Michael Sayman

Last night, Boston Post Mortem hosted a Fireside Production chat with Oleg Brodskiy, a development director with experience ranging from Lord of the Rings Online to the new Civ VII who shared some key takeaways. Here are three that I think apply to indies and solo devs: 1. The needs of a game cannot be predicted using yes or no questions (like in app development). → Predict end goals, work backwards placing check-ins, then start. Check-ins are your green flags in your development marathon. 2. Whack-a-moling problems becomes firefighting and makes you lose perspective. → Slow down this dopamine loop by adding friction to the problem-solving context. Only the reviewer may approve if the assigned goal is done. 3. We succeed when we work together more often than when we don’t. → How might indie and solo teams collaborate for production-like accountability?

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I was talking to a friend over at NetEase Games and they said something exciting: "Due to publishers and AAAs investing in fewer games, anyone who can release a strong title by the end of 2024 has a good shot at money." 💰 The heresy of one smart dude does not an accurate picture of an industry make. That said, it makes a lot of intuitive sense. The amount of funding going around is on a frankly depressing trend line. Back in 2022 we invested about $14.6 billion dollars into games, and yet in 2023 we only invested $4.1 billion, a Year over Year drop of 72%. This line appears to be stabilizing, but still dropping. And as a result, it looks like we're in for a 1-2 year period of chronic under-investment. The silver lining, especially for indies, is that this means a lot of the big dogs are making far fewer games. Which means there is a lot less competition, and suddenly, a much greater consumer demand for whatever games do get released. Now, don't get lazy. Because the big companies can spin up teams REAL fast if they think there's an opportunity. This is why my friend suggested this opening is only until the end of 2024. That said, I would bet we have at least some sense of market opportunity for another year or so past that date, even if it's not as extreme. And why do indies benefit from this more than others? Because we are experts in building excellent games with no capital. Yes, it's hard to run a company with no money. But we CAN do it. Side hustles are a thing. And the market sure does seem ripe for a bunch of wonderful indie studios to win out of this period, and become immortal legends to our cause 😉 Behold, for the indie revolution cometh #indierevolution ✨ ✨ It is time. I declare 2024 the year of the indie ✨ ✨ #indiedev #indiegames #indiegamedev #indiedeveloper #indiegaming #gamedev #gamedeveloper #gamedevelopment #gamedevelopers #gameindustry #gaming #gamingindustry #videogames #gamer

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A fresh batch of recruitment news here

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Our latest jobs update 👇

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Disturbance in the Force: Paradox Tectonic (Paradox Berkeley) California studio announced in 2019 with a former EA and Linden Labs studio head. Game announced in 2023. Game cancelled in 2024. 5+ years in development? Here's the problem. Competing with The Sims is NOT a Double A budget. Ever. Paradox Interactive likes to do Double A budgets. The Sims 4 was Quadruple A. There was like 500 people on that, and I'm noit talking aboout the army of later sourcing for DLC. A competitor to The Sims will need to be Triple A at least. "Life By You" was held captive by outdated expectations. Paradox liked to do three genres: Simulation, Strategy, and RPG. And going through the pandemic they had the albatross of Vampire the Masquerade: Bloodlines 2. That effectively killed RPGs at Paradox. So then they're down to Sims and Strategy games. But competing with the EA's Maxis' The Sims is no small task. They wanted to fund double A budgeted small scale simulations but Life By You was not that. And after 5 years they gave up an incomplete game. ----- Life by You | Announcement Trailer Paradox Interactive Mar 21, 2023 YouTube: https://lnkd.in/ge--Jk_S ----- The Verge: Sims competitor Life by You has been canceled/ Its early access launch had already been pushed several times. Life by You, Paradox Interactive’s in-development competitor to The Sims, has been canceled, the company announced on Monday. The game, which was first revealed in 2023, sounded impressive: it was designed to allow for the entire town to be simulated in real-time and have no loading screens. However, based on a forum post by Paradox’s deputy CEO Mattias Lilja, the game had some issues that may not have been easily fixable even with additional time for development. “A few weeks back, we decided to hold off on an Early Access release in order to re-evaluate Life by You, as we still felt that the game was lacking in some key areas,” Lilja says. “Though a time extension was an option, once we took that pause to get a wider view of the game, it became clear to us that the road leading to a release that we felt confident about was far too long and uncertain.” Lilja says that the game “had a number of strengths,” but the company realized that “when we come to a point where we believe that more time will not get us close enough to a version we would be satisfied with, then we believe it is better to stop.” The game’s initial early access launch had been set for September 2023, but it was pushed to March 2024, then June, and then delayed indefinitely in May before being officially canceled. The Life by You team hasn’t been the only one trying to make a new take on The Sims: former XCOM developers recently launched Midsummer Studios to develop a new life sim game of their own. But EA is hard at work on more Sims as well, developing a new free-to-play Sims game codenamed Project Rene. The Verge: https://lnkd.in/gGhWaVnx #gameindustry #gamelayoffs #disturbanceintheforce #paradox #thesims

