Tips for Starting Your Own Game Studio

Table of Contents:

• Take the time to do good research
• Opportunities are all around you. Look for them!
• Remember that game development is also a business
• Learn to communicate with people
• Work, but don't forget to have fun

Starting your own studio and working on exciting projects is the dream of many game development students. The co-founders of Waving Bear Studio realized this dream by founding their studio while studying at the University of Portsmouth in 2016. The official launch of the studio took place in 2018, after completing their studies, which was an important step in their careers and allowed them to realize their ideas in the field of game development.

Our university provided the opportunity to take a gap year between the second and third years to work for another company or start their own business, says Matt Busuttil, co-founder, animator, and project lead. We decided: 'Why not try starting our own business and see if we can be successful by the end of the year?'

The initial project team included Lucy Earp, who currently serves as the studio's director and is a 3D artist. Technical Director Dan Busuttil soon joined the team, further enhancing the studio's development and quality. Work on the concept for the future game began and ultimately led to the creation of Stuffed, a cooperative first-person shooter with procedurally generated levels. Players assume the roles of teddy bears tasked with protecting a little girl from her nightmares. Gameplay focuses on collaborative interaction, where teamwork strategies and quick reflexes are key to success. In a unique dream world, players will encounter a variety of enemies and challenges, making every gameplay session unique. Earp developed a concept that transformed the Five Nights at Freddy's-style horror game into a more friendly format. After demonstrating the game at various exhibitions, the team realized that their project was generating great interest and positive emotions among children. This success inspired us to further develop the game and deepen our engagement with younger audiences.

We noticed a need in the market for games that engage children, but parents often discourage them from playing such games. As a result, we returned to the office with the idea of ​​creating a game that would be more friendly and engaging for younger audiences. We asked ourselves important questions: what exactly attracts children to games, and how can we adapt these elements for younger users? Our goal is to preserve the appealing aspects that children enjoy while making the game age-appropriate.

Matt Busuttil is the project manager and has extensive experience managing teams and executing complex projects. His expertise includes effective planning, resource coordination, and project monitoring, resulting in high-quality results. Matt strives to optimize processes and implement innovative solutions, which contributes to increased productivity and team efficiency. His leadership skills and strategic thinking make him a valuable asset to any project.

Stuffed will be available in Early Access on Steam later this year. The Waving Bear team's journey from students to the founders of a full-fledged studio producing their own projects has been long and challenging. The developers openly share the challenges they've faced since their founding and are willing to share their lessons learned to support colleagues in a similar situation. These valuable tips and experiences can be useful for other developers looking to bring their ideas to life and avoid common pitfalls that get them off the ground and into successful game launches.

Take the time to do good research

In 2018, Waving Bear launched a Kickstarter campaign to fund their game Stuffed. They set a goal of £60,000, but this amount was too high, and the project failed to raise the required amount.

In our third year of university, we were rejected by several publishers, but this did not break our spirit. We were determined, although we had no clear idea of ​​​​what we were doing. So, we decided to try our hand at the Kickstarter platform, but our idea fell apart. We only managed to raise £2,000. However, frankly, we were fortunate, as at the time we weren't ready to deliver on the promises we made during the fundraising campaign, and our lack of experience played a role.

Matt Busuttil serves as Project Manager, responsible for strategic management and team coordination. His experience and project management expertise enable him to successfully implement complex tasks and achieve set goals. Under Matt's leadership, projects become more effective and teams become more cohesive. His leadership approach includes active engagement with team members and the implementation of innovative solutions, which helps optimize processes and improve the quality of work.

Kickstarter continues to be the leading platform for funding game development and other projects. In 2020, 408 crowdfunding campaigns successfully reached their goals, the highest number for video games since 2014. If you're a budding developer planning to launch your own crowdfunding campaign, the Waving Bear team offers practical advice based on our own experience. These recommendations will help you increase your chances of success and effectively raise funds for your project.

