Montana Sommese

DeamPlus Games Earned $12M+ IAP Revenue Amids “Hoa Hoa Hoa” Season 🍂 Game of Vampires: Twilight Sun, an empire-building RPG, is the ultimate vampire fantasy brought to life. 🌘 Gothic castles, luxurious dark interiors, a spooky atmosphere — and a ton of pop-culture references! From Twilight and The Vampire Diaries to Blade and The Addams Family — this game is packed with nostalgic nods that resonate with players through its ASO, ad creatives, and character design. 🧛‍♂️🏰 The right timing and a touch of luck drive this success even further: with the game’s global launch, the unexpected revival of the Twilight franchise came into play! Millennials are fueling it with nostalgia, while Gen Z is having fun with those cringy moments the old movies have. ✨🧛‍♀️ For a deep dive into this phenomenon and the insights game developers can draw from it, check out Diana Levintova's fantastic article for AppMagic. Halloween couldn’t be a better time to dive into the industry insights, spooky vibes, and, of course, “hoa hoa hoa” 🎃👻 Link in the comments! 👇

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Hi all. I want to share another magic item I've created for an upcoming D&D 5th edition supplemental item module that I'm working on. This item is called Viridis, which loosely means Green, and is inspired by Emerald Dragons. Since I'm not affiliated with Wizards of the Coast, I'll be removing any Forgotten Realms lore I desribed when it's included in my upcoming module—it's just for my current campaign haha. About the weapon, I wanted to make it a Halberd because 5th Edition D&D doesn't currently have any unique magic halberds ha. I've always been interested in some of the less used weapon types in D&D. D&D Beyond Link to the item: https://lnkd.in/eex9H2mP

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Hello friends. Last month, I was looking for more work and finally secured some on Reddit from a guy who needed help with preproduction on his Tabletop RPG / Card Battler. After a meeting with him, he showed me what he had and it was quite impressive. He had a prototype of a card-battler using a tabletop RPG battle system, but he had little to no documentation or planning—he's been chiseling away at his game for a few months in his spare time after work. I suggested that before I dive into art, we flesh out the game design and the rest of the game up to around an 80% mark and let the last 20% be changes, additions, and that sort. As your game evolves, it'll come into it's own and you'll find things that need changed or added, this accounts for that. He agreed and I asked if I could work on all this since I did that with my game Alligori and lead the team from start to finish with our vertical slice, and I know tabletop RPGs very well. He agreed and we did the whole song and dance with paperwork, and he sent over a retainer and I began work the following Monday. Three weeks go by and we're working great together. I'm fleshing out his game, adding some meat to the backbone of his prototype with classes, abilities, etc. My goal was to write out as much as possible and then trim content to fit it into a 1-year development cycle. So I flesh a bulk of his game out, and then categorize it more into a game design document that clearly conveys concepts, ideas, and mechanics. Catching up, last week was the final week of my first month and payment was due. He just up and disappears like a fart in the wind, I have no idea if he's alive, incarcerated, on vacation, or what. He didn't remove me on Discord, so I don't entirely suspect malicious intent, but he gave no notice. That's the risk you run with working 1-on-1 with a client remotely, one day they can just up and disappear. I do have paperwork, so I may pursue legal action. If he doesn't log on by Friday, I'm going to publicly release all my documentation and the GDD I wrote on here.

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Congratulations to my friends and former co-workers at Bethesda Game Studios on their leadership in driving much-needed and long-overdue change in the video game industry. For reference, industry leadership has had decades to address the issues that have led this industry to the place we now find ourselves - many studios shut down, 40,000+ people laid off, a job market that is the worst in industry history - all while we're still seeing annual revenues across the industry continue to climb after a single year (2022) that showed a drop of 2.16% (from $369 billion to 361 billion) before recovering. (link to source in comments) The last major shift in how our industry treats its employees was in 2007, when EA settled the class action lawsuits that resulted from the "EA Spouse" blog post. 17 years is a long time to watch the same thing (layoffs, crunch time, etc.) continue without any effort to provide the people who make games with a reasonable level of respect, job security, and dignity. Industry leaders: now is the time to lead. Get proactive and start giving the developers that make these games the same priority as you give to profits. In the end, we're all just people, and we're all in this together. You don't have to wait for Unions to sweep the industry and force change through contract negotiations. If BGS is willing to bring a union in to help drive change, the other major studios won't be far behind.

