What makes you buy an indie game???

RiftWatcher2

Hello!

I am Leo. I have been following some indie games and I am an aspiring game developer. I've been asked the question from friends about game marketing, they assume it takes a huge million dollar marketing budget to be successful in video game development. But indie games are different. I'm curious what attracts people to indie games and gets them to buy them? And why are some successful while others fail?

Zibblsnrt

It sounds a little like you're thinking of "indie game" as a thematic monolith - might you be starting off on the wrong foot there?

RiftWatcher2

Zibblsnrt wrote: »

It sounds a little like you're thinking of "indie game" as a thematic monolith - might you be starting off on the wrong foot there?

You might be right...but could you explain a bit more?

Foomy

I buy a game because it looks fun, how big or independent the developer is has no bearing on that.

Your asking a way too general question, it's like you want to know why people buy red things.

Make something good and people will flock to it. Take Stardew Valley as an example, one guy made that and it's been one of the top sellers on steam for a month now with no marketing.

BlueBlue

Foomy wrote: »

Your asking a way too general question, it's like you want to know why people buy red things.

poor taste in color

jothki

I'd assume that it helps if games stand out from the pack in some way. Either have some sort of strong aesthetic style that draws people's interest, or offer something in the gameplay that players want but are having a hard time finding elsewhere. Generic RPGs, platformers, or puzzle games are probably not going to do very well even if they're technically well designed.

Unless it's backed by some sort of advertising campaign, all that most people are going to see is a title, a few screenshots, and a few paragraphs of description. Those elements need to be able to explain why someone stumbling across the game should look deeper rather than moving on. If there's actually no presentable reason why people should look deeper, then perhaps the game should be rethought.

RoyceSraphim

Indie games can run from one guy on weekends to double digit teams camped out in forgotten offices, with just as much variation in budget. It is also a very broad term in terms of tech, budget, graphics, and depth.

To be clear, a game needs to do one of three things
Strike a chord unfulfilled by the current games market ( neo scavenger, mount and blade)
Do something the market has done already, but better. (Certain zombie games)
Be really damn fun to the point I don't care what it is (murder miners, project freedom, space rangers)

RiftWatcher2

jothki wrote: »

Unless it's backed by some sort of advertising campaign, all that most people are going to see is a title, a few screenshots, and a few paragraphs of description. Those elements need to be able to explain why someone stumbling across the game should look deeper rather than moving on. If there's actually no presentable reason why people should look deeper, then perhaps the game should be rethought.

@jothki Hhmm, I appreciate your insight, I've never thought of it thought way. Intrigue in the brief time you have attention. Thanks!

RiftWatcher2

RoyceSraphim wrote: »

Indie games can run from one guy on weekends to double digit teams camped out in forgotten offices, with just as much variation in budget. It is also a very broad term in terms of tech, budget, graphics, and depth.

To be clear, a game needs to do one of three things
Strike a chord unfulfilled by the current games market ( neo scavenger, mount and blade)
Do something the market has done already, but better. (Certain zombie games)
Be really damn fun to the point I don't care what it is (murder miners, project freedom, space rangers)

@RoyceSraphim Thanks, that changes my perspective on things.

jothki

Yeah, if you make a game that's particularly outstanding, then word of mouth should help quite a bit. Making a game that's particularly outstanding is kind of difficult, though, especially with few people and a limited budget.

RoyceSraphim

I should point out that space rangers and mount and blade were sorely lacking in the graphics department and certain aesthetics but were damn fun to play.

jothki

Mount and Blade also had the advantage of a really strong alpha/demo. People liked the basic mechanics enough that they were willing to give the developer money to build a more complete game around it.

Unfortunately, that model doesn't really work for games that aren't sandboxy. People also may or may not be concerned about whether the game is actually going to be finished.

UncleSporky

I buy an indie game because of overwhelming word of mouth praise. There are too many indie games being released these days for me to take a chance on anything without buzz. I don't just browse the Steam store and buy things that look interesting, I need to see a thread saying "holy crap, this game is something special."

Sterica

These boards to not exist to serve as your focus group.