Welcome, Awesome Game Creator!

Hello, future game-making superstar! So, you've been busy like a bee, creating a super-duper amazing game all by yourself. That's like building the coolest LEGO castle ever, or painting a masterpiece, or inventing a fantastic new board game! 🎨🏰🎲 That's incredible!

But just like a secret hideout, it's no fun if no one knows where it is or how to play, right? This guide is like a treasure map to help you show your game to the whole world, get them excited to play it, and even let them get a copy! It's all about making new friends for your game!

We'll learn about "marketing" (which is like a big Show and Tell for your game's yummy cookies!) and "selling" (which is how friends can get your game). Let's go on an adventure! 🚀

Cookies & Circuses! (What's Marketing & Selling?)

Imagine you've baked the yummiest cookies ever! 🍪

Marketing is like telling all your friends, "I made super yummy cookies! They have chocolate chips and sprinkles, and they’ll make your tummy happy!" You're helping them understand why your cookies (or your game) are special and why they would want them. It’s like making friends for your cookies, showing them how awesome they are so they want to be friends with your cookies too!

Selling is like when your friend says, "Wow, those cookies sound amazing! Can I have one?" and you give them a cookie, maybe they give you a shiny pebble or a drawing in return. It’s the part where they get to have your awesome game, and you might get something back, like money to help you make even more cool games!

Think of it like a circus coming to town 🎪:

  • Painting a sign that says "Circus Coming!" is advertising (telling people).
  • Putting that sign on an elephant and walking it through town is promotion (showing people in a fun way).
  • When people come to the circus, and you show them all the fun things and they decide to buy tickets and treats, that's sales!

Marketing is super important because even if you have the best game in the whole wide world, if nobody knows it exists, nobody can play it and see how awesome it is! It’s like having a secret treasure chest full of toys but not telling anyone the map to find it. 🗺️ Marketing helps your game find its biggest fans!

Planning Your Adventure! (Pre-Production)

Before you shout from the rooftops about your game, let's do some super-secret planning, like a treasure hunter planning their adventure!

Your Game's Super Sparkle! (Unique Selling Proposition - USP)

Every game needs a superpower! This is its Unique Selling Proposition, or USP for short. It's the one super-duper special thing that makes your game different and more fun than other games. It answers the question: "Why should someone play *your* game?".

Think about it: Is it the only game where you can be a flying purple elephant who bakes cakes? 🐘🎂 Does it have the silliest sound effects ever? Can you build *anything* you imagine, like a giant pizza castle? That special thing is your game's superpower! It's what you'll tell everyone to make them say "WOW!". Your USP should be simple and clear, like a bright, shiny button that everyone wants to press.

Examples for different game types:

  • Puzzle Game USP: "My game is special because every puzzle you solve helps a cute little star find its way home, and the puzzles change every time you play!" (This highlights a unique emotional hook and replayability).
  • Adventure Game USP: "My game is special because you get to explore a magical candy land with a talking gingerbread friend, and YOU choose how the story ends!" (This points to a unique theme, companion, and player agency).
  • Creative Game USP: "My game is special because you can draw your own hero, design their superpowers, and build a whole world for them to play in! Anything you imagine, you can make!" (This emphasizes total creative freedom).

Who Are Your Game's Best Friends? (Target Audience)

Imagine you're having a party. Who would you invite? Your best friends, right? For your game, you need to think about who its "best friends" will be. These are the people who will love playing your game the most! This is your target audience.

Are they little kids who love bright colors and funny animals? Bigger kids who love exciting adventures? Knowing who your game is for helps you make it super fun for *them*. If your game is for young children, it will probably have bright colors, fun characters, and simple ways to play. If it's for older kids, it might be a bit more serious or challenging.

Activity Idea: My Game's Best Friend!

(Adult helper needed)

  1. Get a big piece of paper and lots of colorful crayons or markers.
  2. In the middle, draw a picture of someone who you think would LOVE to play your game. This is your "Game's Best Friend."
  3. Around your drawing, write down or draw things about them:
    • How old are they? (e.g., draw 5 candles on a cake)
    • What other games do they like? (e.g., draw a picture of their favorite toy)
    • What are their favorite things to do? (e.g., draw them playing outside)
    • What makes them giggle? What kind of stories do they like?

This drawing helps you remember who you're making your game for! You can even use free tools like SurveyMonkey or Google Forms (with a grown-up's help) to ask people what they like in games.

