Best way to launch an app

danlbryant

I'm about to publish a new game in the next week or so, and I'm wondering what the best way or how other people typically announce and publicize your games at launch. Thanks

firemaplegames

I would start a thread over in the Touch Arcade forums. In the Upcoming Games section.

That is the largest iPhone Games website, and the forums have hundreds of readers at any given time.

Show screenshots, make a gameplay video of some of the different types of levels, and try to start a buzz and build excitement for your game.

millerbrother1

Great idea for a thread. I'm definitely going to keep an eye on this one. I, for one, would find it fascinating to hear what Utopiangames did to promote the launch of Bumps. They've obviously had some pretty good success hitting the top 25.

I've heard that sending promo codes for your app to reviewers is a good way to get highlighted on a popular iPhone enthusiast blog or magazine. Here's an article on that.

http://www.ismashphone.com/2009/06/how-to-use-app-store-promo-codes.html

I'd also suggest making a game preview video and posting it on YouTube.

UtopianGames

Getting the press to notice you......

I would say the single most factor in us getting lots of press is to spend time building a good relationship with them.

I spent weeks doing this and it seems to have paid off.

Don't be disappointed if you never hear back from press, there a busy bunch but chances are they did see your mail and video/pics etc.

Don't just send mass emails, find out there names and post an email to each and every one separate this gives your mails a personal touch.

The 1st couple of lines need to grab the attention of the reviewer (like the start of some QuentinTarentino films). We started with "Bump your brain into gear with a revolutionary new puzzle game!"

Be enthusiastic when you write to them "high quality vector art and animation by an industry veteran"..."10 full length music scores including 2 drum N bass remixes"

Send them something a few weeks before release, on release (with code) and after release if your planning a 1.1 update.

If your game gets featured on some of the bigger sites the smaller sites will pick it up and copy/paste there article.

Again i stress it's a long haul building relationships and takes a lot of time but if you persist and don't give up sooner or later someone will hear you.

Darren.

POM

@utopiangames
hey there, i never did had a chance to tell you how much i admire your work with bumps,
i play it a lot and love it , it gives me motivation for game creation.. thanks and great job on that one , hope to see bumps 2!
and to the topic, im coming near to the end of my great project, and i have high expectation for it,
seriously, it came out so good and fun and creative.. im amazed myself,
so i try to collect as much info about advertising as possible, the problem is that english is not my native language so its kinda hard (took me 9 minutes to write this far, dictionary oh my..)
so your post got my attention, can you please detail on who do you mail to? and how do you get there mail addresses ? and even give some more advices for advertising..

UtopianGames

I would take a look on google most review sites have a contact mail and twitter or facebook.

Touch arcade, slide to play, pocket gamer, apaddict etc etc etc are all the places you need to contact.

Darren.

danlbryant

Thanks @utopiangames lots of great information!!

I love bumps, i'm stuck on the last world :O it's super hard!!!1

How much money are you making these days?

Riffel

p-o-m said:
so i try to collect as much info about advertising as possible, the problem is that english is not my native language so its kinda hard (took me 9 minutes to write this far, dictionary oh my..)

same boat here... :-)