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dislekcia
02-09-2009, 10:38 PM
Comp 23: Get the Word Out!

So, you've made a game. It's cool. People like it...

What now?

This is the question that we want you all to answer. Pick a game you've made and get the word out: Publicize it, scream it from the rooftops, make youtube videos, get interviewed, do wacky promo stuff, whatever! The winning game is the one that's made the most noise and been viewed/played/reviewed by the most people come the start of rAge.

You can work in teams if you don't have a game of your own, but you do require the developer's permission (if not active participation) in order to qualify as an entrant. Plus you MUST use a game that originated on this forum in some way.

So, how are you going to market your game? Might we suggest some helpful links for ideas to get you started:
Building Buzz for Indie Games (http://www.gamasutra.com/view/feature/4117/building_buzz_for_indie_games.php)
Zero Budget Indie Marketing Guide (http://www.devmag.org.za/articles/78-ZERO-BUDGET-INDIE-MARKETING-GUIDE/)
Your Ideas Don't Matter... Much (http://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/your-ideas-dont-matter-much)
Oh for crap's sake, just go through the Dev.Mag news section (http://devmag.org.za/news) already!

Rules:
Competition starts on September 2nd 2009, 02-09-2009.
Deadline is October 2nd 2009, 02-10-2009.
Popularize a game that originated in this very forum in some form or other.
You may work in a team if you don't have a game of your own to publicize (or want to let the world know about someone else's game that you really like).
Yes, you can write your own game and publicize it during the time provided, but it's not recommended unless you're superman and have 24 hours spare every day.
Ask for help when you get stuck, share ideas and be awesome to each other.
Any releases must contain all files needed to run and should not require other bulky systems to be downloaded or installed, exceptions are browser plugins like Flash and self-contained dlls distributed with the game).
Any releases entry must include a readme.txt that EXPLAINS THE CONTROLS, RULES and any other information you want to get across to your users. IT MUST ALSO LINK BACK TO THIS COMPETITION POST!
Competition is open to entry for South African citizens, current residents of South Africa and South African passport holders.
The judges' decision is final and no negotiation will be entered into. All risk or liability in case of copyright infringement or other legal issue resides with the entrant, Game.Dev and NAG take no responsibility for entered games.

Entering:
To enter the competition, start a thread titled "23: <NameOfGame>" (Example, "23: Monochrome" CwhutIdidThar?) and post what you're planning to do and your schemes, plans and ideas. The goal is for people to collaborate and make bigger impacts that way, you all know the drill... As you collect exposure, edit your first post to collect those URLs, images, videos, etc.

Other people WILL reply to your post with their feedback and ideas, it's a fact that games that allow forumites to give their feedback do better in competitions. Please report any offensive comments to me for moderation. Consider releasing your source code if you do go through any bug-fixing, it helps us pinpoint problems that you might be having and benefits the community as a whole.

You may enter multiple games if you wish and can handle the workload.

Advice:
Read. Read. Read read read. Then read some more. Research how other indie games have made a splash, learn how those random games you see on the net get featured, find out who cares about indie games and why.

Swallow your worries. Nandrew has been pointing out that there really is quality here, we just need to get it out there. Stop feature creeping and start getting people playing. If that means you have to cut something short so that it's got an ending, do that! Talk to the forums and ask what your game needs to be a complete experience, but don't paralyze yourself with "perfect release" syndrome.

...

Good luck and enjoy the competition. I'm expecting this to be AWESOME :)

edg3
02-09-2009, 10:40 PM
Problem, what about newbies from saw the poster? Hoping to get posters up by the end of this week.

Evolution
02-09-2009, 10:48 PM
This was.... well........ unexpected???

dislekcia
02-09-2009, 10:59 PM
Problem, what about newbies from saw the poster? Hoping to get posters up by the end of this week.

Newbies can work with teams that have a game to publicize. Their enthusiasm should be rather infectious, actually ;)


This was.... well........ unexpected???

When has a competition EVER been run of the mill? I want to motivate people to FINISH games and get them out into the world. This is a big milestone for us.

edg3
02-09-2009, 11:06 PM
Somehow the 'you can make computer games' pitch doesnt seem so great that when they get here to find they'll just punt someone else's work for the month.

