How to Define Your Game’s Target Audience with User Personas ?

Megann Stephan on August 26, 2024

You’ve probably heard this before: “Build your player base before you launch your game!” Easier said than done, right? Where should you even begin, and how do you make this happen? Crafting your user personas is the key to this problem. With over 3.26 billion gamers expected by the end of 2024, knowing your audience is more important than ever.

However, not all of those gamers have the same taste, therefore your game will not appeal to everyone. You need to focus on gamers who are genuinely excited about your game. Today, we’ll look at how to define your target audience and design user personas that resonate with your game and are more likely to become dedicated players.

Define Your Game Before Defining Your Audience

Before building user personas, you must have a thorough understanding of your game. This is the first phase in the positioning process, laying the groundwork for determining who will be interested in your game.
When defining your game, look for the following info:

  • Consider the genre and specificities of your game: What are your game’s genre and mechanics? Is it designed for PC or mobile? Understanding your game’s particularities is key to targeting the right audience.
  • Learn from your competition: Research your competitors—both direct (games similar to yours) and indirect (games with related elements and genres, but big differences in either gameplay or specific mechanics). Research what your game has in common with them and define their players’ profiles to get a grasp of your own.
  • Identify your game’s strengths: Step into your players’ shoes and think about what will captivate and engage them. Is it the gameplay, the characters, the art style?

The more thoroughly you understand your game’s market, competition, and unique qualities, the easier it will be to define your target audience and connect with the right players.

At GameRebellion, our Game Market Analysis service helps you define your genre, analyze your competition, and identify your game’s unique strengths to ensure you’re targeting the right audience.

Pinpoint the type of players you need

For example, if your game is similar to Call of Duty: Modern Warfare III (2023), your target audience will likely be older, competitive players. These are fans of mature, online multiplayer first-person shooters (FPS) who enjoy intense, fast-paced gameplay.

User Personas Call of Duty
Call of Duty: Modern Warfare lll (2023) – Rated M for mature | Catered towards mature, online multiplayer first-person shooter (FPS) genre fans.

On the other hand, if your game is more like Banjo-Kazooie (1998), your audience will be broader. This includes younger players and families who enjoy whimsical, story-driven experiences in the action-adventure genre.

User Personas Banjo Kazooie
Banjo Kazooie (1998) – Rated E for everyone | Catered towards families and single-player fans of the action-adventure genre.

By defining these key aspects, you can accurately identify the players drawn to your game. This ensures your marketing efforts resonate with the right audience.

Analyze your target demographics

Analyzing your target demographics is essential to successfully marketing your game and reaching the right players. Start by using tools like review websites, social media analytics, and platforms like Statista to gather demographic information relevant to your game.

These resources provide insights into the typical characteristics of your potential players, helping you understand who they are and what they want.

Infographic used in user persona analysis
RPG gaming app audiences in select countries 2019, by gender – Published by J.Clement on April 30, 2021.

For example, see this graph on mobile RPG gaming audiences. We can see that in the United Kingdom, 63 percent of mobile RPG gamers were men. In contrast, South Korea had the highest share of female players, with 41 percent of the gaming audience being women.

This allows us to extrapolate that the market for RPG gaming apps is primarily male-dominated, with regional variations that could influence marketing strategies. with that knowledge, we will be able to target the correct market and players!

To further your research, you can look into forums and social media communities to get additional insights. By engaging with these groups, you can directly observe what players are excited about, what they desire in a game, and the challenges they face. And best of all, most of this information is free.

Participating in these discussions not only sharpens your understanding of your audience but also helps you start building relationships with future players.

Segmenting Your Audience

You likely have a rough idea of who your audience might be. At this stage, you’re making educated guesses about their needs and preferences. At Game Rebellion, we begin by segmenting target audiences into Primary and Secondary groups before diving into more detailed segmentation. This approach helps us create a clear, focused strategy right from the start.

The primary audience includes your core players—those most engaged with your game and likely to become loyal fans. This group should be the main focus of your marketing efforts, as they are crucial for building a dedicated community.

The secondary audience consists of those with a more casual interest or who are on the periphery of your core demographic. While they may not be as immediately engaged, they offer significant growth potential. By tailoring your messaging and engagement strategies to these distinct groups, you can better meet their needs and maximize your game’s reach and impact.

Challenge your assumptions about your players

Now, it’s time to challenge those assumptions. You might be convinced that your primary audience is teens, but your research could reveal something quite different.

Image from ESport.net.

Take Pokémon, for example. You might assume its primary audience is children and teenagers, given its colourful graphics and accessible gameplay.

However, research shows that most Pokémon players are in their twenties or thirties. These are fans who grew up with the franchise and are drawn to its strategic depth, such as competitive battling and global tournaments. If you only targeted teens, you’d miss the opportunity to connect with this loyal, older audience.

Structure Your Game’s User Personas

You know your game, you know your market, and your audience, now it’s time to organize your players’ types into clear and concise user personas.

A user persona is a simple visual tool which is a fictional representation of your target players —no need for long descriptions or complex character sheets.

User persona profile visual tool
User Persona Profile visual – Source: GameRebellion Game Market Analysis

A user persona is a snapshot of your ideal player. It captures details like age, gender, gaming preferences, motivations, challenges, and content habits. By understanding who your players are and what they seek, you can fine-tune your game. This makes it more engaging and irresistible to them.

For an accurate user persona, you need to define the following elements:

  • Age: Take key ages based on your research
  • Gender: Based on the gender distribution of your audience.
  • Location: Geographical regions (e.g., North America, Europe, Asia).
  • Gaming Habits and Preferences: Assess the frequency of play, preferred game genres, typical playtime, and gamer type (e.g., hardcore, casual).
  • Goals: Understand what drives your players—whether it’s completionism, narrative immersion, or other motivations.
  • Interests: Explore your players’ gaming-related interests (e.g., social play, farming, competitive gaming) to better cater to their preferences.
  • Online Engagement: Analyze how your players engage online—whether they are active on social media, content creators, or more passive consumers.
  • Pain Points: Identify challenges your players face (e.g., gameplay difficulty, graphics, mechanics) and how they respond to these issues.

For more information on gaming habits, we have an entire blog article that covers an in-depth analysis of gamer behaviour.

Reaching your Players

We’ve only just scratched the surface of reaching your target audience. With the tools and strategies we’ve seen today, you’re well on your way to identifying your game’s ideal players.
Let’s recap:

  • Understand Your Game: Define your game’s genre, mechanics, and unique strengths to set the foundation for identifying your audience.
  • Analyze Demographics: Use tools and research to gather demographic data that aligns with your game’s characteristics, helping you pinpoint your ideal players.
  • Create and Refine User Personas: Develop detailed user personas to clearly understand your players’ behaviours, motivations, and preferences, guiding your marketing strategy.