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Such a sad situation for Arkane Studios Austin. No team deserves to be shutdown like this. I played a lot of Redfall and enjoyed it. This isn't all corporate greed and stock prices; we as fans have a role in this as well. I'm not saying that we shouldn't critique or call out unkept promises during development. Far too often when we criticize, we lose the human element behind these large projects. Those at Arkane, Bethesda Game Studios, タンゴゲームワークス（Tango Gameworks）, this is not your fault. This situation does not define you or your talents. Move forward when you are ready, and let's help you find your new home. We are stronger together! https://lnkd.in/gjyF6F6t - Unknown Worlds https://sds.com/careers - Striking Distance https://lnkd.in/gmjKux5M - KRAFTON and PUBG #myplesha #gamedevjobs #KRAFTON #gamesindustry #hiring

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Tip for publishing consideration submission to Midwest Games... tldr - Send info through our portal (https://lnkd.in/gWtKgpuU), not through email (or LI). I get that it's a little counter-intuitive...you might think you want to put your info right in front of the sourcing decision influencers' faces. But it's actually a disadvantage - especially those of you who are agents throwing multiple titles at us at once. The submission portal goes right to our database, and that database is there for a reason: to keep an organized and consistent record of all submissions in one place. I look through there all the time. I'm reminded of titles I may have overlooked or need to go back to consider as circumstances change all the time. We rarely, if ever, make immediate decisions or even quick deep review/consideration. Our factors for consideration shift regularly. I do not review your particular email regularly, or at some point even remember you sent one. I go to the database. Connection via other channels is good. Discussion about your game over other channels is good. But having your core game info in those channels is not good. Please use the submission portal!

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Of the many notable experiences from #MDEV, the Producer Careers panel I did with Lilly Arredondo, Angela D., and Joe Truesdale was one of the highlights! Reflecting on the main points, here are three takeaways I wanted to share: 1. There is no single way to become a game Producer. "Origin stories" are varied and sometimes surprising! If you want to become a Producer, start being a producer where you are: organize your team, schedule milestones, coordinate and connect the dots with other people, be the one your teammates come to when they want to understand what's going on, what to prioritize, etc. because you have a solid grasp on whatever portion of the project you're responsible for. Or jump in on a game jam team - tight timelines need maximum efficiency and most teams don't have the benefit of a producer keeping track of the project. 2. Let curiosity and willingness to learn drive your career path. There are so many directions to take in production and there is always more to learn. Even when you think you've got things figured out, new teams, new people, changes in the industry, etc. will always present new opportunities to learn. Every new project will present different challenges and shifts that will force you to expand your production "toolkit". Lean into that need for flexibility to gain a wider understanding of the possibilities. 3. Look for mentorship wherever you can. There is always someone out there more experienced and willing to help. Reach out and ask for even a small amount of their time (I'm almost always open to giving a 1/2 hour to mentor budding Producers!). You never know how that relationship may grow or who they may introduce you to for additional help. You will need to drive this, so take the steps to make it happen - most professionals are friendly and open to helping, but they won't be reaching out to you (Amir Satvat's mentorship resources linked in the comments). What else did you take away from the panel? I'd love to hear your feedback, if you attended!

