Learning from Cortex Command - The road to launching Planetoid Pioneers
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Transcript of Learning from Cortex Command - The road to launching Planetoid Pioneers
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 [email protected]
• 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!