[GDC2015] ¿Did we fail. the weird success storu of beatbuddy?
-
Upload
aleix-risco -
Category
Business
-
view
81 -
download
0
Transcript of [GDC2015] ¿Did we fail. the weird success storu of beatbuddy?
What is ?● First musical action-adventure game ● exclusive music by Parov Stelar, Austin Wintory ● script-polishing by Rhianna Pratchett ● 4 years of development ● Steam release Aug. 2013, iOS release Oct. 2014 ● Beatbuddy album, music video, merch & podcasts
The GOOD● 700k units sold (March 2015) ● 14 international awards and nominations ● 75% meta-critic ● 180k $ revenue (March 2015) ● exhibited at 13 major game shows ● more platform releases this year
The BAD● only 7k copies sold in the first 6 months ● very low average copy price ● company faced bankruptcy several times ● 70% of the team left ● cooperation with major music label failed ● no return on invest at sight
The pre-story (Sep.09 - May.13)
0K
40K
80K
120K
160K
Sep 09 Jan 10 May 10 Sep 10 Jan 11 May 11 Sep 11 Jan 12 May 12 Sep 12 Jan 13 May 13
Emotional success Financial success (in $)
The pre-story (Sep.09 - May.13)
0K
40K
80K
120K
160K
Sep 09 Jan 10 May 10 Sep 10 Jan 11 May 11 Sep 11 Jan 12 May 12 Sep 12 Jan 13 May 13
Emotional success Financial success (in $)
First office, team grows
The pre-story (Sep.09 - May.13)
0K
40K
80K
120K
160K
Sep 09 Jan 10 May 10 Sep 10 Jan 11 May 11 Sep 11 Jan 12 May 12 Sep 12 Jan 13 May 13
Emotional success Financial success (in $)
German Game Award nomination during GDC SF
The pre-story (Sep.09 - May.13)
0K
40K
80K
120K
160K
Sep 09 Jan 10 May 10 Sep 10 Jan 11 May 11 Sep 11 Jan 12 May 12 Sep 12 Jan 13 May 13
Emotional success Financial success (in $)
Founded THREAKS
The pre-story (Sep.09 - May.13)
0K
40K
80K
120K
160K
Sep 09 Jan 10 May 10 Sep 10 Jan 11 May 11 Sep 11 Jan 12 May 12 Sep 12 Jan 13 May 13
Emotional success Financial success (in $)
Prototype Gamescom
The pre-story (Sep.09 - May.13)
0K
40K
80K
120K
160K
Sep 09 Jan 10 May 10 Sep 10 Jan 11 May 11 Sep 11 Jan 12 May 12 Sep 12 Jan 13 May 13
Emotional success Financial success (in $)
IGF Honorable Mention
The pre-story (Sep.09 - May.13)
0K
40K
80K
120K
160K
Sep 09 Jan 10 May 10 Sep 10 Jan 11 May 11 Sep 11 Jan 12 May 12 Sep 12 Jan 13 May 13
Emotional success Financial success (in $)
2 Intel Level Up Awards, STEAM Demo
The pre-story (Sep.09 - May.13)
0K
40K
80K
120K
160K
Sep 09 Jan 10 May 10 Sep 10 Jan 11 May 11 Sep 11 Jan 12 May 12 Sep 12 Jan 13 May 13
Emotional success Financial success (in $)
Game funded, new office, 8 people
The pre-story (Sep.09 - May.13)
0K
40K
80K
120K
160K
Sep 09 Jan 10 May 10 Sep 10 Jan 11 May 11 Sep 11 Jan 12 May 12 Sep 12 Jan 13 May 13
Emotional success Financial success (in $)
Crunching, pressure, problems
The pre-story (Sep.09 - May.13)
0K
40K
80K
120K
160K
Sep 09 Jan 10 May 10 Sep 10 Jan 11 May 11 Sep 11 Jan 12 May 12 Sep 12 Jan 13 May 13
Emotional success Financial success (in $)
The pre-story (Sep.09 - May.13)
0K
40K
80K
120K
160K
Sep 09 Jan 10 May 10 Sep 10 Jan 11 May 11 Sep 11 Jan 12 May 12 Sep 12 Jan 13 May 13
Emotional success Financial success (in $)
No money
The pre-story (Sep.09 - May.13)
0K
40K
80K
