Market analysis
After researching games similar to Evergreen Grove, such as Stardew Valley, BloomTale and Papa’s Games, I have discovered that all of these games have a large PC audience, with only Stardew Valley releasing on console after its initial release on PC. Computers are also common in most homes, making a pc game more accessible for gamers who may not have access to, or may not be able to afford, a console. Designing and downloading mods is also much easier on PC, allowing players to have a more personalised gaming experience. However, catering to console gamers also has its benefits. Creating Evergreen Grove for multiple platforms would make the game accessible for a wider audience of players. Designing the game for handheld consoles like Nintendo Switch would allow for play while travelling or curled up in bed. PCs would struggle to provide this comfortable and versatile gaming experience. Having a variety of controls would also allow players with accessibility needs to utilise the format they find easiest. For these reasons, I have chosen Evergreen Grove to be designed for both PC and Console.
Playing into the wholesome aspects of the games aesthetics during marketing will interest many Gamers, PC and console owners alike, due to the growth in the cosy gaming community in recent years. People of all ages and abilities would find Evergreen Grove accessible to play, due to its limited controls and low-demand gameplay. The difficulty levels catered to each players ability, and the lack of fail states would also help with this. By removing pressure and stress from inexperienced gamers, they can learn how to play and improve at their own pace, hopefully creating a welcoming and enjoyable experience.
Player communities
In the past few years there has been an increased interest in cosy gaming – Low stakes games with a cheerful, relaxing environment. These games provide players with a calm gameplay experience without the intensity or demand of the average game. They focus on slow-paced gameplay, with simple mechanics often centred on farming, building or building relationships with characters. Cosy games have become popular for many reasons; they relieve stress caused by real life challenges, their simple gameplay makes them more accessible for gamers of all abilities, and they can become platforms for community and collaboration between players. The community can be found all over the internet, with several taking to YouTube to share their personal cosy gaming experiences. Many gamers are inspired to create and share mods and customised items, which help to make gameplay even more unique.
Monetisation strategies
Promotional artwork and trailers should be shared on social media sites using hashtags for cosy gaming. As cosy gaming has a large audience of enthusiasts, the game will likely excite many players within the community. Short teaser clips and examples of the games beauty, atmosphere and style should be used to lure in players and create a game community. Sharing updates with fans and asking for their opinions on aspects of the game would be a fun way to engineer conversations about the game. In turn, this would hopefully spread the news by word of mouth, and make players feel valued and heard. Holding talks and Q&As for the game could also be affective.
Promotional artwork should demonstrate the beauty of the game world, making players want a piece of it for themselves. Variations of the player character should be used to show customisation, and the main NPCs can be shown interacting to demonstrate their unique personalities. Gameplay should look smooth and appealing, highlighting all the games core mechanics and most appealing moments.
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