Skip to Content
 

Viral marketing

11 replies [Last post]
coco
Offline
Joined: 07/27/2008

Hi!

Remember that game I told you about that is being considered by a couple of publishers? The one I was receiving orders and selling prototypes?

Well, the story continues.

Most of my playtesters (aged 8, 9) didn' t understand the rulebook. I must admit I wrote it in a very 'german' style (my fault). This is, focused to players that play a lot of games. The children here in Spain doesn't play boardgames at all, so it's difficult for them to read and understand a rulebook.

So I decided to give them the game WITHOUT the rulebook, and I explained them the game. Played a couple of times and they've got it. They love it.

I must re-write the rulebook, but this is not the story.

Instead of doing so, I added a couple of cards with my e-mail adress offering copies of the game.

So what happened? The young playtesters played the game with their friends, that didn't have to read the rulebook, as they taught the game to each other.

And now the virus is spreading! I'm receiving more orders! And the game hasn't got a rulebook!

Unexpected viral marketing!

Néstor

InvisibleJon
InvisibleJon's picture
Offline
Joined: 07/27/2008
Nifty!

That 's funny. Congratulations! I'm very glad that the children liked the game so much that they shared it with their friends.

End of Time Games
End of Time Games's picture
Offline
Joined: 04/16/2009
coco wrote:Hi! Most of my

coco wrote:
Hi!

Most of my playtesters (aged 8, 9) didn' t understand the rulebook. I must admit I wrote it in a very 'german' style (my fault).


lmfao, do you mean "place the game board 'before' you"?
Cheers and congrats.

coco
Offline
Joined: 07/27/2008
Example

End of Time Games wrote:

lmfao, do you mean "place the game board 'before' you"?
Cheers and congrats.

No, the rulebook is in spanish and it is a card game, with no board.

What I mean is that children here can't 'deduce' how the game goes just by reading the rules. The rulebook is like a computer program that they must 'execute', but this is not how spanish children brains work. They are more 'social', so you must explain how they are going to feel and interact with each other and the game, in order to make them understand.

Example:

German style:

In your turn, you MUST do ONE of these 3 things:

- Draw a card.
- Move your piece.
- Pass.

To move your piece you MUST play cards of the same colour in order to ... etc.

Spanish style:

Players in turns draw cards until they have enough cards of one determined colour to move their piece like this... (example).

TheMob
TheMob's picture
Offline
Joined: 08/04/2008
Heh, really cool! Maybe you

Heh, really cool!

Maybe you should consider doing a youtube video that explains the game rules - and include link in the rules so people can watch the rules instead of reading them. :)

coco
Offline
Joined: 07/27/2008
video

TheMob wrote:
Heh, really cool!

Maybe you should consider doing a youtube video that explains the game rules - and include link in the rules so people can watch the rules instead of reading them. :)

Yes.

In fact, I want to do this with EVERY game I will self-publish. I think it is a great idea.

InvisibleJon
InvisibleJon's picture
Offline
Joined: 07/27/2008
coco wrote:TheMob wrote:Heh,

coco wrote:
TheMob wrote:
Heh, really cool!

Maybe you should consider doing a youtube video that explains the game rules - and include link in the rules so people can watch the rules instead of reading them. :)

Yes.

In fact, I want to do this with EVERY game I will self-publish. I think it is a great idea.

Okay. This idea is too compelling to not do it.

Yes, I'm the one who shouted and stomped his feet and said, "But it's not fair! We have to create the game, lay it out, make the art, write the rules, lay them out. Now we're expected to film, light, perform, explain, edit, compress, and make available a film on how to play? It's not fair!"

It's yet more overhead, but it's a good idea.

I wonder if my built-in webcam is sufficient, or if I'll need a digital video camera?

TheMob
TheMob's picture
Offline
Joined: 08/04/2008
If you buy Logitech QuickCam

If you buy Logitech QuickCam Pro 5000 (costs around $100 I think...) you can do pretty decent quality videos (here's one example - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sW8n13m_Bnw <- my april fools prank, english sucks :D - but you get the idea about the video quality - and I think you can create even better stuff if you tweak the recording details).

You'll also need a proper mic too (I have one from Logitech USB desktop micsomething... costs $40ish me thinks - http://www.logitech.com/index.cfm/webcam_communications/microphones/devi... ), since poor mic quality really sucks. This one I have has very decent thing.

Then you can use Windows Movie maker (don't laugh - it's awesomely easy & good tool to use - and FREE too) to edit the video (add captions, fades... and other stuff you can see in that video btw).

Then... just find couple of articles on "how to make a video presentation" (or something - can't remember the one I used) and you'll get better understanding how the video should be scripted. (I really recommend taking couple of hours time watching and learning how to do videos/presentation - saves loads of time in a long run...)

Willi B
Offline
Joined: 07/28/2008
Still hoping....

That one of the people already doing this catches on and offers it as a service. I am like Jon in that I don't want to do it myself because I would rather design games.... but wouldn't mind paying for a quality job done right that caters to my presentation goals as a designer trying to get a game sold.

TheMob
TheMob's picture
Offline
Joined: 08/04/2008
Okay, this is going

Okay, this is going off-topic... but for video training (to help you create rules video), check out this site:
http://www.getyourvideoonline.com/
(they also sell some stuff there, but they main point is that there's a free access to training videos. I enjoyed watching them and found them useful)

End of Time Games
End of Time Games's picture
Offline
Joined: 04/16/2009
TheMob wrote:If you buy

TheMob wrote:
If you buy Logitech QuickCam Pro 5000 (costs around $100 I think...) you can do pretty decent quality videos (here's one example - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sW8n13m_Bnw <- my april fools prank, english sucks :D - but you get the idea about the video quality - and I think you can create even better stuff if you tweak the recording details).

You'll also need a proper mic too (I have one from Logitech USB desktop micsomething... costs $40ish me thinks - http://www.logitech.com/index.cfm/webcam_communications/microphones/devi... ), since poor mic quality really sucks. This one I have has very decent thing.

Then you can use Windows Movie maker (don't laugh - it's awesomely easy & good tool to use - and FREE too) to edit the video (add captions, fades... and other stuff you can see in that video btw).

Then... just find couple of articles on "how to make a video presentation" (or something - can't remember the one I used) and you'll get better understanding how the video should be scripted. (I really recommend taking couple of hours time watching and learning how to do videos/presentation - saves loads of time in a long run...)


Thank you vary much for sugesting these products. I have had these questions in mind. I don't want to pay for someone to do it for me if I don't have to. This helps me.

TheMob
TheMob's picture
Offline
Joined: 08/04/2008
Well, those are the ones that

Well, those are the ones that worked for me pretty well... so. You're welcome. :)

Syndicate content


forum | by Dr. Radut