Evolution
02-09-2009, 11:19 PM
Too bad I can't use my latest game for this comp. The rate at which it is being downloaded is increasing. :(
http://img186.imageshack.us/img186/6538/teaserm.jpg

Will have to create a new game for this comp. :)

vii
02-09-2009, 11:29 PM
This is a good idea. Seeing as there isn't that much time until rage...

dislekcia
02-09-2009, 11:48 PM
Too bad I can't use my latest game for this comp. The rate at which it is being downloaded is increasing. :(
http://img186.imageshack.us/img186/6538/teaserm.jpg

Will have to create a new game for this comp. :)

Uh. Why can't you use your latest game for this comp?

dislekcia
02-09-2009, 11:51 PM
Somehow the 'you can make computer games' pitch doesnt seem so great that when they get here to find they'll just punt someone else's work for the month.

How does that stop them making games? They'll be making things anyway, they just won't have a competition to provide seed ideas, that's all. How's that different to any non-competition month?

I think you're over-emphasising that this isn't a "development" comp. It is, but it's a side of development that we don't expose NEARLY enough. Hence wanting to change that.

Nandrew
03-09-2009, 12:36 AM
I think that I should also point out how a newbie's game can quite easily garner some rudimentary attention: if they have a neat, simple idea and manage to put it into action, they've got something to go with. It can get reviewed on places like Indiegames, I've seen it happen. And even if it doesn't, they can earn kudos through blogging, Facebook networking and even something as simple as posting their game in the feedback thread of other forums like TIGSource.

The competition isn't about developing a blockbuster game or something that the dev can earn money from, it's about encouraging people to promote their projects -- regardless of what level they're at. Newbies need to learn this lesson most of all: it'll start them on the right track, and potentially garner them a proper audience. This is a LOT more than most people can say for their initial dev projects.

dislekcia
03-09-2009, 02:24 AM
The competition isn't about developing a blockbuster game or something that the dev can earn money from, it's about encouraging people to promote their projects -- regardless of what level they're at. Newbies need to learn this lesson most of all: it'll start them on the right track, and potentially garner them a proper audience. This is a LOT more than most people can say for their initial dev projects.

QFT.

As always, there's an ulterior "learning" motive behind this competition. I think people will be really surprised by what ends up working the best.

edg3
03-09-2009, 06:53 AM
The competition isn't about developing a blockbuster game or something that the dev can earn money from, it's about encouraging people to promote their projects -- regardless of what level they're at. Newbies need to learn this lesson most of all: it'll start them on the right track, and potentially garner them a proper audience. This is a LOT more than most people can say for their initial dev projects.
I understand that its pushing them in the right direction, but I still believe that this wont catch on with newbies. They'll want to make games, not try promote anything till they are more confident with their own abilities.

edg3
03-09-2009, 08:16 AM
Would it be fine to have a readme.html rather then a readme.txt or should I just have both?

dammit
03-09-2009, 09:18 AM
I must admit, had this been a design-a-new-game type comp, I wouldn't consider entering as I'm really short on free time this month. However, I'm going to get out the scrubbing brushes and get to polishing last month's entry. Should be interesting to see what kind of strategies garner the most attention :)

Evolution
03-09-2009, 11:05 AM
Uh. Why can't you use your latest game for this comp?


Popularize a game that originated in this very forum in some form or other.

So you saying I can advertise a game that originated on another forum?

DukeOFprunes
03-09-2009, 11:17 AM
So you saying I can advertise a game that originated on another forum?

How do you get that from the bit where it says "this very forum"?
You confuse me, sir.

dammit
03-09-2009, 11:21 AM
How do you get that from the bit where it says "this very forum"?
You confuse me, sir.

Because of the comment D made which said he could use his latest game.

dislekcia
03-09-2009, 12:27 PM
So you saying I can advertise a game that originated on another forum?


How do you get that from the bit where it says "this very forum"?
You confuse me, sir.


Because of the comment D made which said he could use his latest game.

It has to be a game you made, that's the important part. The rule wording is designed to stop people like me or Aeq entering a game that we were paid to make. I don't see a problem with a game you've built but first showed somewhere else being part of the competition.

