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Srayn

@srayn

Freelance & COO NAGA-Agency | Marketing, branding and Go-To-Market Strategy for #indiegames and #indiedevs

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14.11.2024
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Latest posts by Srayn @srayn

First game we're announcing as a co-publisher πŸ₯Ή

Mars is an ambitious game, and I’m 100% sure it’s going to be a hit. If you have time, check it out and wishlist it to support the devs (it’s a game by Cyborg Dreams, by the way).

30.05.2025 20:24 πŸ‘ 1 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0

So awesome!

The market REALLY needed this

09.04.2025 11:37 πŸ‘ 1 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0

It's been a while since my last postβ€”well, hello there!

We're currently looking for early playtesters for a client.

I can't share too much yet since the game is unannounced, if you're interested in a farming game or need more info, send me a DM.

#indiegame #playtest #indiedev

05.03.2025 14:44 πŸ‘ 8 πŸ” 2 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0

After two attempts with the weekly content, I feel like it doesn’t bring much value.

Dear #indiedevs, would you prefer a weekly or bimonthly video with more marketing insights (maybe on YouTube) for your #indiegames?

Comment with πŸ‘ for video, πŸ‘Ž to keep the current format, or other suggestions!

11.02.2025 16:30 πŸ‘ 3 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0
Preview
Manor Lords on Steam Manor Lords is a medieval strategy game featuring in-depth city building, large-scale tactical battles, and complex economic and social simulations. Rule your lands as a medieval lord – the seasons pass, the weather changes, and cities rise and fall.

Hope this review helps some of you! Sorry for being late, I had a lot to do yesterday.

If you need help optimizing your marketing and converting wishlists, feel free to reach out.

In the meantime, here’s Manor Lords' Steam page:
store.steampowered.c...

9/9 πŸ”š

05.02.2025 16:31 πŸ‘ 1 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0

πŸ”Ή A Blueprint for Indie Success

βœ… A clear, compelling hook
βœ… Gameplay that encourages content
βœ… Consistent, transparent communication
βœ… A demo that converts players into wishlists

Manor Lords is the perfect example of a game designed for its audience and market.

8/9

05.02.2025 16:31 πŸ‘ 0 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 1 πŸ“Œ 0

πŸ”Ή The Demo That Changed Everything

During Steam Next Fest, the demo generated massive word-of-mouth.

Players tested it, loved it… and wishlist counts skyrocketed.

Steam’s algorithm took notice and pushed it even further.

7/9

05.02.2025 16:31 πŸ‘ 0 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 1 πŸ“Œ 0

πŸ”Ή Perfect Market Timing

With the success of games like Banished and Anno, there was a demand for a deeper, more immersive city-builder.

Manor Lords delivered, with no direct competition.

6/9

05.02.2025 16:31 πŸ‘ 0 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 1 πŸ“Œ 0

Mastering the Art of Communication

Slavic Magic (the dev) regularly shares raw gameplay, devlogs, and historical comparisons.

No fluff, just pure substance: β€œHere’s what you can do in my game.”

Players love it.

5/9

05.02.2025 16:31 πŸ‘ 0 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 1 πŸ“Œ 0

πŸ”Ή User-Generated Content Fueled Its Growth

Manor Lords exploded thanks to player-driven content.

πŸ“Œ Viral videos showcasing highly detailed towns
πŸ“Œ Players recreating epic battles
πŸ“Œ Discussions about realistic medieval economies

Word of mouth did the rest.

4/9

05.02.2025 16:30 πŸ‘ 0 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 1 πŸ“Œ 0

πŸ”Ή The USPs

βœ… Organic city-building: No grid-based layouts, villages grow naturally.

βœ… Dynamic economy: Every resource matters, trade is crucial.

βœ… Large-scale battles: Realistic formations, morale, and logistics.

βœ…Highly detailed buil logic

05.02.2025 16:30 πŸ‘ 0 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 1 πŸ“Œ 0

πŸ”Ή The Hook: Simple yet powerful

"A realistic medieval city-builder with large-scale battles."

From the first glimpse, Manor Lords stands out with its realism, immersion, and ambition.

Not just another management game, a true medieval lordship simulator.

2/9

05.02.2025 16:30 πŸ‘ 0 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 1 πŸ“Œ 0

🏰 Why did Manor Lords blow up? 🏰

A medieval city-builder with real-time battles and insane detail. And yet, it’s made by a solo developer.

How did it achieve such massive success? Let’s break it down. πŸ‘‡

#GameMarketing #Steam #indiedevs #indiegames #manorlords

🧡 1/9

05.02.2025 16:30 πŸ‘ 4 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 1 πŸ“Œ 0

When I post on Bluesky, I always try to provide indie game developers with the best possible free value.

I don’t know if I’m doing it right, but I sincerely hope my posts help you market your game, even though I expect nothing in return. πŸ™

#indiegames #indiedev

30.01.2025 16:08 πŸ‘ 4 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0

πŸ”ΉWhy drive Wishlists: It might seem obvious, but wishlists boost Steam’s algorithm, increasing visibility. They also help set marketing milestones and give you something to share on social media.

Need help optimizing your Steam page? Let’s talk πŸ‘‡
5/5

29.01.2025 16:00 πŸ‘ 0 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0

πŸ”Ή Stay active on your Community Hub: engage with players, answer questions, and post updates. Active page attracts more visibility and drives wishlists.

