"I want my game to go viral, but twitter is ALL about luck!!!"
Is this you?
Want to create a viral tweet for your game?
I've analyzed the latest viral game tweets so you don't have to!
Thread below! 🧵👇
#gamedev
#indiedev
To everyone looking for a job in the games industry...
Discords:
1) Unreal Slackers / Unreal Dev
2) Brackeys Community
3) Game Dev Network
4) IndieWorldOrder
5) Snappy Gurus
6) Indie Arena
7) Game Dev League
8) Games.IndustryGathering
9) Unity Developer Community
Websites:
Developing a game without having a steady income is really scary.
If you don't have revenue to go full time, don't quit your job.
It's much easier to build something with a safety net and live frugally.
Sure, it's slower, but you'll make fewer emotion-driven decisions.
There are thousands of great templates for pitching your game.
I filtered through them, so YOU don't have to:
Here are my top 3 picks:
👇🧵
#gamedev
#indiedev
Hi I am Jacky! :)
My goal is to help game devs around the world to create their dream games.
On Twitter, I share my knowledge about game development and how you can make your game a success.
Here is a collection of my threads to give you an idea:
#gamedev
#indiedev
Did you know that some companies put weights in their products to make them feel higher quality?
It's because we associate heavier with better quality material.
I am curious, is there something similar for games?
The game developer community is just really full of positive people.
Especially in the indie scene.
Everyone supports each other.
There's a good vibe everywhere. They just want each other's games to do well.
You're all an inspiration!🥰
Game devs get excited about the idea of owning their own studio.
It's not as sexy as you think.
Your day is 80% putting out fires
- Managing employees
- Dealing with customers/ players
- Hustling for funding
- etc.
Most of the time it's a logistical nightmare.
Bad Game Marketing:
- This is what I do
- This is how it works & why it's cool
Good Game Marketing:
- This is your challenge.
- This is our promise to you.
- This is what makes it unique.
- This is the experience you can expect.
- This is why our game is perfect for you.
I have been steadily growing my Game Dev Book Recommendations in the past few months.
If you don't know what to read, here are 30+ books to get inspired.
Sorted by category:
Want to help expand on our Ultimate Resource Database for gamedevs?
It's a curated list of game assets and other resources for game developers created by the Gentleland team.
👇
I have been creating games for more than 15 years.
These are my top 3 game dev books:
- The Gamer’s Brain How Neuroscience and UX Can Impact Video Game Design
- The creative gene
- Rules of Play: Game Design Fundamentals
What I find fascinating about most game devs is...
To make money you would usually master 1-2 high income skills.
Then you monetize these and are good to go.
Most game devs on the other hand have 12324234 high income skills.
But 0 idea how to monetize these.
Are you building your game solo?
Can you tell me why?
Genuine question, I am really curious, as I have always been "the more the merrier"- type of person.
#gamedev
#solodev
#indiedev
Game developers are usually working too much.
I have not seen a single lazy game dev -> ever <- during a decade of on and off development.
Only game devs, who said they were lazy, while working through the weekends or long hours in their "free-time".
I see many of you fellow gamedevs use the
gamedev and indiedev hashtags.
Most of your players are not inside of that bubble.
You are mostly reaching other gamedevs, not your ideal players through these.
"I'm not an art director, sorry for the bad feedback!"
If you're a game developer and have an artist with you, but don't know how to share your thoughts, I've prepared a little guide to help you out!
Thread below👇🧵
#gamedev
#indiedev
There are genres that some publishers avoid.
To list a few:
- NSFW games,
- puzzle games,
- visual novels,
- precision platformers.
Of course depends on each publisher, but there are genres that are prefered over others.
Game developers are usually working too much.
I have not seen a single lazy game dev -> ever <- during a decade of on and off development.
Only game devs, who said they were lazy, while working through the weekends or long hours in their "free-time".
Not sure how to promote your game?
Maybe you have not heard of a press kit yet?
If you did... keep scrolling! 😂👍
IF NOT:
Here is what it is and why it's nice to have one!
[Thread]🧵✨👇
#gamedev
#indiedev
You know what?
Most solo/indie game devs I've talked to...
They deal with the same stuff:
> Feeling like they're not good enough,
> wondering if they're just pretending,
> struggling with imposter syndrome, and
> always comparing themselves to others.
What else?
"I don't know what game to create. I have so many ideas!"
If this is you.
Then I want to present to you the "Make A Game Dungeon".
Often making decisions comes down to opening and closing the right doors.
