Juan Antonio Munoz

Come learn about Xsolla's strategies to improve your mobile games revenue.

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Success in the profession of video games hinges on two key elements: technical skills and a robust social media presence. Technical skills are your gateway to creating amazing projects and finding the solutions you need to bring your ideas to life. Embrace the tech side—programming, animation, and modelling are your foundation. Once you have a grasp on these, you can easily branch out and tackle any challenge including cinematography, environmental design, special effects, etc. Game Design and Level Design, while not purely technical, showcase your strategic thinking and procedural approach from concept to implementation. A standout portfolio demonstrating your journey from game design documentation to the final product is your golden ticket to impress and attract job offers. Nevertheless, a strong social media presence is your megaphone to the world. Remember the old question, "If a tree falls in the forest and no one is there, does it make a sound?" That’s you without an online presence. LinkedIn is your professional stage to share progress, achievements, and insights. Reddit, despite its challenging nature, is perfect for deeper engagement and showcasing your expertise. Twitter and YouTube? They're your dynamic duo for building an independent status following and creating engaging content, ensuring you're always on the radar. Remember that this is also the way to prevail in times when your job position is at risk. These two platforms are the best to establish a solid relationship with your die-hard fans of you and/or the products you create. Don't wait until tomorrow. Start today! For the last few weeks, I've been interviewing people with a passion for video games looking to build a solid career in a profession they love. We're nearing the finish line. If you consider you're in the same moment of your life, let's have a chat. Reserve your spot to talk with me here: https://lnkd.in/gPYJeadb #GameDevelopment #GamingIndustry #TechSkills #GameDesign #IndieGameDev #PortfolioBuilding #CareerInGaming #ProfessionalGrowth #Networking #ContentCreation

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If you are going to MIGS, there will be two Canadian Studios: Honour Bound Game Studios Inc. and Bonkers Builders by Emmanuel Proulx and Richard Lalancette, Which has two upcoming games. PC Games have not been announced yet. Palworld, Stardew Valley, and Slime Rancher 2 like: The adorable and diverse seedlings, with cute designs and charming animations, will make players want to collect and care for them, driving engagement and attachment to the game. Sci-Fi, Pet Collection, Farming, Live Sim Soon on Xbox, Steam + Deck, Switch Coop: 4-player local co-op Media: https://lnkd.in/dM-X2M64 And  Infinite Onslaught, is a retro-styled arcade shooter that brings the intensity and excitement of classic games to modern players. With a demo set for release in 2025, Infinite Onslaught is the first-ever "Keyboard Basher" game. It offers a unique experience that combines the nostalgia of 1990s arcade cabinets with cutting-edge gameplay mechanics. Has Licensing & Patent. 😎 👆 Media: https://lnkd.in/dHr6CqGb #gamingnews #gaming #videogames #gamingindustry #gamingevents

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Valve corporation has implemented updates to Steam's store page system to enhance discoverability for developers. These changes were made in response to feedback received from developers, including discussions at Gamescom. Key Changes: 👉 Related Items Customization: Developers can now choose which games appear in the "More From this Developer" section of a game's store page. 👉 DLC Pinning: Developers can highlight a specific DLC item to draw attention from players. 👉 Flexible Customization: Developers have control over the order of related games and can manually adjust their position. These new features provide developers with greater control over how their games are presented on Steam. By carefully selecting related titles and highlighting specific DLC items, developers can increase their games' visibility and attract more potential players. For more details on these changes and how to implement them, developers can refer to the official Steam documentation. https://lnkd.in/ekWfnQKP

