GameZone writes, "The big story right now is that Microsoft and Machinima has been paying YouTubers for positive Xbox One coverage, and that EA paid YouTube video producers to promote its next-gen games. Surprise surprise. That's probably the worst-kept secret in the world. To me, it seems like a horrible waste of money. Video producers will want to cover your game or console if it's trending, hot, new, good -- you name it. These paid promotions that are supposed to come off as sincere are deceptive. Gamers just want honesty. Despite a joint response from Machinima and Microsoft, here's some honesty for you publishers out there; take the money you were paying off YouTubers with and spend it on these things instead."
Richard Bailey Jr. of The Koalition writes: During GDC 2025, I saw various AAA, AA, and indie video games currently being developed across each platform. Among these games is one upcoming title named Out of Sight.
Atelier Yumia boldly reinvents the series with thrilling action combat and a vast open world, but stumbles under the weight of its own ambition. While the deeper narrative and flashy battles impress, uneven pacing, performance issues, and oversimplified mechanics keep it from reaching its full potential.
"The KYIV-based (Ukraine) indie games developer Reburn are today very excited and happy to announce that their narrative-driven first-person-sci-fi shooter game "La Quimera" (a game that's set in a futuristic Latin American megalopolis), is coming to PC via Steam on April 25th (2025)." - Jonas Ek, TGG.
Spot on. Spend money to create a good game/product and you won't have to pay people to say good stuff about it. They will do so because it's true!
How about free dlc like killzone:sf so the community doesnt get split in two instead of heavly marketing a game all you need is word of mouth if it is a good game people will praise it without having to pay them to do so!
It definitely has its place in marketing a product. I would imagine a lot of companies use this option. It could be the difference between a decent sales and mega sales. But ultimately its up to a product to be good or great before a product will catch on.
7. Fix their sh*t before releasing it.
The Kenny Powers pic by itself makes this a great article but the suggestions were pretty good too.