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How do you manage to let someone know about your video games?

A topic by mescalina azul created Jul 17, 2025 Views: 863 Replies: 20

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mescalina azul180 days ago

Greetings. How do you manage to let someone know about your video games?

I've opened a channel on YouTube and some other platforms, but these platforms don't seem interested in promoting newer channels, even if it's just a little bit.

It's not that my video game is that good. But it's taken me years of work, and I'd like it to have a chance to be known, even if not too many people like it.

It's not a question of money, since the video game is free. <span class="ryNqvb" <thanks="" for="" your="" attention.<="" span="">
</span>

P.S.: I had thought about promoting it on itch, in the corresponding section, but since the rules aren't very clear, I don't dare (it seems that if I promote my video game on itch and some crystal person is offended, that could cause problems for my account).

woodsmoke179 days ago (1 edit) (+3)

You can promote your own game here:

Release Announcements
Announce and promote your own projects here

But don't promote your own projects under Recommend a Game because that's for games that aren't your own.

mescalina azul177 days ago (1 edit) (+2)

Thanks for the advice. I already said I didn't do it before out of fear... but anyway, I'm going to do it, let's see what happens...

EDIT:

Indeed, after investing time in a small promotion, itch rejected my post.

Although my game doesn't contain adult material, I checked the "Adult" box, as it contains foul language in some dialogue.

I appreciate the ITCH site's work, but sometimes it comes across as overly strict, in a somewhat disorganized and unfocused way.

RATASOFTWARE.INC179 days ago(+2)

Hola!!!

You can promote it on your social media, or create an account specifically for that if you don’t have one yet (Instagram, X, BlueSky...).

Use hashtags like #indiegame or #indiedev in your posts. Unfortunately, there’s not much more I can tell you — it's hard to gain visibility at the beginning...

Best regards and good luck with your project!"

mescalina azul176 days ago(+1)

Thanks; good luck to you too. I'll check out the Instagram and other options.

I think you speak Spanish. I'm including the English translation here so other users can understand what's being said. Are your games in Spanish? And if so, do they work well on Itch? There don't seem to be many Spanish speakers.

RATASOFTWARE.INC176 days ago(+1)

Yes, I speak Spanish and my game is in Spanish. The truth is, it has worked quite well — the number of views and downloads is much higher than I expected. Anyway, I’m working on the English translation; I think it will give it much more visibility.

redonihunter179 days ago(+4)

The problem with self promotion is, you need to be known to do that. And if you are already known, you would not need it. So posting on social media while being unknown will not have all that much of an effect. You might get lucky and peak some interest and get the ball rolling though.

If you talk about that non English game with the non appealing cover image, that's two problems right there that can hinder any promotion. Itch is English. Promoting a non English language game will shut out the majority of visitors already. And how would you react to seeing that cover image if you were to browse for games? It is the game's name and a version number as text. Nothing more.

Oh, and yeah, I did get that the version number is the name of the game - after ~~reading~~ translating the description. But who would do that? It looks like an accounting tool's cover image.

And after translating the whole description, reading the tags, looking at the screenshots ... I still have absolutely no clue whatsoever what this game is about. So anyone opening your game page and being as clueless as me, might not be inclined to try the game.

mescalina azul176 days ago(+1)

Greetings. I appreciate your honesty, and that you've taken the time to check out my corner.

You're actually right. Regarding the language: I want to promote the game in Spanish, because it's in Spanish. Although I'm starting to consider doing an English translation. I realize that an English game is open to a wider audience.

As for the cover and the title... Hahaha, that's part of the mystery. Being a hobbyist, an outsider (not a real programmer), I quickly realized I couldn't compete with most of the independent works out there; so I took a less ambitious approach. And not very pragmatic when it came to marketing.

The game is somewhat eccentric, enigmatic... and I decided to extend that to its presentation. Yes, yes, it's not the most sensible approach. But anyway, let's see what happens...

Best regards.

redonihunter176 days ago(+3)

I suggest you make up your mind.

Do you want to promote your game, or do you want the project to be obscure.

You can promote it in some Spanish speaking places with direct links and not care about the "passive" bonus that being in the Itch catalogue of games offers. That bonus is not all that big, but still. Having a cover image and accurate tags and a description that tells people what the game is supposed to be, might help here.

I read a lot, like, really a lot of game descriptions. And tags are kinda a topic of interest to me. That I have no clue what this game is about after reading description, is not a good sign. Also, you have marked is as an adult game. Combine that with the screenshot of the belly and legs showing women, and one might expect some adult game.

Foul language is not grounds for "nsfw". Is there nudity in the game? Is the foul language about naughty things? Is the game about "adult" activites, even if you do not show them explicit? If you answer all those questions with no, the game will not be considered nsfw. You can still mark it as such, if you are uncomfortable with a 13 year old playing the game. But for all intents and purposes, your game is considered as an adult game, which includes that you cannot post in https://itch.io/board/10022/release-announcements

mescalina azul175 days ago(+1)

I understand.

