Unique Selling Points

What are Unique Selling Points (USP)?

Unique Selling Points or USPs are key elements to make your game stand out in a saturated market. Imagine a game that captivated you immediately, an experience that aroused your curiosity at the first glance. This is what a USP seeks to achieve. They are the unique features that differentiate your game from others in the market, those factors that generate interest and turn curiosity into a purchase decision. When defining these points, you think not only about the aspects that make your game special, but also about how those aspects can solve existing problems or satisfy players' needs.

How do you find the unique features of your game?

To identify the USPs of your game, it is vital to reflect on several crucial questions:

• Who will play your game and why? Know your audience and understand the reasons why they would like to play your title over others.
• What is the need your game satisfies? Consider whether your game offers something that is currently missing in the market or improves on an aspect of existing games.
• What makes it different and better? Despite the competition, what makes your game more attractive and valuable? Learn from games like Candy Crush or Clash Royale how simplifying complex mechanics can increase excitement and dynamism.

Examples of USP in video games

Let's look at some examples of effective use of USPs:

• Candy Crush vs. Gardenscape: both share the essence of match 3 games, but offer different progression experiences. In Gardenscape, instead of progressing through levels, you improve the environment, creating a more personal narrative.
• Clash Royale: Clash Royale was inspired by Hearthstone, simplifying the number of cards and speeding up the pace of play to offer a frenetic and accessible experience.
• Diablo II and Path of Exile: The success of Diablo II, with its skill tree, was replicated by Path of Exile, which added even greater complexity, satisfying an audience looking to build unique characters.

Tips for crafting your USP

Crafting a good USP involves a touch of creativity and strategy:

1. Short, catchy title: Use catchy, economical phrases in words, ideally no more than four, instantly capturing the reader's interest.
2. Clear and concise description: Write a paragraph of up to 25 words describing what makes your game unique, always accompanying it with a relevant image.
3. Reference to existing examples: Draw on past experience to verify the originality of your ideas.

Detecting and highlighting your USPs is not just about marketing; as a designer, you are creating unique experiences. Remember, you don't need to reinvent the wheel to stand out. Small variations can make a big difference. Finally, review your notes from the initial exercise and integrate these ideas when designing your USPs, ensuring that your game shines with its uniqueness. Go ahead, the future of gaming is in your hands!