Marketing parallel: Stardew Valley
This blog is dedicated to my housemate and dear friend Jazz.
I’ll admit it. I was behind on the whole Stardew Valley situation. I only played it for the first time at the end of last year because my aforementioned housemate is obsessed with it.
If you’re like I was and have no idea what Stardew Valley is, let me explain: Stardew Valley is a popular farming simulation game that was first released in 2016. The game has become increasingly popular over the years, building a large following of players who enjoy its relaxing gameplay and charming aesthetic (and hot villagers).
But what does Stardew Valley have to do with marketing in 2023?
Gamification
Stardew Valley is, obviously, a game. More than this, it’s a very addictive game, because its’ game mechanics are designed to encourage players to play for as long as possible to get to the next big thing and win prizes (i.e through rare items or bonus scenes).
Brands can harness this addictive nature by using gamification in their marketing strategies. Incorporating game-like elements like points, badges, and rewards creates excitement and competition, motivating customers to actively participate.
Community building
One of the key aspects of Stardew Valley is its focus on community building. In the game, players are encouraged to build relationships with the other characters in the town, helping them with their needs and forming friendships over time. This community building aspect of the game is similar to the way that brands build communities around their products and services to foster loyalty and engagement among customers.
Decisions, decisions
In 2023, marketers face a decision that is fascinatingly similar to choosing between the JojaMart route and the Community route in Stardew Valley. The JojaMart route represents a more aggressive, profit-driven approach, while the Community route emphasises collaboration and building a loyal customer base.
And much like in the game, though it may take more time and effort, “the Community route” of business fosters long-term customer relationships and a positive brand image.
Exploration
Exploration is a fundamental aspect of Stardew Valley's gameplay. Players can venture into diverse environments, collect resources, and interact with NPCs to develop relationships, all for the sake of moving the plot forward.
Exploration is a fundamental part of marketing too. You can’t do the same old, same old and expect to find growth. Exploration involves trying out new marketing channels, strategies, and tactics to test their effectiveness. This can involve experimenting with new content types, influencer marketing, or even traditional advertising channels like print or TV for a new demographic. Exploration allows businesses to learn about new opportunities and adapt to changing market trends.
Expansion
As players progress in the game, they have the opportunity to unlock new areas of land. By expanding their farm and exploring new areas, players can continually evolve their Stardew Valley experience, uncover hidden secrets, and create a thriving virtual agricultural empire.
Business expansion could involve scaling up successful marketing strategies to reach new audiences. This includes entering new markets, introducing new offerings to existing customers, or targeting new segments. Expansion drives customer growth and increased revenue for businesses
These marketing parallels are all just a bit of fun, but I like this one. I’m sure even you can agree - by embracing these lessons from Stardew Valley, marketers can cultivate success and create their own thriving marketing empire in 2023.
If you have a favourite book/movie/video game/etc and you want to see how it relates to marketing in 2023, let me know!