Here's Why My Indie Game Went Viral on Steam
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 5 พ.ค. 2024
- My adventure game The First Tree made $75,000 in its first week. How did it happen? Why did my game market so well? I sum it all up in 4 tips, and I hope it helps you with your indie marketing work!
This is a excerpt from my online school Game Dev Unlocked, where I teach people how to start, finish, and market their indie games. If you like this video, you'll probably like the school! Learn more at www.gamedevunlocked.com
Follow me on Twitter: / davidwehle
Props to this guy for sharing his knowledge and not being selfish with it, congrats on your success.
I mean it is marketing for his online school
Nice! Yeah, its so straig forward and he doesn't spend a whole bunch of time talking. He gives you the strait story! Love it.
I think he does this to promote his products even more, I guess a smart move.... right?
Agreed, props on both. Love to see it.
@@Chuar1 It's great, he does something nice and also benefits. Win-win!
Probably now a lot of people watching him will buy his game just to check it. Thats 200iq
@Tw0 Pix3l he is giving you valuable advice in return
@Tw0 Pix3l the guy who made the game he is giving good advice so its ok if he promotes his game
@@dariomladenovski7047 Even if he doesn't, it's still "ok" to promote his game!
5Head
i finished two levels already
0:32 Eye catching visuals
1:14 nostalgia
2:32 gifs
3:41 call to action (wishlist)
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I'm really itching to try my hands on game dev but it's probably much more difficult than I imagine in my head
just open up unity and try something out.
this is the documentation: docs.unity3d.com/ScriptReference/
if you need tutorials just go to brackeys: th-cam.com/users/Brackeys
Would love to see a game tutorial from you, you already do impressive work with your Android tutorials, big fan!
Thanks both of you!
it's actually not too hard, I'd recommend Godot, Unity or Unreal, I personally like Godot.
trust me it's not as hard as it looks, once you understand the basic concepts and know the syntax for the scripting, you can pretty much do anything.
What I learned: "give the audience something they already like or know but with a twist". That's great! Thanks!
A zombie killing game but you are a fox
@@podifpp1656 a fox killing game but you're a zombie
I mean... He did also go over marketing strategies and visual development tactics. Lol I'm sure you're jk tho
I also took that to heart
I recently wrote about the importance of TH-cam as an Indie game dev and its use as a marketing tool. I completely glossed over gifs and the power of highly shareable, clickable content. Cheers for highlighting that and a massive congrats on the launch!
Where did you write about it at? I didnt see anything like that in your list of videos on your channel. I would like to see it if you would not mind.
@@JMacify I agree I would also like to read about it
Matt Kander ^^^
I think this is it:
www.mattkander.com/post/a-modern-approach-to-indie-game-dev-marketing-in-2020
@@shirkophobe Thanks
This is a really roundabout way of saying “furries bought it a lot”
I just googled what it means and boy. I need my 3 seconds back.
@Sydney The Catto Cathy Newman: so you're saying, you didn't buy the game and in fact hate the game and David Wehle
@Sydney The Catto then how do you afford full size mascot suits?
@@nope1083 bruh lmao
@@nope1083 DESTRUCTION 100
I had 11 cents left and the game was 11 cents so I said "aheh why not buy it?" I bought it and spent 1 hour walking around and then uninstalled it
10/10 Good Game
RageQuit();
@@megalithos-dev Destroy(50f); xd
abort();
(insert some smart code developer language)
@@ultantuffy1194 new Gamesession LetsDoThis(60)
{int timer=this.time;
bool sucks=false;
startCountdown(timer);
while(timer>0; sucks==false){
enjoy();
}
if(timer==0; sucks==false){
timer+=60;
}
else{
rageQuit();
}
}
The visuals struck me immediately. I was won in the first 3 secs, no problem.
Thank you so much for being upfront and honest about all this. It's so helpful and you're rad for putting it out there.
the most down to earth/ practical
AND truthful (which i agree, cuz some game makers dont see that part) review/video ive ever watched.
i rly dig this stuff and respect u man! 💚
Such an informative video and very inspirational! I watched your interview with Thomas Brush and gave me so much motivation in my own journey with game dev:) Thanks so much:D
Great info mate, I really enjoyed your GDC talk too. It has given me guidance in the lead up to my own launch. Nice work with the TH-cam channel, I hope it blows up!
