Game Guide Released
by Andy Schatz · 08/01/2008 (6:08 pm) · 7 comments
Some of Venture Arctic's biggest fans are adults, but I find that there is still this assumption that because it's a sim game with animals in it, it's a kid's game. Granted, kids do enjoy the games, but I have always felt that the potential audience was much larger than the one that I currently hit.
To combat this, and to try to help demonstrate the depth that's in the game (plus to support the retail release), I threw together a Venture Arctic Game Guide.
It will be interesting to see if this helps communicate the message of the game better, and if I find that I draw in more strategic fans.
What do you guys think? Do you have the impression that the Venture games are just for kids? If so, why?
About the author
#2
Are you starting a new project? (Even if you can only hint at it with an obtuse but amusing code name).
(And there is always that cross-promotional tie-in with the Venture Brothers on Adult Swim. That series isn't for kids.)
Glad to see Venture Artic getting a retail release.
08/01/2008 (9:29 pm)
I never thought of the Venture games as just for kids. If anything, the opposite. The game might be getting grouped with books and other media aimed at young adults. Are you starting a new project? (Even if you can only hint at it with an obtuse but amusing code name).
(And there is always that cross-promotional tie-in with the Venture Brothers on Adult Swim. That series isn't for kids.)
Glad to see Venture Artic getting a retail release.
#3
EDIT:
You could always make version(s) of the games that look more real (less cartoony) or with more edge of some kind perhaps, just be careful you don't lose your niche trying to appeal to more people by becoming less remarkable and more common. ;)
08/02/2008 (5:06 am)
Quote:Because it looks cartoonish and educational.Yeah, I think thats why its assumed it is for kids only, considering that non kids games don't tend to look cartoonish, involving killing dudes/chicks for whatever reason and are only at risk of teaching you the finer points of how to do proper car jacking and gun reloading :D
EDIT:
You could always make version(s) of the games that look more real (less cartoony) or with more edge of some kind perhaps, just be careful you don't lose your niche trying to appeal to more people by becoming less remarkable and more common. ;)
#4
Getting them in the door is the hard part. Would I buy this one if I saw it on the shelf? Only because of my interests (Indie game dev). If not for that, I'd probably pass - and I'd probably miss out on some healthy fun.
Your quick guide may help to break that 'in the door' barrier.
08/02/2008 (6:40 am)
I'd imagine it comes down to initial hooks. Adult women might be more likely to try it out. Adult men, I'd guess, would be a very small part of the audience. And the small part may consist of some folks that have some interest in 'nature stuff'.Getting them in the door is the hard part. Would I buy this one if I saw it on the shelf? Only because of my interests (Indie game dev). If not for that, I'd probably pass - and I'd probably miss out on some healthy fun.
Your quick guide may help to break that 'in the door' barrier.
#5
I spent much of the past year working with IAC on Green.com. The past few months I've been back on my own work, which is why there's all this flurry of activity. I've got a little experimental side project I'm working on, I'm updating Venture Africa to be Vista and Intel Mac compatible, and I'm waiting on my first numbers on Venture Arctic before I (possibly) dive into the next Venture title!
08/02/2008 (5:32 pm)
Randy-I spent much of the past year working with IAC on Green.com. The past few months I've been back on my own work, which is why there's all this flurry of activity. I've got a little experimental side project I'm working on, I'm updating Venture Africa to be Vista and Intel Mac compatible, and I'm waiting on my first numbers on Venture Arctic before I (possibly) dive into the next Venture title!
#6
08/04/2008 (12:00 pm)
Very cool Andy, glad to see you blogging again. Green.com looks to be similar to ZooKazoo.com, interesting projects and paradigms. Any chance we'll see future Pocketwatch titles for virtual world platforms? 
#7
08/11/2008 (8:19 am)
Coool...
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