Concerning EU3 Release, Marketing, etc.

[Jolt]

Haha, very nice one.

 

[Susana]

It's great to see a discussion about marketing on the Paradox forums!

Our ambition is to improve our marketing and pr with every single title we release and those of you who have followed us since Hearts of Iron II will probably have noticed quite a difference.

It's true we might not have the marketing budgets or reach that many of the bigger companies in the industry have, but bigger is not always better, what matters is the output of our investments. When looking at sales numbers, we've seen several examples of huge $$$ awareness campaigns that actually generate less sales than some of our releases.

We are in business because we believe we have something unique to offer gamers and we think you frequent these forums because you agree. We might never be as visible or as well known as some of the companies that publish mainstream games but we will continue to strive to become one of the best known PC Strategy publisher worldwide. After all, we would not want to deprive any gamers of the experience of playing any of our games! ...

We are always looking for smart ways to increase the awareness of our games and while I cannot promise we can follow up on all your suggestions, I'll happily read any thoughts and suggestions you have .

Kind regards
Susana Meza
Director of Marketing and PR

 

[EUnderhill]

It's great to see a discussion about marketing on the Paradox forums!

Our ambition is to improve our marketing and pr with every single title we release and those of you who have followed us since Hearts of Iron II will probably have noticed quite a difference.

It's true we might not have the marketing budgets or reach that many of the bigger companies in the industry have, but bigger is not always better, what matters is the output of our investments. When looking at sales numbers, we've seen several examples of huge $$$ awareness campaigns that actually generate less sales than some of our releases.

We are in business because we believe we have something unique to offer gamers and we think you frequent these forums because you agree. We might never be as visible or as well known as some of the companies that publish mainstream games but we will continue to strive to become one of the best known PC Strategy publisher worldwide. After all, we would not want to deprive any gamers of the experience of playing any of our games! ...

We are always looking for smart ways to increase the awareness of our games and while I cannot promise we can follow up on all your suggestions, I'll happily read any thoughts and suggestions you have .

Kind regards
Susana Meza
Director of Marketing and PR

Have you considered looking at the "mature" market, ie older people with time, money and patience, who went to school at a time when history was emphasized? There may well be an untapped market there looking for the kinds of games Paradox best can offer.

 

[Reveilled]

Have you considered looking at the "mature" market, ie older people with time, money and patience, who went to school at a time when history was emphasized? There may well be an untapped market there looking for the kinds of games Paradox best can offer.

Very true. In fact, given that Paradox's older games run well on inexpensive computers, remarketing them to older people could boost the sales of the older games. Adverts in magazines aimed at people who might own a computer but never use it for games (for example, those magazines designed to teach people how to use computers) might open up an untapped market, if there is one.

 

[Pafka]

I think that Paradox have done a very nice progress marketing their last releases. Of course I don't know exact sale numbers, but at least an effort was remarkable considering available resources. Not to mention rapid growth of media coverage. Alot can still be done, but I have no doubts, that Pdox is aware of its weaknesses and will concentrate own knowledge and experience on improving its market position and share. Prasing's done, thank you. %)

 

[Grosshaus]

Very true. In fact, given that Paradox's older games run well on inexpensive computers, remarketing them to older people could boost the sales of the older games. Adverts in magazines aimed at people who might own a computer but never use it for games (for example, those magazines designed to teach people how to use computers) might open up an untapped market, if there is one.

Or perhaps non-gaming magazines focused on other issues that are common with adults who are interested in history. Specific history magazines are obvious picks, but perhaps also things such as car/general technology, business or general politics magazines. So not really to the elderly, but rather the 30-40 year olds who have a history of playing earlier as a kid but have fallen out of the "scene".

 

[EUnderhill]

Or perhaps non-gaming magazines focused on other issues that are common with adults who are interested in history. Specific history magazines are obvious picks, but perhaps also things such as car/general technology, business or general politics magazines. So not really to the elderly, but rather the 30-40 year olds who have a history of playing earlier as a kid but have fallen out of the "scene".

I was thinking the 50+ market, but then again, I don't deal with tech support questions .

 

[Owl]

I was thinking the 50+ market, but then again, I don't deal with tech support questions .

If you kids need technical support we of the 'mature market' are the ones with the patience to help you.....

 

[EUnderhill]

If you kids need technical support we of the 'mature market' are the ones with the patience to help you.....

I'm in that middle position where older people turn to me for tech support because I have younger friends that I can ask .

 

[Gaute65]

Or perhaps non-gaming magazines focused on other issues that are common with adults who are interested in history. Specific history magazines are obvious picks, but perhaps also things such as car/general technology, business or general politics magazines. So not really to the elderly, but rather the 30-40 year olds who have a history of playing earlier as a kid but have fallen out of the "scene".

In Norway we have at least two history magazines. One off them (http://www.levendehistorie.no/ ) does mentioning "historical" computer games like Civ or total war series.

I'm pretty sure that if someone wrote an article about EU3 they will use it.

 

[kolmy]

About magazines, here in Portugal EU1 had a good publicity by one of must known game magazines here.

[EDIT] There you have:

 

[Jolt]

Hehe, I had no idea Paradox actually made EU2 in Portuguese. I bought my own in English. I thought the closest-looking language they made a game on was spanish.

EDIT: Oops, EU1. Hehe.