From Idea to Reality: Navigating the Challenges of Building a Successful Company

MAY 8, 2023

One of the critical lessons I learned early on was that ideas are easy, but execution is everything. While technical and artistic expertise are essential in game development, I realized that building a successful game studio requires more than that. It also requires a deep understanding of business administration, marketing, branding, and community building.

I spent a lot of time studying successful game studios and analyzing their strategies, as well as the major mistakes of a few. Most successful companies are built by people with a business administration background, and rarely from a group of engineers. Therefore, I needed to expand my knowledge beyond my technical expertise and learn from people who had already succeeded in the industry.

Mat De Sousa at Shopify Unite 2022

Mat De Sousa, a childhood friend who ran the highly successful company The Wide Company mainly focused on providing tools for business running e-commerce activity on Shopify, taught me about the bottom-up business strategy that is fundamentally grounded in consumer needs, with the bootstrap strategy (Zero to Sold by Arvid Kahl). The consumer-centric approach is vital even in the gaming industry, where user experience is crucial.

I also learned about the importance of having a strong brand, a loyal fanbase, and a diversified revenue stream. The proven revenue flow strategy of successful web services, which have a user-centric approach and continually evolve to fit the users' needs, can be applied to the gaming industry as well, where user retention is crucial, and the market is constantly evolving.

One of the significant advantages of this approach is that it reduces the initial operational costs of the company. By producing and expanding the product as it runs, the company can adapt to changes in the market and user demands without wasting resources on features that users may not need or want.

Honkai Impact 3rd version update live stream

I was particularly impressed by the way HoYoverse games had built a complete integration of the community in the core design of the game. From events to social media, every aspect of the game was designed to foster a sense of community among players. Their marketing materials, which included YouTube, HoYoLAB, and Twitter, were all interconnected with the players, providing a platform for players to engage with the game and the community.

Honkai Star Rails global event

Additionally, HoYoverse games offered regular rewards to incentivize players to engage with their marketing materials, encouraging them to explore the game's universe and actively participate in the community. This approach to community building and marketing was one of the key factors behind their success, as it created a strong sense of community among players. By seamlessly integrating the community into the game, players were able to provide feedback and shape the game's development, fostering a sense of ownership and investment in the game's universe.

Still, to my heart, a modern company must also have a strong focus on technology and innovation. It is essential to have a culture that encourages experimentation, a horizontal company layout that fosters collaboration and innovation, and a willingness to adopt new technologies and business models to stay competitive in a rapidly changing world.

Colin Bellino and Lola Rousseau have played a significant role in shaping my strategic vision for the technology of Infinity Horizons. While web services can be run by an individual, game development is one of the most complex and challenging forms of digital products to create. It was a realization that working alone, even with a decade of sleep deprivation, would not allow me to achieve my vision for the company.

L'Auberge de Fontanges by Lola Rousseau

Lola Rousseau, with her background in tech art using Unreal Engine, has been an invaluable resource for understanding the intricacies of game development. She has provided insights into the technical and artistic challenges of creating a game.

Flight by Colin Bellino

Colin Bellino, on the other hand, as an indie game developer, has been a valuable resource for me in gaining knowledge and insights into game development. He has shared various documentation and his experiences with different game engines, providing me with a better understanding of the technical aspects of building games.

In conclusion, these past two months have been a significant learning experience for me, providing me with a big picture understanding of game development and the importance of having the right people to achieve my vision. I have come to realize that building a successful game studio requires more than just technical or artistic expertise. It also requires a deep understanding of business administration, marketing, branding, and community building.

I am grateful for the invaluable insights and mentorship provided by industry experts such as Mat De Sousa, Lola Rousseau, Colin Bellino, Steve Theval and many others. They have helped shape my strategic vision for Infinity Horizons and provided me with numerous tools and resources to make my dream a reality.