Also, which forum? Curious :)

Evolution
03-09-2009, 02:36 PM
It has to be a game you made, that's the important part. The rule wording is designed to stop people like me or Aeq entering a game that we were paid to make. I don't see a problem with a game you've built but first showed somewhere else being part of the competition.

Also, which forum? Curious :)

It is a fan made Super Robot Wars(strategy game based on mecha) game. So one of the best places to post it was on a forum filled with mecha fans. I'm currently working on the tools to add stuff into the game, so all we have is the main menu and intro story with 2 background songs.

Blog (http://srwe.blogspot.com/)

Download Latest Version (http://www.mediafire.com/?n2i5emznlwy)



I have an artist that wants to work on a Tower Defense Game with me. So I might be entering that game instead.

edg3
03-09-2009, 03:10 PM
Evolution, kill the /m/ link, bloody hell, have you even looked at whats there?!

dislekcia
03-09-2009, 05:01 PM
A lot of people seem to be signing up for Twitter, so I wanted to create a friendfeed to aggregate all the entry accounts. That turned out to be too much like rocket science, so I gave up.

Post your competition-related twitter accounts here and I'll edit them in.

edg3
03-09-2009, 06:09 PM
I'll start: http://twitter.com/peaadv
that was easy! :D?

dINGLE
03-09-2009, 07:22 PM
I for one am really happy to see a comp like this

After you have made a game you think is worth peoples attention
this is the next logical step in becoming a successful indie developer


Just wish I had a game ...

dammit
06-09-2009, 08:13 PM
Starting to put the pieces together ^_^ Here's the twitter account: https://twitter.com/TF2puzzler

Bonezmann
07-09-2009, 09:37 PM
http://twitter.com/PeaMyLove

I'm having some trouble thinking of things to post in the blog. Pointers?

Fengol
08-09-2009, 09:21 AM
On your twitter blog you should be posting all your notifications about uploads, new screenshots and news articles so that people following you can get them (be sure to include the link). You should also be posting any acknowledgements of bugs found by players (or youself) so that other players don't have to email you the same bug a hundred times. Finally, notify about any new features you're including in the next release so players can check it out and test.

Basically, see Twitter as a notification engine about any changes to your game or external news about your game. Also maybe try find a AAA or indie game that's using Twitter (I know Natural Selection 2 has a twitter blog http://twitter.com/ns2 and the company Paradox Interactive http://twitter.com/PdxInteractive) and see what they're posting

Nandrew
12-09-2009, 08:33 PM
An important cautionary note for anybody using their Comp 22 entry for this competition:

http://forums.tidemedia.co.za/nag/showpost.php?p=234277&postcount=48

Nandrew
24-09-2009, 08:44 PM
Okie dokes, here's a little exercise:

If any of the entrants have a game that's developed to their satisfaction (and would like a bit of publicity) I'm gonna extend the offer to get a news post or review in Dev.Mag. The only catch is that you gotta have the stones to speak up and ask me to do it. :P

I'll wait patiently for anybody who wants to take up my offer. TF2 Goldrush already got a freebie (http://www.devmag.org.za/news/267/) in this respect, but there's obviously room for more.

dammit
25-09-2009, 07:31 PM
Okie dokes, here's a little exercise:

If any of the entrants have a game that's developed to their satisfaction (and would like a bit of publicity) I'm gonna extend the offer to get a news post or review in Dev.Mag. The only catch is that you gotta have the stones to speak up and ask me to do it. :P

I'll wait patiently for anybody who wants to take up my offer. TF2 Goldrush already got a freebie (http://www.devmag.org.za/news/267/) in this respect, but there's obviously room for more.

^___^ Much appreciated.

Also, I've been thinking <insert gasps of horror here> and I really believe that it would be beneficial if a few regular dev-ers got together and started a single blog. That way, the blog is unlikely to die, especially if it has 3 sources of input, and readers are less likely to bore because of the variety.

There would also be the combined promotional effort of all the bloggers involved to get new followers which would be more productive than a single blogger attempting to get some attention in a sea of countless other blogs.

<here endeth the thinking>

Nandrew
26-09-2009, 03:03 PM
^___^ Much appreciated.

