Hype: Do mods really need it?

[chapel]

Well one thing I notice with games and mods alike, is the hype factor. You all know what I am talking about, HL2 for instance. The question is, Do Mods need hype, and for that matter is hype more hurt than help for mods?

I personally think hype is a bad thing, if taken to the extremes. For my mod, I really dont want to hype it, if I can help it, not many people will know about ND, or at least not the majority. I will have news about it, I will do interviews, but I dont want every little detail about it in the public, much like Majestics "Malin" which I highly respect.

Anyways what do you guys think?

 

[Javert]

Yes, and it should be hype that is well-deserved. It's all part of the marketing/PR procedure, especially with imminent release. There's nothing more embarassing than hype that turns out not worth it (Matrix movies anyone?)

 

[neozero]

I'd rather it that people make hype for a mod when there's a real good chance of it being released. There are just so many mod's that just have websites and concpet art, that I refuse to beleive them.

 

[leadfish]

I think that hype generated by another source (ie: not the PR guy in the team) is much better than actively trying to push your product onto the market. Hype from someone else, eg: from a good interview/successful beta test, is more a sign of critical acclaim without being jaded because you already love the project you're working on, and because of that, people will talk, and the hype will generate naturally.

 

[chapel]

You guys made some good comments. Good hype is produced by the fans, by people outside the team, and the only way its bad is if the mod fails, and well it has to fail for other reasons than hype.

neozero, you comment about mods with just a website and some concepts, well not all websites release pics of every model they make. I actually am not letting any models be made for ND currently, for various reasons, but I dont think models proves anything more than someone saying, "Hey, our mod rawks, and is the best out there!"

Anyways, as I said, Im not looking for a huge fan base for ND too early, we plan on a minimum of 2 years of developement, and 2 years is along time to wait for a game when theres alot of hype flying around, ie HL2

 

[theGreenBunny]

In my opinion good hype is hype built by players after they've played a playable release (that was a lot of 'play' in one sentence). If people like the game more fans will come and hype will build, if they don't you either change/improve or stick to your own plan.

I don't like 'active' or forced hyping. Of course people need to know at some point that your mod exists, but they don't need you to push 15 renders in their faces every day with advertising posts at every forum etc.

I suppose one would need to find a certain balance between letting people know you exist and not over-advertising/hyping.

So basically what everyone already said, but I posted anyway.

 

[Pi Mu Rho]

"Hype" is a subjective word. A good mod will spread by word of mouth.

Have you seen how many mods these days have a "PR Manager"? What? You're not running a company, you're a mod team! You don't have any PR to do. If the existing members of your team (you know, the ones that do the work) can't handle the advertising of your mod, then you're doomed to failure anyway.

While I'm on the subject (rant mode!), none of you that are "leading" mod teams are CEOs, understand? I can't stand it when I see "CEO, wibbleblah Studios" Get over yourselves right now.

 

[Onions]

heh, couldn't agree more

 

[ComradeBadger]

"Hype" is a subjective word. A good mod will spread by word of mouth.

Have you seen how many mods these days have a "PR Manager"? What? You're not running a company, you're a mod team! You don't have any PR to do. If the existing members of your team (you know, the ones that do the work) can't handle the advertising of your mod, then you're doomed to failure anyway.

While I'm on the subject (rant mode!), none of you that are "leading" mod teams are CEOs, understand? I can't stand it when I see "CEO, wibbleblah Studios" Get over yourselves right now.

You mean my title of Sumpreme Overlord of Eradicators Mapping For Hellkiller Studios is over the top?

PR Manager is not a needed position. This may sound hypocritical, since I was basically public relations, as well as leader for OES... before...

*shuts up*

 

[IchI]

it depends when you do it.... if you get hype like 1 month before release, thats good. But all this stuff about hype when u just start. Its kinda stupid.

 

[Majestic XII]

I havent read the whole thread since its a thunderstorm outside (gonna shut down the compy any min now) but heres what i think you asked about

I dont think hype is a very good thing, well... it really depends on what you call hype. I personally work best if i have a site, forum and stuff like that online. I just need a few people to know about the mod to work on it. I work faster if i know people are waiting for me to do stuff

holy crap... gotta go real quick now! eeeeiii!!!

 

[Argyll]

A little community hype is good, but at this early of stage a lot of hype because the community could become disappointed if the mod fails.

Some hype in the HL2 Community will help to draw in fans that may be interested in the mod itself and also help to draw in some more talent.

As for a Public Relations staff member... For my mod, the PR guy has been a great help. When we had our big update a couple months back, he would write up the submissions for news websites while I sorted out the content and website for the release. Maybe a PR guy isn't essential for all mods, but they sure help with mine.

 

[SidewinderX]

Well, as a leader of a mod, I think a little hype isn'ty a bad thing.... it always feels good when someone complements my team's work. They work extreamly hard for a completley unpaid poject, so hype is not a bad way for the team to see that more people than just me appreciate what thier doing.

about the pr guy: I can see where it might be helpful, but the majority of mods that I see with PR guys generally have them to make thier tema look larger. PR is important, but I pretty much do all of it for my team. More work for me, yeah, but I find it satisfing sending an e-mail aout to 30 sites or whatever.

Mods with Economic Officers? link me!

And yes, hype can esaily kill a mod, but I think it;s a good thing as well, to encourage the tema to keep pressing on, not to stop.

 

[MadMechwarrior]

I think hype is good not only to show people your mod, but its good for the mod team also. Good comments can really bring up the morale in the team and thats really important. As for forced hype, I dont think its needed. If you submit your news to the HL2 sites and it looks good, people will talk. Sparking discussions shouldnt be necessary.

As for the PR guy. The PR guy on my mod (eternal silence) is a great help. While im managing the team and programming shaders and such he can handle posting the news every week and sending it to the news sites. It takes a load off and allows me to concentrate on the game rather than updating the website etc. He does a great job too.

 

[fuzzy_aus]

Damn, sure are alot of Mod makers around here. Keep it up fellas!

I think that hype is something that needs to be handled VERY carefully. To much hype can completely burn out a mod if it doesn't deliver quickly and extremely well. But of course there is nothing wrong with having a strong dedicated fan base

A little OT: I have noticed that most of the HL2 mods are being done in a very professional manner by very professional people, this is the complete opposite of the FarCry modding community. Very strange that.

 

[The Dark Elf]

Judging by the discriptions here. People aren't taking on PR guys atall, their taking on secretary's who's doing the tasks others don't really want to do, mailing people etc.

 

[Brian Damage]

Meeerhh... the other couple of people on our team want me to do a "Press Release", which will then be placed in other mod and HL2 forums (Each of us posting in certain forums)... I personally think it's a little early... we've only got one model...

 

[The Dark Elf]

Meeerhh... the other couple of people on our team want me to do a "Press Release", which will then be placed in other mod and HL2 forums (Each of us posting in certain forums)... I personally think it's a little early... we've only got one model...

Yeah I'd say its a tad early to "go public" A good mod would wait until their 60% or so finished before showing stuff off, otherwise they look bad if they happen to make some change, for whatever reason. Best to keep quiet then let on once you've got plenty of solid stuff done. You automatically look better than the countless mods who can't stop showing off untextured weapon models then too

 

[Brian Damage]

That's sort of the lines I was thinking along... Also, if you don't want to do something, it's hard to start on it - especially when you're snowed under with uni stuff and you've got a headcold...

Maybe I'll just finish the "Splash" pic I was working on, show them that, then ask them to wait...