Matthew Werner

🚨 INTERNSHIPS & ENTRY LEVEL GAME JOBS 🚨 🔦 Reshared from Kelly Bender's reshare of Mayank Grover's! 🔦 🙏 Check them out and then do like we do and RESHARE! (please) 🙏 GET THE WORD OUT! #entry #internship #game #jobs #future #gamedev #careers

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Interview question: What games do you play? A common question for those interviewing in the video game industry. Here's the thing, over the years I've consistently found those who play table top games are some of the best, most creative, and productive people I've worked with on video games. We all play video games, yet games are not limited to digital, they include many other aspects, like table top (think board games, card games etc.) So when you're interviewed next, and you're asked the game question, don't be shy at including Uno, Ticket to Ride, Pokemon or whatever other games you might be playing with friends and family. Table top games have been infuencing digital interactive video games for decades, and continue to do so. It's a super power not a career limiter. BTW, if you have kids, check our Peacable Kingdom games. These are incredible cooperative games aimed at kids, where you all play together to beat the game, not each other. Enjoy! #videogames #games #whatinspiresme #inspiration #careers

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What is a Game Producer? A video game producer manages employees creating video games, plays an executive role during each development phase, and ensures the quality and timeliness of the teams working on the project. When I first dreamt of joining the video game industry, I thought coding was A MUST to get in the door. But after failing C++, I thought my dream was over. Today, I realize that the perception of what it takes to succeed in this industry is vastly different from reality. It’s not just about coding... its about diverse skills which can transfer from one vertical to another. Top Insights: -Producers as Bridge Builders: They connect leadership, design, engineering, and art teams, ensuring smooth communication and collaboration. -Process Champions: Producers implement and manage essential processes, keeping teams on track in the complex world of game development. -Visionaries: Producers build conviction in the project vision, guiding teams with passion and clarity. Why This Matters: Building video games is not an easy job. A strong producers can make all the difference, ensuring that everyone is aligned and motivated to create something amazing. What skills do I need to work on: -Foster Communication: Ensure your producers are effective communicators who can bridge gaps between different teams. -Implement Strong Processes: Establish robust processes to keep your development on track. -Encourage Vision and Passion: Support your producers in becoming evangelists for the project vision. They need to get buy in from other team members, so sell that vision.

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"How can I get an Internship in Games?" 🤔 With classes starting up again, a lot of students have been reaching out to ask me just how the heck are they going to get internship?? 😶‍🌫️ Honestly to that I say, the hardest part nowadays is LANDING AN INTERVIEW. If you want to Intern for AAA companies by the likes of PlayStation, Microsoft, or even Nintendo, the BEST thing you can do is start Networking sooner rather than later. Even a 'small' action such as commenting, liking, or even SHARING a creator's voice can go a long way in making sure your name becomes recognized. 😄 Also shout-out to Justin Williams for being my example on who to try this with. 😶‍🌫️ He's probably one of the coolest Game Recruiters out there, right next to Matt Barney 😜 #GameIndustry #GameDevelopment #Video #Short #Indie #Advice #Student #Jobseekers #Internship #Opportunity #Resource #EntryLevel #LGBTQ+ #DEI #Support #Network #OpenToNetwork #Community

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Voodoo's Cup Heroes already scaled to $60K a day 🤑 in IAP only and 100K downloads a day. The game has been constantly growing from its soft-launch in February making probably more than $3 Mil. in last 30 days altogether. This seems as another major Hybridcasual hit for Voodoo, as it already overtook Block Jam 3D and its on its way to catch up to Mob Control. Ironically it has the Mob Control math gates ➗ core built into it, which seems as an obvious choice to iterate upon. 2 months before its launch there was Bag Fight in Voodoo's portfolio, a game that iterated upon the Backpack hero successful Steam game. Cup Heroes took its top visualization and 2 phase core setup and replaced the inventory merging mechanic with the tried and tested Mob Control gates. But don't be fooled, the biggest and the most important iteration is actually the rogue lite skill randomizer. Here skills are picked at the end of each wave as there is no level in the game. You also need to pay the balls currency to get them, in contrast to the usual setup, where these are given for free, each time you level up. This offers a lot of places for ad placements, and I mean a lot 😅, with possibilities to refresh the skills, get a specific skill for and ad, get all 3 skills for an ad, revive, etc. On top of it you also have interstitials popping in your face. The core gameplay itself is also very interesting as the combat happens automatically on top of the screen with no player input. After you kill the enemies and they drop some balls you need to select where do you want to drop them, so that mathematically, they will multiply as much as possible, so you can then buy skills with them in the last 3rd step, then the core repeats. Join us as we talk about all of this with Felix & Matej 🦩 😎. Data based on Sensor Tower, thanks for the support 🤗 📺 Watch on YouTube: Link in the comments 🎧 Listen on Spotify: Link in the comments 🗣 Join the discussion on our slack channel: https://lnkd.in/eZXJ2Une #gamedev #gameindustry #mobilegames #gamedesign  #mobilegaming #mobilegamedevelopment #useracquisition #gameproduction #games #gamedevelopment #mobiledeveloper  #userexperience #hypercasual #hybridcasual