Making a Game Plan! (Marketing Plan Basics)

Every great adventure needs a map! A marketing plan is like a treasure map for telling people about your game. It helps you decide:

  • Your Goal: What do you want to happen? Maybe you want 10 friends to play, or earn "gold coins" for another game!
  • Your Game's Best Friends (Target Audience): Who are you trying to reach?
  • Your Special Message (USP): What’s the super cool thing about your game?
  • Where to Tell People: School friends? Online posts (with grown-up help)?
  • How to Tell Them: Trailers? Pictures?

Having a plan is like knowing which path to take on your adventure. It stops you from getting lost! Even a simple plan, like drawing a map with your grown-up, is a great start.

Your Game's Special Style! (Branding)

Think about your favorite superhero. They have a special costume, a cool logo, and maybe even a catchphrase, right? That’s their brand! Your game needs a special style too, so people remember it.

This includes:

  • Your Game's Name: Something catchy and fun!
  • Your Game's Logo: A special picture or symbol for your game. Think of it like your game's own superhero badge! It should be simple, clear, and look good even when it's tiny on a phone screen. For example, the Netflix logo is just a red 'N' on a black background, and everyone knows it!
  • Colors and Pictures: What colors make you think of your game? Are the pictures cartoony, or do they look real?
  • The Feeling: Is your game silly and bouncy? Or is it a quiet, thoughtful adventure?

All these things together make your game's special style. It’s like its personality! When people see your game's logo or its special colors, they'll know it's *your* awesome game!

Making Cool Things to Show! (Content Creation)

Now that you've got your plan, it's time to make some super cool things to show everyone what your game is like!

Your Game's Mini-Movie! (Game Trailers)

A game trailer is like a short, exciting movie preview for your game. It shows off the best bits and makes people want to play it!

Tips for Awesome Kid-Game Trailers:

  • Show the Fun Parts First! Don't start with boring stuff. Jump right into the action in the first 5-10 seconds! Maybe show your hero doing a cool jump or finding a secret treasure.
  • Keep it Short and Sweet! Like a super yummy snack, not a giant meal. Around 1 minute is great, and never more than 2 minutes. Kids (and grown-ups!) get bored if it’s too long.
  • Show What You Do in the Game! Let people see what it’s like to *play* your game. Don’t hide the buttons or score; keep it real!
  • Use Happy Music! Pick music that sounds like your game. If it’s a bouncy, happy game, use bouncy, happy music!
  • Tell a Tiny Story: Even a short trailer can have a little story – a beginning (what’s the problem?), a middle (how does your hero try to fix it?), and an end (a little peek at success!).
  • End with a "Come Play!" Message: At the very end, show your game’s name and where people can find it (like "Wishlist on Steam!" or "Play it on Itch.io!").
  • Make it Look Good! Ask a grown-up to help make sure the video is clear and bright.

TikTok Trailers vs. YouTube Trailers:

Imagine you're telling a joke.

  • TikTok Trailers are like Quick Giggles: Super short (maybe 15-60 seconds!), very fast, often use trending funny sounds or songs, and need to grab attention in the first 3 seconds! They are great for showing a funny moment, a cool character move, or a quick peek at your game's world. You can even do a "behind-the-scenes" of you making the game!
  • YouTube Trailers are like Mini-Stories: These can be a bit longer (maybe 1 to 1.5 minutes) and tell a little more about your game’s story or what makes it special. They need good quality pictures and sound. You can show more gameplay and maybe even have a voice tell people about the adventure!

A grown-up can help you use free tools like Biteable or FlexClip to make your trailer! Remember, the goal is to make people say, "Wow, I want to play THAT!".

Awesome Pictures of Your Game! (Screenshots & Art)

Screenshots are like taking photos of the coolest parts of your game.

  • Show the Real Game: Make sure your pictures show what the game *really* looks like when you play it. Don't try to make it look different than it is.
  • Include the Buttons and Score (UI): Showing the screen with the buttons, health bar, or score (this is called the UI, or User Interface) helps people understand what kind of game it is.
  • Pick Exciting Moments: Show your character doing something fun, a beautiful place in your game, or a funny monster!
  • Make Lots! Take many pictures so you can choose the best ones.

