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Visual Novel Market

A topic by Roomah Gaming created Mar 01, 2021 Views: 710 Replies: 8
Viewing posts 1 to 4

Hello,

I have a question for developers and publishers specifically those who developed or published Visual Novels. 
Besides Japan and Korea, where do you guys market your games? Which country is the most profitable for selling VNs?

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I have created 6 ads running for 1 week long, I reached thousands of views, gained likes and clicks but barely anyone commented on the ads or make a purchase.
My ads run in UK and US since the price for my VN is in USD.

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Do you guys have any idea which country I should focus more specifically for the ads?

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Note: Yes, I'm happy when people from here did make a purchase, but I don't rely on gaining profits from here since most of us probably are developers; who spend most of the time creating instead of playing.

Most of the JP playerbase dont read English so marking to them is like switching your phone to another language. Visual novels have two things going, creatively and story, if you can make a fun interactive game, you have a fun game or if you make a story the people will want more from the story. This is also true for books, people will look for their kind of book . I played your demo game for a bit to see your visual novel, it has many lacking features of visual novel.

There are no characters, you dont need characters but people will expect characters such as people expect actors in a movie. words are too small, way too small and they dont have that feeling of being read. no sound effects; you cant just rely on music and background. Basic renpy UI look, I think you selected a look and didnt do much.

Clearly the ads arent the problem, its the game being bear-bones, its a visual novel but lacks many visual novel novelty.

Thank you for responding, to reply to your comment:

"Most of the JP playerbase dont read English"
Hence the question mentioned besides JP. And I didn't market my game in JP or Korea.

"Interactivity/Creativity/Story"
The VN is focusing on the story.

"lacking features of visual novel."
What are the features that missing?

"The no characters was intended."
This comment is unnecessary.  Even the ads itself mentioned about having no character images and also it is stated in the game's page.

"Words are too small"
What is your resolution and which demo did you play? Browser or downloadable demo?

"No sound effects"
There are sound effects through out the vn, idk what you are talking about. Do you mean the sound effect of something being clicked and/or the sound effect of the words being typed/shown?

"Basic renpy UI"
Yes, this one is kinda true, I changed about 50% while let the other 50% stays as it is.


In my opinion you just cant push people to buy your visual novel (or any kind of game) without "branding" them first (i.e: let people know about your product). This can't be done in one night, obviously. You need to plan it carefully with long-term marketing strategy. Your product does not look appealing for most of visual novel fans (I speak here because from my experience, general visual novel fans looking for something more visually appealing like nice graphic and characters, and maybe some fanservice, before anything else). I know that several visual novels sold deviates from that pattern, but it's very, very little example and it's hard to expect that from relatively unknown creator. Take a look of the example of popular visual novel and why it's sold well, and maybe you can think from that.

Thank you for the respond. Honestly I'm not denying that I had trouble to showcase the screenshot. I mainly focus the vn on it's story rather than the art. Since I have no character images, it's difficult to showcase the art. I would understand clearly if someone passed at first glance. Right now, I am focusing on branding. It's a bit too late, but never too late, right? The vn I have right now is supposedly focus not just on it's story but it was intended for people with depression or someone struggling to move on from their life. Any idea which tags should I use for my ads other than #visualnovel #art etc?

(+1)

Hey there Roomah Gaming,

I just finished your game last night and recorded almost 2h of gameplay and reivews, wil do my best to post it tomorrow (you commented on my post in case you dont remember who I am)... and I must say it is great and amazing story you have here.

Tomorrow you will be able to see my review, all left is an upload and to write down my thoughts about your game.

Here is the thing, visuals novels like this should be directed to not just normal gamers, but to readers, so better look for a liberary or an online liberary to run your ads there... however, since I am seeing that you have a problem to market your "SWEET" game, I might do something about it ;)

Best of luck, Zakaria Ghorfati.

(+1)

Hi,

Thank you so much for trying the visual novel! I did few days ago on your thread yes! Can't wait to hear your thoughts, I hope you will be honest with it (even if it's a negative thoughts!), it will help me to improve in the future! Thanks for you suggestion as well. I can't wait to hear your review on it!

Your gameplay video is taking long to upload so it might take more than tomorrow... it is ready though

(+1)

Hi, it is fine. It already is an honor knowing you did check out our visual novel! Take your time ^^