Why BitSummit is a Key Milestone for Cocodrolo Games
At Cocodrolo Games, we have always believed that stories have no borders, but to make them reach everyone, it's essential to understand that each culture reads and experiences them differently. That's why we're thrilled to announce that in two weeks, we'll be traveling to Japan to participate in BitSummit in Kyoto, the country's most important indie video game festival.
We aren't embarking on this adventure alone. We're going under the umbrella of Catalan Arts, the brand of the Catalan Institute for Cultural Companies (ICEC) of the Generalitat de Catalunya, which offers us their support to bring Catalan talent to the heart of the Asian market.
Japan: A Market with Its Own Soul
Attending BitSummit is more than just exhibiting a game; it's a strategic market-opening operation. Japan is the birthplace of great genres that have influenced us, especially in narrative and mystery titles like our upcoming release, Murder by Death.
Getting to know the tastes of the Japanese audience firsthand will allow us to fine-tune our proposal. It's not just about translating the text, but about localizing the experience. We know that Eastern players have a different sensitivity to narrative pacing, aesthetics, and interaction, and BitSummit is the perfect laboratory to receive this direct feedback while players test our localized Beta version.
West vs. East: The Marketing Challenge
One of the most fascinating takeaways from this process is discovering the vast differences in marketing between both worlds. While in the West we're heavily focused on digital marketing and driving traffic to stores like Steam, in Japan, physical formats and tangible materials still carry immense weight.
In collaboration with our local partners, we've learned that a good social media campaign isn't enough to connect with the Kyoto audience. We need:
- Flyers and booklets: The Japanese public highly values printed material they can take home, often featuring exclusive illustrations or introductory comics.
- Natural language: A \"correct\" translation isn't enough. The Japanese must sound natural, respecting the hierarchies and nuances of each character, so as not to break the immersion in a game as narrative-driven as ours.
- Presence and trust: In the Asian market, personal relationships are key to success. Being physically present is the best introduction for future PS5 and Nintendo Switch releases.
Looking to the Future
This trip marks a turning point for Cocodrolo Games. After our experience with the Skool Days remake and while we pour all our energy into Murder by Death, opening the doors to markets like Japan, Korea, and China is the natural next step for our growth as a studio.
We'll keep you updated from Kyoto through our social media. Stay tuned, because we're bringing a bit of the Cocodrolo spirit to the Land of the Rising Sun!