Understanding the market is key to success. Take the time to learn its mechanisms and tools, such as marketing. Effectively promoting your product and building a dedicated audience are crucial. We encountered a serious mistake by allocating only two months to this process. As a result, this time was not enough to achieve the desired results.

The Kickstarter platform has many nuances that many users don't realize until they encounter them. When launching a campaign on this platform, it is recommended to have some financial cushion. Raised funds should be viewed as an additional source of funding, not as the primary source of funding for the project. This will help avoid unpleasant situations and increase the likelihood of a successful campaign.

Matt Busuttil is a project manager. His experience and professional skills allow him to successfully manage teams and achieve set goals. Through effective leadership and strategic thinking, Matt makes a significant contribution to the development of projects, ensuring their successful completion on time and within budget. Importantly, his ability to analyze and solve complex problems makes him an indispensable specialist in his field. Matt Busuttil strives for continuous professional growth and the implementation of innovative solutions, which contributes to the improvement of the team's work and customer satisfaction.

Dan Busuttil notes that launching a Kickstarter crowdfunding campaign immediately after graduation may not be the best choice for several reasons. Firstly, you may not have a clear understanding of the required amount, which makes it difficult to prepare a successful campaign. Secondly, uncertainty in development timelines can lead to delays and failures in the project. This is crucial to consider for a successful outcome on the Kickstarter platform.

At the start of your fundraising campaign, your studio should be at least halfway to full operation. Before asking for funding, you need to establish workflows that will support your project. If you're a new developer with a unique idea, it's important to understand that £100,000 raised through Kickstarter effectively represents £100,000 in sales of your game. There will be no repeat funding, so it's crucial to build strong relationships with investors from the outset and clearly demonstrate the value of your project.

Dan Busuttil is the company's CTO. His experience and knowledge of technology help the company achieve high results and implement innovative solutions. Under Dan's leadership, the team strives to optimize processes and improve the quality of services provided. His leadership qualities and strategic thinking contribute to the development of the company and the implementation of ambitious projects.

Opportunities are all around you. Look for them!

After the unsuccessful Kickstarter campaign, the team began looking for new opportunities to continue their work and found them at the tech incubator Launchpad in Cornwall. At this time, a new 3D artist, Ashley Worfe, who had previously met Matt Busuttil during a joint project in their third year of university, joined the studio. This new phase of work at the incubator opened up the team's perspectives for developing and implementing their ideas, which was an important step on the road to success.

Matt suddenly wrote to me. Initially, they had another artist who did not want to move to Cornwall, - Worfe recalls with a smile. At the time, I was in a lull in work, and I decided: 'Yeah, of course, I'll move halfway across the country to start a studio with you!'

Launchpad provided funding for Waving Bear's first year as a full-fledged studio, which allowed the team to focus on developing the game. With this funding, Waving Bear can focus on creating high-quality game content and streamlining its development processes. This is an important milestone that contributes to the studio's growth and improves its position in the gaming market.

This is truly an excellent option for all students who are finishing or have just completed their studies at university. The transition from inexperienced beginner to professional developer will be much smoother and easier if you can create a clear plan and secure funding for your project. It is important to understand that any funding opens new opportunities and is a valuable tool for your professional growth. I recommend all young professionals consider this approach to achieve career success.

Ashley Wharf is a professional 3D artist with extensive experience in creating high-quality 3D graphics. Her work is distinguished by her attention to detail and original approach to design. Ashley specializes in the development of models for video games, animation, and visualization, which makes her skills in demand in various fields of the industry. She uses modern software solutions and technologies to create realistic and aesthetically pleasing 3D objects. Ashley Wharf actively monitors the latest design trends and constantly improves her skills, which allows her to remain competitive in the market.

Remember that game development is also a business

When opening your own studio, it is important to remember that the main task is not only developing games, but also running a business. You need to focus on the aspects that will help your company survive and grow, even if this requires adjustments to current projects. The success of your studio depends on your ability to adapt to changing market conditions and audience needs.

Of course, please provide the text that needs to be revised.

