Behind the Scenes with Hey, Good Game (and a Simple Request)
Sep 17, 2024
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Nate and Aaron reflect on their 18-month journey of bootstrapping their gaming venture. They discuss the importance of user feedback and how it shapes their game improvements. The duo explores their advertising strategies and the benefits of self-funding over venture capital. They also emphasize the diversity of their podcast guests while inviting listeners to suggest future participants. Plus, they dive into the challenges of tracking player statistics and their plans for an integrated gaming account system.
The founders prioritize user feedback to enhance gaming experiences, driving engagement through features like categorized difficulty levels and consistent scoring systems.
Their bootstrapping philosophy enables creative control and manageable growth, emphasizing a lifestyle business approach rather than relying on venture capital funding.
Deep dives
The Importance of Daily Engagement in Gaming
Daily gaming engagement is highlighted as a significant factor in keeping players returning. One example discussed is the daily puzzle game available on LinkedIn, which brings players back each morning due to its timed challenge. This reflects a broader trend where players are drawn to games that not only provide entertainment but also offer daily goals that keep their interest piqued. Such mechanics encourage habitual play, making the game an integral part of the user's daily routine.
User Feedback and Platform Enhancements
User feedback plays a critical role in the advancement of gaming platforms, particularly in refining user experience. Players often express desires for features such as dark mode or more consistent scoring systems, which developers are actively working to implement. For instance, a recent update aimed to better categorize difficulty levels in one of the games, addressing concerns from both ends of the skill spectrum. This responsiveness to player needs shows a commitment to improving engagement and satisfaction within the gaming community.
Bootstrapping vs. Venture Capital in Game Development
The discussion around bootstrapping as a preferred model for game development reflects a strategic choice to maintain control and direction. This approach allows for more manageable growth without the pressures associated with venture capital funding, such as the need for rapid returns. The founders emphasize the joy of building a lifestyle business that supports creativity and flexibility, illustrating that success doesn't solely rely on high-stakes funding. This mindset also encourages calculated risks and experimentation, essential for innovation in the gaming industry.
Nate Kadlac and Aaron Kardell reflect on the past 18 months of building the business and podcast.
They share insights into their journey, including their bootstrapping philosophy, ad partner experiments, and the expansion of their content. The duo discusses their favorite games, the importance of maintaining control by avoiding venture capital, and their continuous efforts to respond to user feedback and improve their games.
They also highlight the diversity of recent podcast guests and invite listeners to suggest future guests and provide reviews to help the podcast grow.