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Calling All Brands: Let’s Make History at College Rivals Grand Finale Season 2 No fluff, no boring pitches—just facts: this is THE fusion event of gaming. Think epic esports battles meets insane entertainment, all wrapped up in the biggest finale you’ve ever seen. You want your brand in front of the most engaged, hype-fueled gaming audience? This is where you need to be. Millions of eyes online, die-hard fans on-site, and a vibe that’ll make your brand unforgettable. What’s in it for you? - Max Exposure: We’re talking global reach, loud and clear. - Next-Level Engagement: Integrate your brand into the action—no one’s skipping this. - Instant Cred: Be part of the gaming movement everyone’s talking about. Skip the corporate nonsense. Join us, make noise, and let’s turn your brand into a legend. Email me [email protected] or Slide into my DM's (Don't be Shy)

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Creating games is very difficult. And building games is challenging. The process of build requires to compile the code and all the data required in the game in a specific sequence involving many dependencies. As such monitoring the outcome is essential, but not sufficent. What if we were able to predict the outcome of a build ? What if we were able to decrease the required computing resources while increasing our iteration capability ? #Ubisoft #Ubisoftlaforge #innovation

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Navigating the complexities of porting to Apple Vision Pro? Unity's guide offers 6 essential tips to streamline the process, from leveraging Unity's AR Foundation to optimizing your app's performance on Vision Pro. Check out the full guide for expert insights and practical advice to ensure your app shines on Apple's latest platform - https://lnkd.in/dCcxYKem. #AR #VR #AppleVisionPro #Unity #realtime3D

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TONIGHT AT 6:30 PM join us for an improvised version of PVP Circuit and help us rebuild our local community brick by brick. I still can't believe I get to work in the video game industry. My 6-year-old would laugh, and then cry once she realized what it means to work in the creative technology sector. That's why IMO everyone could use some levity during these unprecedented times. Join us for a fun evening to raise funds for the Trevor Project. Event link >>> https://lnkd.in/g7tBuP6d Frequently Asked Questions: What if I can't attend the event? - If you can't make it, please consider purchasing a ticket to help us raise money for charity or get one on behalf of someone impacted by layoffs. What if I want to join but can't justify the cost? - If you want to join but find the cost prohibitive, DM me and we'll make it happen (see point above). Do I have to pitch at the event? - No, you don't have to pitch if you prefer to observe. It’s a great way to see how it's done. Will there be another event like this? - We plan to host our community again, but I can't specify if this event will be the focus. #gamesindustry #event #comedy <3

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Do you love Autochess? Of course you do. Do you love Arkanoid / Brick Breaker? Rhetorical question, everyone loves those games. Now what if someone were to combine those two things? Well I did that and it was pretty cool. BRKRX combines the shop mechanics of autochess, the physics gameplay of arkanoid, and some JRPG influences into a unique roguelite experience. Read the full design breakdown of the prototype, and try it out yourself, at the link below. https://lnkd.in/gr824QPq

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TOP NEW CREATIVE “STAR WARS: HUNTERS” BY ZYNGA The competition for IPs remains fierce in the mobile games market. The latest initiative comes from Zynga, with the Star Wars franchise. 🌌🎖️ The game is a hero shooter focusing on player versus player (PvP) combat, featuring 3D stylized art and a core gaming experience. ⚔️ The game includes various Star Wars characters, allowing players to engage in strategic team-based multiplayer battles. It features multiple game modes and leverages the Star Wars license to create an immersive environment that appeals to fans of the movies and the shooter genre. 🤩 Two weeks ago the game began its growth stage and has reached 2.5MM downloads and US$740k in IAP revenue so far. 📈 It's no surprise that to achieve this result, the Star Wars IP is central to the UA strategy. 🎯 Drawing on a stylized cartoon, the flagship creative video does not make direct reference to the gameplay. So much so that one wonders: is this an ad for a game or a movie? 🤔 Created on June 6, the creative video has achieved over 6.7MM impressions to date. Of these 48% are in 🇨🇦 and 40% in the 🇺🇸 . The source of the impressions is 100% Mintegral. The apps with this creative are "Paper .io 2" by Voodoo (15%) and "Piano Tiles 2" by Kooapps (9%). 👇 Take a look below and I'll show you the creative video and some information about it. 👇 For this research, we have used the following AppMagic tools: Top Soft Launches, Ad Intelligence, and AI Magic Helper. - X - This research was supported by Cost Center. Cost Center is a tech company that offers a powerful suite of tools for Mobile Publishers to optimize UA campaigns. 💪 Its portfolio includes amazing clients such as Amanotes and Lihuhu. 🏆 Do you like it? 🤩 Call my friend Yi Ting Ho. She'll show you a demo. 😉 #marketing #gaming #gamedevelopment #HypercasualByCarlosPereira