By defining your target audience and crafting detailed user personas, you’ll create the first steps of a focused marketing strategy and ensure your game gets the recognition it deserves!

So, what’s next? From identifying your market to analyzing your target audience, we’ve got you covered! You’ve had a sneak peek at what our Game Market Analysis offers with our personalized user-personas profiles, and GameRebellion is here to provide everything you need to craft the most effective game marketing strategy.

Unity Technologies: Game-Changing Updates for the Industry.

Kelsy Medeiros on June 25, 2024

If you are new to the video game industry, there’s an important reason why you woke up yesterday to the number 1 trend surrounding Unity. Since 2004, they have been the leading software company in developing the Unity game engine and associated tools and technologies for creating interactive 2D, 3D, augmented reality (AR), and virtual reality (VR) experiences. It’s a crucial platform for game developers, filmmakers, architects, and creators across various industries.

Since then, they aimed to empower developers and creators worldwide to build immersive, engaging, and visually stunning experiences that can be enjoyed on multiple platforms, making interactive content more inclusive and accessible to a global audience.

Runtime Game Install Fees

Now that you’re familiar with Unity, you can start understanding why Unity’s latest announcement has caused such a commotion online. On Tuesday, Unity announced a new Unity Runtime Fee based on game installs. Also, cloud-based asset storage will be added to Unity subscription plans this November.

What does this mean for Independent Developers?

Unity Personal subscription will include more features for developers, such as 10GB of storage in Asset Manager. Unity DevOps will offer three seats, 5GB of storage, and 200 Windows minutes. Administration tools will receive more customizations within their roles. Sentis now allows developers to use AI models within their applications. These models can run on user devices without any additional cost. Unity Personal will remain free and remove the annual revenue limit starting January 1, 2024.

The Runtime fee has made headlines across the community. Developers will now have to pay for a license. When players install games, developers will also pay a fee for each download surpassing 200,000. Unity Pro and Enterprise users making USD 1,000,000 or more in the past year will be affected.

The Unity Plus program will be discontinued in support of the Runtime Fee. Current Unity Plus subscribers will get a year of Unity Pro at the same price as Unity Plus. Afterward, they must either downgrade to Unity Personal or upgrade to Pro.

Unity’s Response to Developers

Let the news cook in the pot and see if any more announcements would be made following the feedback from Unity. The report was controversial and has confused the industry. Unity has come forth as of Wednesday to clarify the information through X.

Examining Unity’s Future

It’s unclear how devs will face these unexpected changes and how the company will handle the impacts of these updates within the gaming community. Independent developers and small studios have since spoken up about their views on the situation across social media.

It’s no secret that Unity and its many updates brought by new technologies, has always been a welcoming environment for the video game industry and an essential tool for game development. What are your thoughts about the bold changes occurring over at Unity? What do you hope to see in the new additions, removals, and future with Unity Technologies? Keep up to date on Unity with GameRebellion, and let’s discuss the solutions that could be proposed for developers.

Indie Developers on Nintendo Switch: Embracing Next-Gen

Kelsy Medeiros on June 25, 2024

The Nintendo Switch is undoubtedly the leading console of this generation. The “Nintendo Saviour” (referencing Nintendo’s Wii U failure of 13.5 million sales from the last generation) has become Nintendo’s most successful console in deals and game reviews in its 40+ years in the video game industry, and it presented an opportunity to devs all around the world.

Nintendo has consistently re-invented the controller and the way to play the game as such with the Wii Remote (2006), Nintendo Entertainment System (1983), Nintendo DS (2004), and their most beloved controller: the Nintendo Gamecube (2001).

It has never focused so much on the power of its hardware and has always believed in the quality of its software. As the legendary Shigeru Miyamoto’s most iconic game quote says, “A delayed game is eventually good, but a rushed game is forever bad.”

Nintendo Switch: A Triumph in Gaming History

Considered one of history’s most influential video game designers, Miyamoto has collaborated on many other iconic titles, signing games such as Super Mario, Legend of Zelda, Pikmin, and Donkey Kong. We all agree that Miyamoto is the dream developer goal devs aim to reach in success.

I admire how he never cared about what people thought. Instead, he relied on his creativity and person-to-person approach, which brought him excellent results. As the current game director at Nintendo, I expect that the coming console presents more opportunities for developers in every generation. Let’s dive deep into how this console is used by game developers to understand its impact.

Nintendo Switch: Innovation Over Power

Nintendo focuses on innovation, allowing developers to use its ongoing unique styles of hardware interface to explore their ideas and creativity to the maximum.

Every console comes with a new hardware interface. Software sells hardware: this is the belief of Nintendo’s success and is why even if games may take much longer to produce than expected, they will most likely be called “iconic” or “revolutionary” in the software’s genre.

Developers have taken inspiration from Nintendo’s continued success in their revolution and have found such unique ways that not even the company has thought of.

You can play this on a portable device, like a Game Boy or Nintendo DS. You can also play docked on your home television to view 1080p 60fps (if the game is supported). It has remote control options and can doc on itself by standing up on its kick-stand, which was heavily improved with the recent OLED Model in 2021.

A Multi-Play Experience

Now that the new innovative controller inspires devs, some excellent developers have given leading examples of the console’s opportunities. Ubisoft’s Rayman takes their multiple console release, Rayman Legends in 2013, and delivers a definitive edition port to the Nintendo Switch with 20 exclusive added touchscreen control levels, motion control mini-games, new character cosmetics based on popular Nintendo franchises (Super Mario, for example) and new online challenges.

The game did so well that it sold the most copies as of 2019 and is considered the “best” version by most gamers. Other examples include many puzzle games, such as Tetris 99, which takes the original classic Tetris from Gameboy and puts you into an online multiplayer battle against 98 other players worldwide in a heated Tetris battle.

On the go, the wifi connection is a must-have quick-to-play and enjoy games with family and friends. Finally, party games have ended up being the Switch’s best offers. Games like 1-2 Switch take the unique Joy-Con controllers to use creatively across 28 games to play with up to 8 family members and local friends. It’s perfect for a pizza party.

In the following footage, you can see the use of the unique controller in game development by using the rumble feature to feel the weight in water bottles or even the tip of a shaver and the motion of rocking a baby too much or not enough. The unique ways of the controller’s rumble and portable weight inspire developers to try making many game modes for gamers across multiple genres.

Developers Harnessing Creativity

Even with such success, however, what was considered new eventually started to stale. Developers are beginning to notice the need for more power, hindering their projects’ performance rather than inspiring them.

Indie developers have indicated that as of 2022, their titles are sold mainly on Steam and Microsoft’s Xbox / Playstation due to the processing power and memory that a PC and the consoles showcase in feel, accessibility, and graphics.

