Who should I share promotional codes of my game with?

[Xonatron]

Who would you recommend I reach out to for reviews, video reviews, coverage, streaming, etc.?

I am about to release Score Rush Extended (http://shmups.system11.org/viewtopic.php?t=55520) on PS4, happening tomorrow, May 31st, 2016.

Gameplay Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ALyR7fPpp5g

[Lord Satori]

STGWeekly has covered indie games in the past, but they've been inactive for a little while, iirc.

They've got an account right on this forum, so if you PM them or one of their members, they'll be likely to respond at least.

As for anyone else, I honestly wouldn't know. I don't have any experience with this sort of thing, and I don't wanna just name off random gaming channels that I enjoy.

[gray117]

Are you preferential over getting hold of someone who gets what you're doing or primarily just trying to get the word out?

Do you have a limited number of codes?

Depending if you want/value a review from certain outlets you maybe best served with a nice press release + assets that the majority can copy+paste 'just' to get the word out, and only provide review codes to those fewer (niche?) outlets/people that may be orientated towards what you're doing.

If you're not concerned about 'review scores' and have enough codes then by all means just send a code to everyone credible ... worst is that email + code will be ignored?

In the case of individual streamers or small outlets try to contact them in advance ... bit impossible for release if not already done , but rather than trying to hit that now, perhaps focus on generating goodwill/interest towards the game and yourself as a developer longer term; Again some nice press release type assets and video that they can copy paste into their own presentations may help - ask and respond to their opinions if they engage but don't do it out of the gate - difference between 'I value your opinion' and 'tester please'. ... Try and follow up on any successful relationships with some form of competition/giveaway/sale or even patch/expansion/feedback changes news, later down the line.

[Xonatron]

What I was looking for is shmup-related media outlets. I know I can send the game randomly to big outlets already (and this will happen). I want to touch base with those who know shmups. I figured this crew would know best. I have touched base with STG Weekly (via their Twitter DM) so far, and no one else.

[gray117]

Bit thin on the ground... especially community wise. Someone more familiar with streamers might be able to recommend some good types.

I suppose places for slightly different news for games like this... I kind of expect to maybe find something about it on one of the following:

http://www.siliconera.com
http://www.hardcoregaming101.net
http://www.nichegamer.com
http://www.destructoid.com

[CloudyMusic]

It looks like Bullet Heaven covered the original Score Rush back in 2011, so maybe they'd be interested in taking a look at the new version?

[HydrogLox]

Serraxor/Ser Flash / Bullet Heaven will likely deliver a competent genre appropriate review but you should already be aware of him.

It may also be worth considering Mark Bussler from Classic Game Room (400,000+ subscribers)
Pros:

• He is a Shmup/STG fan (though not "hardcore" - in a good way) and is always very enthusiastic about the games he reviews (i.e. there aren't that many negative reviews but they do exist). Example: Classic Game Room - GEOMETRY WARS 3: DIMENSIONS review

Cons

• I don't know what the deal with his channel is right now (Mark III) as I stopped following it about two years ago (my fault not his - my "general" video game interests have narrowed dramatically due to time constraints).
• Not sure what his turnaround time is as his pipe always seems to be full.

[DJ Incompetent]

I can run an "Unexplained Giveaway" with Shmups Twitter. Probably Thursday. PM me if interested.

[Doctor Butler]

I frequently post LPs/replay to my Tumblr. I have about 4,000 followers, most of whom are arcade fans.

I can help, if you'd like

^And yes, definitely Mark from Classic Game Room. He's huge, and he loves classic gameplay!

[AxelMill]

I don't know what the deal with his channel is right now (Mark III) as I stopped following it about two years ago (my fault not his - my "general" video game interests have narrowed dramatically due to time constraints.

Classic Game Room 2.0 died, but, thanks to Patreon, Lord Karnage still makes reviews, hence Mark III. The other reviewer(s?) is(/are?) seemingly gone for good, though.

[Doctor Butler]

No, CGR's youtube channel seems to go pretty far back. I think most of the MkII content is still up.

[Xonatron]

Just catching up on this thread. We've now contacted:

- STGWeekly
- Dtoid
- Siliconera
- Hardcore Gaming 101
- Niche Gamer
- Classic Game Room

We are already covered by:

- Bullet Heaven (I was at this event! You can see me in the background at times.)

I'll catch up with the rest of this thread soon!

[Xonatron]

Any ideas how to contact STG Weekly? I have DM'd their Twitter account and emailed their YouTube account. No responses...

[Softdrink 117]

Hi Xonatron,

I'm Softdrink, one of the STG Weekly core staff. Im unfortunately too busy right now to get directly involved, but I've brought this to the attention of the rest of the staff!

Sorry for the delay.

[Xonatron]

Softdrink 117,

Thanks so much! I've been following your work forever now, but was never really sure who STG Weekly was. I figured it was a collaboration of many people on these forums. I appreciate the help!

[DazTM]

Retro gamer magazine reviews shmups. If it's coming out on ps4 then we can certainly look at it with the aim to review it. We don't have a big review section mind, just 3 pages, so it fills up quickly.

[Xonatron]

DazTM,

I would love that. Retro Gamer has review us before actually. Let me know how I would go about this. I can shoot you a review code.

http://xona.com/magazine/retrogamer.html

Thank you!

[Vectorman0]

I'm glad to see you are making the jump to the PS4. Any plans for a new/revised Decimation game?

[Xonatron]

Vectorman0,

If the Score Rush series does well on next-gen, then we will do the Decimation series too. We do not know the answer yet, unfortunately.