It's important to understand that your product and you as a team are one. You shouldn't focus solely on the end goal, as bringing a product to market involves many details, each with its own significance. First and foremost, you represent a studio, and it is the well-coordinated work of the team that creates a solid foundation for success. Throughout our development, we've faced many questions, including: "How do we maintain our studio's identity?" We were constantly looking for ways to survive and adapt. At one point, we even considered mobile as a direction for future growth. However, ultimately, we reached the current level that allows us to attract investment and develop further.

Dan Busuttil serves as CTO. In this role, he is responsible for the strategic direction of the company's technical aspects, the implementation of new technologies, and process optimization. Busuttil actively works to improve the team's efficiency and implement innovative solutions, which contributes to business growth. His experience and knowledge of technology allow the company to remain competitive in the market.

Dan pointed out the common misconception that the process begins with an idea that needs to be sold to a publisher, after which the author receives a fee. In fact, successful publication requires not only an idea but also a carefully developed concept, a general plan, and an understanding of the target audience. Creating high-quality content that will be interesting and in demand is also an important aspect. Ultimately, working with publishers involves many stages, from the development of the idea to the final editing, which significantly affects the ultimate success of the work.

Achieving this is almost impossible. We know of only one team that managed to go this way, but such cases are extremely rare, especially for indie developers just starting out in the gaming industry.

Dan Busuttil holds the position of Technical Director and has extensive experience in technology. His professional skills include software development, project management, and process optimization. Dan actively implements innovative solutions, which contributes to the effectiveness of the entire team. Thanks to his leadership skills and technical knowledge, the company achieves significant success in implementing complex projects.

Matt Busuttil expressed support for his colleague, noting that one of the most difficult tasks in opening your own studio is consistency in work. In his opinion, it is much easier to attract small investments than to count on receiving a large sum, which is supposed to solve all financial difficulties.

Last year we attracted 5 thousand pounds sterling from an investor. While this amount isn't colossal, it was a real cause for celebration for us, as it gave us the opportunity to expand our team. Moments like these represent important steps on the road to success. Having the financial resources allows us to take steps towards further growth. Game development is a long-term process, where it's important to focus on long-term goals rather than seeking quick results.

When running a business, it's important to remember that it's not just about creating a product but also about managing its commercial side. This can apply to any industry, whether it's game development, baking, or selling flowers. Every business requires attention to aspects that often go unnoticed. The key is to understand that you're not creating a product just for yourself. Your decisions should be based on the needs and desires of your audience. You can't simply follow personal preferences, saying, "I like this, so I'll add it." While such guidelines may seem obvious, many business owners may not realize their importance. The success of your business directly depends on your willingness to consider the opinions and interests of your clients.

Matt Busuttil is an experienced project manager with extensive experience in managing teams and delivering successful projects. He is able to effectively organize work processes and coordinate the actions of team members, which contributes to the achievement of high results. Thanks to his leadership qualities and strategic planning skills, projects under his leadership are typically completed on time and within budget. Matt actively uses modern project management methodologies, which allows him to adapt to changing conditions and requirements. His approach to work is based on attention to detail and a desire for continuous process improvement, making him a valuable asset to any organization.

Referring to taxes and other aspects of business strategy formation, Wharf noted that at the beginning of their activity, they faced a lack of knowledge. In particular, they were unaware of various investment schemes until investors themselves raised the issue. Wharf advises every new studio founder to familiarize themselves with these opportunities in advance so they have an idea of ​​what to talk about in meetings with potential investors. This knowledge will not only help improve communication but also increase the chances of successfully raising funding.

Learn to communicate with people

The video game industry is a huge and dynamic business closely intertwined with the needs and interests of people. When starting your own game studio, it is important to carefully study the various aspects of social interaction, including the need to cope with constant rejection. Understanding the reasons for rejection and learning from them will help you develop a successful project and build strong relationships with your audience.

Learn to cope with rejection and criticism. It is important to perceive comments and criticism constructively, analyzing their reasons. Some feedback may come from people who are not fans of your genre. In other cases, criticism may be aimed at insulting you or your product without providing any concrete arguments. Understanding these aspects will help you better respond to negativity and use it as an opportunity to grow and improve your product.

