The lessons from

And the road to launching

Quick Disclaimer

Nothing in this talk is new, but we just don’t talk about it often

enough!

Who is Data Realms?This is a talk byVlad Micu

Business development manager at Data Realms

Data Realms has 12 developers in 9 countries

on 4 continents

Previously created

Now working on

@DataRealms

@DataRealms

Cortex Command

Pros and Cons• Unexpected modding

community

• Incredibly fun to watch

• Lot’s of lessons learned on game design

• Resulting in extended shelf life, HR talent pool and more vision for next game

• Suffered from initial bad PR strategy and unclear messaging.

• No online multiplayer

• Lack of community management

• Unclear messaging

Harnessing a Modding community

• Amazing talent pool

• Hired from them

• Structured the ‘Pioneer Program’ around lessons learned.

• Admitting and embracing the creativity of our audience.

Dan found the Right People for the Right Responsibilities

“You know in a startup, you only need three people. You need someone who can make

something. You need someone who can sell it. And you need someone to collect the money.

That’s the only three roles in a startup. So which one are you?”

– Guy Kawasaki

Different Attitude & Vocabulary

• Sustainable traction – who’s ever used that word?

• Cash flow positive– or this one?

• Share holders/Revenue share agreement

• Business plan!?

• Go-to-market strategy?

• Product/Market fit

Recommended by @derkdegeus

(Swedish) Commercial pragmatism

http://www.dataspelsbranschen.se/media/150924/game_developer_index_2014.pdf/

Proprietary Tech still matters• With publishers,

platforms and other potential partners

• Unique look and feel vs. Unity or Unreal Engine

• For PR & Marketing purposes

• Even potential commercialization & licensing options (id Software, Crytek, etc.)

User Generated Content is everywhere

• YouTube & Twitch

• Fan Art & Fan Fiction

• Modding

• Game Assets

REALLY having Everything Written Down

• Meeting minutes, e-mails & contracts.

• Use team communication platform Slack!

• Get your licenses straight: https://tldrlegal.com/

• Find a lawyer for equity/rev share

Watch Dmitri Dubograev’s talk: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YXL79-

rmvjw

Learn with (Comic) Relief

And squeeze in that Work/Life balance in there while you’re at it!

Find Veterans & Advisors

Let them give you much needed perspective

Pitch all the Time, Everywhere• Know who you are and

who you aren’t

• Know what the other person wants and doesn’t have

• Use that to disarm your opponent and put him/her in the defensive

• Make yourself rare/scarce

Learn from Eminem!http://techcrunch.com/2014/01/18/how-to-get-an-mba-from-eminem/

Managing expectations• Communities are made up of fans because they

love what they see and its potential.

• Important to communicate YOUR vision of the potential clearly - setting expectations.

• You will never be fast enough for people.

• Steam Early Access is about managing all of these expectations and more.

Watch Jeroen’s talk on the launch of The Flock: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AbqMjCPmaa8

The #1 Skill is still Resilience

The Fins have ‘Sisu’ (perseverance)

Summary: What ‘Triple I’ means for us

• Long term goals & plans

• Proprietary technology and modding community

• Unique vision and business attitude

• Advisors and veterans on board for legal, design, business, etc.

• Looking for unlikely partnerships

• Strong PR & Marketing effort and significant budget

• Being ready for anything from Worst to Best case scenarios

Contact me

• @vgvisionary

• Mail me at v.micu@vgvisionary.com

• Slides: www.slideshare.net/VGVisionary

#imlonely

Sign up for thePioneer Program!

signup.planetoidpioneers.com

PP Test Builds, Slack community, content sharing!

Thanks!

Questions?

Let’s talk more outside!