At Montreal Comiccon 2023, developers spoke to me about releasing their titles on multiple consoles. They described the Nintendo Switch’s process as “exhausting” and said it “has delayed projects.” The Nintendo Switch is turning eight next year in 2024, which is overdue given the competition’s level of hardware power quality.

The standard for today’s games runs at a solid 60FPs, with a standard stable Online Multiplayer offered for most titles. Meanwhile, the Nintendo Switch falls behind with less memory, which can hold and run on only 1080X720p.

Even big blockbuster games such as Tears of the Kingdom, created by Nintendo themselves, promised to run at 60 FPS, but they still show frame drops in crowded areas that take more memory. The 2023 title even resembles its 2017 prequel, Breath of the Wild.

Utilizing Nintendo Switch Features

Today’s games are not optimized enough to run smoothly on the Nintendo Switch. The Switch has reached its limits. Innovative controllers will not remain a trend for long.

Think of it like this: an adult at McDonald’s can easily eat a Big Mac and enjoy it. The average child cannot eat the entire meal without a stomach ache and probably won’t finish it.

So, when a game is ported to multiple consoles, the Nintendo Switch version is usually condensed. This version may have fewer levels, a slower frame rate, or downgraded graphics.

Six years later, developers now prefer making exclusive Nintendo Switch experiences. They avoid porting multiple versions of the same project to not hinder sales. This also reduces costs and pressure on developers and companies.

Developers like Activision have taken their iconic games, like Crash 4, one of the most anticipated titles of all time. Released to consoles on October 2nd, 2020, it was only optimized for Nintendo Switch nearly six months later, on March 21st, 2021. The game showed obvious flaws in graphics and frame drops. Features and textures were also reduced to optimize the Switch’s performance.

Nintendo Switch: The Next Generation ?

It’s no secret that technology is changing quickly and becoming more accessible. Xbox and PlayStation are in their fourth year of this generation. We know it’s only a matter of time before Nintendo announces their “revolutionary” console.

In July 2023, rumors arose that multiple developers received developer test kits for trial. This indicates that the console is nearly ready. The suspicion is for a 2024 release, aligning with previous generation game releases. Nintendo Switch sales decreased in 2022 compared to 2021, with a 29.2% decline to 23.06 million units.

Developers have clarified their requests for hardware power and expectations for growing technology. For the first time, Nintendo feels it must finally give in to significant hardware upgrades. They aim to present a smooth online multiplayer experience, more third-party and indie games, and powerful CPU, memory, and graphic capability.

Innovation is still Nintendo’s motto, but they should support the new standard of 4K for streaming services and apps like Netflix.

Wind of Change

We can feel the winds of change for all game developers, and it’s exciting! Developers are incredibly excited for the next generation of Nintendo. They look forward to stepping into the world of 4K. I hope Nintendo listens to their feedback while testing their dev kits. If Miyamoto’s idea to “reinvent the controller once again” comes true, more unique gameplay ideas will emerge.

The console is rumored to be as powerful as the Xbox One (2013). This is less powerful than the Xbox Series S (2020) or the PlayStation 5 (2020). However, it would be three times the improvement over the current generation console. Reported console leaks have appeared online. Developers confirm that the new hardware is rumored to be released in the second half of 2024.

Commitment to Indie Developers

While developers wait for the next-generation console, we had a peek into their latest news: Indie World. It showcases third-party developers who have released outstanding Nintendo Switch exclusive titles for $15.00 to $30.00. This is a great price compared to the standard $100.00. Developers use the Switch’s hardware to create innovative titles promoted through social media and Nintendo Direct. The new Indie World Direct Showcase also promotes these titles.

Nintendo shows it cares about its developers and respects third-party partners. They have made significant improvements since the 1990s controversies. During that time, developers faced strict contracts and licensing restrictions. A more laid-back Nintendo now welcomes more partners. This support offers a massive opportunity for developers to promote and gain visibility quickly.

Below is the full presentation of their latest Indie Direct. It encourages indie titles to come out over the following year. By embracing these opportunities, developers can thrive in the supportive environment Nintendo now offers.

Check out the Indie World for a great look at third-party titles by Independent developers that are making headlines!

Gamer Insights: Driving User Acquisition in 2024

Kelsy Medeiros on June 25, 2024

Like in many other industries, staying ahead of the competition and mastering user acquisition is crucial for game studios. The gaming sector faced numerous challenges in 2023. Whether you’re part of a game studio or a player in the industry, you’ve likely pondered how to connect with your target audience.

This article explores key trends for 2024 and notable shifts in gamer behavior. These insights will empower you to craft effective marketing strategies for your games.

Learn how to improve your user acquisition strategies for this year, even on a shoestring budget

5 Key Gaming Trends That Influenced Player Habits and Preferences in 2023

  • Audience shifts: Last year, we noticed the expanding diversity of game audiences because it encompassed even more older generations. Surprisingly, over 40% of Baby Boomers were actively engaged with games, highlighting this demographic’s enduring and untapped potential.
  • Cross-Platform Support: Platform optimization was also essential. Younger generations predominantly gravitated towards PC and console gaming, which helped studios develop content catering to these platforms. 2023 marked a growing trend of multi-platform gaming, underscoring the importance of having cross-platform play as an option to broaden the potential of the game’s reach to different audiences.
  • Player Engagement: Younger generations were primarily motivated by social interaction, immersion, and achievement, while older generations favoured more casual gaming for leisure. This insight enabled studios to craft games that resonated with specific age groups, which enhanced player engagement.
  • Monetization Strategies: Gen Z and Millennials were more inclined to be big spenders in gaming, giving studios an advantage in implementing in-game monetization approaches. By understanding the factors that motivated spending, such as in-game currencies and exclusive content, studios could maximize their revenue potential.
  • Content Preferences: Lastly, the rising popularity of gaming video content, especially among younger audiences, presented a valuable opportunity for studios to connect with their players. By creating and promoting gaming-related videos, reviews, and collaborations with influencers, studios effectively engaged with their audience outside the game, generating excitement and building a dedicated fanbase.

The Key to Effective Game Marketing in 2024

Based on market analysis, 2024 expects consumers to engage with video games beyond mere gameplay. The graphic below shows an expected increase in development in mobile games, in-game advertising and cloud gaming. Games that follow gamer behaviour trends tend to have successful user acquisition strategies.

User acquisition - graph on current video game market shares for 2024

Current Video Game Market Share as of 2024 – Statista

Embracing Simplicity and Strategy in Digital Board Games’ Rise

In 2023 alone, there has been a significant spike in gamers’ interest in classic board games that have been ported to gaming platforms.

13% of released titles in 2023 were board games that sold millions of copies. Microtransactions and level rewards implemented in the games give gamers a sense of urgency to keep returning to the leisure genre.

User acquisition - example of Chess.com

Chess Online is available on multiple platforms, with over 300,000 active users daily as of January 2024.