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Mobile Game Retention Cheatsheet Here is a breakdown: ---- 𝗜. 𝗦𝗵𝗼𝗿𝘁-𝗧𝗲𝗿𝗺 𝗥𝗲𝘁𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 (𝗗𝗮𝘆 𝟭-𝟯) ---- Make a powerful first impression.  1. Onboarding   • Introduce key features clearly.   • Use tutorials with minimal cognitive load.   • Set clear objectives and encourage immediate actions.   • Strategically place first paywalls.  2. First Impressions   • Prioritize readability and intuitive UI/UX.   • Focus on graphics, art style, and juiciness (animations and feedback).   • Ensure smooth game performance.   • Hook players with a compelling story.  3. Core Gameplay Loop   • Make gameplay fun and engaging with easy-to-understand rules.   • Offer early rewards to build momentum.   • Optimize session lengths to avoid fatigue.  ---- 𝗜𝗜. 𝗠𝗶𝗱-𝗧𝗲𝗿𝗺 𝗥𝗲𝘁𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 (𝗗𝗮𝘆 𝟯-𝟯𝟬) ----   Add depth to maintain engagement.  1. Game Depth   • Provide variety in strategies and introduce new mechanics.   • Include side quests and secondary activities.  2. Live-Ops   • Plan frequent content updates and holiday events.   • Run competitive challenges and limited-time content to create urgency.  3. Progression   • Maintain a balanced difficulty curve.   • Introduce engagement mechanics like daily bonuses and quests.  4. Engagement Mechanics   • Use streak rewards, push notifications, and happy hours.   • Offer re-engagement bonuses to bring players back.  ---- 𝗜𝗜𝗜. 𝗟𝗼𝗻𝗴-𝗧𝗲𝗿𝗺 𝗥𝗲𝘁𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 (𝗗𝗮𝘆 𝟯𝟬-𝟯𝟲𝟬) ----  Build loyalty through lasting systems and community.  1. Meta Systems   • Deepen the narrative and allow character customization.   • Offer decorative and cosmetic items for personalization.  2. Long-Term Goals   • Provide meaningful endgame content and loops.  3. Social Engagement   • Foster connections through guilds, clans, and friend systems.   • Include leaderboards, co-op gameplay, and PvP/PvE events.   • Strengthen community management for better player relationships.  4. Economy and Balancing   • Monitor inflation and balance the in-game economy.   • Implement auto-difficulty adjustments to keep the game challenging.  5. Technical Stability   • Ensure smooth gameplay with minimal bugs or downtime.  ---- 𝗜𝗩. 𝗠𝗼𝗻𝗲𝘁𝗶𝘇𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗦𝘁𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗴𝘆 ----  Monetization should feel fair and rewarding for players.  • Balance in-app purchases and ad frequency.   • Avoid pay-to-win dynamics by focusing on value.   • Use cohort segmentation for personalized offers.   • Offer timely sales and exclusive deals.  Retention isn’t just about keeping players; it’s about creating an experience they can’t get enough of.

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We are underway with our next assignment, which is local split-screen multiplayer. I had thought there would be far more complex systems for creating a split-screen game, however, it turns out it is fairly easy when using the new input system with its built-in input manager. There was no need to set up any special coding for managing the two cameras separately, or a need to set up different render planes to render each camera to an individual render texture, just select the allow split-screen option and set up keys in the control map as joining actions. And enable the option to join the game via said actions. And then we have a split-screen multiplayer, well a very basic one, now we need to focus on the rest of the systems and mechanics that need to be added to the system. #srudentgamedev #indiegamedev #madewithunity

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In the realm of live service games, finding innovative ways to integrate storytelling without disrupting the gameplay loop is essential. A standout approach that has gained traction is systemic narrative. This method seamlessly embeds storytelling through game mechanics such as audio logs, journal entries, and environmental storytelling. It empowers players to uncover the lore and narrative at their own pace, triggering story beats through their interactions within the game world... https://lnkd.in/gx9tA-2X #NFT #Blockchain #blockchaingaming #gamedev #gamedesign #web3

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More shocking news this evening with two more studios being shut down. I will do a post for each of them, since their contributions have been profound over the years. Ready At Dawn Studios had been one of the reasons I got into game development and bought a PSP, with the studio's credits include PSP games Daxter, God of War: Chains of Olympus and God of War: Ghost of Sparta, while its last PlayStation exclusive was 2015’s PS4 title The Order: 1886. Since then, it has developed well received VR games including Lone Echo and Lone Echo 2. Today, it was shut down by Meta, with an attempt to keep as many people as possible within Meta as possible. Those of you who are affected by this, please make use of my resources below: 🥇First, reach out to us at People Can Fly Studio, we have many roles open right now in Canada, the UK, Ireland and Europe, please check them out here: https://lnkd.in/eWpV5PbA 🥈Next, Discipline Games Jobs Resources: Over the past months I have created 9 (at time of writing) Games Jobs Resources to find jobs in a wide range of disciplines, and I would urge you to check them out, if anything just to see what would be available to you: https://lnkd.in/eWvkdYjk You can find over 6,000 jobs there. 🥉 Third, the Ultimate list of Video Games Career Resources: This should be your one-stop shop for all information. My dear friend Amir Satvat maintains these documents, he is a legend for doing this - please check them out: https://amirsatvat.com/ I urge you to check out the areas in particular about CV support and mentoring, as these will help you no matter what industry you are hailing from or are looking into going next. 🎖 Finally, do not give up. Ever. No matter how dark things may look right now, I KNOW you will get through this, you have got this! 👊 Remember you are not alone. If you need help, advice, or even an ear to listen, we're here for you. Always! ➡ A request to my community, please can I ask you to repost this post to your colleagues and friends, so that we can get as many into jobs as possible! And please comment if you or your studio are currently hiring - let's help each other! Much love ❤️ #readyatdawn #layoffs

