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September 29 · Issue #9 · View online
Martin Walfisz distracted by games, technology and politics.
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Good morning! Today we have some great games-focused shiny objects; starting with a look at Nordic game development culture. I also have two questions for you: 1. I’m compiling these issues mostly during the weekend. Would you prefer getting them in your inbox on Sunday mornings or Monday mornings? Or another day/time of the week? 2. . Are you enjoying RSO? I’d love to get your feedback, both positive and negative. And I’d also love some more subscribers – do you have any smart ideas of where and how I can promote the newsletter? Don’t hesitate to reply by email – even a short one is much appreciated! :)
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What we can learn from Nordic developers | GamesIndustry.biz
Now, I’m obviously biased, but I do think that we have a great climate for game development in the Nordics. Our work culture is partially built around consensus, and “ high ceilings” (i.e. being open to differing opinions), which is a perfect antidote to stifling hierarchies. And great games are made by different people – young and old, square and round – getting together and trusting each other to do magic. Trust is the key here, not formal hierarchies. I have sat in meetings in North America where teams, eyes down, nod silently to their CEO only to leave the conference room to huddle dejectedly and complain. The team knows that dissidents can and do get cut with little warning. While in Sweden, the most junior team members raise worries to founders, while everyone listens and considers with that famous Nordic pragmatism. (Of course it’s in no way perfect in the Nordics, we certainly have examples of terrible management, but on balance it’s a great culture for creative industries.)
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Video games industry levels up in fight against climate change | UNEP
Here’s another important issue that a highly successful Nordic game developer has helped initiate. Now, it’s important that this is only the starting point, and that the juggernauts involved (Sony, Microsoft, Google, et al.) don’t use the positive attention just for greenwashing. This initiative should ideally engage hundreds, if not thousands, of developers and publishers around the world. Big and small, join up! |
Gamasutra: Sara Casen's Blog - Development Post-Mortem of Project Lake Ridden
Speaking of Nordic developers, here’s a great post mortem on a Malmö-developed indie game. It’s a great horror-puzzler. Unfortunately, like so many titles, it wasn’t a financial success. Nonetheless, the team came away with a lot of experiences, and are sharing their insights with the world. Don’t miss this if you’re into game development!
The game idea did make sense for us as a team to work on, it appealed to our strengths and a team, and we believed there was an opening on the current market for this kind of game. But looking back we should have tested this idea on real-life players much faster.
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Blizzard Reveals How to Make a Hit Game in 9 Easy Steps – Rolling Stone
In the past few days I’ve started playing Overwatch again – what an absolutely amazing game it is. Bastion FTW! This article is from 2016, but it has some fantastic learnings and insights that are just as valid today. Granted, it’s a lot easier if you have endless resources, but if you want to create world-class entertainment, start by studying the masters. |
The DeanBeat: After all these years, Hollywood still doesn't get games | VentureBeat
Hollywood certainly has a love-hate relationship with the games industry. To its’ own detriment. I think it’s partially due to that movie production is the ultimate hierarchy. Movie studios that want to be in games have to understand that games development is quite different. Maybe only Pixar straddles both worlds. ( Read the book!) |
Playdate's tiny hand-held with a crank is big on charm
It’s not often that we see hardware innovation in the games space. Especially not from a small games studio. Watch the video in the link. Such brilliant, creative design – love the crank! Can’t wait to try it in 2020. :D |
The 50 best video games of the 21st century | Games | The Guardian
I would place Overwatch a lot higher (no surprise there), but I can’t argue with their number one pick. Seeing my own kids playing it for years, it’s a game that certainly has had a profound impact on interactive entertainment.
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BetaDwarf raises $6.6m to develop new loneliness-busting genre | GamesIndustry.biz
Big congrats to Danish developer BetaDwarf! Well deserved. I’m constantly impressed by Steffen and his team of almost-done midgets! ;)
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