Zachary Kosma

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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Capcom has released a less-than-positive annual report. There's nothing critical in it; all the declines are tied to a pause in releases. Capcom certainly has a vast catalog of successful franchises for upcoming releases. Resident Evil (RE) stands out distinctly. While Capcom didn't start with RE, it played a crucial role in their history and has had a significant impact on the gaming industry as a whole. Today, RE comprises 32 releases across 33 platforms. These are incredible numbers and a testament to success. Moreover, judging by Metacritic scores, Capcom manages to maintain a high standard of quality. I gathered a timeline of all RE releases on one website (link in the comments). I thoroughly enjoyed watching videos, reading books, reminiscing about my own experiences playing the games, and playing with friends and colleagues. Here are a few interesting facts about RE and Capcom: - Resident Evil 4 was released on 14 platforms. - The first RE took 3 years to develop, instead of the usual 3-6 months for Capcom in 1996. