FIRST IMPRESSIONS

Everyone watches trailers, whether as part of a big industry showcase such as E3, on YouTube, or on a Steam store page. To generate interest, trailers need to simultaneously capture your attention and efficiently deliver essential information about plot. The exact method differs a lot depending on the game’s genre and its unique selling points, but the basic aims are the same. I spoke to developers and a marketing team to find out what a good trailer needs.

“Game trailers are often not clear enough about what you end up doing. Is it a narrative game without a fail state? Is Section Editor) Tom Francis. “Often when you’re making a game you don’t realize what it is you haven’t said about your game.” The trailer for his game features footage which is explained via a humorous voiceover. As a result, viewers get a sense of how it plays, and the tone it’s going for.