Spiral Knights - Attracting a Larger Audience to SK

Attracting a Larger Audience to SK

7 replies [Last post]

Thu, 01/23/2014 - 13:29

Son-Of-Hades

When picking out a game to download, the reviews and trailers are the main things that people look at to decide on a game.

On Steam, it's unfortunate that SK was given a lackluster metascore of 64/100, because the game has come a LONG way since the time of review/release, with the addition of the AUCTION HOUSE, LOCKDOWN, Blast Network, A SLEEK U.I., SHADOW LAIRS, ACCESSORIES, Snarbolax, the Jelly King, the Roarmolus Twins, battle sprites, bash/dash, new clockwork pick-ups, missions, danger missions, danger rooms, FREE ELEVATORS, a new crafting/energy system, a new forge system (ew, where dahell are teh radiants, yo?), a new Guild Hall, and a slew of new weapons and gear.

It's a shame that no recognition of the hard work that has been put into the progress of the game shines through a decent metascore, and I strongly believe something needs to be done to get the game re-evaluated.

Also, when I recently watched all 5 of SK's trailers via Steam, I noticed that they were outdated, and didn't convey the full experience that SK has to offer. With all the new content - some of which is stated in the above paragraph - that has been added since the game, shoppers are not able to see all currently-available aspects of the game in the short trailer videos. The main/announcement trailer on Steam gives some background of the plot of Spiral Knights, which is sorta under-developed due to the lack of the opening of the core, but it doesn't give viewers and idea to how you can progress in Spiral Knights. When I say this, I am referring to crafting up your gear, upgrading them with unique variants, and finally using them in difficult PvE missions (danger missions and shadow lairs) or in SK's competitive PvP (lockdown and blast network). It almost seems like a crime that Lockdown isn't even advertised as being part of SK, when many gamers only choose to play games that have PvP. In fact, the trailer and game description makes SK out to be merely another co-op adventure game. OOO, why on earth would you decide NOT to show off all the new, amazing content that you've added to such a unique game??? This doesn't just go for PvP. This goes for the auction house, the shadow lairs, the accessories, and every other aspect of the game that keeps people playing.

For the most part, I've enjoyed SK for almost 3 years, besides horrible mechanics including Auto-Target in PvP as well as lack of Radiant Crystals to encourage gear progression to 5*. And I honestly believe that SK's gameplay is unique and FUN compared to other games.

HOWEVER, if I were in the shoes of a potential player that viewed the metascore and current trailers of SK, I would not even consider downloading the game.

OOO, I believe that two new videos are due for SK: one should show off the new content, mechanics, UI, heating system, and elevator/energy system. The other should show an in-depth video on how to access the Coliseum, which is not easy to find for new players, and everything that Lockdown entails. Maybe make another, short video on Blast Network, but the audience for that rehashed mini-game is so small that I personally doubt it would help much in attracting more players.

Thu, 01/23/2014 - 13:29

Son-Of-Hades

Reserved

Fri, 01/24/2014 - 13:16

Eltrooper

Yes indeed

The advertising for this game needs to restart, especially with updated photos and videos on the website and on steam.
I haven't seen any advertising or any official photos since the origional release.

Fri, 01/24/2014 - 19:30

Particled

Son-Of-Hades, you've pretty much nailed it.

I completely agree; the marketing team for SK really needs to step up or, at least, return (I mean seriously). This game is not being promoted at all by any means. And for a videogame, typically an MMO, advertisements and sales promotions should be plentiful, creative and memorable. The name just isn't getting out there to the gaming public, which is where the future of SK lies.

I understand that the budget of this game may not be AAA standard but marketing is so ridiculously important (just ask the guys at Coco-Cola). Sega should devote more resources, more time and more effort into promoting this game. Especially since it has so much potential. Lockdown alone could attract a whole new kind of playerbase, if anyone outside of endgame SK actually knew about it.

All in all, it's such a shame to see a fantastic and unique game go to waste just because of a failure in marketing. Hopefully something changes about this.

(I am also disappointed by the current size player base because that means no Australian server anytime soon in the next decade or so.)

