How to Create Minigames for Marketing in 2021
Minigames are small and simple games that are often contained within another video game or application. They can be used to enhance the gameplay experience, teach new skills, provide variety, and reward players.
But did you know that minigames can also be used as a powerful marketing tool? According to Adact , minigames can boost your marketing in 2021 by:
minigame
Creating a positive and memorable impression of your brand
Increasing user retention and loyalty
Encouraging social sharing and word-of-mouth
Collecting user data and feedback
Offering incentives and rewards
Some examples of successful minigames that have been used for marketing purposes are:
, a series of minigames that promote safety awareness around trains by Metro Trains Melbourne
, a minigame that promotes the organic food brand Chipotle by telling a story of a scarecrow who wants to save the world from processed food
, a minigame that was integrated into Google Maps as an April Fools' Day prank and allowed users to play Pac-Man on any street in the world
If you want to create your own minigame for marketing in 2021, you need to follow some steps and use some tools and technologies. In this article, we will guide you through the process of creating a minigame from scratch. Let's get started!
Step 1: Choose a Concept for Your Minigame
The first step is to choose a concept for your minigame. A concept is the main idea or theme of your game, and it should match your brand identity, target audience, and marketing goals. You should also consider the genre, style, and tone of your game, as well as the platform and format you want to use.
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Think of what problem you want to solve or what message you want to convey with your game. For example, if you want to raise awareness about environmental issues, you could create a game that shows the impact of pollution on wildlife.
Think of what emotions you want to evoke in your players. For example, if you want to create a fun and humorous game, you could use colorful graphics, catchy music, and funny characters.
Think of what actions you want your players to take after playing your game. For example, if you want to generate leads or conversions, you could include a call-to-action button or a link to your website or social media pages.
Some examples of different types of minigames are:
Puzzle games, where the player has to solve a problem or a challenge using logic, strategy, or skill. For example, , a popular puzzle game where the player has to match candies of the same color
Arcade games, where the player has to perform a simple and repetitive task using speed, reflexes, or coordination. For example, , a viral arcade game where the player has to tap the screen to make a bird fly through pipes
Adventure games, where the player has to explore a virtual world and interact with characters and objects. For example, , a sandbox adventure game where the player can build and create anything they want
Step 2: Create a Design Document for Your Minigame
The second step is to create a design document for your minigame. A design document is a document that outlines the features, mechanics, graphics, sound, and user interface of your game. It helps you organize your ideas and communicate them to others.
Some templates and examples of design documents are:
, a comprehensive template that covers all aspects of game design
, an example of a design document for a casual mobile game called Lovestruck
, an example of a design document for an educational game called Mechanic Master
Step 3: Choose a Technology for Your Minigame
Programming Languages
The third step is to choose a technology for your minigame. The technology you choose depends on your skill level, budget, and platform. One option is to use a programming language, which is a set of rules and instructions that you can use to create your own game from scratch. Some pros and cons of popular programming languages are:
Programming Language
Pros
Cons
HTML5
- Easy to learn and use- Compatible with most web browsers and devices- Supports multimedia and interactivity
- Limited performance and functionality- Requires additional languages and frameworks such as CSS, JavaScript, and Phaser- Vulnerable to security issues
JavaScript
- Widely used and supported by many web browsers and devices- Flexible and versatile for creating different types of games- Has many libraries and frameworks such as Phaser, Pixi.js, and Three.js
- Difficult to debug and maintain- Inconsistent across different browsers and platforms- Prone to errors and bugs
Python
- Simple and readable syntax- Suitable for beginners and experts alike- Has many modules and libraries such as Pygame, Pyglet, and Panda3D
- Slow and inefficient compared to other languages- Not widely supported by web browsers and devices- Lacks advanced graphics and sound capabilities
C#
- Powerful and robust language- Compatible with many game engines such as Unity, MonoGame, and Godot- Has many features and libraries such as XNA, .NET, and Xamarin
- Complex and steep learning curve- Requires a compiler or an interpreter to run- Dependent on the platform and the engine used
Game Engines
Another option is to use a game engine, which is a software that provides the tools and resources you need to create your own game without coding. Some pros and cons of popular game engines are:
Game Engine
Pros
Cons
Unreal Engine
- High-quality graphics and sound- Supports 2D and 3D games for various platforms- Has a visual scripting system called Blueprint
- Difficult to master and use- Requires a powerful computer to run smoothly- Charges a royalty fee for commercial games
GDevelop
- Free and open-source engine- Easy to use with a drag-and-drop interface- Supports 2D games for web browsers, mobile devices, and desktops
- Limited features and functionality- Lacks documentation and support- Not suitable for complex or 3D games
Buildbox
- User-friendly and intuitive engine- Designed for creating casual mobile games- Has many templates, assets, and effects
- Expensive subscription fee- Restricted to 2D games only- Lacks customization and control
Unity
- Popular and widely used engine- Supports 2D and 3D games for various platforms- Has a large community and marketplace
- Steep learning curve for beginners- Requires coding skills in C# or JavaScript- Has some performance issues
Step 4: Start Coding Your Minigame
The fourth step is to start coding your minigame according to your design document and the chosen technology. Coding is the process of writing and executing the instructions that make your game work. You can use an editor or an IDE (Integrated Development Environment) to write and test your code.