🧵👇
#indiedev
#gamedev
The game developer community is just really full of positive people.
Especially in the indie scene.
Everyone supports each other.
There's a good vibe everywhere. They just want each other's games to do well.
You're all an inspiration!🥰
Developing a game without having a steady income is really scary.
If you don't have revenue to go full time, don't quit your job.
It's much easier to build something with a safety net and live frugally.
Sure, it's slower, but you'll make fewer emotion-driven decisions.
"Why am I so sad the whole time?" the game dev asks, who listens to sad music while writing a sad story for their sad game, which tackles the depths of depression while working through nights.
"Must be the shaders in Unity..."
It took me years to figure out how to break into the games industry.
It took me another year to make a living wage from it.
And it took me 3 month to figure out how to make 10.000€ per month.
Progress is not linear.
Don't quit right before you are about to hit your goals.
Hi I am Jacky! :)
My goal is to help game devs around the world to create their dream games.
Over the last year I wrote threads to share my knowledge about game development and how you can make your game a success.
Here is a collection, to give you an idea:
#gamedev
#indiedev
Game devs need to have a plan for getting rest and avoiding burnout.
That's one of the very first realisations I had, when I started working in the industry.
Sleep seems for many to be the logical solution.
But sleep is not the same as "resting".
🧵👇
So... The last few days have been kinda rough.
I have been at a few local developer gatherings and it's been a weird atmosphere.
It's the first time I heard questions like:
"How do I leave the industry after years in it?"
"Your idea sounds cool!
But ... Do you have a Prototype?"🙃
Tired of hearing this question? Not sure how to go about it?
Here is a story of what building a tangible prototype has taught me about creating prototypes for games.
[Thread] 👇🧵
#gamedev
#indiedev
Most game devs have a consistency problem, not a strategy problem.
You will grow your audience if you post about your game every day.
You will grow your network, if you talk to people every day.
You will earn money from daily outreach.
The challenge:
Do it for 90 days.
When do I release my game? 😱
Timing is often overlooked, especially with small teams and even smaller budgets.
This thread is about the importance of timing in your digital marketing strategy.
🧵👇
#gamedev
#indiedev
One of the biggest mistake I see indie devs make is thinking that a lower price will get them more players.
A low price has a very strong signaling effect that your game is low value to a potential player.
I am looking for 5 game devs who want to bring their project from idea to secured funding + demo in the next 6 month.
We are opening up seats for our premium coaching.
Here is what's included:
👇👇
#indiedev
#gamedev
Most game devs I have met just want to develop their idea and not starve while doing so.
If you want to be a "successful game dev" then you first need to find an answer to the age-old question:
What does success mean to *you*?
"I don't know how my game development roadmap should look like..."
Is this you?
Then here's a loose roadmap from concepting to gold build. ✨
#indiedev
#gamedev
There is more than one dev, who is self-funded and struggling to get by each month.
If that's you.
-> There are many resources online on how to find publishers, apply to games funds or start your crowdfunding campaign.
I collected some helpful links for you below: 🧵👇
Stop idolizing outliers and survivors who created a hit-game as their first release.
Instead, study the businesses doing multiple games and building sustainably.
A much more attainable plan.
This is how Twitter truly works.
You shut into the void for a prolonged amount of time until it clicks with people.
I shouted into the void for 6 month, before I saw any results at the beginning.
@ArturSmiarowski
In this order :)
-> "7 Powers: The Foundations of Business Strategy"
-> "Creative Strategy and the Business of Design"
-> "The Win Without Pitching Manifesto"
-> "Game Thinking"
Are you looking for financing?
It's not easy to pitch to publishers, especially if you don't know where to start.
Here are a few links and useful resources if you want to create your own pitch deck.🧵👇
#gamedev
#indiedev
If you have even written one line of code for your game, then you are already ahead of all the people, who only dream and never start.
Celebrating all the small accomplishments can be so meaningful.
It really can boost your motivation.
This is how I do it👇
I have zero interest in getting rich. Sure it's nice, but it's not the point.
I didn't build my business to make more money.
I did it so I could spend less time doing things I hate with people I dislike, while having more time doing things I love with people I love.
I see game devs have 300ish followers, but not interact with them.
That's 300 people who already raised their hand.
Talk with them, comment, learn from them.
Show you care.
If you post content regularly for your game you create a compounding effect and it's easier to gain a following.
I have not missed a single day of tweeting since months.
Gained 3k+ followers in the span of a few months.
The content doesn't need to be brilliant, just there.
