Planetside 2 Hype/Advertising ideas.

Cosmical · 2012-02-14, 08:18 AM

Advertising is something that can make or break a new game, even with the previous fan base, with so many free to play games and fast paced shooters, Planetside 2 needs to stand out and retain an audience for years to come.

Whereas I have faith that an advertising campaign is in motion, and defiantly enjoy Higby’s association with us fans. I would like to discuss potential advertising ideas and concepts.

I’m sure you are all active gamers, and maybe even if you don’t enjoy other FPS’s you have been the victim of successful advertising at some point, my question is what was your favourite and why?

Personally I am a big fan of Rock Star’s recent advertising campaigns, (LA Noire, Red Dead Redemption) not treating the consumer like an idiot, yet using enough jargon proof language that even the technically clueless understands why they should be excited.

I suggest a few videos talking about the tech of Planetside 2, not from a coder’s point of view, but for the casual gamer. Pointing out exciting aspects like “here is a screen shot of 50 Sunderer’s, each of them containing 6 players”, and how that could quite possibly be a regular occurrence on the battlefield. I think time needs to be spent suitably explaining just how big and free flowing these battle are going to be. I’m positive most people assume they’re getting another MAG. Especially when developers use vague buzz words like “HUGE!” and “PROGRESSIVE!”

I’m sure all of this is on the way, and we will more than likely shape the hype of the game during beta.

But to reiterate, what other games advertising campaigns/trailers have worked for you? And what would you like the uninitiated to see of PS2 to get them interested in say a 30 second trailer?

Kaotc · 2012-02-14, 08:24 AM

i think one of the best things they could do, is get on board with Steam... that will yeild a very large number of 'oh, ill give that a shot' players (being that its F2P) and then the game will do the rest to get them hooked. (i hope)

Kaotc · 2012-02-14, 08:55 AM

Originally Posted by IDukeNukeml

The problem with Steam is they require 'X' amount of revenue generated from the game. Now with Sony already having a relationship with them with DCUO and it being F2P, they very well might have Planetside 2 on Steam and that alone would bring it potential thousands.

thats what im thinking, Everquest and DCUO are already on steam, so would make sense that SOE's next F2P to be on there aswell. instant massive audience.

Scrima · 2012-02-14, 09:10 AM

As long as there is a standalone client, all for getting more people through steam (personally I hate steam but I know it is very popular).

DeathHaze · 2012-02-14, 09:38 AM

Originally Posted by Kaotc

i think one of the best things they could do, is get on board with Steam... that will yeild a very large number of 'oh, ill give that a shot' players (being that its F2P) and then the game will do the rest to get them hooked. (i hope)

I try every f2p game that ends up on steam. I'm not everyone, but this may be a good idea. I would love to see it on steam. That system is slowly acquiring all my games to the point where a small handful of the games on my comp aren't steam related, the rest, on steam. And with DCUO and steam together, the potential is there

Another advertizing idea may be getting a HUUUUUUUUUUGE group of ppl in beta, all real, regular people, and put that into a TV advertizement. With a caption somewhere along the lines of "Can the game you're going to play do this?" *Commence battle*

I'm sure there's a couple hundred players that would be willing to organize something like that if they had the chance of getting their character name onto tv. (not sure how that would all work, but I'd sign up for it)

Kaotc · 2012-02-14, 10:04 AM

problem with TV commercials for the game is that its quite a complex idea, and an unheard of franchise.
also, it is in the grand scheme of things quite a niche market (PC gamers) unlike MW3 or BF3, their TV commercials are aimed at anyone that has a games console, which is probably numbered in the 100's of millions.

Also, TV commercial for F2P game? thats a very big outlay.

headcrab13 · 2012-02-14, 01:41 PM

Steam distribution is a great idea. I'm a huge proponent of Steam and PS2 sales can only go through the roof with a massive advertising platform like that.

I don't know exactly how many tens of millions of registered Steam users there are, but I for one would jump at that opportunity.

-HC13

PoisonTaco · 2012-02-14, 02:00 PM

They just need to let people play the game. If they think it's fun they'll get their friends in on the action. When a game is free, it's a lot easier to get a friend to try it out with you.

I think Planetside 2 would promote a lot of people bringing in their friends because it's going to be the type of game where you want a reliable group of people to play with. You're going to want your friends to join in with you to watch your back.