Need for Online Multiplayer Games

Based on engagement through different platforms such as PC and Xbox, core active gamers between ages 12 and 21 spend 52% of their time on games online versus battles.

What brings gamers back is the valuable content that can be unlocked through playtime and achievement unlocking. Gamers feel rewarded for the time spent on the game by unlocking special outfits, in-game currency and new maps and modes.

User acquisition - example by Fortnite

Fortnite by Epic Games is the perfect example of a 7-year-old game still among the most active, with 500 million active users as of January 2024. Epic Games releases daily content and new features and modes every season, presenting gamers with rich and new experiences.

Harnessing Nostalgia as an Effective Marketing Strategy 

Games that have been locked in a gamer’s heart while they relate to a particular time they had when playing it make nostalgia.

Many games from the 1980s and 90s are becoming harder to find as old cartridges wear down. Studios like Nintendo use their recognizable franchises and re-release classic titles in new presentation experiences.

User acquisition - example from Super Mario RPG

The Shift from Physical Game Purchases to Platform Subscription Services

Financial instability makes gamers join online subscription services. Like Netflix, platforms like Xbox offer monthly or annual subscription paid services. The monthly subscription base fee allows gamers to play hundreds of games in one place.


Xbox’s GamePass has surpassed 25 million active subscribers as of October 2023.

Make Your Audience Integral to a Game’s Success

Social media is a powerful tool for driving user acquisition. With an active social media presence, studios can connect with their players on a personal level, fostering a sense of community and engagement. When players feel more connected to the development process, they are more likely to support and promote the game.

Engaging with gamers on platforms like Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and Discord allows studios to gather valuable feedback and insights. Players appreciate when their voices are heard and their opinions are valued. This interaction not only helps studios improve their creations based on player preferences but also builds loyalty and excitement among the audience.

By involving gamers in the development process, studios can create a buzz around their game. Regular updates, behind-the-scenes content, and interactive posts keep the community engaged and eager for the next development. This organic growth of interest and support can significantly enhance user acquisition and retention.

Connecting With Your Audience

Creating polls, asking for feedback, and hosting live Q&A sessions are excellent ways to involve your audience. These activities make players feel like they are part of the team and contribute directly to the game’s success. When players see their suggestions implemented, they become more invested in the game and are likely to spread the word to their network.

Building a Community

An engaged community can be your game’s biggest asset. Encourage players to share their experiences, create content, and participate in discussions. User-generated content and word-of-mouth marketing are invaluable for user acquisition. A thriving community attracts new players and keeps existing ones coming back for more.

Single-Player Campaigns

72% of gamers prefer to enjoy a video game’s single-player campaign’s stories rather than going out to watch a movie. Gamers enjoy single-player story modes because they can control them and make decisions that will impact the ending.

A Winning Formula for Game Development Success in 2024

A successful user acquisition strategy combines deep knowledge of your player base with creative approaches. This blend can elevate your game to new heights. By embracing today’s strategies, video games can thrive, connect with diverse gamer behaviors, and create unforgettable experiences.

Now that you have insights into gamer behavior, it’s time to launch a successful video game. We look forward to playing it!

The Secret to Game Development – ShellJump’s Inpulse

Kelsy Medeiros on June 25, 2024

We’re now starting a series of interviews with our community members on Discord! We recently met with Nathan Sievers, a dev from ShellJump studio behind Inpulse. Nathan Sievers’ game development career was destined to happen from a very young age. The developer knew precisely what he wanted to do with his life before he reached 13.

Unlike developers who commonly choose to create games because they love their favourite home game console, Nate did not own anything video game-related. His skills were tested through his newly found passion while on annual summer vacation trips, staying in the same motel with his family.

From Super Nintendo Aficionado to Game Developer

A Super Nintendo Entertainment System was available to play for 30 minutes before the game would reset. The console held the most popular game of its era: Super Mario World. It was a 2D platformer that was easy to pick up and play but challenging to master. It wasn’t the pressure of beating the game before the console reset that Nate fell in love with; it was just the opposite.

Having the system reset made the win and losing conditions disappear, making the experience cater to bring about self-improvement. The game brought a sense of wonder to him. Due to his limited time per demo before the game reset, Nate had to practice beating the game in under 30 minutes without help. With every session, Nate would advance further in the game. Little did Nate know then that this yearly event with his family was quietly developing the mindset of how this young mind would set out to create his very own game someday.

Pursuing a Passion for Game Development

Super Mario World, Released in 1991 by Nintendo – sold over 20 Million Copies, making it the best-selling SNES game of all time.

Fast-forward into the future. Nate is in awe of Super Mario World. He pursued his curiosity by graduating with a degree in Computer Science at University while advancing his math skills and taking topology courses to better visualize and understand the concept of shapes. With all of his gathered resources, he developed a passion project intended only for himself and a few of his peers.

The Birth of Hackers Dreams

The game was a ROM hack on Kaizo, which means “Modification.” Nate’s influence in this community was to focus on “troll” design and to be more about the flow of design, exploring what Kaizo could be without the feeling of punishment. In 2011-2023, the young game developer created his levels of Super Mario World called Hackers Dreams, which unintentionally made the hack widely known as the “hardest fan-made Super Mario Bros. levels of all time.”

Over time, this helped influence the modern Kaizo landscape. The lead designer would upload videos of Hackers Dreams as it would influence the modern Kaizo landscape. It was like a diary of his philosophy as he grew into a designer and developer. Only the most advanced players worldwide would dare to attempt to complete the challenge. The community, filled with speedrunners and esports, will attempt to complete the outstanding level design that Nate produced. To this very day, only three have ever succeeded in achieving Hackers’ Dreams. The mod took ten years to develop, all while Nate was still a student.

Crafting Awe-Inspiring Challenges for Gamers

The Super Mario community showed Nate much support instead of expressing frustration with his difficult challenge. The community endorsed his design techniques for maximizing spectacle without losing the flow state. This is a technique designers use to draw in the minds of gamers and have them feel in “awe” to look at a challenge while not overstimulating the player into retreating from the game’s experience. With much feedback in mind from an overly supportive community, Nate founded Shelljump Studios and finally began his original game for the world to enjoy.

The development of Inpulse began about one year ago. Nate already knew the mission for his game. Still, the most challenging part of this game’s design has been figuring out how to make newcomers feel the flow of Kaizo without the tech overhead. He had to have a reason for every decision. The results always had to match the core value of his project, which they have been constantly using to target the right audience.

Community Manager of GameRebellion: Kelsy Medeiros (right) meeting with Lead Game Designer: Nathan Sievers (left) st PAX WEST 2023 | 📸: Adele Cabral

I met with the talented leader at this year’s PAX WEST while he was showcasing Inpulse. I was mesmerized. This game intrigued me as a professional gamer, musician, and longtime fan of the similar art style “Celeste” by Maddy Makes Games.

