Journal

20 Lessons From Running a Game Studio Here's what Mykola and I learned after years of running game studios:1. Focus beats headcount ↳ A small, sharp team > a large, distracted one.2. Passion drives the business, but discipline sustains it ↳ Passion starts things, but discipline keeps them running.3. Something will always go wrong ↳ Plans fail. Adapt quickly and keep moving forward.4. Build a culture, not just games ↳ Strong culture fosters creativity and happier teams.5. Speed > quality > quantity ↳ Fast iterations are great, but never sacrifice quality.6. Players are your compass ↳ Listen, observe, and adapt based on their feedback.7. Build a pipeline, not a one-hit wonder ↳ Create systems that let you learn, improve, and reuse.8. Partnerships are a force multiplier ↳ Collaborate to unlock opportunities you can't do alone.9. Kill your darlings ↳ Let […]

When looked critically, for the past 10–20 years, web gaming has not evolved much and it's been on repeat, with little innovation beyond what we saw a decade or more ago, even it’s currently growing again steadily.This article focuses on a discussion and trend and prediction setting about the future of Web Games.The Future of Web GamingThe future of web gaming doesn’t just lie in improving what already exists and it isn't on instant games, current portals, etc. — I believe it’s in reinventing how we think about gameplay, meta game, social experiences / systems, and cross-platform potential.The next unicorn and even decacorn companies in gaming will come from those who think beyond current models and explore new territories, such as:🔹 User Experience Innovation: Creating fluid, immersive experiences that feel fresh and intuitive. Imagine e.g., how different types of UI […]

Most Game Devs Miss This Key Element! They refine mechanics, visuals, and stories.But they ignore the core: player emotions.Why?Because emotions seem unmeasurable.But emotions are the heart of gaming.Here’s a 𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗽-𝗯𝘆-𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗽 𝗳𝗿𝗮𝗺𝗲𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗸:[1] Define the Desired EmotionsAsk: What do you want players to feel?Excitement? Fear? Joy? Clarity starts here.[2] Align Emotions with GenreNot every emotion fits every game.Your genre sets emotional expectations.[3] Identify Emotional TriggersPinpoint key moments to evoke emotions.Story twists? Boss fights? It all counts.[4] Map the Emotional Cycle• Stimulus (an event in the game).• Realization (seeing its value).• Reaction (a decision or action).• Expectation (hopes for outcomes).[5] Use Emotional TheoriesMaslow: Tap into player motivations.Plutchik: Mix and intensify emotions.[6] Adapt Gameplay DynamicallyChange based on real-time player input.Shift NPCs or difficulty for balance.[7] Balance Emotional LoadAvoid extremes of constant highs or lows.Neutral gameplay lets players recover.Design games that don’t just entertain,↳ but […]