Creating an Engaging Protagonist with Personality and Flaws
One of the most important aspects of creating a viral game is having a protagonist that players can relate to. A character with personality and flaws will make your audience feel more connected to them, making it easier for them to invest time and energy into playing the game.
A great example of this is the character of Gordon Freeman from the Half-Life series. He may be a silent protagonist, but his actions speak louder than words. His determination to save humanity from an alien invasion, combined with his stoic demeanor, made players feel like they were part of the fight against evil.
But what about personality? Well, that’s where things get interesting. A character with a distinct personality can make your game stand out from the rest. Consider the character of Master Chief from Halo. He may be a super-soldier, but his witty banter and sarcastic remarks made players feel like they were playing as a friend rather than just a hero.
Creating an engaging protagonist with personality and flaws is not easy, but it can be done by following these tips:
- Give your character unique traits: Your protagonist should have something that sets them apart from other characters in the game. It could be their appearance, their backstory, or even their personality quirks.
- Make them relatable: Your protagonist should have flaws and weaknesses that players can relate to. This will make it easier for players to connect with your character and feel like they are part of the story.
- Give them clear goals: Your protagonist should have a clear goal or set of goals that they are working towards throughout the game. This will give players a sense of purpose and motivate them to keep playing.
- Develop their relationships: Your protagonist should have relationships with other characters in the game, both good and bad. This will add depth to your story and make your protagonist feel like a real person.
- Make them grow: Your protagonist should evolve throughout the game as they overcome challenges and learn new things. This will keep players engaged and invested in their character’s journey.
Optimizing Your SEO for a Viral Game
Once you have created an engaging protagonist with personality and flaws, it’s time to optimize your SEO to ensure your game ranks higher in search engines and attracts traffic. Here are some tips:
- Conduct keyword research: Before launching your game, conduct keyword research to identify the terms and phrases that players are using to find games like yours. Use these keywords in your marketing materials, including your website, social media posts, and press releases.
- Optimize your website for search engines: Make sure your website is optimized for search engines by including relevant keywords in your meta tags, URLs, and content. You should also have a clear and easy-to-navigate website that loads quickly and provides valuable information about your game.
- Create engaging content: Create engaging content such as blog posts, videos, and social media posts that showcase the unique features of your game. This will help attract new players and keep existing ones engaged.
- Use social media to promote your game: Social media is a powerful tool for promoting your game. Use platforms like Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram to share updates about your game, behind-the-scenes content, and special offers for players.
- Engage with your audience: Engage with your audience by responding to comments and feedback on social media and forums. This will help build a loyal fan base and increase the chances of your game going viral.
- Collaborate with influencers: Collaborate with influencers in the gaming industry to promote your game to their followers. Influencer marketing is an effective way to reach new audiences and generate buzz around your game.
Case Study: Minecraft
Minecraft is a great example of a game that has gone viral due to its engaging protagonist with personality and flaws. The game’s main character, Steve, may not have much in the way of personality or flaws, but his lack of dialogue and stoic demeanor made players feel like they were part of the game’s world.
Minecraft’s success can be attributed to its simplicity, accessibility, and endless possibilities for player-generated content. Players could create their own worlds, build their own structures, and explore the vast expanse of Minecraft’s procedurally generated terrain. This kept players engaged and coming back for more.
Another factor that contributed to Minecraft’s success was its early adoption by influencers in the gaming industry. YouTube personalities like PewDiePie and MineZapper helped popularize the game among their followers, generating buzz and excitement around its release.
Summary
Creating a viral game with an engaging protagonist who has personality and flaws requires careful planning and execution. By following the tips outlined in this article, you can create a game that resonates with your target audience and keeps them engaged throughout their journey. And by optimizing your SEO, you can ensure that your game ranks higher in search engines and attracts traffic from new players.