πŸ”ΉDemo: A great way to drive wishlists and showcase your game's quality. If players enjoy it, good. If not... well, it’s valuable feedback.
4/5

29.01.2025 16:00 πŸ‘ 0 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 1 πŸ“Œ 0

πŸ”Ή Good Visuals: Screenshots should tell a story, highlight USPs, and avoid empty-looking scenes. GIFs > static images.

πŸ”Ή Clear Description: Keep it structured, punchy, and readable. No walls of text. GIFs and images make it more visually appealing and easier to read, whitespace matters.
3/5

29.01.2025 16:00 πŸ‘ 0 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 1 πŸ“Œ 0

πŸ”Ή Make your Hook clear : Your title, banner, and short description must instantly show what the game is about and why it’s unique.

πŸ”Ή Trailer: No logos, no black screens, jump straight into gameplay. Keep it 30-60s, dynamic, end with a wishlist screen (can be 2 trailers but different focus).
2/5

29.01.2025 16:00 πŸ‘ 0 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 1 πŸ“Œ 0

🧡 Optimizing a Steam page is key, players decide in seconds if they’ll wishlist.

Here’s how to make those seconds count. πŸ‘‡

#GameMarketing #Steam #IndieGame #Wishlist #IndieDevs
1/5

29.01.2025 16:00 πŸ‘ 2 πŸ” 1 πŸ’¬ 1 πŸ“Œ 0

Not necessarily; it's often screenshots from the game or short videos showcasing building skills.

29.01.2025 10:38 πŸ‘ 0 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 1 πŸ“Œ 0
Preview
Tiny Glade on Steam Tiny Glade is a small diorama builder where you doodle whimsical castles, cozy cottages & romantic ruins. Explore gridless building chemistry as the game adorns your glades with procedural detail. No management, combat or goals: just kick back and turn forgotten meadows into lovable dioramas.

Tiny Glade has shown us that sometimes, simple mechanics done perfectly can have a massive impact.

Here is the link to their steam page:
store.steampowered.c...

28.01.2025 17:00 πŸ‘ 0 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0

5️⃣ Takeaway for devs

Tiny Glade is proof that:

πŸ’‘ A strong hook + standout USPs = a foundation for success.
πŸ’¬ Foster a creative community and let them market the game for you.
πŸŽ₯ Make sure your game looks visually unique, it’s the key to UGC success.

28.01.2025 17:00 πŸ‘ 0 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 1 πŸ“Œ 0

4️⃣ Why it works

πŸ” Repetition fuels virality. Tiny Glade capitalized on players posting daily builds and using trends.

🎯 Focused simplicity. The game targets players who want to relax, and be creative in just a few clicks, making it appealing to a wide audience.

28.01.2025 17:00 πŸ‘ 0 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 1 πŸ“Œ 0

πŸ“ˆ Social Media-Friendly Content: Every build is mesmerizing. Whether on TikTok, YouTube Shorts, or Twitter, creators love showing off their villages, and the algorithms love it too.

28.01.2025 17:00 πŸ‘ 1 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 1 πŸ“Œ 0

3️⃣ Success Through User-Generated Content (UGC)
Tiny Glade nailed its marketing by focusing on community creativity. Here’s how:

▢️ Daily Builds & Trends: The game’s mechanics make sharing videos or screenshots addictive, fitting perfectly with short-form video trends.

28.01.2025 17:00 πŸ‘ 0 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 2 πŸ“Œ 0

2️⃣ The USPs (Unique Selling Points):

🧱 Reactive Building Mechanics: Every action feels alive. Walls curve, arches form naturally...

πŸ‚ Seasonal Themes: Build in cozy autumn vibes, frosty winter sceneries (or else).

✨ Infinite Possibilities: There’s no right way to play.

28.01.2025 17:00 πŸ‘ 0 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 1 πŸ“Œ 0

1️⃣ The Hook

β€œThe most reactive and chill building game ever.”

Tiny Glade doesn’t overpromiseβ€”it delivers on this simplicity. The game invites players to relax, build intuitively, and create stunning designs without overcomplicating things.

28.01.2025 17:00 πŸ‘ 0 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 1 πŸ“Œ 0

Let’s talk about @pouncelight.bsky.social,

the indie game that made building even funnier.

From its reactive building mechanics to its user-driven success, here’s why this game is brilliantly marketed and beloved by its community.

#TinyGlade #IndieGame #BuildingGame #CozyGaming

πŸ‘‡πŸ§΅

28.01.2025 17:00 πŸ‘ 1 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 1 πŸ“Œ 0

A general rule of thumb: allocate 10-20% of your development budget to marketing.

Even if you rely mostly on organic channels, unexpected expenses will ariseβ€”better to be prepared!

Need help optimizing your marketing strategy or time? Drop your questions in comments or DM me!😁

22.01.2025 17:01 πŸ‘ 0 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0

Unless you master all the necessary skills (rare!), some expenses are unavoidable:

πŸŽ₯ High-quality trailers
πŸ“£ Promoting key posts
🧠 Expert consultations
🎟️ Attending events

22.01.2025 17:01 πŸ‘ 0 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 1 πŸ“Œ 0