Bravo valve for an excellent marketing strategy.

[Seikeden]

this is my first post

Don't know if anyones mentioned this before, but I just want to say I love valve for the way they have marketed hl2

-they didn't tell us crap about it until 3 months beforehand (OOHH its like christmas in september!!)

-they didnt market it endlessly, or hype it up like its the best game ever made (and they don't have to, I think most people believe that anyway )

-they didnt announce its release, then delay it for a year, or two years or.. maybe never...


yeah sweet.

I just feel that this is definitely the way to go as far as marketing your product.. nothing pisses me off more than blizzards way; delays, announcing a game over a year before its release, teasing us endlessly, hyping it up to no end without actually showing any proof etc. etc.

When I bought diablo II, it was an ok game sure but more like the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow. there is no pot, or gold.

 

[Gunner]

Don't you know? Steelhed said it's been delayed, if he said so it MUST be true...

 

[Direwolf]

Don't be going and confusing people Para.
And I always have and always will give Valve props for the way they handled it.

 

[Scudded]

"who has the leg??" "gogogo" "tp plz!" "no king!"

... Diablo 2 was fun.

 

[Gorgon]

?

 

[MacGraham]

I completely agree, i was discussing this the other day with someone. I work in marketing and its sheer brilliance. It hasn't cost them a penny and everyones talking about it. I bet the whole thing was wrapped up a month ago and all this stuff is just marketing hype. We're all hooked wondering whats happening next whilst Valve are completely in control sipping tea on there balconies laughing. Not one advert and look at the hype....brilliant.

 

[kinggi]

yeah a couple of rumors spread on purpose about a delay and bingo! instant publicity! this will work in their favor for awards too as everything is pretty much suprise.

 

[Guest]

There is only one game that i can think of that can surpass this game, and that game is called devistation.

 

[kinggi]

devestation got a 6.3/10 from gamespot :bonce:

 

[Direwolf]

Devastation already came out and sucked, no?

 

[MacGraham]

Originally posted by Slug
There is only one game that i can think of that can surpass this game, and that game is called devistation.

you are taking the piss, yes?

 

[PainLord]

Originally posted by Slug
There is only one game that i can think of that can surpass this game, and that game is called devistation.

*holds pistol to Slugs head*

Youre joking yes?

 

[Dagobert]

I just feel that this is definitely the way to go as far as marketing your product

I think your're both wrong and right there. If you are making a sequal to a huge game like Half-Life, it's pretty smart to hold your tongue and not talk about the game until a few months before release.

However I don't think you can afford to do that if you are an unknown or small developer selling a less well-known title. In those instances you need ot try and get as much column inches are possible by talking about your product a lot and for a long time.

 

[alco]

Dagobert makes a good point. I love their marketing strategy, but it can't be done for every game.

Valve has done even better than 3DR.

 

[Seikeden]

This is true. However as much as you hype up a dubious game from a unknown developer you still wont be able to get the sort of coverage that the big guys get. I'm talking more about having that power and then using it responsibly.

 

[MacGraham]

Originally posted by Seikeden
This is true. However as much as you hype up a dubious game from a unknown developer you still wont be able to get the sort of coverage that the big guys get. I'm talking more about having that power and then using it responsibly.

thats why its good marketing, they've looked at their position in the market and maximised it with zero expenditure. brilliant.

Do you guys know how much magazine advertising cost. When we advertise (I work in this field) even in the shit publication you can pay from £2500 - £12000 for one month single page ad. With newspapers your talking £25000. They have saved a fortune.

genius!!!

 

[LoneDeranger]

Originally posted by Slug
There is only one game that i can think of that can surpass this game, and that game is called devistation.

There is only one game that i can think of that can surpass this game, and that game is called Half-Life 3.

 

[qckbeam]

I'm glad Valve took this PR oute and left basically the entire game as a surprise for us. I mean, we really don't know alot about Half-Life 2 when you really think about it. They gave out just enough information to give us a feel for the game and get us excited about it, they really have not released anythin at all media or information wise except for the stuff we saw at E3. Normally we know everything about the game before it's out on shelves. With half-Life 2 we know NOTHING about the game other than the absolute basics. Makes for a much more enjoyable wait this way, knowing that your in for some big surprises when you play the game, plus the fact that they kept it secret until four months before release. Good job Valve!

 

[mkultra]

What's going to come out by the end of the month when the game is released is that the last month Valve has spent all day playing HL2 muliplayer and laughing at all the threads at this and assorted other forums. They've been working on it for 5 years. And they probably decided a long time ago to release it when they are. This wait is just a masterfully planned build up. Hell, it worked didn't it? We're all chomping at the bit to get the game, I can't imagine a better marketing scheme. Kudos to the puppetmasters.