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Preparing for Launch

So, you’ve got an idea and a master plan, but how do you prepare for a successful launch?

Your successful launch will focus on a few factors:

• Bringing over your existing fandom and reaching new audiences

• Getting that audience to spend money in their early experiences

• Getting that audience to follow you, bookmark the game, and leave comments

In this guide, we’ll suggest everything you need to run your own launch and apply for Dorian’s assistance with your release!

Launch Content

Your goal is to make sure that your fans have enough content to get invested in the characters and have something to look forward to soon! One episode upon the launch may not be enough to get fans immersed in your universe.

We recommend launching with at least 3 episodes so players have a chance to get into your characters, relationships, and world.

You should consider how your fans can participate in the creation process to build investment up front. Some things you can try:

• Going to a con? Give out a print of your cover with a QR code to follow you on Dorian! Let us know in advance and we might be able to give your fans a heart gift for downloading Dorian.

• Host a giveaway for fans who follow you before the game releases.

• Post introductory and teaser games to introduce your characters before the game releases.

• Make a game trailer that you can share using the “Share emulator link” functionality (this will allow players to interact with a playable version of your game!)

• Host fundraising livestreams and tease your upcoming concepts/promise special features in the upcoming games for patrons who support you.

You can also consider experimenting with rollout. For example:

• Drop one episode a day to build hype over a week

• Drop three episodes at once and clearly note when the next episode is coming

• Drop three episodes a week for three weeks to get people coming back for more

What do I have to do to get featuring on Dorian?

Dorian can advise on your assets, but it’s essential to start this process early! If you’d like to apply for featuring, marketing assistance, and advice, you’ll need to follow our best practices and go through multiple rounds of testing to find the perfect marketable assets! Getting great featuring can take your game from “hidden gem” to “hit game”, and we want to help you get there!

How do I submit my assets for Dorian’s consideration?

We require certain assets if you want to be featured at launch or in other promotions. The marketing and editorial team will review materials ahead of time and select games to feature and market across our channels. By submitting these materials early, you can significantly increase the chances of being featured and getting players into your game!

Pre-Release

🔑 Step 1 - You have no submitted art yet

• [ ] Cover sketches with 3 distinct poses that match the above best practices with basic color blocking

• [ ] Several lines of marketing copy including:

  • [ ] Marketing synopsis (short paragraph explaining the story)

  • [ ] Simple & catchy one liners that sell the best hook about your game

  • [ ] Comps (similar properties, e.g. for fans of Twilight)

  • [ ] Any connection with popular themes (e.g. TikTok trends, Hollywood movies, etc.)

  • [ ] Questions to readers that match your theme (”If you could date any pop culture vampire, who would it be?” “Are you a hero or a villain?”)

🔑 Step 2 - You have one cover sketch that has been validated by Dorian

• [ ] Final cover sketch with color variations to find final look

• [ ] Character sketches with at least 3 dramatic/expressive expressions each

🔑 Step 3 - Your colored cover has been validated by Dorian.

• [ ] Final character art in high res with all expressions

• [ ] Final cover with final color scheme

• [ ] Any CGs or other illustrations

• [ ] Any attractive backgrounds

Note that even if you have art that works great for marketing, you will often need to submit more art. More art will allow us to feature your game in more events and channels and avoid audience fatigue — if we show the same art over and over again, people might get tired of it. But if you provide new art and character updates, it will give us new ways to draw people into your game!

Submit your materials here!

https://form.typeform.com/to/arYEG527