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🎮 Balancing Education and Entertainment in Game Development: The Challenges Behind the Fun 🎮 At GameCloud, we dive into the unique challenges of blending entertainment with learning—from aligning educational goals with gameplay mechanics. Read the full blog here: https://lnkd.in/dBef7quV #GameDevelopment #EducationalGames #Entertainment #Edutainment #GameDesign #PlayerEngagement #LearningThroughPlay #Innovation #GamingIndustry #GameCloud

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Fill this survey out if you are in the industry and have 5 minutes. The report will be useful for you too!

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Another week, another round of layoffs, another studio closure, and another blow to the Vancouver game dev scene. Game development in Vancouver has been on life support for the past few years, and what a shocking fall from grace in comparison to how things looked in the early to mid-2000s where you couldn't throw a BC roll (sushi reference) without hitting a triple-A studio! You can blame more favourable tax credits in other Canadian provinces (which doesn't help!) but that's not the real reason for the decay, is it? We're not really competing against other provinces within our country, we're competing with a global talent market and a shift to remote work that has driven game development to lower cost regions that can produce stuff that's just as good as anything we can make. It's a shock and a wake-up call, perhaps too late. Everyone is on survival mode right now and there are still rough waters ahead. Today doesn't seem to be the day for big-picture industry analysis, but when the dust settles and the pain of layoffs is not so fresh for people, it'll be time to sit down and ask ourselves some tough questions about how we got here. I'm getting tired of saying it, but my heart goes out to all those affected by the current round of layoffs and closures. 💔

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Welcome to Game Testing Services! Link : https://lnkd.in/gYTG8Fsq Before Placing an Order: Please reach out to me beforehand to prevent any misunderstandings or cancellations. Thank you. Services Offered: I provide game testing services for platforms including Steam, Epic Games, Itch.io, and PS4. What I'll Test: User Experience Performance Guidance/Plot Mechanics Interaction Environment Suggestions for Improvement: I offer insights and suggestions for improving: User Interface Mechanics Interaction Environment Let's Elevate Your Game Together! Testing Type: I specialize in: Beta Testing Bug Discovery Gameplay Loop Analysis Load Testing Usability Testing Narrative Feedback Audio & Sound Review Platform: I test games for both Playstation and PC. Specialization: I work with a range of games, including: Indie Games AAA Games Single Player Games Game Stage: I'm available for testing at all stages, including Beta, Alpha, and Early Access. Format: You'll receive a comprehensive written summary. #GameTesting #BetaTesting #QAEngineer #GameFeedback #GameAnalysis #BugHunter #IndieGameTester #AAAGameTester #PlaystationTester #PCTester #UserExperienceTesting #GamePerformance #GameMechanics #UsabilityTesting #NarrativeFeedback

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Multiple games outlets report that Merge Games Ltd. has shut down and that Mountaintop Studios has had to lay off 13 people. Taking action in situations like this is what matters and our community is here to support you in any way we can! --- FOR THOSE AFFECTED - Amir Satvat's Games Community "Number 1 For 'Games Jobs Resources'" - Google Search We will not rest until every gamer is employed. OUR TOOLS WORK - We have reached up to 400,000 unique viewers monthly and nearly 4,000,000 annualized across all platforms. - Our community has facilitated over 2,600 jobs and 48,000 coaching conversations, with the largest impact of any games individual or community. - Our data shows we can double job-seeking success for those who engage with our tools over several months. - Always free, always with love, and always without ulterior motives. AMIRSATVAT.COM Our hub offers 19 resources for games employment assistance, with a user-friendly design. Use our template for Games Org Support Posts (Category 4, Resource 13) to maximize visibility for affected candidates. Discord Join us at discord.gg/amirsatvat, a live games career support community with over 5,900 members, open to new members. LinkedIn Follow and join discussions on LinkedIn with over 98,000 members and 2-4 daily posts offering support and career assistance, the largest Top Voice games community on the platform. How the Games Community Can Help - Spread the Word: Reshares and comments increase resource visibility. - Join Our Movement: Choose from 17 ways to help gamers on AMIRSATVAT.COM or provide advice on Discord. To everyone: Please reach out to friends at Merge Games Ltd. and Mountaintop Studios, check in on them, and, more importantly, find ways to help and start helping now. I’m thinking of all those affected, and our community will do everything possible to uphold its commitment to gamers everywhere.

