It’s one thing to make a great game, but unless you have players willing to buy in, what’s the point? No one will know about it, no one will care. How do you make players care? By being loyal to them, first, and show some respect. Check out this article that runs down exactly how game companies can show respect to their players. Gamasutra has the story.
Respect matters, and it’s a two-way street. Take a look at Double Fine’s Kickstarter project. They said, more or less, “Hey, we’ll make a game… about something, dunno yet… just give us some money. Trust us.” That’s not a good sales pitch. From anyone else, that’d be the signs of a straight-up scam. But players trusted Double Fine, they were loyal, and they threw millions of dollars at an unknown project to be released at an unknown date.
I’d like millions in funding just for asking.
Respect matters.