As a game business consultant, one of the key areas I often advise clients on is how to effectively allocate their marketing budget. A well thought out marketing budget can be the difference between a successful game launch and a flop. With that in mind, here are some general guidelines for creating a game marketing budget:

1. Determine your target audience: Who are you trying to reach with your marketing efforts? Understanding your target audience will help you tailor your marketing strategy and allocate your budget in the most effective way possible.

2. Set clear marketing goals: What do you hope to achieve with your marketing efforts? Setting specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound (SMART) goals will help you track the effectiveness of your marketing campaigns and make adjustments as needed.

3. Research marketing channels: There are many different channels available for promoting your game, including social media, influencer marketing, email marketing, paid advertising, and more. Research the pros and cons of each channel and determine which ones are most likely to reach your target audience and help you achieve your marketing goals.

4. Allocate your budget: Once you have a clear understanding of your target audience, marketing goals, and available channels, you can begin allocating your budget. Make sure to leave room in your budget for testing and optimization, as you may need to try out a few different channels or tactics before finding the ones that work best for your game.

5. Monitor and adjust: As your marketing campaign progresses, be sure to track your results and make adjustments as needed. This could include adjusting your budget, changing your marketing channels, or adjusting your marketing strategy.

By following these guidelines, you can create a targeted, effective game marketing budget that helps you reach your goals and achieve success.