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Netflix CEO (Ted Sarandos) was recently asked this question abiut Ai: INTERVIEWER: “I’d love to know from your vantage point how you think about the possible creative trade-offs and consequences of using A.I. TED SARANDOS: I think that A.I. is a natural kind of advancement of things that are happening in the creative space today, anyway. Volume stages did not displace on-location shooting. Writers, directors, editors will use A.I. as a tool to do their jobs better and to do things more efficiently and more effectively. And in the best case, to put things onscreen that would be impossible to do. Think about this gigantic leap from hand-drawn animation to computer-generated animation, and look how many more people animation employs today than it used to. Remember how everybody fought home video? For several decades, the studios wouldn’t license movies to television. So every advancement in technology in entertainment has been fought and then ultimately has turned out to grow the business. I don’t know that this would be any different. I guess the difference might be that all those things were tools that were used to open up the creative space. Whereas what a lot of people feel is that A.I. might actually supplant the creators. I have more faith in humans than that. I really do. I don’t believe that an A.I. program is going to write a better screenplay than a great writer, or is going to replace a great performance, or that we won’t be able to tell the difference. A.I. is not going to take your job. The person who uses A.I. well might take your job.” Full article here: https://lnkd.in/d8C8meww

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Web3 / Crypto Gaming is inevitable and here's why... Players have been selling their digital items for 20 years illegally. WoW, RuneScape, LoL... players want to buy and sell earned data. Crypto Gaming just gives a legal and easier way to own your data and Buy/Sell/Trade it.

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Thoughts on Layoffs, Studio Closures, and IP With recent discussions about companies being surprised that layoffs decrease productivity, studios closing despite creating incredible and acclaimed games, and the recurring theme of buying studios just for the sales of a particular game, I can't help but wonder: What happened to the human element? People learn on the job and have domain knowledge that you simply can't hire for. Writers and designers are legally separated from their works, programmers from their innovations, and community managers from their communities. Recent news feel short-sighted and lack empathy. I want to suggest some optimism: Indie studios. Many fellow studio founders and I are trying to create an alternative. With multiple laid-off studio leaders starting indie studios, there is hope for a better future for game developers and gamers alike. May better days come for our industry soon!

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"We need to talk, I have news," are words I've come to dread as a pre-seed startup game studio founder. When times were hard in the industry, ICs dreaded their manager coming to them with those words. As a founder, I dread hearing it from my foxes helping with the studio. Times are hard, and people need money. I won't deny them that. I congratulate them on finding a paying job and help them any way I can. Does it sting and interrupt my roadmap, it can, but health and family ALWAYS come first. What I've heard time and time again, though, is, "I believe in this studio, what it stands for, and you and Terry as founders." That's amazing. We're building something amazing at WFG. I'm staking everything on this studio and the amazing games we have planned for y'all. Our announced first to market is a PvP Match 3 mashup with deep lore and a massive IP waiting to be tapped in future projects. But we're not a "match 3" studio. Close on its heels is something COMPLETELY different. All we need, is a little support to light this rocket. Please follow our upcoming Kickstarter project. The metrics really do help us line up advertising deals for the campaign. Help me make great games for you. Trust. Horns up foxes. https://lnkd.in/g_hZAXJg

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NEW: Ignore rumors Apple is lowering production of Vision Pro due to slow demand. Avi Bar-Zeev, former lead of experience prototyping at Apple who worked extensively on AVP, has a wiser take: "I'd consider 200k US + 200k worldwide to be successful." Read more on his LinkedIn page + further comments (and a Lisa video I found!) on New World Notes: 👇

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"Web3 games are boring and dull" Well, that statement couldn't be further from the truth. People who are still dissing 'Web3' games are missing the evolution in the space and are probably still complaining about the internet speed of their dial-up modem. As I mentioned in many of my posts before, I can't wait until we finally arrive at the stage where we drop the disclaimer of 'Web2' vs. 'Web3' and just talk about games again. The difference is that Web3 allows you to own your data aka. game assets. Period. Take a look at #TheMachinesArena by Directive Games for example. A fast, exhilarating, adrenaline-pushing, hero shooter that not only looks fun but has all the elements of a great game that's addictive to play with your squad. I'm excited about the advent of all of these new games seeing the light of day and making the best use of cutting-edge technology by fulfilling the most important task: creating a great experience for the gamer. On that note, happy hunting and level up! #FeatureFriday