120K
160K
Sep 09 Jan 10 May 10 Sep 10 Jan 11 May 11 Sep 11 Jan 12 May 12 Sep 12 Jan 13 May 13
Emotional success Financial success (in $)
Work for Hire mobile game
The pre-story (Sep.09 - May.13)
0K
40K
80K
120K
160K
Sep 09 Jan 10 May 10 Sep 10 Jan 11 May 11 Sep 11 Jan 12 May 12 Sep 12 Jan 13 May 13
Emotional success Financial success (in $)
Exist Start-Up Funding
The pre-story (Sep.09 - May.13)
0K
40K
80K
120K
160K
Sep 09 Jan 10 May 10 Sep 10 Jan 11 May 11 Sep 11 Jan 12 May 12 Sep 12 Jan 13 May 13
Emotional success Financial success (in $)
Music Works Price Money
The pre-story (Sep.09 - May.13)
0K
40K
80K
120K
160K
Sep 09 Jan 10 May 10 Sep 10 Jan 11 May 11 Sep 11 Jan 12 May 12 Sep 12 Jan 13 May 13
Emotional success Financial success (in $)
The pre-story (Sep.09 - May.13)
0K
40K
80K
120K
160K
Sep 09 Jan 10 May 10 Sep 10 Jan 11 May 11 Sep 11 Jan 12 May 12 Sep 12 Jan 13 May 13
Emotional success Financial success (in $)
Investment secured
The pre-story (Sep.09 - May.13)
0K
40K
80K
120K
160K
Sep 09 Jan 10 May 10 Sep 10 Jan 11 May 11 Sep 11 Jan 12 May 12 Sep 12 Jan 13 May 13
Emotional success Financial success (in $)
Beatbuddy (Aug.13 - Oct.14)
0K
40K
80K
120K
160K
Mai13 Jun13 Jul13 Aug13 Sept13 Oct13 Nov13 Dec13 Jan14 Feb14 Mar14 Apr14 May14 Jun14 Jul14 Aug14 Sep14 Oct14
Emotional success Financial success (in $)
Beatbuddy (Aug.13 - Oct.14)
0K
40K
80K
120K
160K
Mai13 Jun13 Jul13 Aug13 Sept13 Oct13 Nov13 Dec13 Jan14 Feb14 Mar14 Apr14 May14 Jun14 Jul14 Aug14 Sep14 Oct14
Emotional success Financial success (in $)
Steam release after 4 years of development
Beatbuddy (Aug.13 - Oct.14)
0K
40K
80K
120K
160K
Mai13 Jun13 Jul13 Aug13 Sept13 Oct13 Nov13 Dec13 Jan14 Feb14 Mar14 Apr14 May14 Jun14 Jul14 Aug14 Sep14 Oct14
Emotional success Financial success (in $)
Bad sales + exhausted and scared team, but good meta critic
Beatbuddy (Aug.13 - Oct.14)
0K
40K
80K
120K
160K
Mai13 Jun13 Jul13 Aug13 Sept13 Oct13 Nov13 Dec13 Jan14 Feb14 Mar14 Apr14 May14 Jun14 Jul14 Aug14 Sep14 Oct14
Emotional success Financial success (in $)
Still bad sales + 70% of the team leaves
Beatbuddy (Aug.13 - Oct.14)
0K
40K
80K
120K
160K
Mai13 Jun13 Jul13 Aug13 Sept13 Oct13 Nov13 Dec13 Jan14 Feb14 Mar14 Apr14 May14 Jun14 Jul14 Aug14 Sep14 Oct14
Emotional success Financial success (in $)
Sell office and interior + move back to parents attic
Beatbuddy (Aug.13 - Oct.14)
0K
40K
80K
120K
160K
Mai13 Jun13 Jul13 Aug13 Sept13 Oct13 Nov13 Dec13 Jan14 Feb14 Mar14 Apr14 May14 Jun14 Jul14 Aug14 Sep14 Oct14
Emotional success Financial success (in $)
Beatbuddy wins 2 German Developer Awards
Beatbuddy (Aug.13 - Oct.14)
0K
40K
80K
120K
160K
Mai13 Jun13 Jul13 Aug13 Sept13 Oct13 Nov13 Dec13 Jan14 Feb14 Mar14 Apr14 May14 Jun14 Jul14 Aug14 Sep14 Oct14
Emotional success Financial success (in $)
Beatbuddy is part of the Humble Indie Bundle 11
Beatbuddy (Aug.13 - Oct.14)
0K
40K
80K
120K
160K
Mai13 Jun13 Jul13 Aug13 Sept13 Oct13 Nov13 Dec13 Jan14 Feb14 Mar14 Apr14 May14 Jun14 Jul14 Aug14 Sep14 Oct14
Emotional success Financial success (in $)
Beatbuddy wins German Video Game Award
Beatbuddy (Aug.13 - Oct.14)
0K
40K
80K
120K
160K