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I started Gold Standard Gaming in 2017 after recognizing a ceiling at my current job (which was Eleague). I didn't KNOW exactly what I wanted to do, but I had ideas and I had motivation. I knew A LOT of people in gaming culture because I had been to 50+ gaming events from.... MLG in Columbus to Final Round in Atlanta to Pax Prime in Seattle to E3 in LA. 🎮. 📷📸🎥🚈✈️ I knew I like connecting with people and helping. 🫱🏻‍🫲🏾 I knew I liked discussing marketing strategies.🎨📈 I knew I liked the hype surrounding events. 📢📢 I took those passion points and started an LLC. ✅ No funding, only... Pivots Persevering Pushing (And a lotta Ramen) 🤣🤣 In 2021 we got hot... In 2022 took off🚀🚀 and got our first 6 figure client Through our core values, which internally we refer to as "The Gold Standard" we just always try to treat all of our clients, products, stories and events like they are our OWN and when it comes to getting stuff done.... DO NOT take no for an answer. I couldn't have gotten this far without Marcus "Esports" Howard Kathryn De Shields-Moon, MFA Aishwarya Shinde Sanjay Yadav Adesoji Ige Shreya Singh This thread did pretty well on Twitter so I thought you might want to take a look. Hopefully, it helps you on your journey. 😎 #Esports #Entrpereneurship #Education #Gaming #Startup

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Another stack of resources and layoff support compiled by the incredible Mayank Grover! If you need support or have some to offer, connect and boost that vis so every ship can benefit from the tide. 🙌🌊🙌 #gamedev #games #layoff #support #job #resources #mentors

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A good opportunity

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The Revival of Game Demos: A Tradition Worth Embracing Growing up, game demos were a staple in my games experience. They offered a compelling taste of what was to come, creating excitement and anticipation. It's encouraging to see this tradition making a comeback, particularly with notable RPGs and the appreciated work by developers such as Square Enix. Here are some compelling reasons why game demos are beneficial and why everyone should consider them: 1. Increased Sales Conversion: Games participating in Steam Next Fest (a week-long celebration featuring hundreds of free playable demos as well as developer livestreams and chats) saw a 292% increase in converting wishlists to sales compared to non-participating games. 2. Higher Wishlist Additions: During the Steam Next Fest, games experienced a 421% jump in daily wishlist additions. 3. Enhanced Player Engagement: Players who try demos are more likely to feel confident in their purchase, leading to higher engagement and playtime. 4. Positive Correlation with Sales: Analysis of over 3,000 Steam titles showed a statistically significant correlation between game demos and higher game ownership. 5. Boost in Discoverability: We can show that demos indeed help smaller developers gain traction by increasing their game's visibility and discoverability on platforms like Steam. 6. Consumer Confidence: According to a report, demos help build consumer confidence, making them more likely to purchase the full game after trying a demo. 7. Genre-Specific Benefits: RPGs and adventure games, in particular, benefit from demos by showcasing their complex narratives and gameplay mechanics, which can significantly boost player interest and sales. Why This Matters: Game demos are more than just a marketing tool; they are a bridge between developers and players, fostering trust and excitement. As we continue to see the positive impact of demos on sales and player engagement, it's clear that this is a tradition worth embracing and promoting again. I encourage all developers to consider demos for their games! Sources: 1. Steam Next Fest demos converted 292% more wishlists to sales, Valve says (https://bit.ly/3demosales) - Rock Paper Shotgun, 2021. 2. Reviews, scores, sales and playtime - a Steam perspective (https://bit.ly/3demoscore) - GamesIndustry.biz, 2021. 3. Online Gaming Statistics 2023 Report (https://bit.ly/3demos2023) - Uswitch, 2023. 4. Most-played demos of Steam Next Fest: June 2024 Edition (https://bit.ly/3demostats) - Steam, 2024. 5. Discover 2024's Best Selling Games (https://lnkd.in/ey3gakKt) - Circana, 2024.

