GAME ON!

PRO TIPS

FROM YOUR FELLOW DEVS

Developing games is like a triathlon – you have to prove your skills across different disciplines. You design the gameplay and program mechanics, produce assets, and test with players. It doesn’t matter if you work alone or in a team; you’ll always learn something new.

That’s why we asked around our community to give you some practical tips from your colleagues. How do they stay motivated? What approach do they take? And how do they manage to survive and succeed in such a competitive industry?

#1

Create unique ideas, but know when to move on

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NEBIH BASARAN

CEO AT GARAWELL GAMES

“Knowing your playground and being present in the market is key for success. So make sure to follow the market trends. Not so you can iterate on what's already been done, but to make sure the idea you come up with is something out of this world.

Stick with this idea until you’re happy with the result. Once you’ve achieved what you've imagined, let it go – whether it was a failure or a success. Trying one idea after another is the norm in the industry, which is why everybody compares it to a marathon. Just don't forget that, in the end, game development is like a branch of art. And art doesn't conclude in decisive ways.”

#2

Keep your ideas simple

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CIHANGIR KORKMAZ

CO-FOUNDER AT HAPPY GAME COMPANY

“The game idea itself is the most critical factor for success. The key to a hit game lies in combining a great game feel, intuitive design, polished-enough execution, and, most importantly, fun.

It might sound straightforward, but as Leonardo da Vinci once said, ‘Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication.’ This holds true for the hypercasual gaming industry. A hit game balances simplicity and sophistication in the players' minds, making it both easy to play and challenging to master.”

#3

Critique games, start small, and stay savvy

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VENKATESHWAR IYER S

CO-FOUNDER AT DEVEN STUDIO

“Be critical. Play Games, not as a gamer, but with the mindset of a critic. Instead of playing mindlessly, break down the aspects that have gone behind creating that experience. Ask yourself: Why am I hooked? What is keeping me here? And what exactly is giving me joy? Jot it down to see if you can bring that essence to your own creations.

Think big, but start small. This applies across job roles, no matter whether you’re the founder growing your team, or a game dev starting a project. Staying lean and starting small helps you focus on what will have the most impact.

Be business savvy: Spend time understanding the business of games. Making games, and making games that make money, are two completely different things. Understand your space, spend time analyzing your players, and deconstruct games that have done well. In the end, passion alone won’t be enough to pay the bills.”

#4

Separate work and play

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TOM HETTO

FOUNDER AT HOT TOTEM GAMES

“Don't finish your day with work. Make sure you have some sort of “offline” task that creates a clear cut between your work and nighttime. For me, that’s drawing, reading a (non-technical) book, or sports. This made such a big difference for me. Now, I’m much more productive with the same amount of sleep as before.

With more of us working remotely, this can be a big adjustment. Creating a comfy and organized work area to put yourself in the right mindset can make a huge difference in focus and productivity.”

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