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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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Looking for Your Next Game-Changing Leader? I’m Open for Full-Time and Contract Opportunities! With over 20 years of experience in the gaming industry, I’m actively seeking new full-time and contract roles where I can make an impact in Game Design, Product Management, and Leadership. From designing combat systems and live-service strategies to leading cross-functional teams, I’ve had the privilege of shaping innovative projects across console, PC, mobile, and live-service games. I’m ready to take on roles such as: Senior Producer - Executive Producer Game Director Creative Director Director of Live Services Senior & Lead Product Manager Director of Product Management Head of Monetization Monetization Strategy Lead Lead Designer Principal System Designer Head & VP of Game Design I’ve shipped 30+ games and led teams to success by driving product vision, managing roadmaps, and creating engaging systems that deliver lasting player experiences. Whether it’s designing a AAA combat system, optimizing F2P monetization, or building sustainable live-service strategies, I’m passionate about creating games that resonate with players. Some career highlights include: CEO/Design Director at FrostFire Games: Led international teams, developed business models, and crafted the vision for both premium and F2P titles. Director of Live Service at Final Strike Games: Developed and executed live-service strategies for co-op and competitive titles, creating social systems and player progression loops that drive long-term engagement. Design Director / Lead Designer at Respawn Entertainment on Apex Legends Mobile: Launched Apex Legends Mobile world Wide, ensuring its high quality across multiple regions and earning multiple Game of the Year awards. Product Leadership at Wargaming: Delivered successful monetization, progression, and live-service systems for PC and console games, with a player-first approach. I’m looking to bring my skills and experience to new challenges and opportunities, and I’d love to connect with studios, companies, or teams looking for a leader who can elevate their project. Ready to collaborate? Let’s talk! Feel free to message me directly or reach out if you’re interested in working together to take your game or product to the next level. Let’s make something amazing happen! 💬 #OpenForWork #GameDesign #ProductManagement #Monetization #LiveOps #GameIndustry #F2P #Leadership #Hiring

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UX in video games can make or break the title. When it's great, everything is greater. When it's not so great, the whole experience gets taken down. This is an important role with a major remit. https://lnkd.in/gRNwyVgH #hiring

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Complaining won't get you hired. Sending hundreds of applications without a reply sucks, I get it. And job hunting in game development is tough in 2024. But hear me out: No one hires out of pity. People hire because you show value. Instead of complaining about the market, focus on creating value for others: • Share common best practices • Contribute to professional topics • Create useful solutions or courses • Make a tutorial on a complex issue Or go a step further: prepare a list of recommendations for the company you want to join and send it with your CV (and also share it publicly). How so, you might ask? Do something for others for FREE? Yes, absolutely. It's called "content marketing." You create value upfront, become more recognizable, and gain a reputation. And then you get hired easily because you provided value upfront. If you're willing to spend hundreds of hours on interviews, spend some time creating value for others. It'll pay off in the long run.

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Want to learn about the realities of being an indie game publisher? Look no further than Legacy's experience with Pearls of Atlantis. As it turns out, persistence is key. Check out our surprising journey in the link below. #gamedev #indiegames #publishing

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