PSP Minis

1. 

   Rein
   Member

   I posted this in another thread, but thought perhaps it needed a topic of its own. I was asking about the Arcade Air Hockey gameplay because I couldn't find any relevant info (trailers, videos) on the web, and I don't usually fancy buying a product I haven't seen or heard of before.

   This issue is unfortunately quite common with many PSP titles released exclusively to the PSN Store. There's often not a lot of info surrounding a new game release and trailers can be quite hard if not impossible to find. But why in the first place make customers go through hoops in order to make them aware of a product? Isn't it usually the other way around, that we're bombarded with commercials and then we decide ourselves whether or not to purchase. With some of the PSN Store products it seems to be the exact opposite. To me, that's a strange way of trying to sell a product.

   Posted 1 year ago #
2. 

   volcane
   Member

   This is a common problem with many PSP titles released exclusively to the PSN Store. There's often no info on the games so customers have to search the web and find relevant info and videos themselves. Strange way of trying to sell a product.

   Agreed. There are some publishing teams that bizzarely don't seem to put much effort into marketing their Mini games. Perhaps it's because they don't believe that the likely revenue returns would justify the marketing effort/costs. But surely investing in marketing helps to drive sales doesn't it? And how difficult is it to create a couple of trailer videos and post in a couple of forums anyway? <sigh>

   Mind you, there are also plenty of great examples of the more switched on developers who do know what they are doing. FuturLab's awesome teaser campaigns and background development information/interviews, for instance. Or the weapon videos released for Flying Hamster prior to release. Or developers such as StormBASIC, Laughing Jackal, Black Lab Games and others who post details, videos and other information into forums such as this one.

   You can tell that developers such as the above are truely committed because they seek input & feedback from the gaming community very early on the production process, which provides beneficial results to everyone.

   I just wish all the developers/publishers were as committed to the platform.

   Posted 1 year ago #
3. 

   volcane
   Member

   This is a common issue actually in the PC modding community (which reminds me considerably of the Mini platform for some reason). Mod creators tend to be gamers creating free playable content in their spare time, usually as a labour of love. The value of formal marketing isn't always seen as something appropriate (or even known about). Communities such as moddb.com provide help, support & publishing tools to mod makers which is helping to change this preception and to make it simpler for modders to market their creations.

   Any homebrew/indie developers out there might want to take note regarding the how the development teams on pspminis.com use the power of marketing to increase sales of their games. I understand that it is hard to cover off everything when you work alone or in a small team, possibly in your spare time. However think of marketing as a way to maximise the sales of your game. By generating excitment prior to release, publicising the game, reaching out to your customers, then you will significantly increase your customer base and earn a respected reputation within the community.

   Posted 1 year ago #
4. 

   JeremyR
   Member

   Well, in a lot of cases it seems to be companies that used to do contract work for publishers, but have just started publishing on their own digitally. They aren't really used to doing PR for their projects.

   Posted 1 year ago #
5. 

   pspgamer01
   Member

   The graphics are really on low level. It ruins the experience for me.

   Posted 1 year ago #
6. 

   richicon
   Member

   For us it is really early days with self-publishing, and I must admit that personally I am learning as I go along - so from now on I'll make sure we have videos for all games. Believe me that it isn't lack of commitment to the Minis, it is me being fairly clueless with marketing!

   Posted 1 year ago #
7. 

   volcane
   Member

   @richicon

   so from now on I'll make sure we have videos for all games. Believe me that it isn't lack of commitment to the Minis

   Fantastic! :-)

   Posted 1 year ago #

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