Skepsiis · 2012-02-14, 09:54 PM

A really cool cgi trailer that gets nods in 'best trailers of the year' type lists and can be thrown around the internet could be successful.

The f2p aspect will hopefully entice a big population base quite quickly as well.

And of course steam distribution and publicity would be a mega-boost.

Hitting the big gaming conventions with engine tech and gameplay trailers should be done too.

CidHighwind · 2012-02-14, 10:07 PM

Settings: Grand Canyon, Las Vegas Desert, Rocky Mountains, California Coastline, Red Wood Forest.

Setting transfer: CGI of participants getting into IN game vehicles with hardcore, country, alt-rock, classical and dubstep music.

IDEA: All of the Planetside 2 staff participating in a massive Laser tag (simulating real) combat situation at each setting. After a 5-6 second clip of T-ray, Higby, Storm, etc all in their respective empire costumes and at different locations, they get in a Reaver, Mag-rider, Hoof-it, and all end up in a central setting where they continue to duke it out - not breaking the flow is important to convey one huge battlefield. Maybe throw in a 'tag-team' moment to indicate a persistent world.

Cmon. seriously. how badass would it be to see T-ray and higgles duking it out with high powered laser rifles as an advertisement scheme? eh? eh?

EDIT: Yes, i know, its already been done in a way... but MOCKING that commerical will draw in that crowd, especially if you tease it by saying "yeh, know that game you like? Yeh, how about an endless battle with no 'maps'... get out with that old s***, and play this free, better stuff!"

Mastachief · 2012-02-14, 10:07 PM

Originally Posted by PoisonTaco

They just need to let people play the game. If they think it's fun they'll get their friends in on the action. When a game is free, it's a lot easier to get a friend to try it out with you.

I think Planetside 2 would promote a lot of people bringing in their friends because it's going to be the type of game where you want a reliable group of people to play with. You're going to want your friends to join in with you to watch your back.

This like over 9000 times.

The original came too early (obligatory"that's what she said hur hur hur") and i found that although i had lots of friends and attended many large LAN parties it was nigh on impossible to get people to try a game they had never heard of that cost £30 for the game and then £7.50 permonth.

Back then if you didnt have a top of the range pc you could not enjoy the game, so that also led to issues

If you didn't have the best broadband connection available you also could not play the game.

Today everything is different.

F2p will allow even your granny to have a go along with this she'll be able to play it on that 4 year old gaming pc you donated to her on her free broadband connection that shes getting with her premium television subscription and phone package.

The game no longer has a £2000 entry cost to play, even console people could scrimp together £500 for a half decent computer and try it out.

All this said even with it being on steam some sort of long term advertising plan would only serve to improve and grow the community.

Word of mouth is free and everyone should do it, (i'm making and wearing a planetside2 shirt to a LAN party this weekend) I got my sister to play the game (which she now plays more than me) and i have at least 10 friends that are following my updates about the game.

Saintlycow · 2012-02-14, 10:47 PM

dont make a 100 million advertising campain for a dumbed down game.

+1 cookies for the first one to find out what i'm reffering to

Bags · 2012-02-14, 11:35 PM

Yeah chief, I've got about 10 - 15 people interested and willing to try PS2 who have never heard of the first.

Wouldn't say no to advertisement and promotion though.

NivexQ · 2012-02-14, 11:58 PM

Originally Posted by Kaotc

Also, TV commercial for F2P game? thats a very big outlay.

Lord of the Rings online had a massive advertising campaign just for the switch to f2p

Crazyduckling · 2012-02-15, 01:09 AM

When it comes to advertising, I have emailed SOE about this.

Please invite the FreddieW channel from youtube to SOE for a tour of the facilities and demo PS2 for them. Pay for all of their travel expenses. Give them game assets and let them create anything that they want for their channel. By letting them do what ever they want, they will be advertising PS2 to all of their fans without alienating their fans.

Also, invite the guys from Machinima (Seananners mostly) to see the game. Youtube is an easy way to advertise the game.

Get the Yogscast to cover the game more. They already did a small commentary on one of the PS2 videos. Give them some incentive to continue covering PS2. I now Lewis is looking forward to it.

Notch from Minecraft has repeatedly thrown his support for PS2. I even got him to tweet at Higby about his support for the game.

These are simple and easy ideas to implement once the time is right. I'm not saying we should bribe these people, but instead give them incentive to help cover PS2.