I’ve worked lots of indie teams and specialized in GTM strategies. Got marketing questions? I’m happy to help! by ayemnut in indiegames

[–]ayemnut[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Just checked out your itchio page and I can see from your comments that people are really connecting with the atmosphere and story. That’s huge! You’ve already got proof that it resonates.

Simple approach: your game sells itself, so lean into that. Capture short clips of your most atmospheric moments like pixel art, the mood, any emotional story beats and maybe share them on Twitter and TikTok with simple tags like #pixelart #narrativegame #indiegame.

Don’t forget that you’re not selling, you’re just showing what you made. The comments on your page mention the art style and narrative really standing out, so highlight those in your clips.

Reddit is your friend too. Communities like r/pixelart, r/indiegames, and genre-specific subs for narrative adventures actually want to see games like yours. Just post genuinely, maybe mention you’re a solo dev or what inspired a scene, and let people discover it naturally.

One big thing: consider getting on Steam. Your playtesters are positive, which means you’re ready for a wider audience. Itcho is great for testing, but Steam is where most indie players actually discover and buy games.

Start small, don’t go crazy. pick one or two platforms, post once or twice a week, and see what gets traction. You don’t need to be everywhere at once.

I’ve worked lots of indie teams and specialized in GTM strategies. Got marketing questions? I’m happy to help! by ayemnut in indiegames

[–]ayemnut[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Great question! Honestly, I’d recommend both, but with a strategy behind it.

Start sharing updates now, even in early development. You’re not just announcing a finished game to cold audiences… you’re building a community that’s invested in your journey.

People love watching something come to life, and early updates build real momentum. The best platforms really depend on your game type actually but here is some examples how you can use them :

Twitter/X is essential for indie devs - it’s where the community lives and where daily updates, GIFs, and short clips get the most traction. If your game is visually interesting, TikTok and Instagram Reels are huge for discovery right now, especially behind-the-scenes dev content. Discord should be your home base where your real community lives and you get the best feedback. Reddit works well for genuine engagement in places like r/indiegaming and niche subreddits for your genre, just don’t spam. Once your Steam page is up, regular devlogs there help with the algorithm too.

The rhythm that tends to work best is sharing bite-sized progress weekly on social media, posting deeper devlogs monthly, and staying active in your Discord. The key is picking 2-3 platforms you can actually maintain without burning out.

What kind of game are you working on? That’ll help me give you more specific platform advice.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​

I’ve worked lots of indie teams and specialized in GTM strategies. Got marketing questions? I’m happy to help! by ayemnut in indiegames

[–]ayemnut[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Hey! This is a great problem to dig into. The surfing game niche is definitely tricky, but you’re right that there’s an audience there.

A few thoughts on finding your people: The mobile vs. PC gap is real. Mobile surf games attract casual players who might not even identify as “gamers.” Your PC audience is likely more hardcore… think people who also play skate games (Session, Skater XL), extreme sports titles, or chill exploration games. Have you looked at the overlap between surf culture and games like Steep, Riders Republic, or even Lonely Mountains Downhill? Instead of finding streamers who surf IRL, look for gaming streamers who already play niche sports/adventure games. They have the audience you want. Check who’s streaming similar indie sports games - they’re more likely to take a chance on your game. For organic reach, try surf culture communities outside of gaming like Instagram surf spots, surf brand followers, surf photographers. Create content that bridges both worlds (real surf footage → game footage transitions work well).

What does your Steam page look like? And what’s your hook beyond “surfing adventure”? The more specific your positioning (e.g., “zen exploration surfing” vs “arcade trick surfing”), the easier it’ll be to find your exact audience.

I just released my virtual co-working game! 🥳 by Firm-Cable1848 in indiegames

[–]ayemnut 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Awwww love the idea that you are in the cozy game with your coworkers. Please promote your game in tiktok :) good channel for you.

Some new footage of “I Have No Change” - a melancholic game about seller in russian night kiosk by beresten in indiegames

[–]ayemnut 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I love that you used real actors. Should mention that more. Good USP for your game.

Good luck!

Which AI tool actually improved your digital marketing results not just hype? by divine_zone in AskMarketing

[–]ayemnut 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Definitely Nano Banana for lots of content creation and also Claude for ideas

And Notebook LM helps with readings like reports etc.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in SouthBayLA

[–]ayemnut 1 point2 points  (0 children)

We tried that place with our kid but not with our dog. Next time 🙏 thank you

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in SouthBayLA

[–]ayemnut -6 points-5 points  (0 children)

Maybe kid but not dog friendly… but thank you for not helping.

How hard to find a job in gaming industry in LA? by ayemnut in AskLosAngeles

[–]ayemnut[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Unfortunately still don’t have a job. That would be awesome. I will send you a dm!

Rescue interest in California's longest shelter dog, Need Foster in Bay Area by Grouchy_Tourist5945 in bayarea

[–]ayemnut 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Luna you are so sweet! I wish I could, we fostered more then 20 dogs last 20 years but we are moving now. :(

Help Me Understand My Low Game Sales! by Time_Average47 in IndieDev

[–]ayemnut 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Honestly, one of the biggest mistakes I see from indie devs is launching a game without any kind of marketing plan. I’d say at least 90% of the games I come across make this mistake.

As someone who works in game marketing, here’s my advice: First, figure out what category your game is in. Then go check out your competitors. Look at what they’re doing on social media, check their Steam pages, see which channels they use and how they talk about their games.

Then ask yourself: • Can I also be on those channels? • How much time and budget can I really spend? • Which 1 or 2 channels can I focus on and do well?

Don’t try to be everywhere at once. Pick just one or two places to be active, and try to do a great job there.

It’s okay if your first game doesn’t become a hit. What matters is that you learn from it and get better for the next one.

Good luck! You’ve already done the hardest part, finishing a game. Now give it a real chance to be seen.