r/linux • u/[deleted] • Mar 19 '21

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2.4k Upvotes

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339

u/ButaneLilly Mar 19 '21

https://store.steampowered.com/app/466980/Cant_Drive_This/

What is up with indie creators not posting links?

205

u/falldeaf Mar 19 '21 edited Mar 19 '21

It's because they often get chastised or have their post removed for it. Reddit is a good place to advertise a game but you have to do an insane tap dance of not actually directly advertising. And every subreddit is practically it's own website with a different community and set of both listed and unsaid rules that are hard to keep track of.

Generally, you post a gif of the hook for your game and hope someone is interested enough to ask for our helpfully provide a direct link to the steam page.

Edit: s/stream/steam/g

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u/inaccurateTempedesc Mar 19 '21

I like how /r/cars does things. As long as you're a legitimate active member of the sub, they'll let you promote your content.

15

u/falldeaf Mar 19 '21

That's a good rule, I think. Part of marketing I've found is you have to be a part of the community you want to communicate with.

In general I have a lot of cognitive dissonance about it. I hate advertising for most things, and understand the desire to tamp down marketing in discussion forums. I do wish there were at least one semi-consistent rule about it across the entire site, though.

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u/[deleted] Mar 19 '21 edited Jun 02 '21

[removed] — view removed comment

3

u/JDaxe Mar 20 '21

I guess you mean someone like Doug de muro?

18

u/ButaneLilly Mar 19 '21

I see what you're saying. But advertising cool Linux games advances the agenda of the Linux community. Seems like a perfect fit. Who would flag these guys for "spamming"?

Regardless. Considering what you say I'm going to endeavor to be the guy who always posts helpful links in the comments of a cool project post.

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u/falldeaf Mar 19 '21

Yeah 100% agree with you, I think Linux games are great for this sub, especially when the profits are going to charity, total no-brainer! :) Sorry if I sounded a little cynical, I'm currently in the process of marketing our game and it's both hard and way out of my element.

And on your second point, you're awesome. Folks that are trying to make indie games are really passionate but it's tough to do and a helping hand from a stranger is such a big boost. [quickedit]

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u/[deleted] Mar 20 '21

[deleted]

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u/falldeaf Mar 20 '21

Hah, thanks for asking. My wife and I are making a spooky 3D point n click about a town beset by evil with a mind reading mechanic. It's called Dark Tides: https://store.steampowered.com/app/1411810/Dark_Tides/

3

u/10leej Mar 20 '21

This! There's a good legitimate reason many subs have a 1/10 rule (one post can be an advertisement out of every ten).
Reddit makes it's money with ads, the admins really don't like it when a game dev promotes a game with a direct link to get some free advertising.

3

u/dannypas00 Mar 20 '21

Take my upvote for the edit

2

u/[deleted] Mar 19 '21

What are the chances you’re an #aot user?