This channel is truly encouraging and inspiring, thank you for your work
Great video! Well structured and full of good, specific advice. Props for sharing and trying to lift others up!
Thank you for the advice man! Love your genuine attitude and best of luck with future games!
You raise some very good points. I'll have to consider what's marketable about my games in terms of aesthetics. The first game that I'm working on is more about gameplay than graphics, and (although it'll still look nice) I'll have to market the gameplay rather than an eye-catching cinematic or graphic. It's more of a comedic game, so perhaps I'll highlight that in gifs. You've given me quite a bit to ponder!
Thanks for the video, and for being so open about everything. So many developers refuse to share their knowledge and insights with everyone else, so your videos are very refreshing.
I just played you game and I have to say that I really loved all of it so I had to find the way to tell you that you that you did a great job and I'm sure i will play it so often because the sensation of peace that made me feel can't be compared to any other videogame I played in my life. Thank you.
I remember first watching your GDC talk about this topic. Great that you're on TH-cam now. You're the reason I have an Imgur account :D
Thanks for the support! Imgur is a great place to share a game
Bro I literally love you game so much, one of my favourite comfort games :)) bought it about 1 and a half years ago now and I still enjoy playing it!
We're Hugely impressed with your game "sense"for The First Tree, and wonderful tips on why it succeeded. Very special- thanks!
This is a fantastic video, a lot of good insights! Definitely going to apply them to our game!
Thx alot for GREAT TIPS and ADVISE!
This video make me to have a look at your games.
Finally found a way to contact you… what a game… thank you for sharing such a great experience through this game. Normally I don’t look for people to tell them these things, but your game really impacted me in a positive way! Thank you
Wow, congrats man! :D
And thanks for the explanation, very helpful!
amazing indie game, love the storyline and thank you for sharing the story and experience 🙏🏽
Thanks for the insight! this might come in handy! and gz on your games success!
Really nice video, straight to the point and as always it requires commitment and will to succeed. There may be some chance on the results, but you clearly worked hard for it so to be ready to happen. Well done and congrats! thank you for sharing.
Thanks for sharing this. I'm a pro dev working on pretty dull enterprise software for many years. I'm also a trained animator (and a mediocre amateur artist). As a way of breaking out, I recently started my first indy game using Unity - i'm so overjoyed to hear that you started on the visuals, as I took this approach and a lot of people said I was doing things backwards. Right now I have a basic game engine and some physical interactions, and a few nice visuals. I'm expecting it to take a year of part-time effort before I have anything even close to publishable. Your comments about marketing and building up a following prior to launch could have saved me from a big flop! I may yet achieve a big flop, but at least more people will be aware of it :-)
Didn't knew anything about this game. Thanks for sharing your insight in marketing while still marketing your product. You are awesome.
What a fantastic break down of your own work! You obviously put a lot of work into this! Congratulations three times over!! I'm going to check this game out! It looks beautiful! You were very smart and I'm so happy that it paid off!
awesome job dude. congrats on such a big day and ur hard work!!
Thanks for sharing! Really good video, I remember you from a GCD talk which was also very inspirational and good for indie devs likes me.
I am in the same road you were, I hope to arrive in the same destiny with our RTS game. Thanks for sharing such precious information.
Here's Why My Indie Game Went Viral on Steam
- *_FURRIES_*
Thanks, excellent insight and all of it makes sense. I've had this game for at least a couple years now. I'm definitely more motivated to finally play it!
congrats, and i agree that steam wishlists is a powerful marketting tool since i first know about the game when i was scrolling through my steam feed and saw a friend wishlisting it and then it poped up in one of my recommandation queues since it was wishlisted by my friend. wish you more success in the future and it's facsinating to see such success stories and tips being shared with everyone
So nice to see how well you understand how to appeal to the general people and your willingness to share it.