The Unique Gameplay of Inpulse

You play as an ordinary square who transforms into a flute, which is also his name… get it? (haha) Using Flute’s seven consequential types of notes, you must navigate challenging rooms filled with platforming tests.

Each of Flute’s notes affects the character and his progress. The note’s timing matched the rhythm and tempo of the level’s design. I noticed I died at least 20 times on my first challenge alone, but I smiled at the seamless respawn time and its encouragement to try again

There was no loading screen or “game over” pop-up. There was only you, yourself in the moment, and the skills you must develop while understanding the task.

 I got through 5 challenges before my time at the booth was up, as I spent over 45 minutes there, but I promised myself that I would be back to complete this title upon its release.

This experience was unlike anything that I have ever played. Later on, Shelljump’s Inpulse achieved multiple awards at Pax West, including a “Best in Show” by a critic. The booth was crowded and had many supporters during its showcase.

Finding Your Game’s Unique Value Proposition

When I recently sat down with Nate for an interview, I asked how Inpulse became such a unique title that stands out in the industry among thousands of games already done. He wanted people to learn, truly understand how to play, and be rewarded for that experience.

” When you learn guitar, you learn the chord fingerings, picking techniques, etc. It’s an awkward, mealy sort of process. Completely different when you know guitar and are learning to play a song. It’s an intuitive, exploratory experience where you learn about the pieces and flow. It’s a feeling of going from not understanding to understanding very rapidly, and you feel good about yourself as you do it. Kaizo is the same thing, but most people see the chord fingerings. I want to fastrack people past that stage and experience the joy we feel when playing at a high level. I want people to be able to flow for themselves.”
– Nathan Sievers

It’s not just about the encouragement but redefining the win condition: you don’t lose when you die because death is not about losing. the winning is you learning and getting better.

Beating the level is just part of that process. Nate and his team, which includes two individuals who joined him only in the past few months, want to create a microcosmic feeling of understanding, not memorizing.

Personal Experience and Unique Challenges

The game isn’t just a game; it’s a story that presents all of Nate’s most significant moments from his life, which are represented in levels and challenges within the game. Personal experience is something that no one else can replicate in any industry.

“It’s hard to find that special part that defines your game’s core. I always ask myself, what do people lack in gaming, and how can my game give them that missing factor?” – Nathan Sievers

Encouraging Players and Providing a Sense of Competency

By today’s standards, complex games make you feel like you, as the player, are bad at video games. Dark Souls is an example of what many believe to be the most brutal genre of the decade, where players are brutally punished for making mistakes.

Shelljump’s main uniqueness is that it always encourages the players along the way, and every decision reflects this idea to ensure a good reason for making a decision in the game.

Inpulse is categorized as a rhythmic platformer that gives you a sense of competency. The better you are at the game, the higher your score and the feeling of achievement you will earn. This is similar to classic 90s platformers like Sonic the Hedgehog, who reward the player with speed if you learn to understand and memorize the level’s design. The game has found an excellent balance of not holding the player’s hand through the level’s challenges while providing the right amount of knowledge that you will use to figure out each level.

The title has no deadline, as Shelljump wants to give the best product through its quality. One of the things that caught my attention is that the devs behind the game aim for its success, and because of that, they put their time and passion into its development. So, if you are on the same path as them and your goal is to create a great game, then you can be sure this is the right recipe for success.

Inpulse is the Dream Game

When I asked what Nate’s “dream game to create someday” was, he quickly answered, “Inpulse is the dream.” Inpulse is a game that makes people feel what Nate felt when he played Super Mario World on a timer. This ASMR finds satisfaction in repeatedly improving that skill until you’ve mastered it. Shelljump is creating something special, a game that expands your soul as you harmonize through each level.

The game’s design has targeted the already very supportive Mario community and other fan-made projects, as well as many speedrunners and professional gamers who have volunteered to help the studio complete their project. Nate cannot wait to deliver people the sense of “wonder” he first had when he readied himself back in childhood. In the early Internet days, there was a wonder about what came next in the game world, what was over the mountain, etc., and with streaming and internet communities, we gained a lot, but we sometimes lost the sense of mystery.

His game is hand-drawn because he is trying to introduce a world to people without explaining it, and he wants them to discover it for themselves. As the player, you are dropped in a world and must learn more about it. Nate views this perspective as another world or an old point and clicks for aesthetic direction on this. Since the win condition is you learning, he dreams of having players participate in finding a new level to feel exploratory and interesting, not just checking a goal off a list.

Nate (second from the left) and his supporters help prepare the booth for “Inpulse” at PAX WEST 2023.

A Horror Story to Developers

Kelsy Medeiros on June 25, 2024

Steam has been supporting indie developers for quite a significant period, and its efforts to promote indie games have evolved. The platform has been a crucial player in the rise of indie games and developers, building their increased visibility in the gaming industry.

Developers could pay a one-time fee per game to gain access to the Steam publishing tools. With this, the platform has implemented features and initiatives to highlight and promote indie games over the years. This includes dedicated sections for indie games, curated lists, and special promotions during events like the Steam Summer Sale.

Overall, Steam has played a pivotal role in empowering indie developers by providing them a platform to reach a global audience. The commitment to indie development continues to be a substantial aspect of Steam’s overall strategy.

Valve may be commended for its developer-supporting platform, but errors beyond anyone’s control can still occur. Unfortunately, one of these errors happened to Bold Spirit Games recently. Their horrific event cost 250K Potential Sales and led to the closure of their indie studio.

Bold Spirit Games: The Horrific Events of Red Trigger Remake

We’ve met Maxime Vézina, founder, Creative Director and co-producer at Bold Spirit Game Studio at MIGS 2023. Max was the leading developer behind the Red Trigger series. The first game, released in 206, received acclaim at a student gala and was later released on Steam for free, amassing 250,000 downloads and a 90% positive rating.

In 2020, I founded Bold Spirit Games and began work on a sequel, ‘ Red Trigger 2,’ aiming for a more ambitious project. Facing challenges with publishers, Max and his team opted to rename the original game to ‘Red Trigger Prologue’ and the sequel to ‘Red Trigger’ to clarify their relationship.

However, a series of misunderstandings with Steam, involving name changes, a remake, and pricing adjustments, led to the accidental deletion of the remake’s Steam page. This, along with a reset in reviews and complications in the release, resulted in a commercial failure, leaving the studio financially strained and the future uncertain.”

The consequences included the loss of wishlists, a lack of visibility for the remake’s launch, and a drastic drop in reviews. The unintended association of the original free game with the paid remake impacted potential sales, ultimately leading to financial difficulties for Bold Spirit Game Studio.

