Ben Hill - Develop Indie Dev Day Presentation

Trials of a Graduate Start-Up Studio

The Challenges of Going it Alone as a Fresh Faced Developer and

How to Combat Them

“To create games that will inspire a sense of wonder and awe through play, exploration and

emotional stories.”

Trials of a Graduate Start-Up Studio

1. Development2. Team Communication3. Finance4. Marketing5. Starting a Business

The Trials

1. Development

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 90

20

40

60

80

100

120

Dev Pipe-Line

Momentum

Lets make a game

Conception and DesignFinished Full Realisation that

You have to make this!

We need moreHands on help.

We have more help!

We have Game FootageTo Show! Yay!

Conception Design Implementation

• Approach Other Developers

• Plan Ahead

• Don’t Give Up!

• Less Documentation more Iteration.

1. Development

2. Team Communication

Pete

NJ

James

OJ

• Organise Regular Meet-Ups.

• Digital Filing Systems.

• Structured Tasks.

• Consider House Shares.

2. Team Communication

3. Finance

3. Finance

• Self-Fund to Get Started.

• Apply for as Much Funding as Possible.

• Prepare Yourself to Pitch.

• Plan how much money you need and your Business Model.

4. Marketing

4. Marketing

• Use All The Social Media Channels You Can.

• Be Open and Talk About You, Your Game and Your Journey.

• Attend as Many Events As Possible.

• Get Involved with Your Local Developer Community!

• Don’t be Afraid To Approach and Talk to the Games Press

5. Starting a Business

5. Starting a Business

• Reach Out For Advice!

• Make Sure You Have a Clear Business Plan.

• Put Thought Into Your Company Name and Logo.

• What Are Your Company Goals?

Is this right for you?

• Is this the right decision for your career?

• Can you commit to see this through?

• Do you possess the skills to develop a game and run a business?

CONCLUSIONTrials of a Graduate Start-Up Studio

Thank YouAny Questions?

Unfolding New Ways To Play

CONTACTwww.whitepapergames.com

www.ether-game.comben.hill@whitepapergames.com

@benni_hill @whitepapergames