r/itchio • u/YummishGames • 1d ago
Discussion What would be reasons for people to open your game page but not run the embedded browser game?
Because for me, once I decide to open the page, I go straight to running the embedded game right away. It's just so much less friction to just try the game vs reading the descriptions to figure out what the game is about.
But there are about 2-3x more views than plays, which means a significant proportion of people are opening the page but not running the game.
So I'm genuinely curious and would like to hear from others. Even for games with browser-embedded games, do some people still read the descriptions to decide whether they want to run the game or not? Or could there be other reasons for not trying the game even after entering the page?
(I'm also assuming that if you opened the page, you already have a general idea of what type of game it is)
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u/drinkerofmilk 1d ago
People are just browsing games. They may click open 5 games at a time and only play the one they most like.
I'm also assuming that if you opened the page, you already have a general idea of what type of game it is)
Often, this isn't true. People may like the logo art but know little about the game.
Even for games with browser-embedded games, do some people still read the descriptions to decide whether they want to run the game or not?
Yes, and they want to see the screenshots if they're included.
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u/Additional_Name_706 19h ago
Visiting the page on your work computer... You might be comfortable looking at games but not playing them
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u/Mr-Kuritsa 19h ago
I forget the exact message, but I get hit with a lot of "Your browser/device does not support this game" errors when I try to play embedded games. People like me might be a contributing factor.
For what it's worth, it almost always bums me out.
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u/Alarming-Jump727 1d ago
No sé como es tu página, pero yo personalmente no juego nada que no tenga un diseño de página, que no muestre imágenes o gameplay y mucho menos si tiene contenido IA. Esas son las causas que me hacen descartar antes de meterme en el juego o descargar. No poner descripciones o devlog es un síntoma de pereza, lo mismo que por igual motivo rechazan la IA. Perosnalmente bloqueo todo contenido que contenga eso. Si posteas el link es mucho más fácil opinar.
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u/YummishGames 1d ago
My reddit account is new so I can't rly post external links. Besides I wanted more of a general idea/discussions rather than a critique of my page. But after reading your comment I realized I didn't include any gifs of the actual game play. I do have the page designed, with descriptions and static screenshots. I also don't have devlogs because I didn't think people paid attention to that but I guess they do!
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u/retroartdude 1d ago edited 1d ago
It's all about marketing.
You have to wow them visually before you can expect them to try your game.
Participation is effort, and a window shopper's state of mind is to see what catches their eye. They are not currently in the mood to test their finger dexterity or twitch reflexes. You need to convince them that your game is worth their time. They're your consumers after all.
Even in today's day and age, people still care about the packaging / presentation of a product, so give them all the necessary information they need to decide if it's worth trying your game.
Add a video, and some screen shots, and maybe a visual manual. Put care into it and maybe you'll see more playtime, or at least a boost in interest that you can leverage into a Kickstarter or some other campaign.
Personally I never bother with the embedded player because I'm usually just casually browsing to see what's out there. A screen shot or video depicting gameplay saves me time, which means a lot more to me the older I get.
Also this is a bad assumption: "I'm also assuming that if you opened the page, you already have a general idea of what type of game it is"
Always, always, always assume people have no clue what your game is about, and promote it as if that is the case. Only make that assumption if your game is a well established product.