#46 – Matt Hitchcock: Why Great Games Still Fail Without Great Marketing

In this episode, I sit down with Matt Hitchcock, co-founder of Other Things Agency, to break down what it really takes to market, launch, and revive games in 2025. From creating game trailers that actually sell, to fixing poor launches and standing out on Steam, this is the conversation every indie developer and studio marketer needs to hear.

Matt shares insights from working on campaigns for Elder Scrolls Online, Squirrel With a Gun, and Cloudheim, revealing how studios can build hype, craft effective trailers, and make their store pages convert. We also dive into hiring in the games industry, what great portfolios look like, and the mistakes job seekers keep making.

If you’re building, marketing, or relaunching a game, this episode will save you time, money, and frustration.

Connect with Matt:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/matthitch/
E-mail: matt@otherthingsagency.com
Website: https://otherthingsagency.com/

Connect with Harry:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hphokou/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@hphokou
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hphokou

Get exclusive podcast recaps & industry insights: → Subscribe to the Gaming Rally Newsletter www.gamingrally.net

Chapters:
00:00 Intro
03:01 Elder Scrolls Online live-action trailer breakdown
05:13 Why trailers matter for conversion on Steam
08:25 When to start marketing your game
10:30 Working with creators the right way
12:10 Squirrel With a Gun – how to go viral with intent
17:12 The truth about viral formulas in game marketing
19:10 In-engine cinematic capture and authenticity
26:58 Why most indies underinvest in marketing
33:51 What to do if your game isn’t selling
37:12 Key art 101: how visuals sell your game
43:02 When and why to refresh your store art
45:11 Reviving and re-marketing older games
47:15 Continuous marketing done right
50:42 Hiring insights: what makes portfolios stand out
59:05 Common job applicant mistakes
1:02:00 Final advice for devs and creatives

#GameMarketing #IndieDev #GameTrailers #SteamLaunch #GamingIndustry