how to build a company to weather any storm gary gattis [email protected]
TRANSCRIPT
Based: Austin, Texas
Employees: 42
Founders: Gary Gattis, CEO
Cinco Barnes, CVO
Anthony Sommers, CTO
Jake Rodgers, CCO
Investors: Insight Venture Partners
Company Overview
Reach: 150 million play sessions in 200+ countries
2005: Founded to build large-scale AAA PC MMOs
2006 – 2007: Built Spacetime Engine, created Blackstar IP 75 employees
2008: Blackstar cancelled, shop to publishers 30 employees
2009: Work-for-hire, project cancelled 15 employees
2010: Pocket Legends, world’s first 3d Mobile MMO 6 employees
2011: VC investment, Star Legends (unify Android and iOS) 15 employees
2012: Dark Legends, Arcane Legends 42 employees
Company Timeline
Find the Right Partners
• Vital skills• Complementary temperaments• Clear responsibilities
Set Up Shop
• Business Entities• Contracts/ Leases• Infrastructure
Find the Right Crew
• Model core values• A-team only• HR documentation• Accountable processes
Cover Your Ass
• Termination Clauses• Milestone Documentation• Product Acceptance
Make it Happen
• Know you core competencies• Do one thing well• Keep your focus
Confidential | Copyright 2011 | Spacetime Studios, Inc.
Confidential | Copyright 2011 | Spacetime Studios, Inc.
Confidential | Copyright 2011 | Spacetime Studios, Inc.
Confidential | Copyright 2011 | Spacetime Studios, Inc.
Confidential | Copyright 2011 | Spacetime Studios, Inc.
Confidential | Copyright 2011 | Spacetime Studios, Inc.
Confidential | Copyright 2011 | Spacetime Studios, Inc.
Confidential | Copyright 2011 | Spacetime Studios, Inc.
Confidential | Copyright 2011 | Spacetime Studios, Inc.
Deal with Disaster
• Accept it and move on• Cut to the bone• Be generous
Assess your Strengths
• Enterprise-class MMO technology• MMO development expertise• Scalable architecture
Survive
• Work for hire/ partner• Manage client pipeline• Keep the dream alive
Keep Swinging
• (Re) assess your strengths• Examine emerging markets• Mitigate your risks
Embrace the Pivot
• Don’t be afraid to drastically change direction• Commit to doing it• Go for it with everything you’ve got
Be of One Mind
• Employee ownership = shared vision• Information flow• Open pits
Leave a Big Wake
• Embrace PR• Utilize social channels• Respond to your players
Do it All Over Again
• Assess your strengths• Start small• Manage growth• Follow your dream
In Summary
• Find the right partners
• Hire a lawyer
• Be conservative in everything
• Watch your cash flow
• Have a life outside of work
• Swing for the fences
• Keep swinging
• Have fun
