FirstLook, the player relationship platform for the games industry, has officially launched its comprehensive 1.0 version. Acquired by gaming infrastructure startup Pragma in 2025, the platform aims to transform game marketing by providing a direct, lasting connection between studios and their players. This launch introduces a suite of new features designed to support developers throughout the entire game lifecycle, from initial playtests to post-launch engagement.
Evolving for the Full Game Lifecycle
Initially known as a pre-launch marketing tool, FirstLook has evolved into a holistic player engagement and relationship platform. It now offers a unified solution for playtests, player feedback, communications, analytics, and creator campaign management. The platform is already trusted by over 100 major studios, including industry leaders like Krafton, ArenaNet, and Skybound, to power their community strategies.
Introducing Advanced Engagement Tools
A key addition is a robust creator campaign management system, simplifying how studios work with influencers. This feature allows developers to identify, onboard, and reward creators who drive engagement across platforms like Twitch, YouTube, and TikTok. Performance tracking and reward automation are seamlessly integrated into the broader marketing stack for streamlined operations and measurable results.
The platform now includes a powerful community sentiment analysis tool to provide developers with actionable insights. It aggregates player feedback from key channels such as Discord, Steam Reviews, and internal surveys into a single dashboard. This information is automatically sorted and scored, giving studios a unified and immediate view of community opinion and player satisfaction.
FirstLook 1.0 also expands its reach with support for mobile developers through integrations with the Apple App Store and Google Play. To empower smaller teams, the company has introduced a free plan for indie studios, granting access to the full feature set for up to 500 players. This initiative aims to level the playing field for emerging developers in a competitive market.
A Strategic Partner for Studio Success
Eden Chen, CEO of Pragma-FirstLook, highlighted the industry's need for better player connections, stating that guesswork often dominates community growth and retention. He explained that FirstLook 1.0 directly addresses this challenge by eliminating fragmented tools and workarounds. The platform is designed to connect millions of players with the developers creating their favorite games, fostering stronger relationships.
The platform's impact is validated by major publishers like KRAFTON, which utilized FirstLook for its title MIMESIS. Kangseok Seo, Head of Publishing Platform PM at KRAFTON, credited the platform's efficient user testing for the decision to release the project. The game subsequently achieved over one million copies sold, demonstrating the platform's tangible value in shaping a successful launch strategy.
The launch of FirstLook 1.0 marks a significant step forward in how game studios manage player relationships. By unifying critical marketing and engagement tools into one platform, it empowers developers to build and grow thriving communities with data-driven confidence. With features tailored for everyone from indie creators to AAA publishers, FirstLook is positioned to become an essential tool in the modern game development landscape.