so guys i was just thinking about nintendo (and other publishers in general) and the incredible high marketing costs of modern games.

Most actual AAA-Titles does have higher marketing costs then development cost. Thats alot money wasted for the game that dont make the game better in any way.

So what i just thought about on an example.

Nintendo is releasing a new IP (splatoon) next week. And this time they arnt doing that bad on marketing like they are usual^^. But still, i think they could be way more sucsessfull.

My idea:

Instead of paying alot money for real adverstisment like tv spots, wouldnt it be much smarter to just do something like the mario kart 8 dlcs? This game sold more then 5 mio units and have a incredible huge range. So what about just bringing a dlc which adds the inklings as drivers and some splatoon maps for battle mode? 

Everybody would profit from this.

- the gamer would get a free dlc for their game (happy). They would get a real game-advantage from the marketing.

- the publisher would have great advertisment, which probl would be even less expensive (happy)

- btw. the dlc doesnt even had to be free. So they could even get money back for marketing.

I really cant find any explanation they didnt add anything splatoon related into the 2nd mario kart dlc. It would just be sooo easy marketing.

thoughts?

Inklings as drivers - would be great. At least there is the preorder bonus in the US with the Smash characters...

MK 8 battle arenas - would make many people happy. But - I don't think battle arenas are happening at all. Otherwise an announcement of those would be big news for E3...


We must distinguish between marketing for the Nintendo crowd and the "others". At this moment 99% within the Nintendo universe should be aware of Splatoon and what a fantastic game it is. So there is not so big need to address those people other then building the urge to buy.

Its much more difficult with those not owning a Wii U already.

I think we can expect Nintendo bringing up a second wave of advertising in August when the game is - as of we know today - is feature complete.

My personal hope is that Nintendo is going with Splatoon into the eSports area. Of course they have to advance in organizational and technical areas to do so - but it is manageable at not so big costs.


BTW: a reason why they didn't include anything Splatoon into Mario Kart yet is that this would lessen the urge to "have it". You have to buy Splatoon to play as an inkling.

What you described will make sense in a year when Splatoon is an established IP and Nintendo needs ways to remind people that it exists again and again...

Nope.. See the advertising is meant for your mom.. Since they never touch Mario Kart they will never see it...