Also, I've been thinking <insert gasps of horror here> and I really believe that it would be beneficial if a few regular dev-ers got together and started a single blog. That way, the blog is unlikely to die, especially if it has 3 sources of input, and readers are less likely to bore because of the variety.

There would also be the combined promotional effort of all the bloggers involved to get new followers which would be more productive than a single blogger attempting to get some attention in a sea of countless other blogs.

<here endeth the thinking>

Like ... Dev.Mag? :P

dammit
26-09-2009, 05:56 PM
Like ... Dev.Mag? :P

No. I thought about that, but no. I think a regular blog done by 3/more regular devs would serve a different purpose to dev.mag. Firstly, the dev'ers will most likely blog about their games as the develop them and not only once they're finished. Also, a blog that does well can regularly link to dev.mag creating more exposure for everyone :).

Again, just a thought.

dislekcia
26-09-2009, 08:45 PM
No. I thought about that, but no. I think a regular blog done by 3/more regular devs would serve a different purpose to dev.mag. Firstly, the dev'ers will most likely blog about their games as the develop them and not only once they're finished. Also, a blog that does well can regularly link to dev.mag creating more exposure for everyone :).

Again, just a thought.

Best of both worlds would be a regular feature in Dev.Mag by devs each month.

Nandrew
26-09-2009, 08:53 PM
Best of both worlds would be a regular feature in Dev.Mag by devs each month.

I similarly believe this to be a neat idea.

Nandrew
02-11-2009, 01:27 PM
A devoid-of-Internetness dislekcia has just informed me that Comp 23 will be wrapped up and the next comp kickstarted as soon as he can get back online. GOOD LUCK WITH YOUR CONNECTION, FINE SIR.

dammit
02-11-2009, 02:50 PM
A devoid-of-Internetness dislekcia has just informed me that Comp 23 will be wrapped up and the next comp kickstarted as soon as he can get back online. GOOD LUCK WITH YOUR CONNECTION, FINE SIR.

~/o/
\o\~

\o/

dislekcia
02-11-2009, 03:28 PM
I'm sneakily "back" on the trons. Possibly. We will see how long this lasts.

I expect this computer to explode in roughly 3 hours. Should have comp results edited and thinged off to the Dev.Mag head hobos tonight.

P.S. Nandrew deserves thanks :)

Fengol
03-11-2009, 12:28 PM
Is Dev.Mag on Twitter so we'll know when the results are out?

Chippit
03-11-2009, 02:24 PM
Is there a way to cross-post to Twitter from RSS feeds? I might consider it then.

Fengol
03-11-2009, 02:42 PM
Well, when will the results come out? I've been refreshing EVERYTHING every couple of minutes

Chippit
03-11-2009, 03:00 PM
Later tonight. D still has to send me screenshots/images. :P

Also, I do see that Twitter's API is pretty well documented. I might consider adding that functionality straight into our article posting system. But that's something for after the exams.

Fengol
03-11-2009, 03:32 PM
Ok, so long as the results and the new comp starts. With my exams over I'm itching to do a PC game that I can push out to people like IndieGames.com.

Honestly, after Comp 23 I see no reason why any of my games should be highly published, and the Game.Dev comps are definitely my inspiration

dammit
04-11-2009, 01:46 PM
I'm sneakily "back" on the trons. Possibly. We will see how long this lasts.

I expect this computer to explode in roughly 3 hours. Should have comp results edited and thinged off to the Dev.Mag head hobos tonight.

P.S. Nandrew deserves thanks :)


Later tonight. D still has to send me screenshots/images. :P




Is this some form of cruel and unusual punishment? :P


Also, if it helps speed things up: Thanks Nandrew :D

dislekcia
04-11-2009, 02:18 PM
You can make it faster and easier by posting screenshots of TF2 Puzzler ;) That's the holdup right now.

dammit
04-11-2009, 02:40 PM
You can make it faster and easier by posting screenshots of TF2 Puzzler ;) That's the holdup right now.

All you had to do was ask ^_^


Screenshots have been sent to Chippit :D

dislekcia
04-11-2009, 03:21 PM
All you had to do was ask ^_^

Screenshots have been sent to Chippit :D

I keep forgetting that I can do that... Doh.