It’s no secret that the video game market is flooded with numerous games vying for players’ attention. The competition on platforms like Steam is fierce, and standing out can be a daunting task for many game developers. In such a crowded market, increasing your game’s visibility is integral to its success. Veteran game developer, John doe, recently shared some important advice in this domain – to boost a game’s visibility on Steam, add a demo.
Why a Demo is Important
The main goal of a demo is to convince potential players that they will enjoy the complete game. It should be enticing, engaging, and importantly, fun.A well-crafted demo can easily convert a potential player into a prosperous sale. This is mainly because gamers tend to purchase the game to continue their enjoyable experiences from the demo.
“A demo gives potential players a taste of what your game has to offer”, John shares. “It’s an interactive trailer for your game, if you will. The players can try before they buy, increasing the chances of them making a purchase”.
Maximizing the Impact of Your Demo
While creating a demo is critically important, maximizing its impact is just as, if not more, crucial to the overall success. John advises maintaining a careful balance. The demo should neither give away too much of the game, nor should it be too restrictive.
He advises developers to “choose an engaging section from early on in the game – something that best represents the gameplay and also leaves the player wanting more”. john also emphasizes the importance of including a direct call-to-action at the end of the demo,encouraging players to purchase the full game.
Increasing Visibility on Steam
On steam, games with a demo have a higher chance of being noticed. They are more likely to be featured on the front page under the ‘Games with Demos’ section. Being featured on the front page is a great way to gain visibility and attract potential players.
Moreover, when users are browsing games, Steam displays a prominent ‘Download Demo’ button for games that have one, instantly attracting the attention of the user.
Additionally, demos have their own dedicated search function on Steam. This function allows users who specifically prefer to try before they buy to easily find your game. Thus,having a demo considerably increases your chances of gaining visibility amongst potential players.
Conclusion
In essence, demos not only increase the visibility of games on platforms like Steam, but they also serve as a powerful marketing tool that can exponentially increase the success rate of the game. They provide players with first-hand experience of the gameplay, making them more likely to purchase the full version.
As John Doe sums it up “In this crowded gaming marketplace, having a demo could very well be the distinguishing factor that leads to the success of your game”.