Promotional Art is like drawing a super cool poster for your game! This could be a special drawing of your main character, your game's logo looking awesome, or a colorful banner for your game's online page. It should be bright, eye-catching, and make people curious. Think about candy land pictures with yummy colors and fun shapes! You or a grown-up can use free tools like Krita for drawing 2D art, or even AI tools (with help) to make cool pictures from your drawings.

Your Game's Story Time! (Devlogs & Storytelling)

A Devlog (Development Log) is like a diary about making your game! You can share your progress, ideas, and funny moments. People love to follow the adventure! It helps you stay motivated and shows your awesome skills. It’s a memory book of your game-making journey!

Fun Devlog Ideas for Your "Awesome Game Diary!"

(A grown-up can help you write these down or make short videos!)

  • Monster Monday: Show a new monster drawing or tell a funny story about one!
  • Art Share Day / Wowza Wednesday: Share a new drawing, a cool background, or a character's new colorful outfit!
  • Story Snippet Tuesday: Share a tiny part of your game's story.
  • Feature Friday / Fun Fact Friday: Show a new cool thing your character can do, or a fun fact about your game world!
  • Funny Bug Friday: Did something silly happen when you were coding? Share the funny "oopsie"!
  • Sound Check Saturday: Share a new sound effect or a little piece of music you made!

Storytelling in Your Marketing:

Telling stories is super powerful! You can tell:

  • The Story of How You Made Your Game: "I got this idea when I was playing with my toy dinosaurs..." This makes people feel connected to YOU!
  • The Player's Adventure in Your Game: "Imagine YOU are the brave knight! You’ll explore a sparkly cave..." This makes players excited to jump in!

Use bright colors, fun characters, and exciting words in your stories!

Trying Before Buying! (Game Demos)

A game demo is like giving your friends a free sample of your yummy cookies! It’s a small part of your game that people can play for free to see if they like it.

What Makes a Good Demo for Kids?

  • Easy to Start: Kids should be able to start playing right away.
  • Show the Funniest/Coolest Part: Pick a really fun level or ability.
  • Not Too Long, Not Too Hard: Just enough to make them want more.
  • Clear Goal: What should they try to do? (e.g., "Collect 10 shiny stars!")
  • Looks and Sounds Great: Bright pictures and fun sounds!
  • Ends with a "Want More?" Message (Call to Action - CTA): Like, "Did you have fun? The full game has 10 more levels! Ask a grown-up to help you get it!"

A good demo makes kids say, "This is so cool! I want to play the whole thing!". Steam Next Fest is a special online party where lots of people share demos of their new games!

Your Game's Info Pack! (Press Kits)

A press kit is like a special folder full of all the best information about your game. You give it to people who write about games (like bloggers or YouTubers – with your grown-up’s help!).

What’s in a Kid-Friendly Press Kit?

  • Game Name & Your Name.
  • Your Game's Mini-Movie (Trailer Link).
  • Awesome Pictures (Screenshots & Art, 5-10 best ones, and your logo).
  • A Little Story About Your Game (Elevator Pitch/Short Description: What’s it about? USP?).
  • Fun Facts: Release date? Type of game? Price? Where to get it (links!)?
  • About You, the Kid Game Maker! (Short, fun story).
  • Contact Info (for your Grown-Up Helper).

Make your press kit easy to read. You can put it on your game’s website or use free tools like Impress Games to make a cool online one.

Telling the World! (Promotion & Buzz)

Okay, you've got your game, your special superpower (USP), your game's best friends (target audience), and lots of cool stuff to show! Now it's time to tell everyone!

Making Friends Online! (Building a Community)

Building a community is like making a big group of friends who all love your game! It’s like having your own fan club!

How to Make Friends for Your Game (Kid-Style!):

  • Be a Good Friend First: Go to online places where people talk about games like yours (like Reddit groups or kid-friendly game forums – with a grown-up!). Don’t just talk about *your* game. Say nice things about other people's games, ask questions, and be helpful.
  • Share Your Game-Making Adventure: Post little bits from your "Awesome Game Diary" (your devlog!). Show them your new drawings, your funny bugs, or a cool new level you made.
  • Show Your Personality! Let your fun shine through! When you talk about your game, be excited!
  • Ask Questions: "What kind of monster should I add next?" This makes friends feel involved!
  • Have a Special Place for Your Game Friends: This could be a simple blog your grown-up helps with, or a super-safe, private Discord "clubhouse".

A community is built on being genuine and sharing your passion. It's about making real connections.

