Compulsion Games CEO Urges Brazilian Developers to Prioritize Discoverability in Bedrock Games

Unlocking Visibility: Brazilian Game Devs Chart a Course for Success at Global Events

While international game expos like Gamescom adn PAX offer invaluable opportunities for developers to connect with media and industry professionals, simply attending isn’t a guaranteed path to widespread recognition. For smaller studios, notably those in Brazil, effectively leveraging these high-profile events requires a strategic and audience-centric approach.

This is the sentiment shared by James Provost, who, while acknowledging the accessibility of such events for many, emphasizes that “meetings generally aren’t enough to garner sufficient attention unless you have a story you can tell that’s easily digested.” The key,he suggests,lies not just in presence,but in purpose.

Provost highlights a critical step for Brazilian studios aiming to boost their visibility: a deep understanding of their target audience from the very inception of a project. “You have to understand the kind of audience you wont to attract and cater to them from the outset,” he advises. This foundational insight informs every subsequent marketing decision.

Compulsion Games, as an example, prioritizes the creation of high-quality assets as a cornerstone of their strategy. Provost explains, “We concentrate internally on creating really great assets. We build all of our trailers internally, for example. We make that part of our pre-production pipeline.” This proactive approach involves identifying what will make a game unique, how it will be developed, and crucially, how it will be marketed, all before advancement truly begins.

A concrete example of this integrated strategy is evident in the development of trailers for their upcoming title, South of midnight.”For some of our South of Midnight trailers we built the narrative of a cutscene knowing it was going to be a part of the trailer as a result of our understanding of how we were going to market the game as we were building it. We weren’t trying to figure it out at the end,” Provost elaborates.

By embedding marketing considerations into the pre-production phase and answering the essential question of “who is our audience?” early on, developers can seamlessly integrate promotional efforts into the very fabric of their game. While the specific execution may vary across studios, the overarching principle remains: a clear understanding of your audience and a deliberate plan to reach them are paramount for achieving visibility in the competitive global game development landscape.game Developer was invited to Gamescom Latam by event partner Abragames, which covered flights and accommodation.

How does the Bedrock marketplace’s reliance on in-game browsing differ from conventional game marketing strategies?

Compulsion Games CEO Urges Brazilian Developers too Prioritize Discoverability in Bedrock Games

The Growing Bedrock Ecosystem & Its challenges

The Bedrock edition of Minecraft,encompassing Windows 10/11,Xbox,PlayStation,Nintendo Switch,and mobile,represents a massive and increasingly important platform for game developers. however,its sheer size presents a notable hurdle: discoverability. Rodrigo Lopes, CEO of Compulsion Games (acquired by Microsoft and developers of We Happy Few), recently emphasized this point specifically to Brazilian game developers, highlighting the need to proactively address visibility within the marketplace. This isn’t just about getting your game seen; it’s about reaching the right players amidst a sea of content. The Brazilian game development scene, rapidly expanding and brimming with talent, stands to benefit significantly from focusing on these strategies.

Why Discoverability Matters More Then Ever in Bedrock

Traditionally, game marketing relied heavily on pre-launch hype and critical reviews. While those remain critically important, the Bedrock marketplace operates differently.

Organic Discovery is Key: A large portion of Bedrock game purchases happen through in-game browsing. This means relying on the Minecraft Marketplace’s search algorithms and curated collections.

Competition is Fierce: Thousands of worlds, texture packs, and mini-games compete for player attention. Standing out requires a intentional approach.

Long Tail Potential: Bedrock allows for a “long tail” of niche content to thrive, but only if players can find it.A well-optimized listing can continue generating sales long after launch.

Localization is Crucial: For Brazilian developers targeting a global audience, proper localization – beyond just translation – is vital for discoverability in different regions.

Actionable Strategies for Enhanced Bedrock Discoverability

Lopes’s advice centered around practical steps developers can take. Here’s a breakdown of key recommendations, categorized for clarity:

1. Marketplace Optimization (SEO for minecraft)

Think of the Minecraft Marketplace as a search engine. Treat your game listing accordingly.

Keyword Research: Identify relevant keywords players are using to search for content like yours. Tools like Google Keyword Planner (adapted for gaming terms) can be helpful. Focus on both broad terms (Minecraft adventure map) and long-tail keywords (Minecraft puzzle map with redstone).

Compelling Title & Description: Your title is prime real estate.Include relevant keywords, but prioritize clarity and intrigue. The description should be detailed, highlighting key features and benefits. Use bullet points to improve readability.

High-Quality Screenshots & Video: Visuals are paramount. Showcase your game’s best features with clear,attractive screenshots and a captivating trailer. Demonstrate gameplay, not just static images.

Accurate Categorization & Tags: Ensure your game is listed in the correct categories and utilizes relevant tags. this helps the Marketplace’s algorithm understand what your game is about.

2. Leveraging the Minecraft Community

Direct engagement with the Minecraft community can significantly boost visibility.

Social Media Marketing: actively promote your game on platforms like Twitter, YouTube, TikTok, and Reddit (r/minecraft). Share updates, behind-the-scenes content, and engage with players.

Influencer Outreach: Collaborate with Minecraft YouTubers and streamers to showcase your game to their audiences. Micro-influencers (those with smaller, highly engaged followings) can be particularly effective.

Community Events & Contests: Host in-game events or contests to generate excitement and attract new players.

discord Server: Create a discord server to foster a community around your game,gather feedback,and provide support.

3.Understanding Bedrock-Specific Technical Considerations

Bedrock has unique technical aspects that impact discoverability.

Performance Optimization: A laggy or buggy game will receive negative reviews and deter players. Prioritize performance optimization.

Compatibility: Ensure your game is compatible with a wide range of devices and Minecraft versions.

Regular Updates: Demonstrate ongoing support by releasing regular updates with bug fixes, new features, and content. this signals to players (and the algorithm) that your game is actively maintained.

Utilize Marketplace APIs (Where Available): Explore any available APIs to gather data on player behavior and optimize your listing accordingly.

The Brazilian Advantage: Unique Content & Cultural Relevance

Brazilian developers have a unique opportunity to create content that resonates with both the local and global Minecraft community.

Cultural Integration: Incorporate elements of Brazilian culture, mythology, and folklore into your games. This can attract a niche audience and differentiate your content.

Portuguese localization: High-quality Portuguese localization is essential for reaching the Brazilian market.

Focus on Innovation: Experiment with new gameplay mechanics and concepts to stand out from the crowd. The Bedrock platform allows for a lot of creative freedom.

real-World Examples of Triumphant Bedrock discoverability

While specific sales figures are often confidential,several developers have demonstrated effective discoverability strategies:

Blockworks: Known for their high-quality adventure maps and rpgs,Blockworks consistently ranks high in Marketplace searches due to strong SEO,active community engagement,and visually stunning content.

RazzleberryFox: A popular Minecraft* creator who