Are we making it hard for journalists to write about us?

[MiceHead]

While doing research for Indie Superstar (http://www.indiesuperstar.com/), I've been keeping an eye out for press packages on indie developer websites, and I've come up nearly empty. This is my first exposure to the "other side" of gaming (usually I'm trying to get the press to write about us), and I think independents could benefit by making available downloadable packets that contained press releases, descriptive text, screenshots, and video.

Having grown up on Al Harberg's marketing newsletters (http://www.dpdirectory.com/3newsltr.htm), I've included "PRESS" buttons at the top of our latest products. This seems to help a great deal (informally measured by the content that's made it from the press packages onto Web and print publications). On the other hand, it never occurred to me until now to do the same for (say) our studio as a whole, which means I might miss out if journalists want to write about Boston-area indies.

Indie Superstar's presently just an experiment, so I know very little about this side of the press/developer interface. But even now, I see a need for an easier way for journalists to grab ready-made packages (e.g., Manifesto's press kit (http://www.manifestogames.com/epk.zip)).

Am I right, or am I just blowing smoke?

[cliffski]

No, you make a damned good point. We all need to be better at it. I intend to do better this time around, at least I've taken *some* steps to promote the game before its finished this time. I've even done a movie trailer :D but havent really got going yet.

[amaranth]

Hey, I think this is a great idea. Thanks for sharing!

[kay.altos]

Yes my friend, you are absolutely right.