Looking at the Promotion of Indie Game Development

The intention of my major project was to create a short game where the player will be exploring an abandoned mansion and piecing together clues that they find to fill in the story. The ideal goal was to have the game completed by the end of semester C. Unfortunately this goal may have been too ambitious to complete within the time limit. However creating a short game experience is something I would like to continue working on after I finish the course. I have looked at how independent game developers go about marketing their projects, building a fanbase and the methods they use to disseminate information about their brand.

I looked at the upcoming 2D platformer from indie game developer Cardboard Sword, The Siege and the Sandfox.

At the top of their homepage they have listed all the platforms the team are using to disseminate their product. Consumers can use these platforms for a variety of purposes. Whilst most fans may use multiple platforms to access information about the game, some are designed for a specific use.

Whilst all the platforms provide consumers with information about the project, they each serve a distinct function. I have tried to identify how the team has used each platform to broaden awareness of their game and build up a strong fanbase.

• Custom Homepage - This serves as the hub with convenient links to all the other outlets. Major updates are posted here.
• Twitter - Both minor and major project updates are posted here as well as events the team have attended. It also hosts comments from other developers on their impressions of the game. This presents information in bitesize chunks in a concise manner for quick dismmination.
• Reddit - This has multiple fan pages to generate support, interest and general discussion on all topics relating to the game and its development. This platform makes it easier to find specific topics relating to the game as all posts are organised into subsections.
• Twitch - Here the team can post live development videos showing their workflow and project updates. This lets fans actively engage with the project and see the game develope in an organic way with their participation.
• Facebook Page - This is a more casual way of sharing information, allowing people to share project updates with friends and others who might be interested.
• YouTube - The youtube page uses a rigid structure for posting content. The team have included weekly updates and occasional developer logs.
• Discord - The discord server is a place where people can actually talk in-person to the developers. The level of engagement is high and gives a sense you are part of the team.

Just by looking at the multitudinous methods of dissemination Cardboard Sword are using, I can see how the project has gained traction and cultivated a strong fanbase. Of course all of these platforms are in service to the fact that the team is producing stellar content, but even so the importance of building a brand and generating an audience for the game is crucial. 

In relation to my own work I am aiming to expand this blog and start posting my work across multiple platforms. As the major project continues development, I think this will be crucial in garnering attention from professionals in the industry and receiving valuable feedback.