. A demo is a perfect way of giving gamers a small taste of what’s to come, all while allowing you to gain important feedback and incentivizing players to register for the full game when it’s eventually released.
Launch Your Release on Multiple Platforms
Although platforms like Steam and the App Store are incredibly popular, don’t just limit your release to them. Consider looking at alternative platforms in order to reach more people, with many indie developers and lesser-known studios employing this exact tactic. All it takes is for a few vocal gamers who use alternative platforms to uncover your release, and it could become the next viral game.