Overview
Marketing played an important role throughout the development of Through Ash, helping to build a public presence around the project while documenting its progress across multiple platforms. Promotion focused on showcasing development, sharing visual updates, and presenting the game to both players and industry audiences.
Steam
The game was prepared and published on Steam, requiring the creation of store assets, screenshots, descriptions, and promotional material suitable for a public audience.
Publishing through Steam introduced additional considerations beyond development, including presentation, audience communication, and platform-specific features such as achievements and store visibility.
The Steam page acts as the central public release platform for the project.
Reaching Out to Content Creators
As part of the game’s promotion strategy, emails were prepared and sent to content creators of varying audience sizes, ranging from smaller independent creators to larger personalities such as Markiplier.
The aim of this outreach was to increase visibility, gather external feedback, and potentially showcase the game through streamed or recorded gameplay. This approach reflects common indie marketing strategies where exposure through creators can help expand audience reach.
Social Media Presence
YouTube
YouTube was used to share trailers, teasers, and showcase videos related to Through Ash. This platform was primarily focused on presenting polished content, including the gameplay trailer and documentary, helping communicate the game’s atmosphere and visual identity in a concise format.
TikTok
TikTok was used as a development log platform, allowing shorter and more informal updates to be shared throughout production. This included showcasing visual progress, technical experiments, and behind-the-scenes development clips.
This format allowed for more consistent engagement during development while documenting the project’s evolution over time.
LinkedIn was used to present the project in a more professional context, sharing development milestones, progress updates, and reflections throughout production.
This helped position the project within an industry-focused environment while also documenting professional growth and technical development.
Linktree
Linktree was used as a central hub connecting all public-facing platforms related to the project. This allowed easier navigation between the Steam page, social media accounts, portfolio work, and development content.
ArtStation Portfolio
ArtStation was used to showcase 3D artwork and environment assets developed for Through Ash. This connected the project directly to my personal portfolio, allowing the game to support and strengthen my professional presentation as a 3D and technical artist.
Events & Public Showcase Applications
AdventureX
Through Ash was submitted to AdventureX, a narrative-focused games event that showcases story-driven experiences and independent projects.
This application aligned closely with the project’s focus on atmosphere, environmental storytelling, and narrative presentation.
Leftfield Collection
The project was also prepared for submission to Leftfield, an indie games showcase hosted at MCM events in Birmingham and London.
This represented an opportunity to present the game to a wider public audience within a professional exhibition environment, while gaining feedback from players and other developers.