Video Game Market

Republican_Man · **Mon Jan 23, 2006 11:28 pm Video Game Market**

My friends, I have just been given the most interesting opportunity.
A friend of mine--roughly around my age--has started a business with another friend, one that contains roughly 100 employees world-wide. The primary job for this business is creating computer games. Yes, computer games.
And my friend says that their first game is to be released sometime next month (scheduled February 1st) and boasts that its graphics are as real as my brother looking at me.
Here's my opportunity: He has requested, because he and his partner have no real knowledge in marketing or business, that I join his business as the leader of a marketing team (or the only person there, but still) to market the game products.

And so a question arose that I thought posting about here might be good: What, exactly, is involved in the video game market, particularly for start-up companies?
While I am researching for and starting up my own business I am to be researching the video game market, and was curious as to what everyone else knew was involved in it, any helpful links, etc.

Any help I can get in my research would be great! Thanks!

Lord Borg · **Mon Jan 23, 2006 11:44 pm**

Advertisment helps

There's also making sure that a general audince will want the game, or the type of game, and the the general people have the PC's that will support the game.

Other then that... *shrugs*

Republican_Man · **Mon Jan 23, 2006 11:47 pm**

Lord Borg · **Mon Jan 23, 2006 11:51 pm**

^Right, but you just asked what to do, I'll be more clear.

Generaly, there are Preview screen shots, and on ocasion, demos of the game. Support on game bug/problems/questions is a MUST if you get the reputation for no support, people wont buy your products.

There's also News updates that can be released on a site or something like "Beta testing done" that sort of things, interviews with game creators, etc... this is all a part of "marketing"

Republican_Man · **Tue Jan 24, 2006 12:00 am**

Good thoughts, good thoughts.
But what about actually getting it in-stores? That's the main question I need answered. How to sell it on that market.

Lord Borg · **Tue Jan 24, 2006 12:03 am**

Hmm... that part I dont know the best, You probably approch the company or something, I would recomend seeing if you can contact a company that has been around for a while doing this, maybe they can give you some pointers. Or, if your starting out sell the copies your self, Ie: Online, around the town, word of mouth etc... then you can get into storers easier as you "climb up the ladder"

lionhead · **Tue Jan 24, 2006 9:08 am**

Don't tell me its the company thats creating project Offset....

Maybe these links help:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Market_research

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marketing

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Video_game_publisher

Wikipedia has the answer too everything you know.

P.S.: If we help, does our name get in the end credits of the game?

No really, Republican_man, sonuds a great offer and you should definitly take it. If you have convidence in the team and the games of course.

Its no walk in the park though.

Republican_Man · **Tue Jan 24, 2006 10:15 am**

Yeah, I know. I'll have to find a way to juggle that, school, my business, Speech and Debate (when it's going on), and other things, I know

But I think I might be able to do it, especially since I'm not in college...yeah...

And no, it's not. It actually just technically started a week or two ago, even though it's been going on for some time now.
And I'll talk to my friend about taking ideas and things like that. Really you would technically have to sign a non-disclosure agreement, saying that you won't give away any secrets, just as I will do.
I'm not sure quite how I'll be worked into the business exactly, but I'll see to an answer for that question, because there are some people in particular at STV that I think could contribute good ideas to the products.
Even if that wasn't serious, I'm going to look into it. Perhaps I'll get the opportunity to start a topic here for different sharing ideas, and then we can take those we like and put them into the game, without disclosing any info until the game is out, and then give credits to the people.
However, if somehow those game ideas appear in another game...

No, though, I'd really have to look into that. I'm having a "meeting" at lunch with the two guys today.

But anyways, thanks for the links. Keep 'em coming!

Monster · **Tue Jan 24, 2006 11:07 am**

I don't have any advice to offer (except to go to wikipedia), but your new business endeavor sounds exciting, and I wish you the best. I'll make sure your in my prayers too.

Captain.Dan V2 · **Tue Jan 24, 2006 12:00 pm**

Dude the best way to get games into shop is to make sure everyone wants it, If the game is likely to be popular then a store will sell the game since it will make them a profit, Making a game popular can be done in the following ways :

Internet advertising
Television advertising
Having a site such as gamespot review the game, It has alot of members and if its good then they will undoubtedly want the game
Make the price affordable

Also Deminstrate the game in trailers that are either on Tv or Television. Best bet though would be to enlist the aid of bigger companies such as Raven and such like.

This is all I can think of, Can you tell I never took business studies in year 9 ?

Monster · **Tue Jan 24, 2006 12:29 pm**

^Those are some good points. Having other large websites review it and having a demo should help.

webtaz99 · **Tue Jan 24, 2006 1:59 pm**

Keep this in mind:

Marketing is strategy.

Advertising is tactics.

Republican_Man · **Tue Jan 24, 2006 8:22 pm**

Thanks for your help, guys.
If there's anything more "complete," if you will, that would be great, because I might be having some troubles now, with them getting some different ideas, and want to have a good plan to sway them towards sticking with me (they want to simply advertise at a website, it looks), and so I'll be meeting with them Thursday (unable to today) and therefore would like to have a preliminary marketing plan, which I'm working on in my spare time.
So, if anyone has any more complete ideas to at least get me started, that would be nice.
I will be, however, working further towards research and coming up with my own good ideas as well.
Remember: It's a small company, and doesn't have all the assets that your average computer game company has.

Cathexis · **Tue Jan 24, 2006 9:03 pm**

I think this is a noble beginning for the company you're going to be a part of, definitely!

I, of course, always suggest that you go with Wikipedia for any info you're looking for.

Advertising is the key.....
Having support personnel is also important.

Oh yea, and games involving drugs, sex, and violence (like "20 to Life") always sell pretty well

so no worries there...............

Advertising

It's best to always offer discounts on older games, bundle packages, etc!!

Sales Promotion

Here are some marketing strategies also!

Marketing Strategy

I'm still on the lookout for other resources that might serve useful!

Always glad to help in any way possible!