Are You Making the Right Game?
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Derek Elliott discusses the challenges of developing a video game, emphasizing the need for a clear vision, competitive analysis, and market validation through metrics and data analysis. He highlights potential genres and successful game examples, but expresses concerns about the project's market viability, budget requirements, and expected sales. The document outlines strategic steps to refine the game concept and attract funding to support development and completion.
Are You Making the Right Game?
- 3. These are the games we like to play This would make an awesome game Nostalgia from childhood
- 8. Inherently limited audience No clue on sales potential No community/marketing plan Haven’t done competitive analysis Not using Lean Startup methods to validate Metrics & Data Analysis A/B Testing Break things on purpose
- 9. Commercial Intent Creative Impact Sellouts Independent Entrepreneurs Just Plain Lost Starving Artists
- 10. But can’t I have both? Passion Market
- 16. RPG – Witcher, Skyrim, Fallout, Banner Saga Builders/Sandbox – Minecraft, Terratech, BeSiege, Scrap Mechanic Roguelikes & Crafting - Don't Starve, The Long Dark, Moonhunters Pixel bit games – PewDiePie, Punch Club, Undertale, Binding of Isaac Clickers – Adventure Capitalist, Tap Titans, Cookie Clicker Strategy – Darkest Dungeon, XCom, Homeworld: Kharak Simulators – Kerbal, Cities Skylines, Farming Simulator Competitive – World of Tanks, League of Legends, Dota Shooters – Call of Duty, CS: GO
- 17. Multiplayer FPS MOBA MMO Skillset $ Saturated Multiplayer FPS Open World MMO Platform Walking Sim… Roguelike… Builder/Sim… Niche Sports Racing Fighting
- 18. Builders/Sandbox Crafting Simulators Resource Management Roguelike…but… Sci-Fi…but… Bit Graphics…but… Innovative & Risky 180k Units in 3 months 99% User Rating
- 23. Category Analysis (Platform Sales/Rev/% etc) Team/Project Overview SWOT Feature Comparisons Analytics Comparisons Positioning Chart Community
- 28. Game in Early Access -> Wants help/$ to get to full release $500k so far -> Needs $250k to finish in 5 Months ($50k MM) 8 Full time + 2 part time Asking for $75k (10% of budget) Comparables – 150k, 750k, 900k Mediocre 75k sales, Decent 150k, Hit 250k+ Started discussions - 12k units ($110k) in EA MSRP - $21.99 – Average net $9.24 Recoup @ 81k units ($9.24 * 10% = $0.924/unit) 3x = 240k Units ($225k on $75k investment)
- 29. $50k so far -> Have $200k in bank , needs $750k to finish $1MM total budget Comparables – 50k, 150k, 200k Mediocre 75k sales, Decent 125k, Hit 250k+ MSRP - $19.99 – Average net $8.40 Breakeven @ 119k units….Good idea?.... Publisher/Investor @ $750k (75/25 split) = $6.30 per unit 2x @ 240k units!!! 3x @ 360 units! If your projections for “expected” are 125k units…
- 30. Increase Sales Price Reduce Scope/Cost Cancel Project Revisit & Retool style/genre/USP/breakthrough etc…
- 31. Concept is “great” but not hitting the right mark What decisions to reshape the game? USP – a real breakthrough, standout Style – art, tone, vision Genre – FPS, Platformer…Roguelike… Trends – Builders, Resource Management, Strategy Risks
- 32. Vision – Main Umbrella that Defines the Game Blueprint – Major Elements of the Game Design – The Details
- 33. The Vision is High Level Intent The Vision is the Framework for the Blueprint of the game Questions that your “Vision” answers Why are we making this game? Who are we making it for? What is this game?
- 34. What is/isn't the game Brand/Game/Experience Pillars What is the singular goal/message etc Core mechanic Gameplay loop Core Player Fantasy Gameplay Rhythm How to Build Immersion Delivering Emotion & Intensity Key Words What you judge/define your game against Defined vision for the look of the game How do the visuals support the theme Player archetype How is the game identifiable in pop culture Addressing the context of the game to the player Quality Benchmanrk Realization plans/expectations What is your story and how is it realized in the game What are your unique/one off gameplay/level design elements Progression/rewards for the player – what is the “crack”
- 35. Builder? Crafting? Strategy RPG Dungeon Crawler? DING! Player Fantasy – Dragon? Ninja? Ninja Dragon! Core Mechanic Core Gameplay Loop Biblical Warning – I am NOT a Creative Director Nor do I play one on TV…
- 36. Re-evaluate Competitive Analysis + = Step 1 Step 2 Step 3 ??? Step 4 PROFIT!
- 38. Takes the Game’s Vision and translates it to quantifiable elements Enables the team to think through the game visually Defines the major criteria of the game Defines the scope of the game A clear and concise overview the team can get behind
- 39. Tension Mechanics Key gameplay experiences Tempo/Intensity Curve Difficulty curve Unique locations Ability outlay Progression RLD Achievements/Trophies Target Audience Competitor Analysis/Takedown Inspiration/Reference The pillars of the game Story Beat breakdown/Timeline Characters Key features Gameplay loop Compulsion loop Player core fantasy Unique one-off levels/events Wow moments