So my game is ready for alpha testing... where do I start?

Hey everyone, I am ready to release my game for an "official" alpha test. This is the first time I am really going to try to push it past friends/family/associates and let the public try it. I've been developing my game "Alien Authority" for a VERY long time, and most of the time constraint has been due to me having to drop the retired XNA framework a couple years ago. Needless to say, I have fully working, polished prototype of my game with two levels, and now I am ready to test the waters with it!
I wanted to ask around on here for those that have actually gone out of "development hell" and into an actual release of some sorts. Where do you start? Are there any websites/services that I could demonstrate my game to? I really have no idea where to initially start. I've made a website, but I want to get a high point with serious downloads. I was thinking here for starters, but maybe Reddit and a few other popular social media sites where I can rack in some downloads. I did start with a website, which is completed and ready to go (FYI, I am a web developer and definitely know a thing or two about advertising):
www.alienauthoritythegame.com

Notice - I have NOT linked the game download live yet but intend two within the next 24-48 hours. I also did not bother setting up a Facebook page yet (tbh in the past I have had crappy results pushing products/services on FB) but I did get established on Twitter and in under 48 hours people were liking my post about being able to try a new video game fore free. Everything is in place. Here is my overall game plan:

• Release and get feedback - this game I have been developing for, I hate to say, almost five years. Its been redeveloped on and off due to framework changes, changes in direction with the game, and so on. My whole purpose of this is to just test the waters now. Before I put a single minute more of time into the game, I want to see if people actually like where I am taking it. I want to collect surveys, and as a gratitude for peoples time, I am offering a free version of the game and/or promotional code if the game goes for sale someday in exchange for leaving feedback and taking a survey of the game. The input from the audience is extremely critical to me. The survey is short and sweet.
• Analyze feedback - how was feedback on my alpha test? Overall, I'm looking for an "above average" opinion. If people think my game and idea is above average, I would like to continue developing and really take this game to the next level. If the feedback is below average or mixed, then I hate to say this because I am passionate about the game, but I'm probably going to scrap the project and move on. I don't want to quit game development, but maybe try for something else.

Other than that, that's basically it. So I just want to know, where have you guys started? I heard about a few indie game sites that might review/demo a new indie game. What are they, though? I have not gotten on Steam or anything yet, and to be honest I don't feel like investing in things like that until I know the game has an initial interest, which is where I am at now. I've already invested in software, assets, audio, font licensing, and even a professional voice actress to bring the game to the next level. I'm very serious about releasing this game. Any feedback/opinions on where to go is appreciated. And for those that are curious to try the game, as I said, it will be up VERY soon, the only thing holding me back there is no "how to play" or tutorial modes, although I don't think it's totally necessary as the game is pretty simple. Thanks for any pointers/tips ahead of time!

 

I would highly recommend some screen shots on the site for people to look at, possibly even a short video of gameplay. Most people want to see what the game is like before they bother to download it. The more people download and play your alpha, the better.

 

Thanks, already on it. Originally the site has a huge video of the game in the background but it didn't' work right, I agree on the YouTube and screenshots, I will add this in smack dab on the homepage tomorrow. Already a good pointer!

 

I have noticed that this is a terrible place to promote your game, since most people are developers and not here looking for that sort of thing or to support anyone's projects (other than their own, naturally).

I must be dumb but I can't find any screenshots on your website. That might be helpful.

You probably aren't aware of this given the length of your post, but most people just skim the left side of your page looking for what they want or skip straight to the bottom area hoping to find something useful to them. If they don't find anything cool, they go "oh look, a distraction!" and then bye-bye. I didn't find anything interesting or useful to me, either.

Not keen on Facebook? That's cool. It's not like it's still the most popular social media site, especially among teens.

Maybe if you could get me, a guy who is pretty interested in games and aliens in general, to care a little you might have a shot. I would start with upping your mojo on your presentation and giving it some more something. Your site is also super dark and actually hard to read.

Good luck with the general public!

 

Screen shots, screen shots, screen shots. That's the first thing I looked for, and I'm so glad to be reminded again how important they are so I make sure to always have plenty up for my own games. I didn't download since I'm in the middle of crunch time and without screen shots there wasn't really anything there to grab me and say "hey! This is awesome. Download it."

Aside from that, I think there are some beta testing web sites out there where people will try your game and report back on it. I can't remember the sites but Google it and I'm sure you'll find one.

Congrats on getting this far and good luck with everything! My latest game is a space game so I'm interested in seeing yours as well.

 

1. Like everyone said, add screenshots. Your site looks like a landing page and looks great except that. Add sort of a camera film screenshots slide between the download button and the bottom links. So when people click on it the screenshots pop up.
2. WIP section of the forums is good here, but the audience is mostly developers.
3. Post in game design too, you'll see a few locked threads by GiGi, catch the next one and ask there, you'll definitely get feedback.
4. IndieDB is great for feedback, if your game is free, I have experience with it. And its easy and free to register your "company" and game.
5. If all is well and you wanna continue developing your game, and you're looking for alpha-funding, check out alpha-funding on Desura. Its also free to get into. If I remember correctly, it allows users to buy your game as support, under the condition they don't have to pay for it after its done. Its fair to me.
6. And lastly Steam gets most of the traffic, you can get greenlit for early-access, but there's that initial $100 fee that might be a problem for some people.

PS: Yeah Twitter is great, especially if you catch a few of those retweet bots.

 

Hi everyone,
I appreciate all your feedback so far. I will definitely add some screenshots and video tomorrow. I originally had a big video demonstrating the game on the site but I scrapped it because I didn't find the site informative enough. I'm going to add some more content tomorrow for this.

As the site itself, it is wordpress. Although I am a developer, I really don't have the time/man hours to custom code a website so I used a free Wordpress theme. I didn't notice until now on my Macbook how ridiculously dark it is, though! One of you commented on the darkness. I will up the visibility of that. One reason I switched to this template is it is mobile friendly and I want the site accessible on all platforms.

ChrisSch, your post was the most helpful, thank you for providing those links. Believe it or not, I've never heard of Desura but I will check that out. I'm a religious Steam user of several years. Steam, yes it is $100 to get into which has always kept me away from the platform. On a side note, right now I am making fantastic money in my career and this is why I'm kind of pushing this game forward. if I want to fund anything out of pocket this is the time to do it. With that being said, somewhere I read that Steam shouldn't be your only strategy for marketing a game. And right now, I was kind of hoping more to test the waters. I hate to invest too much into this game and then it bombs. Oh well, that's the risk of business, right?

 

Hello Unity people,
I am back! I have uploaded several screenshots of my game and also made a pretty decent YouTube video to go along. Both are on my website. Not only this, but I have the game up for download on PC, Mac OSX, and Linux, if any of you were curious to see it/try it it is up now:
www.alienauthoritythegame.com

Per some of your replies here, I made the website much brighter so it's easier to read and I also joined Facebook and started an ad campaign on there for $10/day, I might run it for a few days to get some initial interest on Facebook as I don't have many friends on there to share the page with.

Thanks for all the tips/advice so far.Now I'm going to see how the reaction and feedback to the game is, it's a bit nerve wracking!

 

The web site is looking pretty good! I have a few suggestions if you're interested.

1. Make your hero banner more interesting. It is the first thing people see so it really needs to suck them in.
2. You might want to make the screenshot widget bigger.
3. Users expect that when they click a small image they will be able to see the full resolution image. Same thing goes for the small video on the front page. It sounds stupid, but everything seems more important when it's full screen.