Your Game's Online Clubhouse! (Discord & Forums)

Imagine having a secret clubhouse just for your game and its friends! That's what a Discord server or an online forum can be. Important: A grown-up MUST set this up and be the boss to keep it super safe for kids!

It’s an online place where people can chat, share ideas, and show off game stuff. Forums are like message boards; Discord is like a live chat room.

Kid-Friendly Discord "Clubhouse" Ideas (Adult-Managed!):

  • #Welcome-New-Friends: Say "Hi!" and share clubhouse rules (like "Be Kind!").
  • #Game-Ideas-Zone: Friends share ideas for your game.
  • #Look-What-I-Drew (Fan Art Gallery): Friends share drawings of your game.
  • #Funny-Game-Moments: Share silly screenshots or stories.
  • #Ask-The-Game-Maker (That's You!): Friends ask you questions (grown-up helps answer).
  • #Game-Updates-News: Grown-up posts news about your game.
Super Important Safety Rules for Your Online Clubhouse (Managed by a Grown-Up):
  • Grown-Up is the Boss: Sets rules, watches over it.
  • Private and Invite-Only: Only trusted people.
  • Simple, Clear Rules: Be Kind, No Mean Words, Don't Share Personal Info.
  • Filter Yucky Words.
  • No Sharing Personal Info: Use game nicknames!
  • What to do with Mean Comments: Tell a grown-up, don't talk back, block and report. Remember you're awesome!

A safe and fun online clubhouse helps build a happy community!

Showing Off Your Game! (Social Media)

Social media is like a giant online playground! A grown-up needs to help you with this to keep you safe and follow the rules!

Super Simple Social Media Tips (with Adult Helper):

  • Film Your Screen! Easiest way: grown-up's phone films your screen while you play and talk! Show your excitement!
  • Show, Don't Just Tell: Short videos and cool pictures are best.
  • Be Yourself! People love seeing the kid who made the game!
  • Use Hashtags: Like #MyAwesomeGame, #KidDev.
  • Ask Questions: "What should my hero wear?"

TikTok Tips (Quick Giggles!):

Super short videos (15-60s), grab attention fast, use trending sounds, show funny moments or behind-the-scenes. Use #IndieGame, #GamingTikTok, #GameDev.

YouTube Tips (Mini-Stories & Shows!):

Game trailers, devlog videos, gameplay videos, tutorials (with help). Good quality video/sound, fun thumbnails. YouTube Shorts are great too! YouTube is promoting small channels a lot in 2025!

Twitter/X Tips (Quick News & Chats!):

Short updates, share pictures & GIFs, ask questions & talk to people. Use #screenshotsaturday, #trailertuesday, #indiedev. Grown-ups manage account, keep it safe.

Always ask a grown-up for help and permission before posting anything online!

Getting People Excited – The Countdown Party! (Pre-Release Hype)

Imagine your birthday is coming up! You tell your friends, "My party is next week!" That's hype – getting people excited *before* the big day!

How to Have a "Game Coming Soon!" Party:

  • Tell Everyone It's Coming: A few weeks or months before, start telling people!
  • Show Tiny Sneak Peeks (Teasers): Share a super short video or a picture of one cool character.
  • "Coming Soon" Page: With grown-up help, make a "Coming Soon" page on Steam or Itch.io for Wishlists.
  • Countdown! "Only 5 more days until [Game Name]!"
  • Maybe a Special Early Look for a Few Friends? (Open Beta/invite-only) They can find "oopsies" (bugs)!

This makes everyone super excited for your game's "birthday" (Launch Day)!

Asking Grown-Up Gamers to Play! (Influencer Outreach)

You know those popular people on YouTube or TikTok who play games? They're influencers! With your grown-up's help, you can ask them to play *your* game!

How to Ask a Superstar (Kid-Style, with Adult Helper):

  1. Find the Right Superstars: Grown-up looks for YouTubers/TikTokers who play games like yours. Find their "business email."
  2. Write a Short, Friendly Email (Grown-up helps write and send!):
    • Subject: "Fun New Kid-Made Game for You: [Your Game Name]!"
    • Message: "Hi! My name is [Your Name], I'm [Age] and I made a game called [Game Name]! It's a [type] game where you [USP]. I love your videos about [specific thing]! Would you like a free code to try it? Thanks, [Your Name] (and my helper, [Grown-up's Name])."
    • Always include a free game key/download link! Keep it short and polite.