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I used ChatGPT to make a game, in less than 2 weeks, that earned ~$10,000 over web platforms and through organic mobile players! It was a fun AI project which I never expected to do so well! In the video, I cover: 🌟 Generated 2D assets using ChatGPT. 🌟 Writing gameplay code using ChatGPT. 🌟 Different web game platforms where I distributed the game. 🌟 Earnings from the web game portals. 🌟 A list of a few web game portals where you can upload the games. Link: https://lnkd.in/gtZ2YAmE If you found the video useful, do subscribe as this is my first YouTube video 🙏 I plan to do more of these in the future, if you have any questions related to making games - leave your questions in the comments! #videogames #gamedevelopment

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You’re doing it wrong. “Iteration times will always be slower.”  “Only good for things you can plan ahead of time.”  “They will never care as much.”  “Quality will never be as good.” These are all actual quotes I’ve heard from Executive Producers, Studio Founders, and AAA Publishers when talking about ExDev. And guess what…they’re right. Because if that’s how you treat your ExDev teams, that’s what you’re going to get in return. I’m sorry to say, but this way of thinking about ExDev is DATED—largely based on old models of outsourcing when studios, primarily motivated by cost savings, were crossing a dozen time zones with incipient tools and processes. Consider this: at a fully remote company with all else equal, what is the actual difference between a contractor and a full-time employee? Let me answer that for you—nothing! It’s a back-office detail, which can and does matter if your compensation packages are wildly different. But again, all else equal... So let’s be real. Do you think your art team is more capable than the provider that’s been cranking out assets across hundreds of projects for the past two decades? You think your developers aren’t just trying to just finish their tasks so they can spend time with their families? Do you really think every single one of your employees will willingly fall on the sword, no questions asked? I’m sorry, games industry (yes, I’m referring to YOU directly), but if we’ve learned anything from your behavior over the past year, it’s that full-time employees should stop making uncompensated sacrifices on behalf of your company’s mission. Especially in the post-COVID, remote-friendly world, this dated way of thinking is holding you back. Is it so hard to believe that some of the best people in games would prefer to work across multiple projects, rather than grind for years on a single title with the ever-present risk of being canceled? There are real tradeoffs to using ExDev vs hiring internally…but they have nothing to do with these concerns. So let me update your perspective. Not “our iteration times will always be slower” but instead, “should we consider an Outsourcing or Co-Development model for the results we want?” Not “quality will never be as good” but instead, “how much should we budget for this project?” Not “they will never care as much” but instead, “how should we integrate them into our team to make them feel like they’re a key part of our project?” In the end, what matters most is how you treat your people, no matter what their employment classification is. So include them in your all-hands. Invite them to your holiday party. Share royalties for your game! *GASP* But seriously, if you’re not treating your ExDev teams as equals, they’re not going to be equals. That’s your choice, not theirs. So stop passing the buck.

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Have you ever found yourself talking to someone you just met, and the conversation quickly turns to video games? Suddenly, you're both excitedly exchanging tips and strategies, sharing your favorite games, and bonding over your shared love of gaming. It's a beautiful thing, really. Video games have a unique ability to bring people together and forge unbreakable bonds. I've made some of my closest friends through video games. There's something about working together towards a common goal, whether it's beating a tough boss or completing a challenging level, that creates a sense of camaraderie and trust. It's not just about the game itself - it's about the experience of playing it with others. But it's not just about making new friends. Video games can also strengthen existing friendships and even familial relationships. I have fond memories of playing Contra with my siblings when we were younger, or staying up late with my best friend, trying to beat a particularly difficult level in a co-op game. These shared experiences create lasting memories and deep connections that extend beyond the screen. Of course, there are always naysayers who dismiss video games as a solitary and antisocial hobby. But anyone who has spent time in the gaming community knows that couldn't be further from the truth. The gaming community is vibrant and full of life, with people from all walks of life coming together to share their passion. Whether you're teaming up with strangers in an online multiplayer game or attending a gaming convention with thousands of other enthusiasts, the sense of belonging and connection is palpable. So, the next time someone tells you that video games are antisocial, share your own stories of friendship and connection. Video games are not just about pixels and high scores, they're about people and relationships. Have you made any lasting friendships through video games? Share your story in comments. #GamingCommunity #SocialGaming #TripleArcade #Teamwork #Friendship #VideoGames #EmployeeWellness #CustomerEngagement #RetroGaming #InnovateWithGaming #LevelUp

