The Steam Campaign

[Solecismic]

I wanted to make one more big push, in hopes of tapping into the Steam customer base while the football season is still in full swing.

From what I've heard, I have enough votes to get Steam's attention. But I'm still sitting in AAA, waiting for the call-up.

The Steam Greenlight page can be found at: Steam Greenlight :: Front Office Football Seven (http://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=237225561). No, you don't have to sit through the video again. But I'd like to get more votes. I still have more sales than "yes" votes, which surprises me. So, given that Steam has tens of millions of subscribers, I'm not doing a good job even of getting my customers to vote.

I'd appreciate every vote. Also, I've heard that "follows" and "favorites" can make a big difference. I have a higher percentage of those than the top games, which indicates that more enthusiastic supporters are in the group who are voting, but getting those numbers higher may help. Even if Steam realizes I'm asking specifically for those, at least it shows them that I'm doing something to promote the game.

All this seems so crazy in terms of marketing, but this constant social media push does seem to be a primary way to get attention in this day and age.

Tonight, I released a new FNames.DLL file for Front Office Football. It's on the Solecismic web site. This file is more tuned to the early '90s, which is when younger players were born. I had tuned FOF7 to 2012, which resulted in more first names you'll see in day care in a couple of years. but was a bit jarring from a player perspective. You can just slap it into the installation over the old one (you'll probably need administrator privileges) and it will begin working with new games and the pre-draft function of existing games, when new players are generated.

I have a few other files I've updated for 2014, and I might tweak the game for the 2014 season. If the Greenlight thing happens, 7.1 will be created for Steam. If not, I'll probably get them out at some point. Maybe I'll do a pre-Christmas sale on my own or something. Someone had asked about a new staff.fdt. I have one ready, so the quicker I'm on Steam, the quicker that gets out there.

Thanks for all your support.

[Antmeister]

Oh wow. Thanks. An update/tweak would be great as well. Hope you get the votes out there soon. Still can't figure out how Front Page Sports was green lighted, but regardless of that, I see a lot of support on this game already, so I am not sure what is holding this title back.

[aston217]

:thumbsup:

[gstelmack]

Just checked, and had not Favorited or Followed, so done now.

[Dutch]

Steam to the rescue! That wont make a mistake with this one...and I will rebuy when this happens.

[muns]

Was guilty of this. But just voted, commented, favored and followed. Hope this gets pushed through.

[Mizzou B-ball fan]

Already voted, but passed it along to friends to vote just in case.

[Sweed]

Voted and commented. Would love to see FOF make it on Steam.

[Bundy13]

Was already voted,but follwed,favourited and commented.

[Ben E Lou]

Email sent to all FOFC members in good standing who have the "allow admin emails" option checked. I'm sure some will hit spam folders, but I'd imagine that a good number will make it through.

[Julio Riddols]

Tonight, I released a new FNames.DLL file for Front Office Football. It's on the Solecismic web site. This file is more tuned to the early '90s

This is almost as good as a patch! Heading over to voice my support now.

[bigc45157]

Willing to do whatever necessary to help Greg get this game's name out.

One question, what is STEAM and what does the voting process do? Sorry, again, just trying to get a grip on what is going on and find ways to help.

[TCY Junkie]

Email sent to all FOFC members in good standing who have the "allow admin emails" option checked. I'm sure some will hit spam folders, but I'd imagine that a good number will make it through.

Got an email. I will register and vote just based on the TCY. If someone didn't want to take time to sign up, how much time does it take?

[aef027]

Voted and commented!

[wishbone]

I had already said yes, favorited and followed so I also shared it on Facebook. Maybe that helps?

[corbes]

I had never before become a member of steam, but did so for this. I can follow and favorite but it tells me I don't have "sufficient privileges" to vote yes... any tips on the easiest (cheapest) way of acquiring that?

[Ben E Lou]

I had never before become a member of steam, but did so for this. I can follow and favorite but it tells me I don't have "sufficient privileges" to vote yes... any tips on the easiest (cheapest) way of acquiring that?My understanding is that you have to have purchased something from Steam in order to have a vote. If that is correct (and I'm not sure about that,) I just browsed around the "Strategy" section and found this on sale for 99 cents through 10/20:

<iframe src="http://store.steampowered.com/widget/257120/" height="190" width="646" frameborder="0"></iframe>

[Ben E Lou]

Bah. It's a buck. I'll create a new account and test it...

[GeneralMakaveli]

I voted, I love the game so I had to. However I noticed something about the videos and I feel NEEDS to be changed. For one, the screen resolution is incorrect, it cuts off a portion on the bottom and right of the screen. The second one, which I think is more important, the audio is mono to the left and not stereo. If I didnt know who you guys were and didnt already know about the game I would have said no thanks the moment only my left driver started playing sound and my right one was silent. It looks unprofessional, IMO.