If they say YES, yay! Grown-up arranges details. If NO or no answer, that's okay! They're busy. Keep trying with others!

Showing Your Game to Friends & at School (Local Marketing)

Telling people about your game doesn't always have to be online! Share it with people you know in real life! Always with a Grown-Up's Help & Permission!

Fun Ways to Share Locally:

  • Show Your Family & Friends: Have a "Game Premiere Party" at home!
  • School Computer Club or Show and Tell (Teacher's Permission!):
    • Safety First! Grown-up and teacher help. They check the game. IT grown-ups might help install. Don't share personal info. Teacher helps everyone play nicely.
    • How to Show It: Let friends play, show trailer, tell story of making it.
  • Local Library or Community Center: Ask grown-up about kid-maker events.

Seeing happy faces play YOUR game is super rewarding!

Selling Your Awesome Game! (Launch & Sales)

The big day is here, or very close! This is when your game goes from being your special secret to something everyone can play!

Game Launch Day – It’s Here! Your Game’s Birthday!

Launch Day is the official day your game is available! It's like your game's birthday party! 🥳🚀

How to Make Your Game's Birthday Awesome (with Grown-Up Help!):

  • The Big Announcement! Grown-up posts on social media: "Hooray! [Your Name]'s game, [Game Name], is OUT NOW! Link: [Link] 🎉🎈🎮". Email family/friends.
  • Make Sure Your Game is Ready! Double-check it's working perfectly. Link to store page works.
  • Check Your Store Page! Does it look amazing?
  • Celebrate! You did it! Have a party!

Game Stores – Where Your Game Lives! (Platforms)

Your game needs to live in a game store! These are online shops for games. A grown-up needs to help a LOT here!

  • Steam: Like the BIGGEST toy store! Millions shop here. Grown-up helps with forms, pays a fee. Steam takes a part of sales money. Good for reaching lots of players.
  • Itch.io: Like a friendly neighborhood craft fair. Usually free to put game up! You can choose "pay what you want." Great for first games, demos.
  • Epic Games Store: Another big store (Fortnite people!). Game makers get a bigger piece of sales money. Sometimes offer "exclusivity" deals.
  • GOG (Good Old Games): Special for DRM-free games (you truly own your copy). Players love this freedom.

Grown-ups handle contracts (promise papers) and money stuff with stores.

Making Your Game’s Store Page Look Amazing!

Your game's store page is its special spot in the online shop. Make it sparkle!

  • Catchy Name (Headline).
  • Your Game's Logo. Bright and easy to see!
  • Awesome Pictures (Screenshots): 5-10 coolest moments, show real game with UI.
  • Your Game's Mini-Movie (Trailer). Super important!
  • Little Story About Your Game (Short Description): What kind? What do you do? USP?
  • More Details (Long Description): Use bullet points for cool levels, characters.
  • "Tags" (Keywords): Help people find it (#Adventure, #PuzzleGame).
  • Price.
  • Reviews: Good reviews are like gold stars!

A good page is like a colorful party invitation everyone wants! A bad one is plain and confusing.

Game Price – How Many Gold Coins?

Deciding your game's price is a big step! Your grown-up helper is super important here.

  • How Much Fun is Packed In? A bigger adventure might be worth more.
  • What Are Other Similar Games Asking For? Look at similar games in the store.
  • Ask Your Game's Best Friends! Grown-up can ask what's a fair price.
  • Don't Make it Too Cheap or Too Expensive! Find a "just right" price.
  • Think About Special Sale Days! You might set normal price a bit higher for sales.

It's about what players feel is a fair trade for the fun. Grown-up helps choose!

Premium vs. Freemium – Different Ways to Get Your Game!

A grown-up will help you decide which is best and MUST always be in charge of any money stuff!

  1. Premium Game (Like Buying a Toy): Pay ONE time, get the WHOLE game. Like buying a LEGO set. Good for full adventures.
  2. Freemium Game (Free to Start, Optional Extras with GROWN-UP HELP ONLY!): Download and start playing for FREE! Inside, special extras (costumes, more lives) might be available if a grown-up uses real money (in-game purchases/microtransactions). Like a free coloring book with optional glitter crayons. Kids should NEVER be able to buy things with real money by themselves. Some freemium games show ads.

Grown-ups decide and make sure it's clear if real money is involved for extras.

Sales & Discounts – Special Price Days!

