We have already given you tips on how to promote video games along with the release of a blockbuster hit. In this post, we are going to show you how the release of Warcraft: The Beginning, based on a video game of the same title, may affect the sales of other game genres.
Put RTS strategy in the centre
The Warcraft: Orcs and Humans, released in 1994, was a real-time strategy (RTS), which collected raving reviews and achieved a great commercial success. Later on, next installments were released, such as Warcraft II: Tides of Darkness (1995) and Warcraft III: Reign of Chaos (2002).
Warcraft is about the conflict between humans and orcs. The players who are going to the cinema to see Warcraft: The Beginning will get thrown into spectacular battles set in the world of Azeroth. After watching the film, some Warcraft fans may want to take part in epic in-game battles. And there’s no better way to engage in the battles than in real-time strategy games.
Recommended games to promote: Warcraft: Orcs & Humans, Warcraft II: Tides of Darkness, Warcraft II: Beyond the Dark Portal, Warcraft III: Reign of Chaos, Warcraft III: The Frozen Throne.
Games with a similar theme: Starcraft series, Battlefront: Gothic Armada, Warhammer 40.000: Dawn of War, Grey Goo, Total War series, Homeworld, Command & Conquer, Age of Empires, Company of Heroes
Massive sales of MMORPG games ahead
One of the most recognised titles in the Warcraft series is World of Warcraft released in 2004. Dozens of patches, several expansion packs since its release – that was enough to create almost a cultural phenomenon. At its peak in 2010, the game reached 12 million subscribers with 12 million paying accounts!
The fantasy world presented in the Warcraft: The Beginning movie is full of brave heroes experiencing incredibly dangerous adventures. This may provide a stimulus for the player to get the thrill of human vs. orcs adventures in the game. In the end, RPG and MMORPG games are a perfect answer to the growing popularity of Warcraft: The Beginning.
Recommended games to promote: World of Warcraft: The Burning Crusade, World of Warcraft: Wrath of the Lich King, World of Warcraft: Cataclysm, World of Warcraft: Mists of Pandaria, World of Warcraft: Warlords of Draenor
Games with a similar theme: The Elders Scrolls Online, Dark Souls series, The Witcher series, Guild Wars series, Final Fantasy XIV, Diablo series, Baldur’s Gate series, Star Wars: The Old Republic, Fallout series, Mass Effect series
Betting on a stronger card
Warcraft: The Beginning can be compared to Hearthstone: Heroes of Warcraft, which also shows a fierce rivalry between two opposing forces. If you think that video card games like Hearthstone: Heroes of Warcraft are less popular than RTS or RPG games, you are obviously wrong. 40 million accounts in Hearthstone: Heroes of Warcraft as per November 2015 is quite a number! You can’t ignore the fact that Hearthstone: Heroes of Warcraft is often played during e-sport tournaments where hefty sums are awarded to winners. On a release day, an increased interest in card video games may be observed, so don’t hesitate to draw the attention of your clients to it.
Recommended games to promote: Hearthstone: Heroes of Warcraft
Games with a similar theme: Magic: The Gathering, Forced Showdown, Etherlords series, Talisman series, HEX: Shards of Fate
In conclusion, Warcraft: The Beginning will certainly have a huge impact on the gaming industry. It’s up to you whether you take advantage of the film release and get your fair share of sales.
About the author
- Gamer and marketer. Knows how to sell video games. B2B e-commerce educator.
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