Despite efforts to recover through a Kickstarter campaign for the sequel, the diminished visibility and financial setbacks forced the studio to disband, with the founder contemplating a return to a traditional studio job to rebuild resources for a potential future attempt. Max had recently been featured as a guest on the “Self-Publishing: Independent Game Commercialization” panel, where he shared his nightmare in detail. Here’s a short video highlighting his tale:

Starting Over Can be an Opportunity

As the community manager at GameRebellion, I played the upcoming Red Trigger 2 for about 30 minutes. This was not the first time I dove into the series, and I was very excited to see the updates Max and his team made to the game. The game was polished and felt amazing to play. Each puzzle and every decision that went into its level design was mind-blowing. I smiled and laughed with the developers at Bold Spirit Games for my full-time playing the game.

I left the booth with a painful smile as I realized how much I enjoyed the game. It’s impressive that this team created something special. My time with the title got me thinking: “How can Max bring his game back into the Steam platform?”

Unfortunate Events to Opportunities

Though Max has expressed frustration, he has taken his story to use as a warning to all developers in the industry. He wishes for everyone to learn from the unfortunate event and has now realized that this story can be used to spread some light on his game. The team is highly determined to push Red Trigger Remake in marketing and is willing to do the necessary work to reach its prior community and potential new audiences.

This motivation is a recipe for success that is only guaranteed to come by. The team could have called it quits in this given instance, but instead, Bold Spirit Game Studios is using this story to fill its passionate hunger for sales. Bold Spirit Games has already taken the first steps in its new marketing strategy by speaking publicly about what has happened to its game through tradeshow panels and online through their Reddit form.

They have been networking with the gaming community about their game’s genre. That being said, there is still much work to be done, but don’t worry, we’re here to help the team with some tips and tricks!

Surpassing your Original Success

Starting from scratch may be demotivating, but having the proper mindset is a great place to start. Video game marketing strategies are an ever-evolving medium. As time passes, people change, games change, algorithms change, and so does the market.

What worked previously may not necessarily work today. Not to completely erase the hard work done beforehand but to use it as a reference in researching what will work now as a base for their brand-new marketing strategy. Think of when you first started marketing your game, but now you have an outline to help you. In Red Trigger’s case, we researched the critical ways for the developers to reach their core audience.

1. Use Your Unfortunate Event as a Promotion

What happened with Bold Spirit Games is an error that should have never happened. However, it makes the development of Red Trigger Remake unique. We mentioned in other articles that successful indie games like Cuphead and Super Meat Boy faced uniquely tricky development processes.

Bold Spirit Games shared their story on XSolla’s panel at MIGS, earning many new B2B opportunities. The team also released their Reddit statement, informing the video game community about their tragedy. Since then, Reddit posts have attracted over 300,000 readers. This number doesn’t include additional articles published by other news outlets, including those in the gaming industry.

2. Make an Engaging Steam Page

Steam pages aren’t just present to represent your game’s storefront. This page is your game’s home. It brings out the game’s personality and growth, which can include various features. Developer vlogs, updates, patches, screenshots, and Q&As can be shared on Steam pages. These interactions help engage the gaming community and boost your game’s relevance on Steam.

Making beta versions accessible is a great way to get players’ feedback for free. Use reviews from players to improve your game’s design. This also promotes your title naturally, as gamers can play and review your game. When players reach the end of the demo, display a “Feedback” message. This motivates gamers to leave their input on the title upon finishing the demo.

Steam page. A live stream usually showcases fans of the game’s stream of the title.

3. Utilize Social Media Groups and build a Community.

Before marketing your game publicly, it’s essential to research your game’s identity and what kind of gamer you will be trying to reach. The case of Red Trigger targets the genres of puzzle solving, first-person shooting, strategy, and platforming. Red Trigger has taken massive inspiration from Portal, which has found significant success across the community. Red Trigger can learn a lot from studying its target audience and getting involved with the Portal fan community.

Facebook Group pages and indie game servers on Discord, including their very own server, are essential when creating a loyal and supportive community. Twitter, Reddit, and TikTok are great ways to reach out to gamers who are scrolling and searching for their next adventure to fulfill their gaming needs. Developers can create a relatable brand for the series by replying to comments, creating memes, hosting developer diaries and more.

Indie Game Devs on Facebook is an active group with over 54,000 members. These members consist of developer updates for their titles, tips and tricks in game development, resourcing, and networking.

4. Reach Out to Influencers & Reviewers

Streaming is now the most popular form of media in the gaming industry. From micro streamers to affiliates and partners, hundreds of streamers are working on their brands in visibility for their channels.

Researching your target audiences’ figureheads in the influencer communities is a great way to spread content about your game while earning new followers. Sending your builds to major reviewers such as Gamespot and Polygon allows your audiences to see how critical your game is. Gamers cannot be fooled; they know what makes a great game and will be willing to purchase what they know will be fun.

Famous gaming influencer: EazySpeezy’s video on Cuphead earned 10 million views and brought much attention to the indie title.

5. Participate in Events

As Bold Spirit Games did at MIGS, participating in events is essential for B2B and B2C opportunities. These tradeshows allow developers to show their game to investors who can fund greater production ambitions. Developers can meet marketing experts (like us! 👋) and give gamers hands-on experience with the game. This helps gamers decide if they want to purchase the game on release.

It also allows gamers to meet the developers and understand the kind of people they are. Creating a personal connection with gamers is a great way to grow your game’s community on Discord. This also helps increase your game’s traffic.

The Beginning of a New Chapter

Though the horror events of Red Trigger Remake have occurred, there is no such thing as a time machine. We can’t go back, but we can use what has been done to create a better future for the title. Red Trigger Remake is a fantastic time, and the developers are incredibly kind and passionate about their work and the video game community. As gamers themselves, they understand games on a deeper level.

Our rebel in command: REB-E (left) standing tall with Maxime Vézina (right) at MIGS 2023 after meeting each other over the story of Red Trigger Remake.

Since the team’s statement about their game, hundreds of thousands of watchers have been on this event. There is no doubt that the core of the game’s development story has ended so that the climax can begin. You can check out Red Trigger on Steam to experience the passionate project yourselves while staying up to date with Red Trigger 2’s development. We wish Bold Spirit Games nothing but luck and success!

Share your thoughts about the story with us. What marketing strategies could they apply to increase their game’s visibility? 🚀 check out more articles, here!

Navigating the Challenges of Promoting Your Own Game

Erica on June 25, 2024

Promoting your own game can be a daunting task, especially in a market where over 3 billion people identify as gamers. While bringing your game ideas to life is exciting, navigating the challenges of promoting your own game can be frustrating for developers, even those skilled in coding and animation.

Beyond mastering coding and animation, successfully promoting your game requires dedication and strategic marketing to ensure it gains the popularity it deserves. Many game developers find this aspect particularly challenging, but it doesn’t have to be that way. In this article, we will navigate the complexities of promoting your own game and provide actionable strategies to simplify the process.

