In the current economic climate, we are bombarded with numbers at every turn. And with the exception of declining oil prices, it is difficult to find something in the media to get excited about. Every day for the last quarter of 2008 we heard of studio closings, layoffs, and reduced [...]
Because we are a business development-oriented organization, I spend a lot of time in this column -- and with my clients -- discussing how to get and retain better customers. This month, however, we are going to be a little more introspective and talk about how to attract and retain [...]
As a member of the over fifty club, I have learned that people tend to fight about two things in life -- sex and money. In game development, everyone is too busy to be having sex on a regular basis, so it just comes down to money. And the most amazing [...]
Everyone loves original IP, but let's face the facts. We live in an industry where publisher-controlled and -licensed intellectual properties comprise the bulk of available work. So if you aren't out there hustling opportunities to bid on these requests for proposal, you are not maximizing the value of your studio. [...]
Game development is a very intense process and it is natural for the tactical focus on project execution to pull resources and mindshare away from strategic planning and marketing for the studio as a whole. Developers who believe it is enough to let the merits of their titles speak for [...]
I recently read a business book called "The Obvious," and I highly recommend it. It reiterated many things we all know intellectually and with which we would agree whenever we hear them. But it did so in a way that made it clear how few people actually practice these truths. [...]
The outsourcing market is hotter than ever, but the days of the generalists are coming to a close. It’s not unlike what has happened in medicine, construction, and even in automotive repair. For many years, the family doctor took care of 90% or more of everyone’s medical care, the handyman [...]
Trade shows are an integral part of marketing, positioning and business development in our industry, so please allow me to share just a few tips that can help each of you be more effective and potentially increase the ROI on your travel and trade show budgets. Far too many people, [...]