As I mentioned in my last post, one of the projects I've been working on is a social media game. I'd wanted to write about how I've already learned some important lessons about designing for new audiences.
As I mentioned, I've been developing Facebook, Web and Twitter relationships with potential players for our game. The in-game personae have over 1,000 friends on Facebook, 700+ followers on Twitter... and the game hasn't even been announced. Total spend on Marketing and PR: Zero.
These kinds of relationship-building are important any time you're reaching out to an audience that may be different from you. And since you're unique, that means it's important on every project.
Of course, I'm doing this "in character" as part of a game. My own Facebook friends? Well, uh...
Keeping in touch with my favorite people on Twitter? Um...
Sending an on-time birthday email to my considerate cousin in Germany? Oh-oh...
This isn't about how we can withdraw from the world playing games, or about how crunch times affect our family lives. It's not about time at all.
It's hard to be two different people online at the same time.
If I've spent an hour interacting with our player base on Facebook I have a hard time switching accounts and going back into Facebook as myself.
Play a different game? No problem! Go to lunch with someone and problem-solve on a different project? Easy.
But use the same tools I'm using in our fictional world to interact in the real world? I find myself thinking, "But I just finished everything I had to do today on Facebook!" And so I'm right on schedule in my fictional world and I've fallen behind in the real online world I live in.
I realized I have to work at having separate days for staying in touch with friends on Facebook and "working the game in character" on Facebook. I have a hard time switching roles back-to-back.
Is there any place in your life where you're so tired of doing something at work that it's slipping out of your real life?
Do you ever show great patience and listening skills at work, then come home and tune out what the kids and your partner tell you about their days?
Is there a way you could separate things onto separate days so that both your work and your private life get the time and focus?
If you're balancing all these pieces really well I' love to hear your input on how you do it.
Copyright (c) 2009-2010, Don Daglow. All Rights Reserved.
Comments