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Tabletop Gaming made a massive comeback in the last 5 years. Now, franchises that started on roleplaying tables get Amazon TV Series, mainline gaming companies make bids to buy out indie tabletop developers, and major VCs enter the game to secure exposure. My company was lucky enough to get on the train early. Here’s what I learned after creating the biggest tabletop studio in Turkey: 🔥 Your financial model rests on comparatively massive sales. Our standard ‘’full package’’ is around USD 100. Imagine what 100 dollars would get you in Steam. 🔥 You exchange the frustration of coding with the frustration of physical manufacturing and logistics. It took us 3 years to get the production and delivery right. 🔥 Crowdfunding is your friend. All the crowdfunding platforms act as a marketplace for the tabletop games. This is our Steam. 🔥 ‘’Board Games’’ is the space to be for great game designers. 🔥 ‘’Roleplaying Games’’ is the space to be for great narrative designers. 🔥 You can’t hide behind flashy graphics and duplicate gameplay to make it big in either of the above. 🔥 For roleplaying games, you can use the legendary Open Game License to create content for massive franchises, using their tailwind to boost your reach. 🔥 Once you reach critical mass, you can score distribution deals worldwide, meaning that you will be present in stores, in turn, you will have a financial starting point for each of your projects. 🔥 Your audience is limited in scope but very explosive in effect. They will be your die hard fans if you treat them right, and many of them are will willingly offer you great feedback. Let me know if you want to find out more about our journey. Cheers!

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Numena's Weekly Dev Chat ( Tomorrow, April 24): We're discussing audio interactions currently used inside The Third Pill's "dark levels" and other strategies we're exploring. Link to join our Discord (meeting takes place inside the Liminal Cafe at 1 pm Eastern / 7 pm CET): https://lnkd.in/eP3D8-ZD See you there! ____________ What is this about? This is a series of weekly meetings about The Third Pill, the VR game being developed at NUMENA, and the ideas we are exploring in it (audio-based interactions with no visuals, non-Euclidean spaces, narratives about nested realities, etc.). Project trailer: https://lnkd.in/ec2aPQhh #gamedev #vr #virtualreality

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Pondering Meta's latest move with Avi Bar-Zeev! Which seems more about blocking Google, than encouraging an open ecosystem. What I’d really love to see Meta foster is a cost-effective, HIPAA-compliant HMD for medical use, as in therapy for the millions of patients who could benefit from it; sadly this move probably doesn't get us any closer to that. https://lnkd.in/gAHyuBU3

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🕹 "Abandoned Pixels: Tales of Unreleased Games - Silent Hills" 🕹 Sometimes we hear rumors or get screenshots leaked of a game in development that piques our interest. Something that we can't wait to see how they build the world, entice us with exciting gameplay or bring new life into an old franchise. Unfortunately, some of those games never get released, for one reason or another. I would like to shine a bit of light on those games in a new weekly (hopefully) series, showcasing the hard work of developers that unfortunately never made it to our screens. As a developer, we know how hard it is to watch a creative idea get set aside, knowing they will probably be lost forever. 👻 The first installment I would like to include is the Kojima Productions game, "Silent Hills". 👻 Almost 10 years ago "7780s Studio", a pseudonym for Kojima Productions released a demo on the Playstation Store named P.T. which centers on the player, who awakens in a haunted suburban house and experiences supernatural occurrences. After the player solves the final puzzle, a cryptic and unrevealed puzzle that allows the player to escape, a trailer reveals that P.T. is a "playable teaser" for a new game in the Silent Hill series, called Silent Hills, directed by Hideo Kojima and Guillermo del Toro, with the protagonist portrayed by Norman Reedus. It was in development for almost 3 years before it was cancelled. When creating the game, Kojima refrained from using graphic violence to build up suspense, as he felt that too many horror games rely on the trope. He wanted to elicit a more "genuine, thoughtful and permeating" type of fear. P.T. became one of the most talked about horror titles in a very short time. David Houghton of GamesRadar+ praised it for its immersive, well-executed horror and for how the game's difficulty created online discourse. So with so much excitement and rave reviews, why did Silent Hills get cancelled? Although there is no official explanation, most signs point to the ugly separation of Konami and Kojima as the reason. Especially when Konami removed Hideo Kojima's name from the cover of the upcoming "Metal Gear Solid 5" as part of a shift in "production structure". In the months after, Konami said Kojima was still an employee, just on a well-deserved vacation, but that quickly blew up in their face. The 2015 Game Awards, where MGS:5 won multiple awards, Kojima was unable to attend because Konami wouldn't allow him to. Even with all the unseen drama, the future of "Silent Hills" was unknown. Konami, eventually confirmed to Polygon that "the embryonic "Silent Hills" project developed with Guillermo del Toro and featuring the likeness of Norman Reedus will not be continued." Following news of the cancellation of Silent Hills, P.T. was removed from the PlayStation Store. Even though del Toro, Kojima, and Reedus didn't make Silent Hills, they did end up working together on Death Stranding!

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It's hard to find good KOLs these days. The ones that are good are also expensive. How can you use the help from KOLs and build a long term relationship? this is the secret source in web3. The so called "KOL rounds" that everyone is talking about, is about to vanish. Why? Well why should a #KOL / #influencer invest his own money, then market the project for free ? while he / she can get 4-5 more money from promoting the project We need a #new #marketing #approach

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