Mai13 Jun13 Jul13 Aug13 Sept13 Oct13 Nov13 Dec13 Jan14 Feb14 Mar14 Apr14 May14 Jun14 Jul14 Aug14 Sep14 Oct14
Emotional success Financial success (in $)
4 Beatbuddy versions at the Indie Mega Booth Gamescom
Beatbuddy (Aug.13 - Oct.14)
0K
40K
80K
120K
160K
Mai13 Jun13 Jul13 Aug13 Sept13 Oct13 Nov13 Dec13 Jan14 Feb14 Mar14 Apr14 May14 Jun14 Jul14 Aug14 Sep14 Oct14
Emotional success Financial success (in $)
iOS release Beatbuddy + world wide Apple feature
Beatbuddy (Aug.13 - Oct.14)
0K
40K
80K
120K
160K
Mai13 Jun13 Jul13 Aug13 Sept13 Oct13 Nov13 Dec13 Jan14 Feb14 Mar14 Apr14 May14 Jun14 Jul14 Aug14 Sep14 Oct14
Emotional success Financial success (in $)
Beatbuddy (Aug.13 - Oct.14)
0K
40K
80K
120K
160K
Mai13 Jun13 Jul13 Aug13 Sept13 Oct13 Nov13 Dec13 Jan14 Feb14 Mar14 Apr14 May14 Jun14 Jul14 Aug14 Sep14 Oct14
Emotional success Financial success (in $)
8 people team + 5 months financial buffer at release
Beatbuddy (Aug.13 - Oct.14)
0K
40K
80K
120K
160K
Mai13 Jun13 Jul13 Aug13 Sept13 Oct13 Nov13 Dec13 Jan14 Feb14 Mar14 Apr14 May14 Jun14 Jul14 Aug14 Sep14 Oct14
Emotional success Financial success (in $)
Failed release - 80% less revenue then worst case plans
Beatbuddy (Aug.13 - Oct.14)
0K
40K
80K
120K
160K
Mai13 Jun13 Jul13 Aug13 Sept13 Oct13 Nov13 Dec13 Jan14 Feb14 Mar14 Apr14 May14 Jun14 Jul14 Aug14 Sep14 Oct14
Emotional success Financial success (in $)
Freeze all expensesBurnrate cut by 70% - 5 people leave, office resigned
Beatbuddy (Aug.13 - Oct.14)
0K
40K
80K
120K
160K
Mai13 Jun13 Jul13 Aug13 Sept13 Oct13 Nov13 Dec13 Jan14 Feb14 Mar14 Apr14 May14 Jun14 Jul14 Aug14 Sep14 Oct14
Emotional success Financial success (in $)
Freeze all expenses
Beatbuddy (Aug.13 - Oct.14)
0K
40K
80K
120K
160K
Mai13 Jun13 Jul13 Aug13 Sept13 Oct13 Nov13 Dec13 Jan14 Feb14 Mar14 Apr14 May14 Jun14 Jul14 Aug14 Sep14 Oct14
Emotional success Financial success (in $)
close to Bankruptcy
Beatbuddy (Aug.13 - Oct.14)
0K
40K
80K
120K
160K
Mai13 Jun13 Jul13 Aug13 Sept13 Oct13 Nov13 Dec13 Jan14 Feb14 Mar14 Apr14 May14 Jun14 Jul14 Aug14 Sep14 Oct14
Emotional success Financial success (in $)
Steam Flash Sale - Beatbuddy sells in 8h, twice as much copies as in 6 month!
Beatbuddy (Aug.13 - Oct.14)
0K
40K
80K
120K
160K
Mai13 Jun13 Jul13 Aug13 Sept13 Oct13 Nov13 Dec13 Jan14 Feb14 Mar14 Apr14 May14 Jun14 Jul14 Aug14 Sep14 Oct14
Emotional success Financial success (in $)
Humble Bundle Revenue
Beatbuddy (Aug.13 - Oct.14)
0K
40K
80K
120K
160K
Mai13 Jun13 Jul13 Aug13 Sept13 Oct13 Nov13 Dec13 Jan14 Feb14 Mar14 Apr14 May14 Jun14 Jul14 Aug14 Sep14 Oct14
Emotional success Financial success (in $)
German Video Game Award Price Money
Beatbuddy (Aug.13 - Oct.14)
0K
40K
80K
120K
160K
Mai13 Jun13 Jul13 Aug13 Sept13 Oct13 Nov13 Dec13 Jan14 Feb14 Mar14 Apr14 May14 Jun14 Jul14 Aug14 Sep14 Oct14
Emotional success Financial success (in $)
Steam Weekly Deal Gamescom Sale
Beatbuddy (Aug.13 - Oct.14)
0K
40K
80K
120K
160K
Mai13 Jun13 Jul13 Aug13 Sept13 Oct13 Nov13 Dec13 Jan14 Feb14 Mar14 Apr14 May14 Jun14 Jul14 Aug14 Sep14 Oct14
Emotional success Financial success (in $)
Beatbuddy iPhone and iPad revenue
0K
40K
80K
120K
160K