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What is the main purpose of a Game Design Document? The Game Design Document (GDD) is crucial for clearly outlining a game's concept, mechanics, and features. Its main purpose is to serve as a comprehensive guide that aligns the development team and keeps the project on track. Before creating a GDD, consider the following questions: 1. How detailed should the document be? Will it be concise (2 pages) or extensive (50-100 pages)? 2. What is the document’s primary goal? 3. Who will be reading the GDD? 4. What key elements should be included? 5. What format will best serve the document's purpose? A common concern is whether the GDD will be read or if it might become a chore for developers. To address this, ensure the GDD is: - Engaging and easy to read - Well-organized and clear - Focused on key elements like Game Mechanics, Features, Core Themes, Ideas, Storyline, Art Style, and User Experience By making your GDD clear, concise, and focused, you can ensure it effectively communicates your vision and remains a valuable resource throughout the development process. #gaming #gamedesign #designers #gdd #gamingcommunity #gamingindustry #develoeprs #skills #players #goal #mechanics #storytelling #art #animation #people #cfbr

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And back to single-player projects, well never expected I would be jumping between so many types and genres for my studies. This one is mostly focused on a point-and-click movement controller. With my current system setup, the left mouse button is mostly focused on movement and interaction, whereas the right mouse button is focused on combat and attacking. Currently, there are no attacks set up yet, however, I have made it so that the RMB will interact with objects tagged as Enemy only as opposed to the ground layer for movement on the LMB, this also includes setting different stopping distances between the two actions. The RMB stopping distance is determined by the attacking range of the player, which the weapon would later on determine typed that the player has equipped. I have also set it up so that the player would follow the target selected by the RMB action, however, this can be canceled via the LMB action, I have not yet implemented the enemy response to being attacked, however, I have started setting up the states for it within the NPC controller script. Mostly I am planning to have two different states for NPCs that are being attacked, one that would fight to the death, and another that would fight up to a certain percentage of HP and then attempt to flee from the player. #studentGameDev #madeWithUnity #indieGameDev #gameDev

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(Français dans une prochaine publication) Over the past 10 years I've had the opportunity to watch the video game industry in Canada grow from just over 300 studios and 2.3 billion dollars per year to close to 1000 studios and 5.5 billion dollars a year. One of the vectors for the growth is the Canada Media Fund's Experimental program that gave opportunity to create and fund IP for companies that have grown to be incredible successes today like Behaviour, Red Barrels, Compulsion, Turbulent, Sabotage, Norsfell and these are only examples in Quebec, imagine across Canada. It is fairly well know behind the scenes that the CMF investments made in the experimental program generate almost 8x more revenue than their investments in movies and TV. That being said, despite the proliferation of success cases from the CMF and video games being considered the biggest vector for culture in this new day and age, the funding from the CMF for these projects has been stagnant. Through our accelerator, the Indie Asylum, we've supported over 30 startups throughout Canada since 2017 and the CMF has been a crucial part of helping these up and coming champions grow their companies, create hundreds of jobs and become sustainable businesses. In this perspective, seeing as streaming services are going to be taxed in Canada to support more Canadian content, we've collaborated with the Université du Québec en Abitibi-Témiscamingue to create a memoir with proposals for the CMF to help the independent video game ecosystem in Canada and also to help the CMF generate more revenue to support culture across all media. Our suggestions are fairly straightforward: 1) Double the funding for the experimental program to 80M$ a year (it is currently at 40M$ vs 320M$ for movies and TV) 2) Add more representation for the video game industry on the board of the CMF. 3) Create a council of accelerators to help guide and advise the CMF in their programs moving forward. The memoir is readily available to below, feel free to share !

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At the beginning of @furiousseas , we learn about the world of the game, the betrayal of the Crimson Bandits, and your plot for revenge! #gamemusic #gamedev #indiegamedev #gameaudio

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