Want to write a review for Wurm?

jsanglier — Sun, 07 Jun 2009 11:19:55 +0000

I get the odd message from players needing writing hints and tips; specifically about writing reviews about Wurm. There is without doubt a vast difference between a good review and a bad review, just to state the obvious for a moment, but what is forgotten sometimes is how a good review not only says a lot about the game, but also about the person writing the review; readers will judge the writer by the quality of their article.

Reviews are an odd beast and have changed much since the Internet has enabled all of us to become instant published writers. Originally most reviews were authored by professional reviewers; normally experienced journalists who had an expertise in the subject. We still get those, though I am often appalled by the terrible standard of writing and bad construction that is published by game reporters.(...)
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Getting the word out there

jsanglier — Wed, 03 Jun 2009 12:58:47 +0000

Advertising and promoting anything can be a complete pain at the best of times. Who do you sell to? How do you sell to them? How do you attract their attention? Does it matter what you say? It really is the ultimate form of completely artificial conversation. Yes, voice overs really do talk like that in real life; when you spend everyday underlining and emphasising particular words to get the client’s message across, it becomes kind of habit forming. I find it almost impossible to type without talking out loud! With most of my clients I have to do a balancing act between what they feel they want and what my 30 years in advertising tells me will probably (but not definitely) work. After all, although I may understand advertising better than they, it is their business and they know it and understand it far better than I do.

An online game poses some rather unique challenges from the marketing point of view. The nearest established real life comparison I can make is probably advertising annual membership to a golf club. Although you are selling a single product, the game of golf, you are not just selling a single item, you are selling a time commitment; spending a couple of thousand on your annual membership fee is kind of crazy if you never actually play any golf! So, when an online game markets itself, it has to say not only “this game is fun,” but “you will enjoy playing it continuously hour after hour for the next year or more.”

That is a BIG sell for anyone – whatever your budget.(...)
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Want to write a review for Wurm?

Getting the word out there