Mai13 Jun13 Jul13 Aug13 Sept13 Oct13 Nov13 Dec13 Jan14 Feb14 Mar14 Apr14 May14 Jun14 Jul14 Aug14 Sep14 Oct14
Beatbuddy (Aug.13 - Oct.14)
0K
40K
80K
120K
160K
Mai13 Jun13 Jul13 Aug13 Sept13 Oct13 Nov13 Dec13 Jan14 Feb14 Mar14 Apr14 May14 Jun14 Jul14 Aug14 Sep14 Oct14
Emotional success Financial success (in $)
0K
40K
80K
120K
160K
Mai13 Jun13 Jul13 Aug13 Sept13 Oct13 Nov13 Dec13 Jan14 Feb14 Mar14 Apr14 May14 Jun14 Jul14 Aug14 Sep14 Oct14
Beatbuddy (Aug.13 - Oct.14)
0K
40K
80K
120K
160K
Mai13 Jun13 Jul13 Aug13 Sept13 Oct13 Nov13 Dec13 Jan14 Feb14 Mar14 Apr14 May14 Jun14 Jul14 Aug14 Sep14 Oct14
Emotional success Financial success (in $)
Nothing can stop our release excitement and expectations
0K
40K
80K
120K
160K
Mai13 Jun13 Jul13 Aug13 Sept13 Oct13 Nov13 Dec13 Jan14 Feb14 Mar14 Apr14 May14 Jun14 Jul14 Aug14 Sep14 Oct14
Beatbuddy (Aug.13 - Oct.14)
0K
40K
80K
120K
160K
Mai13 Jun13 Jul13 Aug13 Sept13 Oct13 Nov13 Dec13 Jan14 Feb14 Mar14 Apr14 May14 Jun14 Jul14 Aug14 Sep14 Oct14
Emotional success Financial success (in $)
The fear of going bankrupt almost kills any hope and energy
0K
40K
80K
120K
160K
Mai13 Jun13 Jul13 Aug13 Sept13 Oct13 Nov13 Dec13 Jan14 Feb14 Mar14 Apr14 May14 Jun14 Jul14 Aug14 Sep14 Oct14
Beatbuddy (Aug.13 - Oct.14)
0K
40K
80K
120K
160K
Mai13 Jun13 Jul13 Aug13 Sept13 Oct13 Nov13 Dec13 Jan14 Feb14 Mar14 Apr14 May14 Jun14 Jul14 Aug14 Sep14 Oct14
Emotional success Financial success (in $)
We’re slowly building up a financial buffer, but don’t trust the upwards trend
0K
40K
80K
120K
160K
Mai13 Jun13 Jul13 Aug13 Sept13 Oct13 Nov13 Dec13 Jan14 Feb14 Mar14 Apr14 May14 Jun14 Jul14 Aug14 Sep14 Oct14
Beatbuddy (Aug.13 - Oct.14)
0K
40K
80K
120K
160K
Mai13 Jun13 Jul13 Aug13 Sept13 Oct13 Nov13 Dec13 Jan14 Feb14 Mar14 Apr14 May14 Jun14 Jul14 Aug14 Sep14 Oct14
Emotional success Financial success (in $)
The prize money is an instant safe, but we’re not getting swept away by excitement
0K
40K
80K
120K
160K
Mai13 Jun13 Jul13 Aug13 Sept13 Oct13 Nov13 Dec13 Jan14 Feb14 Mar14 Apr14 May14 Jun14 Jul14 Aug14 Sep14 Oct14
Beatbuddy (Aug.13 - Oct.14)
0K
40K
80K
120K
160K
Mai13 Jun13 Jul13 Aug13 Sept13 Oct13 Nov13 Dec13 Jan14 Feb14 Mar14 Apr14 May14 Jun14 Jul14 Aug14 Sep14 Oct14
Emotional success Financial success (in $)
Very successful Gamescom, but no guarantees
0K
40K
80K
120K
160K
Mai13 Jun13 Jul13 Aug13 Sept13 Oct13 Nov13 Dec13 Jan14 Feb14 Mar14 Apr14 May14 Jun14 Jul14 Aug14 Sep14 Oct14
Beatbuddy (Aug.13 - Oct.14)
0K
40K
80K
120K
160K
Mai13 Jun13 Jul13 Aug13 Sept13 Oct13 Nov13 Dec13 Jan14 Feb14 Mar14 Apr14 May14 Jun14 Jul14 Aug14 Sep14 Oct14
Emotional success Financial success (in $)
Successful iOS Release, but focus is on the next project
● Success is not a straight path ● Two sides to success: Financial and emotional● No pure success, always a mix of fails and wins ● Define your personal success, set right expectations
Our learnings
How can you find out what you want?● be realistic about own estimated numbers● don’t estimate with luck, plan conservative● don’t let other sales-numbers fool you● gather experience from releasing games, make mistakes!● ask other developers for advise, share your story● be honest about your company and personal goals