Whether you are a passionate gamer hoping to make a living out of your hobby or an employee at an existing game studio, chances are you have thought about what it would be like to have your very own game studio. If you think you are ready to take the dive, here are four things to consider before getting started.
Strive for Innovation
In the game industry, what’s been done before isn’t going to bring as much success as a unique idea. You don’t have to completely reinvent the wheel; it’s important to include the three most basic design principles into your products. As a game studio, you need to have a unique edge and a desire to alter the existing state of the gaming community.
Intern or Work at a Game Studio
What better way to ensure success than to experience it firsthand? Working in a bigger, established game studio before striking out on your own will fill you in on the inner workings, allow you to make connections, and help you recognize and strengthen your weaker areas as a designer and business owner.
Don’t Forget to Be a Business
It can be so tempting to think that your excellent game development abilities alone will equal success. If this were the case, every amazing artist and whimsical writer would be wildly successful just doing what they love. The gaming industry is a business first, so consider creating games that pay you. Start by researching marketing, accounting, and hiring practices, and get the right people on board to fill roles that you can’t handle.
Use the Right Tools
As with anything in life, using the right tools is critical to your success. When you are ready to launch your video game studio, you will need a website to establish credibility, sell products, and interact with your customers. To echo point number three, having a website is an important part of the marketing aspect of your business. Game site builder tools can help you create a stunning, secure, and customizable site that your customers won’t be able to resist.
If you treat your video game studio like a proper business after acquiring the necessary experience and carving out your unique place in the video game industry, you are much more likely to succeed at making a living out of your passion. Don’t forget to stay physically and mentally fit, sleep well, and do things every day that foster your creative spark!
Lizzie Weakley is a freelance writer from Columbus, Ohio. In her free time, she enjoys the outdoors and walks in the park with her three-year-old husky, Snowball.
