Having trouble getting reviews

[jDun1212]

I thought that maybe I had a super genious idea that I would tweet to reviewers and ask them if they were interested in playing my game, pre-release, in hopes to find some of them would like it and would give it a review or at least some exposure.

http://swangle.jamesdunaydesign.com/

I just sent a normal note and a link to the above site. I think it looks pretty professional, and the game is quite fun, however i have been having a really tough time getting anyone to respond in any manner.

I think I may try to move onto getting smaller sites to take a second to look at it, but I'm just very lost as to why no one is responding?

Any tips, or places where your game was reviewed would be so helpful.

Thanks!

[BravadoWaffle]

Originally Posted by jDun1212

I thought that maybe I had a super genious idea that I would tweet to reviewers and ask them if they were interested in playing my game, pre-release, in hopes to find some of them would like it and would give it a review or at least some exposure.

http://swangle.jamesdunaydesign.com/

I just sent a normal note and a link to the above site. I think it looks pretty professional, and the game is quite fun, however i have been having a really tough time getting anyone to respond in any manner.

I think I may try to move onto getting smaller sites to take a second to look at it, but I'm just very lost as to why no one is responding?

Any tips, or places where your game was reviewed would be so helpful.

Thanks!

You are just one of hundreds of emails or tweets that those guys get every day. If you don't do something to make yourself stand out, you're just another rain drop in a monsoon.

If you can't do something totally unique, the best thing you can do is make a super tight email with a CONCISE description of your games USP, a killer video, and great screenshots and fire it away.

Also it doesn't hurt if you develop some relationships with these guys before you ask them to do something for you...

These are all lessons that most of us have had to learn the hard way, so welcome to the club!

[jDun1212]

Thats probably all true, I'll work on an email and maybe a press release? I just don't want to release the game and blow my chances by not having anyone know about it.

[PixelEnvision]

If you are willing to spend some money (don't know how much as I never did it) you may try paid reviews or buying spots. But only if you're positive that your app will return the investment...

Also look at here for a list of review sites & such...

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/...CP3SruYM#gid=1

[jDun1212]

Wow! thats really quite the list, thanks!

[30BelowStudios]

Attractive looking website you have there. When are you releasing to the general public?

[PixelEnvision]

Originally Posted by jDun1212

Wow! thats really quite the list, thanks!

You're welcome...

[jDun1212]

30BelowStudios, well right now its approved by Apple just waiting to see if people want a pre-release look at it. I was told, last time i released a game, that it's a mistake to release it then go looking for reviews, rather I should have a private release, which is what I'm trying but no luck yet. So to answer your question, I think I should release within 2-3 weeks.

[mr.Ugly]

tricky..

website looks nice and clean.. the game from the screenie aswell..

but then it also looks completly generic and cold.. "just" another word puzzler..?

there is just nothing (for me at least) attractive to it... yes it does not look

like crap.. but then its rather like "ok, next" than "what the heck! , NEXT" ...


i think its very important to give a game character... and i mean this literal.

a mascot of some sort.. something that can "bond" between your game and the eyes of someone...

just tiles with letters on and and some photo textures won't do it.. (even if its looks clean and sharp etc.)

*shrug* my "late night 3:28am cents because i can't sleep"

[mr_wexer]

Originally Posted by mr.Ugly

tricky..


i think its very important to give a game character... and i mean this literal.

a mascot of some sort.. something that can "bond" between your game and the eyes of someone...

just tiles with letters on and and some photo textures won't do it.. (even if its looks clean and sharp etc.)

*shrug* my "late night 3:28am cents because i can't sleep"

I have to agree with sleepy head here Bookworm (by Popcap) is and old but very solid example of a dry word game being made much more attractive & fun by a cute little green worm and a few burning tiles.

It looks like you have a smart mechanic and a tight visual style... but it does lack a little that little fun spark from the outside looking at screenies alone.