May 21, 2023

How to Make Your Indie Game Stand Out with a Great Title

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How to Make Your Indie Game Stand Out with a Great Title

By Joel | May 21, 2023

Your game's title is one of the first things potential players will see, and a great title can go a long way in making your game stand out from the rest. A great title should be unique, memorable, and reflective of the game's content. Calling your game a sim, for example, when it is really a straight up arcade shooter may confuse potential buyers and who may eventually lose interest. In this article, we'll give you some tips on how to choose a great title for your game.

A Great Title Can (Potentially) Make or Break Your Game

Your game's title is one of the most important aspects of marketing your game and can make your game stand out from the crowd and attract attention, while a bad one can turn potential players away. There are a few things to keep in mind when choosing a title for your game.

First, it should be reflective of the game's content. A good title will give players an idea of what the game is about and what they can expect from it. Second, it should be unique. There are literally hundreds of games released every year, so it's important to have a title that will help your game stand out from the rest. And finally, it should be catchy and memorable that should stick with players long after they've finished playing it.

While there's no surefire formula for creating a perfect title, keeping these things in mind will help you create a strong, attention-grabbing title for your future projects.

Stand Out in a Crowded Marketplace

With so many indie games on the market, it can be hard to make your game stand out. A great title can help you catch potential customers' attention and make them more likely to give your game a try. Your title should be reflective of the game's core gameplay mechanics and/or story. For example, if your game is a platformer with a dark mature story, "The Secret Fear" could be a good title. If your game is a puzzle game with a whimsical art style, "The Puzzle of Life" could work well.

Your title should also be unique, thus avoiding using generic terms like "Platformer" or "Puzzle Game" in your title, as this will make it harder for customers to find your game amongst the competition. Instead, focus on what makes your game special and use that as an inspiration. With so many games on the market, standing out can be tough but a great title can give you the edge you need for your game to succeed.

Keep it Short and Sweet

Your title should be short and to the point. It should be easy to remember, pronounce, and spell. And it should give players a clear idea of what your game is about. Think of your title as an elevator pitch for your game. It should be able to convey the gist of your game in a few words. If it's too long or complicated, players will move on to something else or won't remember it when they try to look it up.

Here are a few things to keep in mind when coming up with a name for your game:

  • Make it unique: A great title should be unique and memorable. Avoid using generic terms like "world" or "quest" that have been used countless times before.
  • Keep it simple: A good title should be easy to pronounce and spell. Avoid using made-up words or abbreviations that players will have trouble remembering.
  • Be clear: Your title should give players a good idea of what your game is about. If it's too vague or misleading, players will likely move on to something else.
  • Be catchy: A great title should be catchy and attention-grabbing. Use alliteration or wordplay to make it stand out from the crowd.

Remember: Don't overcomplicate your game title. Be creative without getting too fancy.

Make it Memorable and Use the 'B' Method

Your title is one of the first things potential players will see, so it’s essential to make it memorable. A great title will make people want to remember your game. In addition, it should be easy to say and spell so that people can tell their friends about it.

Reflect on the games you've played in the past and consider why they left a lasting impression on you. While some games may have unimpressive titles, their gameplay remains outstanding. On the other hand, some games may have catchy titles but fall short in terms of substance. Ultimately, a game with both a captivating title and exceptional gameplay will stand out from the competition.

  • Be Creative: Stand out from the crowd with a title that is unlike any other.
  • Be Evocative: Use imagery and language to create a feeling or mood.
  • Be Relevant: Be sure your title makes sense for the game you’re making.
  • Be Short: Long titles are often forgettable. Shoot for something shorter.
  • Be Catchy: A great title will stick in people’s heads long after they’ve seen it.

Brainstorm and Make it Flow

Your title should give players a good idea of what your game is about. A lot of developers choose to include mechanics or themes in their titles to let people know what kind of game they’re making. For example, if your game is a platformer about a cat, you could call it “Super Cat Leap” or something similar. If you’re stuck on what to include in your title, try brainstorming with friends or other developers as they might have some great ideas.

Keep in mind that there are a lot of games out there, so it can be tough to stand out from the crowd. However, with a little brainstorming, you can come up with a title that will make your game stand out from the rest. Some possible brainstorming possibilities:

  • Brainstorm with friends or other developers
  • Look at other games for inspiration
  • Use wordplay or puns in your title
  • Repeat the title slowly and make sure it flows naturally when you say it.
  • As always, Keep it simple and easy to remember

Use a Title Generator

If you’re stuck on what to call your game, there are plenty of title generators online that can help jump start your creative thinking. Many developers, authors, and content creators simply put together different words that they thought sounded cool. Another route you can take is to use a wordplay generator, which can create pun-filled phrases based on keywords you provide.

Puns are often overused in games, but if used sparingly, they can be effective. Superhot took advantage of this by incorporating the word “Super” into their title to create a double meaning. Not only does it describe the game mechanics, but it also serves as an intensifier, making the title more attention-grabbing.

If you want to get creative, try using a random word generator and stringing together a few random words until you find something that clicks. Of course, this method is more likely to produce absurd results, but you never know; you might just come up with the next quirky indie hit.

Friends and Family, Lend Me Your Ear

You’ve been working on your game for a while and are finally ready to show it to the world. One problem is you can’t think of a good name for it. Luckily, there are a few things you can do to come up with an excellent title for your game. One of the simplest and most effective is to ask your friends and family for their opinions. Just explain your game and give them a few candidate titles to choose from, then sit back and see which one they think is best.

You can also survey potential players. This can be as simple as posting on social media or forums asking people what they think of different titles, or you could create an online poll which is an excellent way to see which combination of words resonates more with gamers. These methods won’t guarantee that you’ll come up with the perfect title, but they should give you some direction, and if nothing else, they should help you narrow down your choices.

A Great Title is Important, But it's Not Everything

It is important to note that the title of your game plays a significant role, as it is the first thing potential players will see. Therefore, it is crucial to make a positive impression with an attractive and engaging title. A standout title can increase the visibility of your game and set it apart in a competitive market. However, it is important to remember that the ultimate success of your game will depend on its overall quality, not just its title. Good luck!


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