One morning, we received an email with criticism of our game. Previously, such feedback could have been very upsetting, but now we looked at some of the comments and realized they contained useful insights. As a result, we made changes that improved the product. Most people don't realize that we are not a large corporation producing games in bulk, but a small studio where every member pours their heart and soul into development.

Matt Busuttil is a project manager with extensive experience in team management and task coordination. His leadership skills and ability to effectively organize workflows contribute to the successful delivery of projects. Matt is known for his attention to detail and ability to find optimal solutions in complex situations. His approach to project management incorporates modern methodologies and tools, which enables him to achieve high results and meet client requirements. Matt Busuttil continues to develop his skills and actively monitors new trends in project management.

It is important to master the skills of communicating with a variety of people, including established game publishers who may be interested in your proposal and investors with limited knowledge of the gaming industry and seeking profitable investment opportunities. The ability to adapt your message and approach depending on your audience is key to successful interactions and achieving your goals.

Game developers often find themselves in an isolated space, communicating primarily with colleagues from their industry. This is certainly beneficial, as exchanging opinions with professionals helps deepen knowledge and improve the quality of projects. However, such isolation can create difficulties, especially when communicating with investors who may not have in-depth knowledge of the specifics of game development. It's important to adapt your language, avoiding complex technical terms and jargon, to convey your ideas to people outside the industry. The ability to explain your ideas in accessible language can be key to successfully attracting funding and partnerships.

Matt Busuttil is a project manager with extensive experience managing teams and implementing successful strategies. His professional skills enable him to effectively coordinate work processes and achieve goals. Matt actively applies modern project management methods, which contributes to increased productivity and the quality of task completion. His leadership skills and ability to motivate a team make him a valuable asset to any project.

When interacting with people outside the video game industry, Matt recommends focusing on the financial aspects of the project, such as its potential profit, as well as the personalities of key team members. It is important to use terms that are clear and accessible to a wide audience to avoid misunderstandings and to avoid delving into technical details that may be uninteresting or unclear.

Work, but don't forget to have fun

If you're determined to finish a project and release it, it's important not to get stuck in your own head. Instead, focus on identifying new opportunities and keep moving forward without becoming complacent. A commitment to continuous development and progress will help you successfully realize your ideas and achieve your goals.

Ashley Worth is a talented 3D artist who specializes in creating high-quality 3D graphics. With experience in a variety of projects, she brings a unique approach to design and visualization. Ashley creates detailed models and textures using modern technologies and software. Her work covers a wide range of topics, from video game characters to complex architectural visualizations. Ashley Worth constantly strives for excellence, combining creativity with technical skills, making her a sought-after specialist in the 3D design industry.

There are many ways to get funded. There are likely people willing to support your ideas and work with you. It's important to be prepared to take risks. You will encounter rejections and difficulties along the way, and there will be times when you feel like giving up. However, if you persevere and keep moving forward, you can achieve your desired level of success. The key is to maintain passion for your work and actively participate in the project's implementation. Perseverance and determination will help you overcome any obstacles on the path to funding and success. Dan Busuttil emphasizes the importance of not only striving to achieve a goal but also enjoying the development process. Without this enjoyment, working in the games industry can only lead to stress and frustration. Finding joy in every stage of the work is essential to maintain motivation and creativity. Starting to move towards your goal is an important step, but the key is enjoying the process itself and having confidence in your actions. If you are not inspired by the product you are working on or the field itself, your likelihood of success is significantly reduced. Choosing an interesting and meaningful field of work not only helps develop skills but also increases motivation, which in turn leads to better results.

Dan Busuttil serves as the company's Chief Technology Officer, responsible for strategic leadership and technology development. His experience and knowledge are key to implementing innovative solutions and optimizing processes. Under his leadership, the team achieves high results, leading to improved product and service quality. Dan actively monitors modern trends in the field of technology, which allows the company to remain competitive in the market.