Game Marketing
Ongoing coverage on Game Marketing.
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Relax, PC Gamers: We're not getting GTA 6 on November 19, but we've got, um... 'Phantom Vice Auto'…
This article humorously discusses the lack of a PC release date for Grand Theft Auto 6, contrasting it with the fictional 'Phantom Vice Auto' which is set to launch on PC the same day. The author sarcastically praises Phantom Vice Auto's simplistic features and low-quality trailer, highlighting the perceived shortcomings compared to Rockstar's standards.
Modern Warfare 4 Facebook ads want to make sure everyone understands this year's Call of Duty won't be on Xbox Game Pass
Activision is using Facebook ads to inform players that Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4 will not be available on Xbox Game Pass at launch, a shift from previous years. This marks a change in Microsoft's strategy for its gaming division under new leadership. The game will release on October 23rd for PC, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, and Nintendo Switch, with pre-orders offering early access to the campaign and an expanded DMZ mode.
50 Ways to Ruin Your Indie Game — Avoid These Mistakes
This article outlines 50 common mistakes that can lead to the failure of an indie game before or during its release. It covers pitfalls in marketing, game design, development planning, team organization, and publishing strategies, emphasizing the importance of avoiding common errors to ensure a successful launch.
Few things get me excited like these big GTA 6 moments, but we need to talk about digital game ownership - and fast
The author expresses excitement for Grand Theft Auto 6's upcoming release, particularly its promotional screenshots, but pivots to discuss concerns about digital game ownership and pricing. The article critiques the move away from physical discs, the potential for revoked licenses, and the increasing cost of games, arguing for a consumer right to true ownership rather than just a license.
Game Marketing Budget Calculator for Indie Developers
The Game Marketer has launched a free Marketing Budget Estimator tool to help indie developers establish a starting point for their game marketing budgets. The tool emphasizes the importance of planning marketing spend, suggesting it should typically be between 20% and 30% of the total development budget, and offers personalized guidance based on game genre, platform, and development phase.
GTA 6 is a 'singleplayer experience', leaving me to question what's going on with GTA Online
Rockstar has confirmed Grand Theft Auto 6 will launch as a singleplayer experience in November 2026, leaving uncertainty about the future of its lucrative Grand Theft Auto Online component. While a "top secret" feature for online lobbies was revealed in court documents, Rockstar has remained silent on GTA Online's fate, though historically multiplayer modes have launched post-singleplayer release. The article speculates on potential models for a new online service, including standalone releases or subscription expansions.
If Rockstar Follows Its Own Precedent, Don’t Expect GTA 6 Trailer 3 This Week
This article analyzes Rockstar Games' marketing patterns for previous titles like Grand Theft Auto 5 and Grand Theft Auto 4 to predict when the third trailer for Grand Theft Auto 6 might be released. Based on historical data, the trailer may not launch this week alongside preorders, potentially appearing in early July.
GTA 6 Hype Management for Adults | TAG
This article provides a guide for adult gamers on how to manage the extensive hype surrounding Grand Theft Auto 6 without burning out or spoiling the experience. It offers strategies for limiting trailer re-watches, proactively muting spoilers on social media, avoiding pre-order psychology, and setting realistic expectations for launch day, especially for those with work and family commitments.
Why one in three new games at SGF has got their launch wrong | Opinion
The article argues that many game developers and publishers fail to adequately support game announcements made at events like Summer Game Fest. It highlights that a significant portion of announced games lack essential post-announcement marketing infrastructure, such as dedicated websites, social media follow-ups with gameplay, and community Discord servers. The author emphasizes that these foundational steps are crucial for building player interest and ensuring a successful launch, rather than focusing solely on the initial trailer.
"GTA is like the ogre" - It's an "odd" year to release a video game, says A Plague Tale studio Asobo
Asobo Studio, developers of A Plague Tale: Resonance, have commented on the significant impact Grand Theft Auto 6's upcoming release will have on the 2026 video game schedule. They describe GTA 6 as an 'ogre' that influences marketing and player attention, forcing other studios to strategically adjust their release dates to avoid direct competition.
One Solo Developer. One Big Finish: The Game Marketer Helps ShantyTown Reach 100,000+ Steam Wishlists
Solo developer Erik Rempen's cosy diorama builder ShantyTown, developed under Silk Softworks, achieved over 100,000 Steam wishlists with the help of marketing agency The Game Marketer. The comprehensive campaign included strategy, PR, paid media, and creative asset production, leading to 1.5 million Steam page visits and 70,000 demo downloads.