I marked the game as 18+ as a simple matter of responsibility. Because of details like occasional foul language or an uninhibited outfit; not because it's a game with nudity or explicit content. And this happens much less frequently than in a Dragon Age game; or a Skyrim game; or even a Final Fantasy 7 game. And let's not even talk about GTA or Saint Row.

In any Western role-playing game (not all, but it's very common), we can see characters in their underwear.

What I'm saying is that I marked the game as 18+, but not as a game "with explicit content."

So my game shows some naughty mentions; but no more than Skyrim, and we don't consider Skyrim (or Fable) to be "with explicit content," at least not in the strictest sense. Or rather, we don't consider them outside the sphere of the mainstream commercial circuit.

Furthermore, considering ITCH's policy on promoting games through "release announcements," none of the games I mentioned (including Ff 7) would be welcome. Couldn't we consider this the result of an overly strict policy, one too fearful of offending political correctness? If Skirym or Heavy Rain were brought to ITCH to be promoted through "release announcements," would ITCH prevent it?

And going further: if "nsfw" implies, among other things, violent content, any game with combat, regardless of the system, is "nsfw."

I added tags (maybe I didn't use the most appropriate ones; I'll check). I also specified the game's style and some details. In any case, I'll edit the site to see if I can include a video trailer I posted on YouTube.

Regarding my indecisiveness, I agree with you. In any case, I'm not saying I don't want to promote my game. However, (and it pains me to admit it) it's not the best game, and I don't think it can compete with the rest of the catalog, so I'm content with a small space for now. I think the game has interesting things to offer (when I play it, I don't get bored, which is a good sign), but, I don't know, I'm not very confident; we'll see what time and the criticism of those who play it dictate.

Sorry for going on so long, but I found what you suggested interesting and wanted to expand on it.

P.S.: If any ITCH executive reads this, I hope they don't take it the wrong way; I'm grateful that a place like this exists that allows fans like me to host their work. And while there may be things I may disagree with, I respect other people's homes and their rules.

redonihunter175 days ago(+1)

I marked the game as 18+, but not as a game "with explicit content."

There is no distinction on Itch for that. There is 13+ because Itch is 13+ and there is 18+. Look at the front page (without being logged in, since your account will have adult games set to on, since you published one). Look at the horror games there. And then decide, if your game really warrants a 18+ marking. If you mark it as nsfw, you can't post in release announcement. It does not matter why your game is marked so.

If you have no nudity, no ultra violence, no adult topics, you most likely do not need that nsfw marking. Adult as in adult bookstore, not adult as in paying taxes.

Skyrim is M and that is 17+, without nudity. And that is an official rating. Blood and Gore, Intense Violence, Sexual Themes, Use of Alcohol, Language

GTA V is also M 17+, but with Intense Violence Blood and Gore Nudity Mature Humor Strong Language Strong Sexual Content Use of Drugs and Alcohol

FF 7 remake is T (13+), with Violence Blood Mild Suggestive Themes Language Use of Alcohol and Tobacco

Since there is no nudity in Skyrim it might get away without the nsfw marking on Itch. GTA V would not. And FF7 would not even be near the nsfw category. Point is, nsfw category is not strictly the same as 18+.

The Voices Games177 days ago (1 edit) (+2)

If it's possible to do a web build putting it on newgrounds will get it seen a bit. If you put it on steam for free it will get claimed by a lot of people but not that many might actually play it but that costs money so you don't want to do that with too many games.

LowKeyDev177 days ago(+2)

Join a game jam. Then sometimes the jam host will put it on youtube. It will also be in a collection of like games, so anyone browsing the jam will probably find your game. Most jam participants play each others games regardless of how good they look anyway.

mescalina azul176 days ago(+1)

Greetings. Okay, I've seen the existence of Jams, but I thought it was something related to games made for the occasion. Can long games be submitted to these Jams; games that were already made before?

LowKeyDev176 days ago(+3)

Some of them. If you want to submit a game you've already made, make sure to read the rules of the jam first. A lot of them will say that the game must be made to fit the theme, but there are some, like the Decade Jam, where there is no theme and so long as it's been made in the past 5 years or so it's okay to submit. There are also some like HOW LONG CAN WE JAM where the jam ends in 1750 years and it doesn't even matter.

mescalina azul175 days ago(+1)

Thanks. I'll see if I can sneak the game into one of them.

Hodslate176 days ago(+3)

Advertise and advertise some more.

Nmodern173 days ago(+1)

I often times wonder how much a billboard costs...it's probably a lot...

Hodslate173 days ago(+1)

It's a slog that's for sure especially with algorithms these days

MANOEL STUDIOS 2173 days ago

I DARE YOU!!!!!!!!!! YOU ARE BAN! >:(

MANOEL STUDIOS 2173 days ago

STOP TO AND CODE!

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