3) Structure 👍
All tweets follow the classic "AIDA" model, which is a common funnel technique.
In this, you take people through a process step-by-step before making a "request".
I've attached you a screenshot of a sample tweet below.
You really only need 11 slides in your pitch deck.
Add a trailer and cover image for capturing attention.
Then you are at 13.
10 is a good number to reach.
15 is long.
If you have 20 it's a bad sign.
🧵👇Here is what you need in detail:
If I were to start a game in 2024 from $0.
Here's how I would start:
1) Define Core Loop with Storyboards
2) Define Player Personas & Market Research
3) Build minium viable prototype.
4) Playtest with early adopters & pre-sell founding tickets.
👇
Rivalry in game dev makes ZERO sense to me.
I freely share my knowledge and don't see others as competitors.
Here's why:
- great collaborations & partnerships
- I already have my unique brand, people go with me, because they konw me
- plenty of fish in the sea
If you start a new community for your game, don't start with 20 empty channels.
This is all you need. Limit your channels.
Because what happens if you put many people into a small room?
What's your story behind becoming a game developer?
For me it was always the joy of building worlds and creating something meaningful.
#indiedev
#gamedev
✨Tipps on getting more coverage for your game. ✨
"Big Games Machine" published insights from over 160 games journalists on how to improve your chances of getting coverage.
I read through it and summarized, so you don't have to! :) 🧵👇
#gamedev
#indiedev
If you want to build your game's audience with actual players:
❌ no platitudes
❌ no more than 2 hashtags
❌ no "indiedev/gamedev" bubble
✅ wirte about most FAQ from ideal player
✅ show-off your community
✅ entertain
How can you promote your game as an introvert?
How do you talk about your work, or even yourself, when you're not a fan of being the center of attention?
Here's what I've learned in the past 2 years of building online:
Developing a game without having a steady income is really scary.
If you don't have revenue to go full time, don't quit your job.
It's much easier to build something with a safety net and live frugally.
Sure, it's slower, but you'll make fewer emotion-driven decisions.
There are multiple ways to build an audience.
It usually starts with your own brand and finding your "ikigai".
"What does the world need from me?"
"What am I good at?"
"What can I get paid for?"
It's all about your own purpose.
"Why am I so sad the whole time?" the game dev asks, who listens to sad music while writing a sad story for their sad game, which tackles the depths of depression while working through nights.
"Must be the shaders in Unity..."
Trick to get better feedback from a player:
Don't tell them you are the developer behind the game.
People are often too polite to give face-to-face brutally-honest or negative feedback because they don't want to hurt feelings or cause trouble.
#gamedev
#indiedev
Do you have the courage to grab your game dev dream?
I know you do.
I see you ready to go and have a positive, lasting, meaningful impact on the world. Just lacking a plan.
You can use social media to your advantage.
Let's talk.👇🧵
No one knows about your game? 😱
And you really want to change that..?
Maybe even generate some hype?✨
In this case, it could be helpful to know about marketing funnels.
🧵👇
#gamedev
#indiedev
Rivalry in game dev makes ZERO sense to me.
I freely share my knowledge and don't see others as competitors.
Here's why:
- great collaborations & partnerships
- I already have my unique brand, people go with me, because they konw me
- plenty of fish in the sea
Rivalry in game dev makes ZERO sense to me.
I freely share my knowledge and don't see others as competitors.
Here's why:
- great collaborations & partnerships
- I already have my unique brand, people go with me, because they konw me
- plenty of fish in the sea
Game devs treat their launches as such a huge thing.
"If the launch fails, it's over!"
Can you tell me, when Microsoft launched?
Do you remember it?
Tesla?
Twitch?
Youtube?
Facebook?
How did these look like at launch?
In 2023 we worked on ~20 game projects simultaneously.
The ones that did well on any social media platform had a very distinctive style.
Answer me this.
What's more valuable than a great vision for your game? 🧵👇
Be careful from where you get your game dev knowledge.
Some of the game business advice on r/gamedev reads like a guide to on how to ruin your game, studio reputation & brand in 3 easy steps.
Hello
#solodev
#gamedev
#indiedev
!
Feeling alone in developing your game? 😞
I have heard that many of you feel alone and want to have some company in their game dev idea, but can't pay someone right now...
How do we feel about finding a tandem partner?
👇
Here is the thing with hiring juniors in the game industry and why it's so rare:
You can only do it if you have the resources for it.
That might sound like a no-brainer, but hear me out:
🧵👇