Frogboy Frogboy

The Two Page Spreads are coming..

▼

The Two Page Spreads are coming..

New ads

from GalCiv2 Forums

Stardock is expanding its advertising in game magazines and elsewhere.  We have at Gamespot, Penny-Arcade and many other websites.  We've also been taking out full page ads in many game magazines as well.  Now we're expending into two-page spreads.

I don't know about you guys, but when I read magazines, I almost never notice 2 page ads. My eyes are trained to skip past "non editorial".  So when we decided to make a 2 page spread, we wanted to make something that was like the game play examples. To let people see what they could expect in the game. That meant using in-game graphics, describing what was happening.  So the result is an ad that is somewhat unlike anything we've seen before.  We're not marketing geniuses here so maybe there's a good reason why game publishers don't tend to make full page spreads like what you see below.  But we like it and wanted to share it with you.  These ads will start showing up in Computer Gaming World, Computer Games Magazine, and PC Gamer.

The 2-page spread:

Below is the full page ad that should start showing up in the new issues of the various game magazines:

Feel free to let us know what you think.

30,028 views 35 replies
Reply #26 from Stardock Forums Top
Nice use of the interface.  I would agree though that a small screenshot  or two (inserts) of those same ships in the game with the UI would give a reader the clue that the graphics are not just rendered for the advert.
It's a better advert than I could have done, that is for sure.
Reply #27 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
Looks good but you forgot to mention no combersome DRM and include a screenshot of the cool shipyard.
Curtains - Customize Windows with additional styles
Reply #28 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
I like the 1 page better! but they are both nice. I think this will appeal to people who buy game mags, i gave up reading them a long time ago when all the games they rate as a MUST BUY! usually sucked!

But they are real nice, keep up the good work SD!
Reply #29 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
I like the ad because it shows real game graphics but if you weren't familiar with the game I'm not sure that it'd be obvious that you were looking at in-game graphics. I tend to dislike promos, ads, and game movies (even intro movies) that have nothing to do with actual gameplay.

I like GC2 for strategy and tactics more than anything, but a lot of people really love the ship design thing and it seems like it'd be wise to blatantly mention this feature and/or point out that every ship on the screen was player designed. Something like that.

Do people really buy and read gaming magazines still? I guess some people still need something for the crapper.

I prefer the more up-to-date and easy to use online gaming sites myself, like gamespot, gamespy, and IGN. I haven't considered buying a gaming magazine for years...since back in the days before there was a gamespot or gamespy and happypuppy was my uber gaming resource.
Reply #30 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
I liked the ad, but I thought it could use even More Text! ie., a list of features like full 3D modeling, AI features, number of races, a list of features in bullet points can be placed in a corner of the ad, where it really doesn't detract from the artwork, but can be there for people to read if they want to.

A footnote should be added so that people can see that these are actual in game graphics or ship models.

Infinite zoom feature zoom in to see amazing 3D models of your ships or zoom out to see you strategic map of your entire empire.

How about a more prominent link to your website for internal sales?

The ad is great as it is though. Good luck.
Reply #31 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
Nice Ad.

The only thing I'm missing is personality. Where are the races? Who are they? What are they? How do they play? Where's the notion that the game can beat almost any player? Or Knew it could at easy setting and just informs you of it. That's personality and a challange and something really missing in the ad.

The ad. compares GALCIV 2 and MOO but only someone who know's MOO will understand this.

Just place a faded portrait of the allien leaders behind the different ships. This will ad personality and warmt to the ad. It's a shame that this is missing. (The RPG element). Strange that you forget to mention the strongest point of the game in the ad.

My 2 cents.
Reply #32 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
I really, really like galciv II. So much, that my girlfriend starts hayting it

I'm sorry, but I'm not getting excited about these adds...

The 2 pager has some nice features, but indeed misses actual screenshots and info on the 10 (!) races that you can play as...

Then the one-pager.... The screenshots are to small to see any details and the prominet T.A.S. Harbinger flat out annoyed me!

I hate it when I am misinformed!

Off course, a"bridge module with mark III gravity" , "Northrop ltd. mkII railgun" and Vulcan IV Hyperdrives" sound nice, but where are they in the game? This add gave me the impression you build your starships in galciv2 as you did aeroplanes in 'Crimson Skies'.
Reply #33 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
Let's face it, you need a two-page ad with the Snathi threatening to destroy you
Reply #34 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
I run a small business so I pay for my advertising. The ad looks nice but IMO spend your money on game development for a NEW Stradock game or an expansion pack for GalCivII. You are already enjoying the fruits of "FREE" advertisment in the form of the Starforce fiasco and all the great reviews the game has been recieving from the press.

Based on what you, Stardock have told us GalCivII sales are strong and I believe it seeing how the game was very hard to find even at Wal*Mart. I believe if you want to spend your money on advertising do it on a future release like GalCivIII where you want to get the word out for a new product.

just my 0.02 cents from a small business owner
Reply #35 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
I wasn't impressed with what I saw. Spend the money on development, and much smaller ads, they will be just effective.