A sale or discount is when your game costs less for a little while. Like "Half-Price Chocolate Day!"

Why Have a Special Price Day?

  • More Friends Can Play!
  • Get Noticed! Join big store "Sale Parties" (Steam Summer Sale).
  • Make Wishlisters Happy! Steam tells them when wishlisted games are on sale.

Grown-up decides, tells store, announces. A fun way to share! Grown-ups still do the buying.

Wishlists – Your Game’s Special “I Want This!” List

A wishlist is a special list of games people hope to get someday. When players see your game on Steam, they can click "Add to Wishlist."

How Wishlists Work for Players (with Adult Help):

  • Saving Favorites: Like putting an "I want this!" sticker on it.
  • Reminders & Sale Alerts! Steam tells them if a wishlisted game goes on sale or is released.
  • Gift Ideas!

How to Add/View/Manage a Wishlist on Steam (Adults Help):

Find "Add to your Wishlist" on game page. View list under "Store" > "Wishlist". Grown-up helps set privacy (Private, Friends Only, Everyone).

Why Wishlists Are Awesome for YOU:

  • Counts "Yes!" Votes: Shows people are excited.
  • Like Gold Stars/Party RSVPs: Helps Steam notice your game.
  • Helps You Plan: Guess how many might get it at launch.

Tell friends (with grown-up help) to wishlist your "Coming Soon" game!

Checking Your Score! (Simple Game Analytics)

After your game page is up, you can see how many people look at it and want it! Like checking your game's popularity score!

  • Page Views (or Visits): How many times people clicked on your game page. Like "look points!"
  • Wishlists: How many "Want It!" stickers your game has.

Why Are These Scores Important?

  • Shows Interest: Lots of views/wishlists = exciting game!
  • Helps Stores Notice You: Steam might show popular games to more people.
  • Shows What's Working: New trailer gets more views? Awesome trailer!

Grown-up helps look. It's about learning, not winning/losing. If numbers aren't high, try new ways to tell people!

After the Big Day! (Post-Launch)

Yay, your game is out! But the adventure doesn't stop. You can keep making it even more awesome!

Keeping the Fun Going! (Post-Launch Engagement)

Just because your game is out doesn't mean you stop talking to your game's friends!

  • Keep Your Clubhouse Active: Keep chatting in your Discord (with grown-up help!), share fun things, and ask questions.
  • Say Thank You: If people say nice things, say thank you!
  • Share Cool Updates: If you add new things, tell everyone!
  • Listen to Ideas: Your players might have super cool ideas!

This keeps your game feeling alive and fun, and makes your players feel special!

Game Updates – Adding New Sparkles!

Even after your game is out, you can keep making it MORE fun by adding new things! These are updates! 🎁

Why are Game Updates Good for Players?

  • Fixing "Oopsies" (Bugs): Makes the game work better.
  • New Surprises! New levels, characters, outfits, sounds, powers!
  • Making the Game Even Better: Add cool ideas from players.
  • Keeps the Game Exciting: Like getting a new toy for your favorite dollhouse!

Super Easy Update Ideas (Kid-Coder Friendly! Grown-up helps add to code!):

  • New Hat for Your Hero! (Draw a silly hat, add as costume in Scratch/engine).
  • Change the Background Color!
  • Add a New Funny Sound Effect! (Record yourself "boing!").
  • A New Collectible Item (Super sparkly rainbow star!).
  • A Secret Surprise (Hide a new funny character).
  • Seasonal Fun (Snowflakes for winter, bats for Halloween).

How to Tell Friends About Updates (Simple Announcements, Adult Help):

Post on Discord (#game-updates-news) or social media (grown-up posts!) with fun emojis and maybe a picture/video of the new stuff!

Game updates keep your game fresh and show players you care!

Listening to Your Friends (Handling Feedback)

When people play your game, they might tell you what they think. This is feedback. 👂

How to Be a Super Feedback Listener:

  • Say Thank You! Even if it's not all happy.
  • Listen with Open Ears: Try to understand.
  • Don't Get Sad or Mad: Not everyone likes everything. If mean, tell grown-up. They can block/report. Mean words are about them, not you.
  • Look for Good Ideas: Feedback can give amazing ideas!
  • You're the Boss of Your Game: You don't have to change everything.

Good listening helps make better games and shows you're thoughtful!

Grown-Up Corner (Important Helper Info!)

