25 Gaming & Video Game Digital Marketing Programs That Have Worked

Digital marketing is crucial in the gaming industry, where competition is fierce and players are always looking for the next great experience.

Here are 25 gaming PR and video game digital marketing programs and strategies that have proven effective for gaming companies:

1. Influencer Marketing

1. Twitch Streamers: Partnering with popular Twitch streamers to play and promote games has been highly effective. For example, EA’s partnership with popular streamers to showcase new releases has driven significant engagement.
2. YouTube Content Creators: Collaborating with YouTubers for gameplay videos, reviews, and live streams, as seen with game developers like Bethesda for “Fallout 76.”

2. Social Media Campaigns

3. Twitter Campaigns: Running hashtag campaigns and engaging with gaming communities on Twitter. For instance, Fortnite’s use of hashtags to promote in-game events.
4. Instagram Stories: Sharing behind-the-scenes content, updates, and user-generated content on Instagram Stories, as used by companies like Riot Games for “League of Legends.”

3. Content Marketing

5. Developer Diaries: Creating blog posts or video diaries from developers about the game development process, as seen with “Horizon Zero Dawn.”
6. Game Guides and Tutorials: Publishing guides and tutorials to help players improve their skills, like the comprehensive guides offered by Blizzard for “World of Warcraft.”

4. Email Marketing

7. Newsletters: Sending regular newsletters with updates on new content, events, and promotions. For example, Nintendo’s email newsletters keep fans informed about game releases and updates.
8. Personalized Offers: Using player data to send personalized game recommendations and offers, as practiced by Steam.

5. Community Engagement

9. Forums and Reddit AMAs: Engaging with the community through forums and Reddit Ask Me Anything (AMA) sessions, like CD Projekt Red did for “Cyberpunk 2077.”
10. Fan Contests: Running contests and giveaways to encourage community engagement, such as Ubisoft’s fan art contests for “Assassin’s Creed.”

6. Paid Advertising

11. Google Ads: Utilizing pay-per-click ads to target gamers searching for related content, as done by many developers for game launches.
12. Social Media Ads: Running targeted ads on platforms like Facebook and Instagram to reach gamers interested in specific genres or titles.

7. Influencer Partnerships

13. Esports Sponsorships: Sponsoring esports events or teams to increase brand visibility, as seen with brands like Intel and Red Bull in the esports scene.
14. Game Reviews: Providing early access to popular reviewers and influencers to generate buzz before a game’s release.

8. Interactive Content

15. Quizzes and Polls: Creating engaging quizzes and polls related to games, such as those used by PlayStation to gauge interest in upcoming titles.
16. Playable Ads: Developing interactive ads that allow users to play a short demo of the game, like the ads used by King for “Candy Crush.”

9. SEO (Search Engine Optimization)

17. Keyword Optimization: Optimizing game-related content for search engines to drive organic traffic, as practiced by many game developers and publishers.
18. YouTube SEO: Using SEO strategies for game trailers and gameplay videos on YouTube to improve discoverability.

10. Mobile Marketing

19. App Store Optimization (ASO): Optimizing game listings in app stores to improve visibility and downloads, as seen with many successful mobile games like “Clash of Clans.”
20. Push Notifications: Using push notifications to re-engage players with new content and events, a strategy often employed by mobile game developers.

11. Loyalty Programs

21. In-Game Rewards: Implementing loyalty programs that reward players for regular engagement and purchases, as seen in games like “Fortnite” with its Battle Pass system.
22. Exclusive Content: Offering exclusive in-game content or bonuses for players who participate in loyalty programs, such as those used by Rockstar Games for “GTA Online.”

12. Partnerships and Cross-Promotions

23. Cross-Game Promotions: Promoting new games through in-game events or bonuses in existing popular titles, as done by Epic Games with crossovers in “Fortnite.”
24. Brand Collaborations: Partnering with brands for exclusive content or promotions, like the collaboration between “Fortnite” and major brands for exclusive in-game items.

13. Virtual and Augmented Reality

25. AR Filters: Creating augmented reality filters and experiences related to games, such as the AR filters used for “Pokémon GO.”

These strategies have been successfully implemented by various gaming companies to boost engagement, drive sales, and build strong communities around their games.