I just played The First Tree my first time since I had to wait till the Nintendo release. Beautiful story, graphics, and experience. I cried at the ending, it was a work of art. I admit I bought it just to run around as a 🦊, but was pleasantly surprised with how deep it was.
Just discovered the channel. I was following the first tree from the very beginning. So stoked to see you posting videos
Consider me subscribed!
Great tips! Art first seems a bit counterintuative when you may potentially not use all the art assets, but art catches peoples eyes first not gameplay. Great video quality as well!
I think it depends on the audience. For a younger audience this is definitely true.
@@Bananenbauer123 True, I don't really bat an eye at graphics anymore. I watch for appealing gameplay that I think that I would actually enjoy and be invested in first. Then I get it. Better graphics are just a bonus, but I will say that terrible graphics may stop me from playing the game though. I cannot enjoy myself with a game as much if it looks like trash, but am completely fine as long as it is at least decent.
You are inspiring, my man. Thank you for sharing these videos!
What a transparent and informative video. Even though I'm very late to market my first game (I am trying, nonetheless) I always knew the first one was more of a test to my abilities. I will certainly apply what I learned watching your video in the next project!
What is it , i will Check it out
This is so, so valuable, not just for indie game promotion.
Thank you - very inspiring
Thank you so much for these advices! Now I am even more inspired to keep on developing my games. Thank you!
Thanks for sharing your experience!
You give the indies hope. It's like holding your hands around that little flame, letting it grow and not letting it being blown out by the wind around it. I'm sure a lot of aspiring developers would take your advice which makes real sense. Thank You.
it's not only for games, but music and movies too. Great experience and knowledge transfer! I didn't play your games, but I watched some of your videos and I can see it's valuable content :) Greets!
Great information, thanks so much for the insight :) Working on a big Action RPG but still a little early in development to make GIFs or clickable content. Definitely going to use that tactic when the time comes though :)
When I first saw one of your videos I thought that it reminded me of journey. It looks really nice and I love both art styles and both scores. 👍
Nice info and break down. And congrats on your success, well deserved.
Now I understand why my friend posts gifs everyday of her pixel art in game. I is beautiful.
i know you are
Thank You For Giving So Much Inspiration And Advice!! I luv ur channel!!
Thanks for sharing this!
We are really struggling with getting enough attention around our games. Hopefully your tips will help us on our way!
keep growing forward Man
I will pray for your Success
Best piece of advice I heard launching games. Thanks for sharing!
Marketing the game is so important. We think more people should get into game development. They can consider forming a team, then have one person dedicated to marketing the game. Love this video, We're going to add it to our playlist. Awesome!
Subscribed because you pronounce GIFs correctly.
The real reason I subscribed is because we've almost finished our first game and I wish I'd followed the advice to cut my game idea in half (and in half again) years ago when someone first gave it to me. It probably would've saved so much trouble, adamance and persistence got in the way of that. Eventually, though, I did follow it, and we've made a little short game set in the same universe to gain much more experience and a greater understanding of how things work.
Hi i want to know more about your game.
yes, gif should be pronounce like gift without the T!
Awesome tips, as a begginer, stil learning on college I apreciate this tips and will keep them for the future ^^
Also the fact that youre the only indie dev whos voice i can attribute to a face
Probably better to keep it that way 😅
Wow! I learn so many things in this video! Thanks for sharing this knowledge!
Those 4 tips are the Key to Success in any kind of I.T. project, specially in video games. As you said: "Luck is Just a part of the (Big) Equation...".
Thank you for sharing your Wisdom.
Congrats for the successful launch and thanks a lot for sharing your experience with us. Quite useful. :)
Thanks for checking it out, keep up the great work on your channel!
i love this game, bought it on PS4 and actually finished it, loved it from beginning to the end, very very well done, awesome game, keep up the great work, by far one of the most fun games i played in a long time
About the first topic. Thanks for sharing this. Some time ago when I saw the splash art in the steam, I tought "Wow this it is so beautiful, it's wonderful" and was the only reason why I wen't to see the game. And the beautiful of the game was one of the reason that I've puted it on my wishlist. But I haven`t realised this until now. Thanks a lot
Came from Thomas Brush's post. Loved the video subscribed
Super inspirational. Currently transitioning into a software dev. This vid got me so hype up. That anyone can do it if they put in the work and time.