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Are you a gamer or interested in the video game industry? The recent wave of layoffs has caused some major changes in the industry, and we're just starting to see the effects. Check out this article to learn more about what's happening and join the conversation. #gameaudio #gamesound #gamemusic #gamedev #indiedev #sounddesign #vgm #voiceacting #unlockaudio  

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I'm relieved to announce I'm done with the Video Game Industry's poor antics. I've begun developing a Video Game Industry Blacklist. Unbiased and straight to the point. The truth is, there's a ton of bad actors and organizations within the Video Game Industry who get away with unethical practices, deceptive marketing and a barrage of Solicitation with little to no consequences. Undoubtedly, you probably see many of these actors floating around LinkedIn. My goal is to set new, clear-cut standards, and help make the industry great again. With my various connections throughout the industry, any company or individual who ends up on this list will be barred from business with many large and small organizations/studios/brands who choose to utilize my database. Since this list is public, that means anyone may draw reference from it. And very soon, anyone will be able to contribute to the database. This will be a way for employees, who may have been mistreated by larger studios to finally fight back with the upcoming public voting system I've been developing. Almost like a IMDB/Rotten Tomatoes for the Video Game Industry! Adding companies/individuals will be by request only to start. With some more work, I'll have fulfilled my vision within a month. This is coming out of my own pocket and time. If anyone is interested in assisting me in any with with this project, feel free to reach out! And I'd love to hear some feedback on how I can improve this tool. (Alpha) https://lnkd.in/eir_qhgh

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OHIO HAS PLENTY OF GAME DEV TALENT! Since graduating college, I've had the incredible opportunity to travel across Ohio, attending numerous trade shows and witnessing the vibrant indie game scene firsthand. The talent and creativity in our state are nothing short of amazing! A recent article from the Toledo Blade highlighted the inspiring work of the Central Ohio Gamedev Group (COGG) discord community. This group of dedicated developers and enthusiasts showcases the incredible potential of indie games as labors of love. Their commitment to creating unique, engaging experiences demonstrates the power of small, passionate teams. One thing that stands out to me is the impact of outstanding game programs at our universities. As new graduates step into the industry, they bring fresh ideas and skills, ensuring the talent pool continues to grow and evolve. Our future in game development looks brighter than ever! But what truly excites me is the way technology and artistry combine to allow small teams to create phenomenal games. It's no longer just about coding and making art with standard tools. Large-scale indie projects succeed because of the innovative tools and techniques developers use: -User Data & Feedback: Utilizing Discord bots to gather bug reports and feedback helps streamline the development process. - Custom Visual Scripting: Creating custom nodes can significantly reduce programming time. - AI & Tutorials: With AI and platforms like YouTube, the technical barriers are lower than ever, making advanced techniques accessible to everyone. All these tools not only enhance game development but also elevate game design, UX, and CX. When developers can focus more on creativity and user experience, they create games that are not only technically sound but also deeply engaging and enjoyable for players and the end users making the games. Community efforts like COGG are a testament to what passion, education, and technology can achieve. Ohio's indie game scene is thriving, and I can't wait to see what the future holds for indie games in our state! #GameDevelopment #IndieGames #Ohio #TechInnovation #GameDesign #UX #CX #IndieDev https://lnkd.in/e-H2cEeg

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Steve Lejeune of Evil Empire uses a Stream Deck for game capture to quickly and efficiently punch in debug options literally with the press of a button! He showed me how in this video collab which will make you want to talk to your programmers and get a Stream Deck (or similar competing device) #gamecapture #gametrailers #gametrailer #gamemarketing

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Are gamers willing to pay $100 for 3 days of early access to a game? Over 2.2 million people were willing to pay the 60% higher price for College Football 2025 Kamila Gora, head of marketing and community with ZTX, said “I actually don't mind this. I think out of all the quote unquote extractionary accusatory systems that we've seen and are seeing, this is actually a really good compromise because to be frank, you're just extending the ability to the true fans to dive in earlier. I'm getting a finalized, polished product and I'm happy to jump in earlier, versus [beta] participation in unfinished testing which usually goes the other way around where people are sometimes incentivized. So I think this is fair.” Wills Spangler, who manages user acquisition at Stardust, stated that “releasing a game 3 days early is not innovation. That's not like a revolutionary thing that nobody's tried. The only reason it works is because not everybody does it and it's capitalizing on the market hype for these games. Where we want to see innovation is how funds from an event like this are actually benefiting the community and the people who built the game. I think that's where real innovation is, not in releasing it 3 days early.” What’s your opinion?

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Underrated Title here!

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Can we please stop with all the fruity videogame project codenames? You're working on a game, not a top-secret endeavor to break the enemy's code. The secrecy is silly, as though something would happen if everyone knew what you were actually making; "did you hear that (companyX) is working on a SHOOTER?". The best thing that could happen to your project is that word gets out and you generate some buzz. When I hear some silly, self-important project name I just think that you haven't put in the imagination to come up with a proper name for your game.