Making and selling games is super fun, but there's some "grown-up paperwork" stuff that your adult helper needs to know about. This is to make sure everything is fair and safe.

Keeping Your Ideas Safe (Copyright for Kids)

Imagine you draw an amazing picture. That picture is YOURS! No one else can copy it and say they drew it. That's kind of like copyright!

When you make something original, like your game (story, characters, music), copyright law says it belongs to YOU. Other people can't just copy your whole game and sell it. It happens automatically when you make and save your game.

Respecting Other People's Copyright:

Just like your ideas are yours, other people's characters (like Mickey Mouse), music, or movie pictures are THEIRS. You can't put them in your game unless you get special permission. It’s like not taking a friend’s toy without asking.

What Your Grown-Up Helper Can Do:

They can help you understand if all art/sounds in your game are okay to use (you made them, or have permission). If your game is super special, they can help "register" your copyright (like an extra-strong shield for your ideas).

Copyright is about being fair to yourself and others!

Game Money & Grown-Up Rules (Taxes & Contracts)

When your game makes "gold coins" (money), there are important grown-up rules.

Taxes – Sharing a Little Bit:

Imagine everyone in town puts play coins in a jar for things everyone uses (park, library). Taxes are real money grown-ups/businesses pay government for these things. If your game makes money, grown-up helper sees if any needs to be shared as taxes. This is Grown-Up Work!

Contracts – Making Promises with Game Stores:

When you put your game in a store (Steam, Itch.io), store has rules. Grown-up helper reads and agrees. This is a contract (serious promise paper). Kids can't sign these! Contract says how much store keeps, what's allowed in game, how to be fair. Your family might even have your own "game contract" for safe play!

All this "grown-up stuff" is important for fairness. Your adult helper is your superhero for this!

Oopsies & Learning! (Mistakes & Resilience)

Everyone makes mistakes, even super game makers! The most important thing is to learn from them and keep trying!

Common Oopsies to Avoid! (Marketing Mistakes)

Sometimes, we make little mistakes when telling people about our game. Here are some to dodge:

  • Forgetting Your Game's Name Tag (Not Branding Assets): Always put your game's name/logo on pictures/videos.
  • Talking to Other Game Makers Instead of Players: Keep messages for players simple, fun, and exciting.
  • Making Your Game Hard to Find: Have ONE link page (Linktree) for ALL your game's online spots.
  • Waiting Too Long to Get Your Steam Page Ready: Get store page awesome *before* big events.
  • Talking About Your Game Before You Have a Place for People to Go: Make a "Coming Soon" page ASAP for wishlists.
  • Forgetting to Tell People What Your Game IS: Clearly show gameplay and state genre.
  • Not Doing Enough Playtesting: Let many people try your game to find bugs/confusing parts.
  • Thinking Your Game Will Sell Itself: You have to be your game's biggest cheerleader!
  • Underpricing Your Game: Pick a fair price that shows its value.
  • Not Making Friends with Other Game Makers: Join kid-friendly game dev groups (with adult help!).

Avoiding these oopsies helps more people find and love your game!

What if My Game Doesn't Sell? (Building Resilience)

Sometimes, not many people buy or play your game. That can feel sad. But it's okay!

  • It's Okay to Feel Your Feelings: Talk to your grown-up.
  • Remember the Fun of Making It! The joy was in creating!
  • You Learned SO Much! You leveled up your game-making superpowers!
  • It's Not About "Winning" or "Losing": It's about creating and sharing.
  • Ask "What Can I Try Next Time?": Was USP clear? Right audience? Exciting trailer?
  • Don't Give Up! Most famous makers made many games first. This is resilience – bouncing back!
  • Take Pride in Finishing! That's a HUGE deal!

You're a game-making hero for creating and sharing, no matter what!

Your Super Toolbox! (Free Tools)

You don't need a treasure chest of gold! 💰 There are lots of FREE or low-cost tools. Think of them as magic wands! 🪄

  • 🎬 For Making Game Movies (Trailers, TikToks): OBS Studio, Bandicam (free version), CapCut, DaVinci Resolve, FlexClip/Biteable (free versions).
  • 🎨 For Making Cool Pictures & Art: Krita, GIMP, Blender (3D), Aseprite (Pixel Art, paid), Piskel (Pixel Art, free online). AI Art Helpers (some free trials): 3DAI Studio, Spline, Luma AI.
  • 💬 For Talking to Your Fan Club: Discord, Google Forms, Typeform (free version).
  • 🔗 For Your Game's "All About Me" Page: Linktree, Carrd.co, GitHub Pages.
  • 🎶 For Awesome Sounds & Music: Audacity, LMMS, Bosca Ceoil. Many sites offer royalty-free music.
  • 🏃 For Animation Help (3D): Mixamo (free animations).

