SUGGESTION: Creator Tools

[etheras]

One of the biggest challenges in most businesses, it seems, is communication. The gaming industry is the same way (speaking of video games here). Unless you are a big company like Bethesda with million-dollar E3 showcases (that often still come off as cringeworthy), it is often difficult to let prospective customers know that you even exist, let alone that you are about to ship a product that might interest them. Many game companies live or die by their community engagement, and many gamedevs are unfortunately a bit socially awkward, so engagement doesn't come naturally.

Since this is a game-centric community, and Jeremy already has connections within the industry, perhaps it would be synergistic to add tools to ExclusivelyGames that would allow developers to showcase materials. Host events, show concepts, chat with fans, and gather feedback.

As far as I am aware, a tool like this doesn't currently exist. Steam forums work, but there's no outreach or discoverability to people who aren't already inside the community. Most people join the forums if they've already bought, or are interested in buying, a game.

I suppose Reddit can be used for this, but once again Discoverability can be tricky, and the ownership of forums can be tricky too. The biggest fan site for a franchise might not even be owned or moderated by the game developer. So at least the showcasing tool would still be a first for Exclusively Gaming.

[LiamC]

Not a bad proposal, A big boost might be to establish pay services and a streaming format like Steam. Dev's would submit beta versions, or just previews with links for test Players to try the game, and the final piece being the ability to order/purchase? Obviously this needs further work, but I think it's a worthwhile goal

[Tom]

I can imagine this as a separate forum page with its own forum tree, additional blog feed section on top, but the same forum staff and hosting, which may be handy for small/solo dev.
Then have a list of "game forums" somewhere on the right at the main ExGames forum page for quick nav.

[Alekay]

That's actually a pretty cool idea, something like a social place between developers and gamers.

Something like a Jump start for easy communication for the developers without being super complex, boring or closed as a forum a blogpost or patch notes.

One place with easy access for everyone to look at, a lot of people or ''casual gamers'' don't go to specific forums or Reddit, so a space for one developers post something about progress or just communication is needed.

[scwoody]

That sounds super duper cool! Though I have no idea how i can be of aid just tell me how and ill do what i can!

[etheras]

Being able to interact with the various companies interest me greatly. I know beyond good and evil 2 has been trying to stay in touch with their community in an attempt to deliver a game that will be loved by their fans and having a go between for many other studios that as you said dont have the ability to do so would be a great thing! Having more information is never a bad thing!

Glad that you like the idea. I'm thinking that some kind of "virtual launch party" might be kinda cool.

[scwoody]

Being able to interact with the various companies interest me greatly. I know beyond good and evil 2 has been trying to stay in touch with their community in an attempt to deliver a game that will be loved by their fans and having a go between for many other studios that as you said dont have the ability to do so would be a great thing! Having more information is never a bad thing!