I hope this all works out tho. Love the game and I have been playing it for years. I have not picked up FOF7 tho. If it gets on steam I may have to tho.

[Ben E Lou]

So here's the deal:

http://www.fof-ihof.com/upload/Ben%20E%20Lou/steam_fofc.png

[Ben E Lou]

Yup. Buying that game for 99 cents with the new account did it. Was able to vote that way. And I was able to pay for the game with PayPal, so didn't even have to bother looking at and typing in the cc info.

[Mizzou B-ball fan]

Dubious Quality: Front Office Football On Greenlight (http://dubiousquality.blogspot.com/2014/10/front-office-football-on-greenlight.html)

[NawlinsFan]

Voted / Followed / Favorite all when it was first noted on greenlight. To bad they won't let you vote more than once!

[Raiders Army]

Jim, I wish you the best of luck getting it on there. Just some constructive criticism, the first video was really hard to follow. If I knew nothing about the game, what was narrated didn't follow what was being clicked. Also I don't think you need to apologize what the game isn't, although that was good for truth in lending.

The second video while better, still didn't show the mechanics our strengths of the game. The trade also didn't make sense since Seattle didn't have a QB as one of their top three needs. The fact you can trade picks into the future would've been good to highlight.

These are really nitpicky comments and I got a good feel for the game. I think the audience you're trying to attract will like it. Great job!

[burnshroom]

Email sent to all FOFC members in good standing who have the "allow admin emails" option checked. I'm sure some will hit spam folders, but I'd imagine that a good number will make it through.

Received and supported, faved and followed.

Had actually thought I voted for it the first time around. Surprised I didn't.

Good luck with this Jim!!!

[korme]

Jim, I wish you the best of luck getting it on there. Just some constructive criticism, the first video was really hard to follow. If I knew nothing about the game, what was narrated didn't follow what was being clicked. Also I don't think you need to apologize what the game isn't, although that was good for truth in lending.

The second video while better, still didn't show the mechanics our strengths of the game. The trade also didn't make sense since Seattle didn't have a QB as one of their top three needs. The fact you can trade picks into the future would've been good to highlight.

These are really nitpicky comments and I got a good feel for the game. I think the audience you're trying to attract will like it. Great job!

Maybe Jim wouldn't mind one of our more tech-savvy guys doing a video for him?

[JimboJ]

I voted for the game, but I have no idea how to favorite or follow it. Didn't see a link for those. It probably should be a little easier if they want me to do it.

[path12]

Had voted before but now have it favorited, followed and commented. Good luck Jim.

[aston217]

Yeah, we definitely need a new video for FOF7.

No narration. Music & text. The video just doesn't "grab" and on Steam, it has to, or it won't sell.

[Olsson]

Voted yes(had already done this of course), Followed, favourited and commented.

I really hope a lot of other people will do the same. We need this thing on steam to make newer versions/updates/foftcy2.

[corbes]

I don't understand this newfangled technology


Here's how you do it, dummy

Thanks, done & voted.

[tzussu]

Done. Good Luck.

[FBPro]

Taken all the necessary steps!!!

[Germanicus]

Had already voted, just followed and wishlisted it. Surprised many users did not have Steam accounts, its my primary game platform. Already bugged my friendlist to vote, and many said they would buy it once it hits steam (don't want to deal with having games licensed through something else).

[Capital]

I gladly voted during the original Greenlight endeavor. Can't believe Steam hasn't already promoted this great game to prime time.

[Ben E Lou]

Nearly 1/3 of all of the comments the game has gotten showed up yesterday and today. I don't know how that has translated into up votes, but it sure seems like it ought to be enough, if the game was already close, to push it over the top.

[PilotMan]

I've already done all of the above. I've cross posted in the FOFC Steam group again. Good luck Jim, we are certainly pulling hard for it to happen for you.

[Solecismic]

Thanks. About 10% of the votes have shown up in the last couple of days. More importantly, about 50% of the favorites and follows.

It's 35% of the way to the top 100 on Greenlight. But I've heard of projects in this genre getting through with far less votes than what we already have. However, in terms of favorites and follows, it's now on the edge of the top 50.

So, if we can keep momentum going, I think it will get the call-up soon. I hope so, at least. If it does, I will do my best to get it live within a couple of weeks. And maybe even create some Steam bonuses, like achievements. And, of course, get the 2014 game files in there.

I will also try to ensure that anyone with a ViaTech FOF7 license can trade that for a Steam license at no cost.

I am getting very few new looks outside of this push, so changing the video at this point seems like a waste of time. If I could get a major new review in place, I'd feel differently.

I appreciate all of the support. It's making a difference. And it goes without saying that getting on Steam greatly increases the chance that there will be new products in the future.