Some links to tutorials and resources that can help you with coding are:
, a tutorial that teaches you how to create a 2D platformer game using HTML5, JavaScript, and Enchant.js
, a tutorial that teaches you how to create a 2D shooter game using Python and Pygame
, a tutorial that teaches you how to create a 3D racing game using C# and Unity
, a tutorial that teaches you how to create a 3D adventure game using Blueprint and Unreal Engine
Step 5: Test and Publish Your Minigame
The fifth and final step is to test and publish your minigame. Testing is the process of checking your game for bugs, errors, performance issues, and user feedback. Publishing is the process of making your game available to the public on different platforms.
Some tools and methods for testing your minigame are:
Debugging tools, such as Chrome DevTools, Visual Studio Code, or PyCharm, that help you find and fix errors in your code
Profiling tools, such as Unity Profiler, Unreal Engine Profiler, or GDevelop Debugger, that help you measure and optimize the performance of your game
Beta testing tools, such as TestFlight, Google Play Console, or Steamworks, that help you distribute your game to a limited number of testers and collect their feedback
User testing tools, such as PlaytestCloud, UserTesting, or UserZoom, that help you observe and analyze how real users play your game
Some tips and best practices for publishing your minigame are:
Choose a platform that suits your game genre, style, and audience. For example, if you want to reach a large and casual audience, you could publish your game on web browsers or mobile devices. If you want to target a more hardcore or niche audience, you could publish your game on consoles or PC.
Follow the guidelines and requirements of each platform. For example, if you want to publish your game on the App Store or Google Play Store, you need to create an account, submit your game for review, and comply with their policies and standards.
Promote your game on different channels. For example, you could create a website or a landing page for your game, share it on social media platforms, post it on forums or blogs, or send it to influencers or journalists.
Conclusion
Minigames are small and simple games that can be used as a marketing tool to attract and engage potential customers, increase brand awareness, and generate leads and conversions. To create a minigame for marketing in 2021, you need to follow these steps:
Choose a concept for your minigame that matches your brand identity, target audience, and marketing goals.
Create a design document for your minigame that outlines the features, mechanics, graphics, sound, and user interface of your game.
Choose a technology for your minigame that suits your skill level, budget, and platform. You can use either a programming language or a game engine.
Start coding your minigame according to your design document and the chosen technology.
Test and publish your minigame on different platforms such as web browsers, mobile devices, social media platforms, etc.
We hope this article has helped you learn how to create minigames for marketing in 2021. If you have any questions or comments, please feel free to leave them below. And if you are ready to try creating your own minigame for marketing in 2021, why not start now? Have fun!
Frequently Asked Questions
What are some examples of minigames?
Some examples of minigames are D umb Ways to Die, The Scarecrow, Pac-Man, Candy Crush Saga, Flappy Bird, and Minecraft. You can find more examples of minigames by searching online or browsing game platforms.
What are the benefits of minigames for marketing?
Minigames can boost your marketing in 2021 by creating a positive and memorable impression of your brand, increasing user retention and loyalty, encouraging social sharing and word-of-mouth, collecting user data and feedback, and offering incentives and rewards.
How to choose a concept for your minigame?
You should choose a concept that matches your brand identity, target audience, and marketing goals. You should also consider the genre, style, and tone of your game, as well as the platform and format you want to use.
How to create a design document for your minigame?
You should create a design document that outlines the features, mechanics, graphics, sound, and user interface of your game. You can use a template or an example of a design document to help you with this step.
How to choose a technology for your minigame?
You can use either a programming language or a game engine to create your minigame. You should choose a technology that suits your skill level, budget, and platform. You should also compare the pros and cons of different technologies before making a decision.
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