580Anatomy of a Steam Game Launch - Indie Devs Reveal Their Launch Strategy

Episode Summary

In episode 580 of 'Coffee with Butterscotch,' the brothers pull back the curtain on exactly how they're launching How Many Dudes, covering everything from timing, influencer outreach, trailer creation, to post-launch strategies. They discuss how they navigate the complexities of game marketing, with a reminder that most of what determines a launch's success was decided long before launch day.

Support How Many Dudes!
Official Website: https://www.bscotch.net/games/how-many-dudes
Trailer Teaser: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IgQM1SceEpI
Steam Wishlist: https://store.steampowered.com/app/3934270/How_Many_Dudes

00:00 Cold Open
00:27 Introduction and Welcome
02:44 Game Development Status
08:28 Marketing Strategies and Influencer Outreach
11:37 Handling Embargoes and Coverage
14:40 Final Preparations Before Launch
21:41 Crafting Effective Launch Trailers
23:48 Understanding Audience Engagement and Store Page Dynamics
25:36 The Role of Influencers in Game Marketing
29:43 Navigating Pre-Launch Strategies and Expectations
34:45 Leveraging Ads and Algorithmic Visibility
39:34 Game Design Decisions and Player Experience
43:39 Innovative Marketing Strategies for Indie Games
48:06 Navigating Influencer Marketing Challenges
50:46 The Role of Reviews in Game Success
52:34 Balancing Passion and Commercial Viability
55:48 Challenges in Mobile Game Launches

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About "Coffee with Butterscotch"

Coffee with Butterscotch is the hilarity-filled official podcast of award-winning video game studio Butterscotch Shenanigans. Tune in every week to learn how video games are made and sold, our take on building a small company from scratch, and how to be an unstoppable problem-solving machine. Whether you're a tech entrepreneur working on your own startup, a person who loves playing or making video games, or just a person interested in learning about the games industry, we've got you covered. Butterscotch Shenanigans is an independent video game studio best known for its smash hit Crashlands. The podcast features founders Seth Coster (the games programmer), Adam Coster (the web programmer), Sam Coster (the artist), and other awesome people.

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Listener Questions

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  • 6
    Jumpylumpa Leapylow @smvoew asked

    Have you done a Butterscotch Shenanigans company picnic/laser tag/big "corporate" event? If so, what did you do and how did it go? If not, what WOULD you do if cost was not a concern?

  • 5
    ButterMilkLoveNugget @qd32kj asked

    What's a debugging story that highlights a particularly bizarre bug?

  • 2
    PureKnix @ref0kg asked

    With Levelhead's Marketing Department being in business for over half a decade now, what interesting insights do you have on how it works and is engaged with? What would Marketing Department 2.0 look like?

  • 1
    Jumpylumpa Leapylow @smvoew asked

    Have you ever experienced déjà vu? Do you have any memorable moments of a "glitch in the matrix"?

  • 1
    lekiy @0umgxq asked

    In your scientific opinions, what are the taxonomical kingdoms of Woanope?

  • 1
    giantmuskrat @yord0l asked

    Your podcast community is a dedicated bunch of folks!

    Can you give us a challenge that would be fun AND help the studio? Maybe something like 'tell 5 friends about the podcast' only more fun...

  • 1
    OliveComet @37zh0x asked

    Will Levelhead ever get an update? If so will it be small bug fixes or new elements in the level editor?

  • 1
    Jumpylumpa Leapylow @smvoew asked

    GREETINGS to Bscotch Bros and crew! Question for the podcast/YouTube wranglers. It's been asked before but I'm curious if this has changed: How do you come up with the intro blurb? What kinds of edits are most commonly needed for the podcast? How has the setup changed since moving to video? Did video kill the radio star? What snacks do you use to keep the brothers on camera and not getting distracted? Thanks for all you do! It sounds/looks amazing!!

  • 1
    EmatumbleJangowip @qggb45 asked

    Hello Sam! I've been a big fan of your art and I've been following since you started with inkscape, even done some of your tutorials. "How many dudes?" looks more vectorish than Crashlands 2, are you back to vector drawing with the mouse? Any tips for a new vector game art wannabe? I've been using Affinity and loved it so far. Thanks!

  • Jumpylumpa Leapylow @smvoew asked

    You name generator has made some fun-to-say names (pause to explain what that is for the new listeners). What are your favorites? Have you made any for yourselves that you did use or still do? Related but separate!! What are some nicknames you've had?

  • ButterMilkLoveNugget @qd32kj asked

    What do you think of King Terry and his programming skills like him manually coding his animations and do you think any of his work is applicable today in some sense?

  • MiphopPangkram @hhp07m asked

    Hello friends! I am a player who plays Crashlands I have made good progress and I have been in the world of Bawg for a while. I want to save the game and create an account. I created an account with gmail on the official website of Butter Scotch Shenanigans, but now I don't know how to save the game to my account. Can you help me? By the way, I live in Iran.

  • 99crusader @7mqtac asked

    Creative Year Theme Vote - I like 202Quick especially with you're goal for a faster development cycle. Plus it will help Seth with the podcast intro XD

  • challosis @fuwqnd asked

    Did you take inspiration from "zero player games" like MIKAN or Earklacks on YouTube, "games" that only exist as videos?

  • Echoslamma Noobaguy @m72kpe asked

    Have you heard of Aethus? It appears very similar to Crashlands. Also, you should totally arrange a bundle with it on Steam!