1st Challenge: The Gaming Market is Very Crowded

Video game marketing is at an all-time high when it comes to competition. In 2022, the Gaming Industry surpassed Movies and Sports in revenue. As this may sound great, we must consider who shares the biggest part of this cake. We’ll let you guess.

This growth meant something when the big tech companies, such as Google, Amazon, and Netflix, started to get involved more closely with game development and promotions. With AAA studios investing in huge exposure and tons of ads in those places, the space left for indie games is tight and difficult to reach.

At the same time, technology is making your job easier than before and also helping other developers. Steam releases can prove me right, with over 12K games released only in 2022. It certainly adds another difficulty when gaining traction among all those other titles. However, we see this as an opportunity for game developers to develop more creative games, defy the status quo, and dare to go above and beyond.

2nd Challenge: Paid User Acquisition Solutions are complex and expensive!

Yep, if we want to do it right, we must spend a few grand here and there. It takes as much dedication as making the game itself because now you’re about to market it. Not everything is easy initially, and we can get annoyed and disappointed with the results. We bet you have already ventured yourself with paid ads or tried out an influencer to promote your game, but nothing has brought you the expected results.

You have to consider that paid platforms are complex, constantly changing (tell me about it!), and often have an interface that is hard to read, mainly for people who are not there every day.

Besides that, we can say that paid ads are not an exact science! A successful campaign is full of tests with big achievements but even bigger errors, what we marketers kindly call “A/B testing.” But as with everything in life, it costs money because to make things perform well and optimize spending, we’re constantly testing headlines, visual assets, CTA’s, etc. The list is quite long! To learn more, read our article on Key Insights to Drive User Acquisition in 2024.

3rd Challenge: Defining the right audience for your game

We’re unsure if you’re familiar with the concept of niche and how it applies to your reality. The Webster’s Dictionary defines niche “as a place, employment, status, or activity for which a person or thing is best fitted.” In marketing, we put everything in boxes to classify behaviour, taste, and similarities, which help us to identify which audience is more suitable for a determined product, service, and, in your case, a game.

So, how do you find the right audience for your niche game? Not that, at this point, you should know exactly about what your game is. One would think that going with extremely precise targeting would yield awesome results, but the reality could be quite the opposite.

The other way around is also possible! A game that you want to reach out to everyone universally may not work in your best interest. Advertising needs some fine-tuning, and being too wide open may just be burning your budget without translating that into sales.

Navigating the challenges of promoting your own game can be daunting, especially without a universal solution or a big budget for fancy ad platforms. So, what can you do to make it work?

At GameRebellion, you’re in the right place. We specialize in analyzing your game and highlighting its selling points to connect with the right audience. While we may not create games, we excel at uncovering hidden gems in your marketing strategies and helping you achieve your goals. Interested? Check out our Marketing Services, and let’s talk!

Check out more articles, here!

The Ultimate TikTok Guide for Game Developers

Manon Salaché on June 10, 2024

In this article, you’ll discover why game developers should add TikTok to their social media strategy. With over 1.7 billion users as of 2023, TikTok is one of the most used social media platforms worldwide. Here is our Tiktok guide for Game developers.

The app is a short video-sharing tool that gained massive popularity during the lockdown period 2020. It invited users to connect through mass media trends among friends and communities.

The main demographic of TikTok represents young, dynamic, and creative cultures. For game developers looking to create content on TikTok, it’s a fantastic platform to help grow their community while improving their game visibility.

Understanding the TikTok platform and mastering its audience is the first step in creating powerful content to help promote your game and build your community. Keep reading, as we’ll focus on how to do just that and how to use these key insights in your favour!

The Importance of TikTok for Game Studios

1,394,000,000 gamers search for video game-related content on TikTok. The platform’s yearly report also shows the following stats to keep in mind when creating your game marketing strategy on TikTok:

  • 75% of gamers discovered new gaming content on TikTok
  • 41% downloaded the game after seeing gaming content on TikTok
  • 36% purchased to play games after seeing gaming content on TikTok

“82% of TikTok users play games at least once a week. People have always bought games their friends are playing. But now they also buy games and engage with content endorsed by trusted creators.” – TikTok Business Report 2023

Game content on TikTok shares so much personality. Videos on the platform have become some of the biggest influences in a gamer’s purchase decision. The content created through the platform is known to capture gamers’ imaginations quickly and gravitatingly. On TikTok, videos are short and straight to the point.

Creating Engaging TikTok Content for Gamers

Videos must catch viewers’ attention in 3 seconds, or they will be pushed to scroll to the next video. This is thanks to the app’s simplistic and endless available content that matches the viewer’s watch time and engagement algorithm. In the blink of an eye, the viewer must be intrigued by the device’s visual presentation of the content provided.

Given the fleeting nature of attention on the platform, your videos must be visually inviting. Below is the recent analysis report on video game content watch time amongst gaming community age groups.

Based on the successful trends in TikTok gaming, you should aim to showcase the essence of your game through memorizing graphics, unique characters, memes, or exhilarating gameplay in a relatable manner to your target audience. As a guide, TikTok allows users to study their profile’s algorithm through quarterly reports that share feature updates for in-app editing, trends, predictions, and stats that will help aim your content to please the right audience.

Use your content’s reception through gamer behaviour and how gamers interact with other video game content to deliver adapted yet inviting experiences. Below are some basic content creation recipes that should be mastered on TikTok. With GameRebellion and TikTok by your side, your army of insights stands tall and is ready to serve you proudly!

1. The Right Way to Participating in Trends

TikTok trends are like large tide waves that come and go as fast as they appear. TikTok thrives on the current trends and challenges, making the market a continuously evolving landscape that you need to learn to surf comfortably. Aligning your content with trends or creating your game-specific challenges can invite your target audience to do the same, which boosts visibility through hashtags and general discussion surrounding TikTok.

Pay attention to what’s trending every morning and at night. TikTok does a great job of tracking the behaviour of our watch history. Using this, you can track your target audience and study the content they interact with through their public likes, comments, and favourites. Oh, one more thing before we move on notice when you run into a game’s video that shares something in common in its design with your game, such as the genre. Watch how and why the created content is successfully promoted to their community.

This can inspire you to create familiar and approachable content for gamers while introducing your unique experience through your video game.

TikTok releases Gaming trend reports monthly to help gaming content find success in reaching audiences

2. Use Popular Sounds of TikTok or in-app Music

Never underestimate the power of a good beat. Music and sound effects are the soul of TikTok videos, capable of transforming simple footage into an immersive experience. However, game developers must be aware of users’ mistakes when implementing music into their content during editing before uploading their videos on TikTok. For many years, the “classic” editing approach on other platforms would have encouraged you to edit your video with music using external editing software.

