Most game trailers should NOT start with logos, because their name and brand recognition isn't strong enough.

Full blog post: https://www.derek-lieu.com/blog/2019/...

Receive my FREE game trailer making checklist if you sign up to my newsletter at GameTrailerTips.com

The tl;dr:

Most game studios and even many publishers don't have strong grand recognition, so their logos don't excite audiences.

I put logos on screen for only a few seconds AFTER the trailer starts with gameplay footage. Studios and publishers with name recognition like Naughty Dog, Supergiant Games, Devolver Digital and Annapurna Interactive can rightly do it because they have years of successful releases and a good fan base.

The choice is ultimately up to you, but before you put a logo in the beginning of your trailer (especially if it's for more than a couple seconds) consider whether or not anyone will TRULY get excited when they see it. If not, then I'd skip it and make the trailer viewing experience more friendly to the audience.

—

Video Chapters

00:00 - Introduction
00:35 - Why starting with logos is bad
01:02 - How I incorporate logos
01:27 - Building brand recognition
02:07 - Logo use for well known brands
02:32 - Naughty Dog
03:15 - The Last of Us Part II reveal
03:57 - More examples of successful logo reveals
05:08 - Devolver Digital
05:33 - Annapurna Interactive
05:43 - Final Thoughts


—
ABOUT ME

Hi, I'm Derek Lieu and I'm a game trailer editor! I got my start in the movie trailer industry as an assistant editor at a house which produced trailers for: The Matrix Trilogy, Spider-Man, Pirates of the Caribbean and many more.

Over many years I worked as an editor and started making fan trailers for games, until eventually I got jobs at game trailer houses in Los Angeles where I worked on games like Mortal Kombat X, Shadow of Mordor and lots of LEGO games. Independently I've helped make trailers for games like: Half-Life: Alyx, Firewatch, Dead Cells, Subnautica, Spelunky 2, Ooblets and BattleBlock Theater.

I'm using this channel to teach people about the art of making trailers via video essays, tutorials, reviews, and behind-the-scenes looks at my own work. I think about trailers a lot both for work and fun, so I have A LOT to say about them.

#gametrailers #indiegametrailers #trailerediting

Website: http://www.derek-lieu.com
Twitter:   / derek_lieu  
Cats' Instagram:   / uniandebi