Question New Business

[FantasyCouriers]

Hi everyone

I need some good advice, I'm about to start a new mmog online business game.

I would like some good pointers on how to market it, where to go who to speak to etc.
I was advised to get beta testers to test the game, what do you think?.

Any thing that you can help with would be great.

Alistair Patterson

 

[georgedwilkinson]

My son and his friends were "free" beta testers for a game (Combat Arms) recently. I'm not sure how they were recruited but I'm betting there was a sizable marketing budget involved.

The age range seemed to be from 12-18 years old. I was surprised but my son took it very seriously and gave feedback online immediately after the Beta. It seems they took his advice because everything he had on his list was fixed in the production game.

When I was going through a similar process for a MMORPG database in 2003, I consulted with teens my daughter and her friend knew. It was very informative.

You might talk to Pop Cap Games, too. Not sure if they're into MMs but they definitely publish (good) games from small developers.

Also, make sure you're a member of Gamasutra (gamasutra.com). It is free for game developers/people in the industry. They have tons of articles on all aspects of game development from the technical side and business side.

HTH.