Fri, 01/24/2014 - 20:30

Usevnsevnsixfivfor

You know what would be the BEST form of advertizing SK, a profit for SEGA, and a profit for OOO? A Sonic and All-Stars Racing Transformed DLC featuring a Spiral Knight in full Azure Guardian and Aegis along with its own stage (going through Haven, Snarby lair, Candlestick Keep--just some fun Clockworks level). Of course, this DLC would not come with the Steam Sonic Pack. SK had the Sonic CD promotion too. If SEGA puts in Team Fortress (neither of the TF games are related to SEGA excluding some hats) as a STARTING CHARACTER, then why not this? It would spread the word about SK, give SEGA a few quick bucks, and give OOO a nice sum too.

Fri, 01/24/2014 - 21:33

Blazzberry

I have no mouth and I need to scream

Whoa, slow down there cowboy.

You should probably look up a few things before you burst ideas out of excitement.

1.) Sonic & All stars racing transformed is a fan made game made by Sumo digital. (Yeah, the people at SUMO digital have pretty big hard-ons for sega and sonic team) They got the rights to make another game after the previous one was well received.
2.) Team fortress 2 is owned by valve. Sega did not add them into this game. It was done by the creators of the game at sumo digital. Most likely because team fortress 2 is a popular game on pc, as its only pc exclusive.
3.) Knowing OOO, there would probably be something wolver related
4.) How would we even talk/make noise like everyone else in the game?

I'm all for what you said, if what I said wasn't in the way.

@ OP
The trailers do need a bit touching up. We're even on our way to getting another boss and not a single person out of the game probably even knows apocrea happened from the trailers now.

If anyone can do something with this, I suggest a trailer to go along the gunner update to replace at least one of them on steam. If it's not too much to ask.

Sat, 01/25/2014 - 12:05

Atlas-Snowcap

---

In all fairness, the TF2 hat-promotion is what got me to try the game in the first place, and I admit that if it weren't for the combination of some of my friends suggesting it as well as the hat-promotion I probably wouldn't have touched it. I've never really been a big fan of MMOs due to a lot of them looking very generic and dull, but the gameplay in SK really took me by surprise at the time. And it was a nice surprise.

Basically, more promotions might work out favourably in the short term, and hopefully then people'll spread their enthusiasm.

Sat, 01/25/2014 - 15:31

Usevnsevnsixfivfor

@Blazzberry

1) I did not know the modern Sonic R games were fanbased. But that doesn't mean SEGA has no control over them about the placement of the TF guy.

2) Everybody and their mother knows TF2 is owned by Valve. But do you think if I made Super Smash Flash that I would want the TF guys in there (before you spit out "copywrites" do note that Mario, Link, Fox, etc. are copywrighted along with the other handful of third party characters in the game) JUST BECAUSE it is popular on the PC?

3) Yes, becuase Mount Krampus was DEFINATLY themed around wolvers. Since when did wolves eat chili dogs? And by wolves, I mean wolves that don't have God of War play style. I'm looking at you, Sonic Unleashed.

4) Look at Metal Sonic (outside of Sonic Heroes). Even in Sonic Free Riders he made weird sound effects that represent some computer. Or have you ever played something like Mario and Sonic Olympics or Mario Party 8 with a Mii? Notice how they don't have voice actors? Either of those things could work.

If this doesn't work (and I put this somewhere else too), then have Knuckles' Chaotix ported to the PC and put on Steam (not just using SOME emulator out there) and if you buy it like from launch day till a week after, you get all of the following:

-A front accessory that is basically Espio's horn.
-A side accessory that is basically Vector's headphones.
-A top accessory that is basically Charmy Bee's antennae.
-A back accessory (prismatech) that represents the back of Knuckles' hair.

All of these may or may not be bound upon receiving, and you get more depending on how many copies you buy during said bonus time. These accessories will never expire.

What would this do, you may say.

-Spread Knuckles' Chaotix, a game that has been forgotten for a while
-Spread Spiral Knights, a game that has been unadvertized for a while
-Earn SEGA a bit of cash

While the Chaotix idea wouldn't earn OOO any money, a lot of people would get Knuckles Chaotix a week from launch, thus granting the accessories to their inventory (if that's how it works), and spreading SK. I know nothing about how much time/effort/cost it would take to do this however, but since the artists apparently have time to make Polar boxes while the Guntastrophe is in development, all it would take is SEGA's acceptance.

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Attracting a Larger Audience to SK