The gaming industry certainly boomed during the pandemic as people turned to video games to escape the boredom and loneliness of self-quarantining. This growth is expected to continue, with a recent report showing that PwC forecasts that the gaming industry will be worth $321 billion by 2026.
Aside from the lockdowns, gaming’s success can be attributed to how video game companies connect with consumers. From renewing beloved franchises to creating innovative gameplay mechanics to sharing their development journey, gaming studios are constantly evolving and meeting player expectations.
Let’s take an in-depth look at the inspirations we can take from the biggest brands in gaming.
Information Use !!
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Names Matter
One trend that persists in gaming is the importance of household names. For instance, Software Testing Help lists well-respected gaming companies like Nintendo, Ubisoft, and Activision. They all have an established history, and their products have been enjoyed by millions. So, any games announced by them are sure to receive worldwide attention.
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If you’re a developer hoping to make it big in this industry, having a catchy name for your business or studio is crucial. However, creating a name can take hours.
To save time, you can use a business name generator. While it won’t always nail what you’re looking for, it can inspire ideas. It also offers other useful features. For example, the business name generator at Namechk can help you check whether your name is taken. This way, you can avoid future legal headaches.
Having good names also applies to the games themselves. If your game is reputable enough, it wouldn’t matter if you titled your sequels the generic way.
Let’s look at the recently announced Hades II by Supergiant Games. This became a huge deal for the gaming community since the developer is known to never produce sequels for their IPs. The Gamer writes about Hades, “Many of us expected Supergiant to announce a new IP and leave Hades behind despite its mammoth success.”
But because Hades achieved said success, the studio announced a part 2 and simply titled it “Hades II.” Regardless, the announcement’s impact was still strong as fans were overjoyed to get a sequel of a beloved game.
Developer Logs Keep Players Interested
Game development can take years. In fact, ScreenRant’s list of the longest game development times indicates that a decade-long period is normal.
In between development, gaming brands habitually share developer updates. These logs give players a heads-up that their anticipated games are well underway. So if you’re creating an ambitious game, make sure to release updates periodically.
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Pre-Orders Promise Bonus Content
Game pre-orders can also be a great way to keep players interested. Some developers even offer bonus content in response to pre-orders. This can be anything, from extra levels to new features to merch. Blogger Josh Bycer’s piece on pre-orders notes that discounts and exclusive content attract early adopters the most.
Remember, not every developer can afford to offer this service. But if you have the budget or are backed by a publisher, it’s an effective method to keep players engaged and invested in your game.
Conclusion
As you can see, gaming brands employ effective methods to give players what they want. By sticking to beloved game titles, updating them through logs, and offering pre-orders, gaming companies develop a unique band with their customer base.
As a new game developer on the scene, consider these factors for marketing your product. They will definitely help your studio connect with players and build a dedicated fanbase.
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