Using these tools is like having superpowers! Go explore!

Activity Zone! (Fun Worksheets)

Here are some fun activity sheets you can do with a grown-up to help you think about marketing your game!

Activity 1: My Game's Superpower! (USP Finder)

Instructions: Draw or write the answers in the boxes!

  1. My Game's Name Is: _________________________
  2. The COOLEST thing about my game is: (What makes it super special and different from other games?)
    (Draw a picture of this coolest thing!)
  3. If my game was a superhero, its main superpower would be: _________________________
    (Example: Super Speed! or Making Everyone Giggle!)
  4. One sentence to tell everyone why my game is AWESOME: "My game, [Game Name], is special because ________________________________________________!"
    (Example: "My game, 'Rainbow Racers,' is special because you race unicorns on rainbows and can paint the tracks as you go!")

Activity 2: My Game's Best Friend! (Target Audience Sketch)

Instructions: Draw your game's "Best Friend" – the kind of person who would LOVE to play your game! Then answer the questions with drawings or words.

(Imagine a big box here for drawing your Game's Best Friend)

  • How old is my Game's Best Friend? (e.g., 5, 8, 10 years old?) _______________
  • What are their favorite toys or other games? (Draw one!)
  • What makes them happy when they play a game? (e.g., Funny characters? Solving puzzles? Winning? Exploring?) _________________________
  • What colors do they like? (Color in these circles!) O O O
  • What kind of stories do they like? (e.g., Funny, Adventure, Spooky, Magical?) _________________________

Activity 3: My Awesome Game Diary - Weekly Themes!

Instructions: Pick a fun theme for each day of the week to share something about your game! Ask a grown-up to help you post it online safely.

  • Monster Monday: Draw or tell about a monster in your game!
  • Story Snippet Tuesday: Share one sentence or a tiny drawing from your game's story!
  • Wowza Art Wednesday: Show off a new character drawing, background, or cool item you made!
  • Think-Tank Thursday: Ask your friends a question about what they'd like to see in your game!
  • Feature Friday / Funny Bug Friday: Show a new cool thing your character can do OR a funny "oopsie" (bug) that happened!
  • Sound Check Saturday: Make a new sound effect with your mouth or a toy!
  • Sneak Peek Sunday: Give a tiny hint about something new coming next week!

Activity 4: My Game's Store Page Design!

Instructions: Imagine this is your game's special shelf in the online store! Draw what it would look like. Remember to make it super exciting!

(Imagine a large rectangle here for drawing the store page)

Make sure to include:

  • Your Game's Name (BIG and BOLD!)
  • Your Game's Logo
  • A super cool picture from your game (Screenshot or Promo Art!)
  • A spot for your Game Trailer (draw a TV screen!)
  • A little bit about what your game is (Short Description!)

Remember to always have fun and ask a grown-up for help when you need it! You're a game-making star!

Your Amazing Marketing Adventure!

Wow! What an adventure! We've learned all about "Show and Tell" for your game (marketing!) and how friends can get it (selling!). From dreaming up its special superpower (your USP!) and finding its best friends (your target audience!), to making exciting mini-movies (trailers!) and awesome pictures, you're ready to share your creation!

Remember, making a game is a journey full of fun, learning, and little victories. Whether you're showing it to your family, your friends at school (with a grown-up's help, of course!), or putting it in a big online game store like Steam or a friendly one like Itch.io, the most important thing is to be proud of what you've made!

Building a community of game friends, keeping your game fresh with fun updates, and listening to what players say will make your game dev adventure even more exciting. And if things don't go perfectly the first time, that's okay! Every game you make helps you learn and grow into an even more amazing game developer. Resilience, that ability to bounce back and try again, is a superpower all on its own!

Always remember to ask your grown-up helper for assistance with the tricky parts, especially anything to do with online safety, money, or grown-up rules like contracts and copyright. They are your super sidekicks on this quest!

So, go out there, share your awesome game, celebrate every small win, and keep dreaming up new worlds and adventures. The world is excited to see what you'll create next! Happy game making! 🚀🌟