This note is about launching a game and all the preparations you should do before it.

Figure out what is special in your game, what are your hooks. What is the unique experience your creation gives compared to all the other options people have to spend their free time. Helps in building the game and marketing it.

Expose your game to the Internet as soon as possible. The more feedback you get, the better. Social media page and a simple WordPress website.

Release the first wave of screenshots on your website. About six months before launch.

Festivals, prizes and review quotes are important. But they only make people watch the trailer, not buy the game. Give journalists the human angle, talking directly to the creator conventions are important, but your both needs to stand out.

Release a trailer on YouTube. You should create multiple trailers, one every couple months or so.

• Your trailer should be less than 1 minute.
• Just show the most important parts.
• Show some awesome things, show action.
• Show logo at the end.
• First 5 seconds should work muted.
• Music should be energetic and make you ready to buy.
• Build-up, climax, wind down.
• Be creative when making the trailer.
• Hard games shouldn't look cute.

Submit your game to indie game competitions and websites.

Email all game review sites.

Rock, Paper, Shotgun
Destructoid
Kotaku

Get involved with fan sites of related genres.

Release new screenshots and trailers. About three months before launch.

Try to get your game on gog.com and Steam.

Release a free demo. Launch a free demo on Flash sites if possible e.g. Kongregate and Newgrounds. Launch a mobile game on Google Play and Appstore. Try to launch on PS4, Wii U or Xbox One. Streamers, YouTubers

After release. Do improvements and bug fixes while interacting with the fans.

Sources

• Extra Credits, YouTube