Precious insight, thank you king. blessings.
This trend of calling people king is definitely one of the new worst things ever.
@@KICoasterGuy don't remember asking you, queen.
@@KICoasterGuy Kings recognize other kings, that's why you've never been called like that.
@@francometallo215 LOL ok princess.
I'm 18 years old and I'm trying to learn codding and game making in unity hoping to sell some content in the future so this small video is an enormous help for me. thanks and congrats for your succes.
First Time Hearing about Your Game from Your Videos and I just Bought it. Good Luck and God Bless.
Thank you for sharing this gem with us. The knowledge and video game
Even the video's narration & music is oddly calming.
Thank you for sharing it's truly inspirational. I'm working full time and have a home life. I also just got my CS degree but really want to game dev via Unity. Also would love to be a technical artist as well.
Your game lit my desire to become a game dev again, but not understanding how to get started got me disheartened. I'm so glad I found your channel.
That's why I study computer science. But honestly, there are so many ways to become a game dev. Just research, compare them and figure out which path suits you. Research + Try + Error. Repeat this cycle every day and you will succeed mate.
Very valuable information, thanks for sharing it to us and giving us hope :)
I'm glad this video was in my recommended. Another game in my playlist
Suuup Love Your Vids Miss This Kind Of Them Actually
Amazing video! This help me a lot! Thanks for this.
Bruh this has just made me so much more confident in game Dev thank you so much!
I watched a couple of videos of this guy talking about his game. Such a noble and friendly guy. So glad you made it with the first game. Hope we can see something new in the near future. Kudos to you!
I got this game free through the Epic store in 2022. I just started and finished it today. The ending was very emotional for me. Great visuals and music score. So many therapeutic messages selected to be put on display.
I love your videos because they are short! I can't watch 50 min videos. You are also explaining very well. thanks!
Been working on my own game for nearly two years now and have felt my motivation dwindling as of late. I've seen a couple of your videos now and they're actually refreshing.
This was impressive...The posting every week was very crucial I think. I am a Web Developer and I post about my coding progress almost every day as a part of the 365 Codingphase challenge on facebook, twitter, instagram, and linkedIn. Just from doing that, I was able to get a little following and a bunch of recruiters reaching out to me...image if I had a product and posted about it every day or week as a build-up to launch...you sir have got me thinking.
I’m happy your game went viral i’ve had it for a long long time and loved it
WOW! Thanks for sharing your knowledge.
I am watching this with tears. Reminds me of how I learnt to code. 10 years ago i was struggling with thinking and memorizing. Spent countless hours sleepless nights on studying and coding because I loved it. Today I am a full time software developer :'). At the time I though i would never be able to achieve it. I am glad that I found this video. What an inspiration. Good luck man
Oh I recall you posting your game on reddit (well for Switch anyway) nice work!
Before watching the video, I want to say the reason why I think it did, which is also the reason why I felt attracted to checking out the steam page; the beautiful art style, nice colours, serene and minimalistic vibe
(If it's the game I'm thinking of based on the thumbnail and first couple frames)
Edit: after watching the video, it all sounds legit, and I like the idea of seeing what people like most during development and going on from that
I'm glad you make these things I can't wait to put them to my own use
Great content there mate, keep it up.
i think its the whole vibe it gave off . at first glance you can feel what's behind it . its transperent and revealing, attractive and propably a no brainer for people who enjoy simple stories while unwinding/playing a video game ;D
congratz...!!! cant wait for your next game 😆
Damn man good work and thanks for sharing well done!
Thank you for such a very emotional and heartfelt game
Thanks for you and ESG that I can get this game free i watched this video when it come out and I must say that it was looks great and that I appreciate your work. Keep going and I'm sure that you will make another great game!!!
Valuable Info In This Video.
Thanks.
You became my really motivation bro after I watch your video. TQ
Awesome video! Thanks for the instruction.