But when this file is uploaded to TikTok, the platform will not label what song is being used and will not add your content to the music’s search by users. If you add music through TikTok, the algorithm will track that song’s use and categorize your video to that song’s trending content.

Beyond music, to reach your target audience on this platform, you must utilize the tools the app has provided you. TikTok offers a vast library of in-app sound effects to help you find tunes that accentuate your game’s atmosphere and draw viewers deeper into the world you’ve created.

They provide you with editing tools that you do not need to commit to in video production development beforehand. The best part about these tools isn’t how easy they are to use; TikTok will show you what sounds or songs are trending throughout your watch history. Using the in-app music will broaden your game’s following even further, as those with a history of viewing the songs or sounds provided in your content will find related and similar content that also uses these songs, increasing your chances of being seen by your target audience.

3. Collaboration with Expert Content Creators on TikTok

Popular gaming creators on TikTok can be valuable allies when trying to build your gaming community. These individuals have a strong relationship with their followers, encouraging users to follow their steps as influenced behaviours. Seek creators who create content whose genres align with your game’s presentation. We introduced this topic earlier, but there is a difference between content by game studios and a public figure of the gaming community.

An expert content creator greatly influences gaming behaviour and shapes how feedback about the game is perceived by the audience. Followers of content creators have a personal connection to their personality. For example, long-time influencer Richard Tyler “Ninja” Belvins has smashed records above and beyond as one of the largest influencers in video game community history.

Ninja was the key force behind “Fortnite” and its success amongst millions of kids who wanted to play with the superstar on his livestream during the beginning of Fortnite’s years.

Epic Games, the studio behind Fortnite, has since then worked with the gamer many times and has delivered much appreciation of the game’s success to Ninja. Subscribers who want to participate in online games or share their experiences as their content creators will check out your game if they genuinely enjoy watching your game through their view.

Collaborating with creators by providing a free game code in return for a review or reaction on TikTok may boost your game’s visibility by introducing it to communities. As with Ninja earlier, remember to research the creator’s attitude and professionalism; their personality will represent and affect your game’s brand.

4. Fostering a Thriving Gaming Community

Engagement is the currency of TikTok. Users deeply connect with the users who engage on the platform and connect with those who create on it. Interacting with your target audience through comments, likes, or shared content delivers a sense of community and belonging. You want your community to remember your game and the story that comes with it. TikTok is a personal social community that encourages gamers to follow the content they feel most connected to.

TikTok makes searching for your target audience easier to locate than other social media platforms, thanks to the app’s search bar being so specific. Here, you can write anything related to (in this case) your game’s genre, design, and game features. With the search results, you can view the current trends surrounding keywords and the reception from viewers in the comments and like sections.

It’s important to interact with your audience by replying to likes, comments, and shares on TikTok. Have them feel personally involved in creating your game to build a strong sense of community amongst your followers.

Lastly, create a “call to action” inviting viewers to join your community by following your page. Direct them to your game’s Steam storefront or your Discord community. Place this at the end of your video, keeping it under three seconds.

This ensures you don’t lose viewers’ attention or the authentic relationship built during the video. At the end of the video, encourage viewers to participate in the community for more related content.

5. Content Creation Consistency

Consistency is your compass on TikTok. It leads you to a growing following and keeps your audience engaged. However, uploading regularly does not secure consistent viewership. Refer back to why your community decided to follow you initially. Pay attention to where these followers come from using your analytics page.

Releasing consistent and quality content will improve your performance on TikTok. Your community may get comfortable expecting specific content on certain days at specific times. Think of how we all remember to brush our teeth every morning when we wake up.

The same applies to your content creation. Watching content becomes a habit for TikTok users during leisurely parts of their day. Uploading unrelated content may drive away new followers by alienating them.

Engaging Your Audience and Analyzing Feedback

If you can get your audience to get a habit of checking your feed because of its great content at a certain time of the day, they may only look forward to seeing what’s next for them!

This does not mean, however, to ignore your videos that are not as successful. Your reach will never improve for each video, so it’s important to look at the content and ask your community: Why? Don’t be shy to reach out to your community and accept criticism that will benefit your TikTok production.

Consistent and top-quality content cements your presence on the platform as you invite even wider audiences. Align your postings with game updates or events, turning each post into an anticipation-building event that keeps your audience coming back for more.

Palworld’s content uses identifiable templates and shared content types. The studio consistently uploads content, presenting gameplay footage that meets gamer demands in the genre. They also replied to and shared comments!

6. Understanding TikTok Analytics for Better Content Performance

TikTok analytics reports will help you track what may or may not work for your game. These reports are the telescoped view of data you need to know:

  • Total Viewers:
    • The amount of viewers who have clicked on your video.
  • Total Play Time:
    • How long has your video been played in total by viewers
  • Average Watch Time
    • The average time a viewer has spent in your video before scrolling away. It also tells you at which point viewers have stopped watching the video.
  • New Followers from the specified Video:
    • Viewers that have followed your account through the viewed content.
  • Engagement Rate:
    • The average number of interactions your video received per viewer. It’s calculated by the total number of interactions your content receives divided by the total number of viewers, times 100%
  • Traffic Source:
    • Where viewers have discovered your video, whether it’s from their feed as followers, from a mutual’s page, or by searching keywords.
  • Viewer Types:
    • The types of viewers are divided into returning viewers who have previously seen your content, new viewers, and followers vs. non-followers who are completely new.
  • Gender, Age, Location:
    • Knowing where your viewers are located is important for time zones and audience connection. Consider the gender and age your video is reaching. Note and edit any changes to your content strategy and game’s design accordingly.

Analyze Your Data to Improve Over Time

With all this data, you can produce TikTok content targeting your desired audience. Apply new elements to your game marketing strategy and in-game features that best cater to your community.

Your game’s art style or genre may appeal to an audience you did not originally plan to reach. Using TikTok’s analytics, apply trends to your game’s production and marketing. This may help audiences feel more connected and prompt them to check out your game.

With all the data you have, there are only smooth sails across the sea to reach gamers ahead!

Achievement Unlocked: TikTok Power Content

Ultimately, TikTok’s gaming community has been known to caretaking a thriving and strong force of gamers who want to find new experiences to enjoy. Let your genuine passion for your game shine through your content. Embrace the platform’s creative unpredictability with enthusiasm, and it will help your gaming community grow in numbers, loyalty, and confidence. It offers a vibrant, dynamic platform for game developers to connect with a vast audience.

TikTok can sometimes feel overwhelming. With these tips and tricks, we encourage game developers to embrace TikTok’s imperfections. Celebrate TikTok’s ever-growing opportunities to help reach your target audience. It’s a large climb to the top of the mountain that holds many challenges. But once you have reached the peak of it all, the view will only be spectacular.

Do you want more insights on social media strategies? Check out our Game Marketing Strategy service and be more prepared to launch your game!