[Icy]

Voted, followed and added to favourites, good luck!

[Darkside]

done, as a reward for us all voting can you fix two little things for us in the player file release you are talking about.

1) Needing 3 healthy qb's is a nightmare, especially if one goes down for 2 weeks or so. It means we have to cut someone to make room for a QB we need for 2 weeks.
2) Being able to cut injured players at the end of pre-season. Having to carry an injured scrub we don't want is painful to say the least.

thankyou

[SackAttack]

I voted a long time ago, but I favorited, followed and commented today. Hope it helps.

[bigc45157]

Let's keep it rolling!

Jim (I referred to you as Greg earlier in thread, sorry) you have done a fantastic job with this game. I say that with 3 weeks of gameplay in FOF7 (have never played another edition-- I don't know how it took me this long to find this game) and it shows with how many avid followers you have.

What blows my mind is that you have created this Franchise by yourself! You have so many followers, already, we just need to get the uniformed player (like I was, a month ago) into the game. Once you're in, you're hooked!

Good luck and here's to getting yourself, and the game, the attention and promotion it deserves.

[ueauvan]

voted, followed and fav'ed

good luck you deserve it
and the email was a good idea to prompt old farts like me

[claystone]

just saw this tonight.

I'm a steam member so i'll put my vote in, Jim.

[johnnyshaka]

Good luck, Jim!

Voted, followed and favorited.

[aston217]

As it turns out, I previously only voted, without "follow" or "favorite". Done!

Also, I've heard that "follows" and "favorites" can make a big difference.

[Mike Lowe]

I joined the club. Ready for that new staff file! :)

[AlexB]

I'd voted before, but just added as a favourite and followed. Hope this gets over the line.

[MizzouRah]

All done!

[A-Husker-4-Life]

"In like Flynn" Followed & Fav'd

[TroyF]

I voted a long time ago, but I favorited, followed and commented today. Hope it helps.

Ditto. Outside of commented. Didn't have time but I will.

[ftwco]

voted, favorite and followed

[Germanicus]

Hi Jim,

It no one noticed this, but Valve is discontinuing Greenlight this year. And NO games have been approved since August 1st(prior to that they were approved every 2-4 weeks).

See article here:
http://www.escapistmagazine.com/news/view/133232-Steam-Greenlight-Will-Be-Gone-Within-12-Months-Indie-Dev-Says

Googling "Steam Greamlight Going Away" sites the original presser many times.

Apparently they are going to be more receptive to making new games available, but I have no clue how that works on the development side.

In any case...wanted to bring to your attention since it may be less a matter of votes, than Greenlight is just not how games get on Steam now. Poor form by Valve to leave it up so long while not approving games.

[Solecismic]

They're still approving games, but they've stopped doing so in large groups.

That's bad news, because FOF7 is probably within the range of where it would be captured by the larger groups they did over the summer. But when they're doing a couple a day, as they are now, it won't make it. The sites that help generate a lot of votes quickly just aren't interested in a niche game like this.

I don't know where the future lies. FOF7 sales are decent. It was still a good decision to release it.

[Olsson]

I don't know where the future lies. FOF7 sales are decent. It was still a good decision to release it.

While the prospect of not getting greenlighted is a shame, I am happy that you feel it was a good decision to release the game.

I hope it will continue to sell so your hard work will be rewarded financially.

[Sharkn20]

I can´t find the file to get those 2014 rosters! Any help?? :popcorn:

[NawlinsFan]

I can´t find the file to get those 2014 rosters! Any help?? :popcorn:

He hasn't published any

[A-Husker-4-Life]

I got all of my non sports friends on steam to vote, hope we can get you greenlit..

[bigc45157]

Keep grinding, Jim!

[ftwco]

Any update on this?

[Solecismic]

The situation hasn't changed. Steam has slowed down their approvals, but games are still getting through. I'm still trying to get reviews on sites that highlight Greenlight.

But there's no way for me to talk to anyone at Valve and try and make a case. The only thing I can do is to continue to encourage people to vote and follow the game. I appreciate all of you who have done so.

[nilodor]

Bah, we just need Barnwell to mention it on grantland or something.

[SackAttack]

Keep the faith, Jim. It sounds like what they might be planning is a transition away from Greenlight and to something similar to the "curators" feature they recently unveiled.

Except instead of curators - or maybe in concert with - each developer would have their own storefront on Steam. You would still be responsible for the heavy lifting of building your brand, but it might be a case of them saying "instead of us being the gatekeepers of content, we can let developers set up their storefronts and let curators tell their followers what's worth buying and playing."

The timetable on that isn't necessarily an imminent thing, but just because you're getting stonewalled on Greenlight right now doesn't mean you won't get in.