Hello everyone,

I am developing a PC game about motorsport management. After a very long period of development, even though the game is still in pre-alpha, it is ready to be shown to people. So, to show gamers my game, I started sending emails to see if YouTubers would make some content about it and share it. But I was not thinking it would be so difficult.

Actually, I was not expecting big channels to share the game, but I was surprised that even small channels did not release anything. Most of the responses from YouTubers were promotional offers, and they had standard replies showing what type of content would cost how much. It is totally understandable because they put a ton of effort into their work and they want something in return. But the problem is that I am a solo developer and I do not have enough marketing budget. I need to keep my marketing budget, which is already very low, for closer to release time.

So I asked other developers and told them about my situation to see if they had similar problems or if it was only me. From what I saw, mostly everyone had a similar situation.

After seeing this, I started to think: as developers, can we solve this problem by ourselves? After lots of discussions, suggestions, and criticism in forums, I ended up creating a new channel: @IndieGameInn.

So what is @IndieGameInn? The logic is simple. I will explain it as simply as possible. I am not a YouTuber, and I do not want to be a YouTuber. So there will be no videos created by the channel itself. The idea is that developers create their own content about their games, and the channel shares it without any cost. To put it more simply, the developer is the content creator, and the channel publishes the video without modification. But be careful it is not trailer or dev log. All details are included in channel.

All the rules are already set. If a video follows the rules, there is no cost and the channel will publish it. And it is not limited only to developers. Even gamers, if they believe they have good game sense, can make reviews about indie games.

So in summary, this channel is a platform where developers can freely market and showcase their games to players, and reviewers can show the games that they like.

It is to early but I think I have to mention about this. If the channel grows in the future and starts generating income, most of the budget (the rest after marketing, mod and channel others costs etc.) will be spent on buying indie game keys (from developers who share content on the channel). These keys will be gifted to content creators and players who make reviews on the channel, and sometimes simply to subscribers.

So the first main aim of the channel is to create a platform where small indie teams and solo developers can show their games without any cost. The second step, if the channel grows, is to support content creators by buying content creator developer’s games and providing keys to reviewers.

So if this sounds logical to you, please check out the channel, subscribe, and send your videos. All the rules are already available on the channel. There are many details about the rules and submission process. If developers support the channel, it may become a major marketing platform for indie games.

Channel is active and you can find it in youtube @indiegameinn

I think is not bad, in theory. I have read the rules, you mention the videos should have a quality standard. But i could be better if you could detail what standard are you expecting. And also, i'd like to suggest that one to rule have some flexibility. Creating a good professional and polished video is not either easy or cheap. So, at least, certain level of... 'bad videos'  should be permitted (is just an idea/suggestion here.) 

Also, i think if the channel grows and generate income it could be better to invest it in the channel itself. Either by hiring people to help you make sure the videos met the channel's rules, handle the potential surge of publishing requests, etc. 

Also, and for now, to starting, i could also help you to upload a couple of videos at the channel, so is not empty now and also for potential unloaders to have them as reference. 

Also, now i think about it, a names nomenclature could also help both to the channel's views and the gamedevs. Something like:  'small&catchy description' - 'game name' - 'game dev'.

For example:  'Date a virtual rich lady - First date with Greta - DREAM_SEARCH_REPEAT'

Just that, i think it would be a nice idea to have a 'central hub' for indie devs to promote their work, specially if they are starting.

I saw your form: forms.gle/HgtuT2kj7Z3bsTPA9

But I have doubts about the "Release Status" part. 

When a game is on Early Access, does it count as Not Released, Released, or simply aren't accepted?

For sure accepted. I add Early Access in form.

waiting for videos of your game. It has been 1 week since new video uploaded so it just right time for your games video to upload.