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The game industry is in shambles. Hiring is ridiculous, funding has dried up, and publishers/AAAs are pulling back. Such a time is a hidden opportunity for Indies. Let's build a new renascence in games 💪 #indierevolution #indiegames #indiegamedev #indiedev #indiegaming #gamedevelopment #gamedev #gamedevelopers #gamedeveloper #gameindistry

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I found a question on Reddit about "How to go from highly technical career game programmer to solo dev game designer?." This subject fills me with interest because both areas of video game creation are presented so differently even when they are forever intertwined. How many times you have played a video game with perfect gameplay mechanics that it's boring as hell? This was my answer to the question from this programmer. I'm going to tell you what works in my case, but have in consideration that every path can be different. I started studying and reading a lot of content related to games and level design. Yes, I know that there are many YouTube tutorials, but I went back to the previous technology: Books. What is important in any type of learning is the structure methodology. Try to avoid leaving holes without explanation. That's a killing approach when you're learning new basic concepts. Remember, you don't know about this, or even worse, you still don't know how much you don't know. This is my recommendation based on books I've read that help me understand the intricacies of video game design and level design. From the most essential to the less, here's my list: - The Art of Game Design - Jesse Schell - An Architectural Approach to Level Design - Christopher W. Totten - Level Design for Games - Phil Co - Level Up - Scott Rogers The other part is to try to connect with your gamers of the game genre you're creating. Start building a relationship so they can provide you with some feedback and ideas to improve your game. Be open to listen and to test ideas. Post Saturdays on Twitter (X) using #screenshotsaturday and ask for feedback. This will help you build a fan base and get ideas/suggestions for free. Finally, to continue my education in that area I listen to podcasts related to game design. Perspectives from other designers will help you big time. One more little thing I purchased, was the Master Class of "Will Wright - Teaches Game Design and Theory." He's a master of the art of game design. To close this post, remember that I'm creating an educational program with live sessions to mentor and teach people about how to become a successful video game creator. You can't be only a game developer, a game designer, or a level designer. You need to build your career with intention and follow a path and a strategy. If you're interested in becoming part of this project, I'm doing a group of interviews to collect information and design the content of this educational program. Reserve your time to talk with me here: https://lnkd.in/gPYJeadb Have a great journey! Tony #GameDesign #GameDevelopment #SoloDev #IndieGameDev #GameProgramming #LevelDesign #GameDesigner #GameDevCommunity #GameDevTips #LearnGameDesign #GameDesignBooks #GameDesignLearning #GameDesignJourney #GameDevResources #MasterClass

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Let’s be real—starting a career in the video game industry is challenging. You face obstacles like job requirements asking for "2 years of experience" when you’re just starting out. And even when you land a job at a top studio, there’s often uncertainty: What if the project gets canceled? What if funding runs out? But here’s the thing: if you’re reading this, it’s probably because you love creating video games, and you dream of building a career around that passion. And isn’t that what life is all about? We only have one life to live, and it’s far too short to settle for less than doing what lights up your soul. So, how do you turn that dream into reality? In the Game Creator Accelerator (GCA), I mentor aspiring creators with a focus on one key principle: "Build and Share." Sharing doesn’t mean asking for donations—it means showcasing the evolution of your work with the world. And what work will you create? Your first game, built with the industry’s most powerful and versatile tool: Unreal Engine. Here’s how it works: - In Phase One, you’ll dedicate just one hour a day for eight weeks. During this time, you’ll create your first game while building a strong social media presence to showcase your progress. Imagine this: one hour a day to take a step closer to your dream. Think about the hours we spend on things we don’t even enjoy—why not spend them building the life you truly want? - From there, we’ll move to the Expansion Phase, where you’ll establish a presence so compelling that opportunities in the industry come looking for you. At the same time, you'll carve your own successful path with confidence and foundation to not feel tied to the market’s ups and downs. This is your life, and this is your time to choose how you spend it. If you’re passionate about video games, you owe it to yourself to explore where that passion could take you. If this resonates with you and you’re ready to take that first step, I’d love to connect. Visit wulum.com, and let’s schedule a chat. I want to understand your goals and make sure the GCA is the right fit for your journey. Your dream of creating video games is closer than you think. Life’s too short to leave your passions on the backburner. Let’s make it happen—together. #GameDevelopment #VideoGameCareer #UnrealEngine #GamingIndustry #GameCreators #BuildAndShare #GameDesign #CareerInGaming #IndieGameDev #FollowYourPassion

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