Phantom Blade Zero Director on Launching Close to GTA 6: “We Don’t Think About Any of This”
S-GAME director Qiwei Liang stated that the team is not concerned about Phantom Blade Zero launching close to Grand Theft Auto 6, focusing instead on product quality and bug fixes. The developer is prioritizing polishing the game and optimizing it to avoid a large day-one patch, with plans to release it on PC and PlayStation 5 in late October. The team is also aiming to bring the game to the Steam Deck.
Sony angry at Xbox for cutting Halo trailer from State of Play says insider
An insider report suggests Sony is angered by Microsoft's decision to pull a Halo trailer from a recent State of Play, indicating a potential shift back to Xbox exclusives. This move, affecting games like Gears Of War: E-Day and potentially Forza Horizon 6, has reportedly strained the relationship between the two companies and surprised many within Xbox.
Elder Scrolls 6 Was Announced 8 Years Ago Today, Here’s Why It Didn’t Show Up At Xbox Showcase
The Elder Scrolls 6, first announced eight years ago, was not featured in the recent Xbox Games Showcase. Xbox chief content officer Matt Booty explained that the team is waiting for the right moment to reveal more, stating the game looks amazing and is progressing well. Game director Todd Howard reflected on the early announcement, questioning if it was the best strategy.
Mario Is Missing! Why Does Mario’s 40th Birthday Feel So [Fart Sound]
Despite Mario's 40th birthday, Nintendo's recognition of the milestone has been underwhelming, consisting of a movie, a remaster of Super Mario Galaxy 1+2, and minor updates to existing games. This contrasts with the more significant celebration planned for The Legend of Zelda's 40th anniversary. The article expresses disappointment in the lack of a major new Mario game announcement, suggesting the iconic character deserves a more substantial tribute.
Gears Of War: E-Day PS5 promo refutes Microsoft's claims about Xbox exclusivity
An official Xbox podcast trailer for Gears Of War: E-Day briefly showed PlayStation 5 and Steam logos, contradicting Microsoft's claims of it being an Xbox exclusive. Despite Xbox's vice president of games marketing Aaron Greenberg denying a last-minute pivot, the inclusion of the PS5 logo suggests it was initially planned for the platform. This incident adds to confusion surrounding Microsoft's evolving exclusivity strategy for its first-party titles.
September becomes a pile-up as publishers swerve to avoid GTA 6 | Opinion
The upcoming release of Grand Theft Auto 6 in November 2026 has caused a significant reshuffling of other major game launch dates, with many publishers opting for a crowded September release window to avoid direct competition. This clustering of high-profile titles like Marvel's Wolverine, Control Resonant, Silent Hill: Townfall, and Onimusha: Way of the Sword creates a commercial 'bloodbath' for consumers and publishers alike, as games are expensive and time-consuming, leading most players to purchase and focus on one title at a time.
Grand Theft Auto 6 looms like a black hole in the release schedule, but is pushing everything into September the way to deal with it?
The impending release of Grand Theft Auto 6 is causing significant shifts in the gaming release schedule, with many publishers pushing their titles to avoid direct competition. This clustering of releases in September and October, due to developers avoiding November, may lead to increased competition among games not directly facing Rockstar's title. Despite a marketing deal with PlayStation, Grand Theft Auto 6 was notably absent from Sony's recent showcase.
Japan Becomes #1 Wishlist Country for 'Everything is Gun!', Followed by the United States, as Developers Share Emotional Full-Circle Story
Indie studio Incineration Productions announced that Japan has become the top country for Steam wishlists for their upcoming game, Everything is Gun!, surpassing the United States. The developers shared an emotional story about their first player being from Japan in 2020, highlighting a deep connection to the Japanese gaming community. The game is described as a brutal, high-stakes reality show where players are dropped into a prison planet and must survive by mastering movement and combat, with features like Isaac-style synergies, uncapped momentum, and asynchronous multiplayer revenge.
XBOX is “Talking” About How to Handle Showing Competing Platform Logos – CEO
Xbox CEO Asha Sharma acknowledged fan feedback regarding the display of competing platform logos in Xbox showcases, stating the company is discussing adjustments for future events. This follows comments from Xbox Chief Content Officer Matt Booty about including all platform logos. The debate touches on Microsoft's strategy shift towards multi-platform releases for franchises like Halo and Forza, versus fan desire for more Xbox hardware exclusives.
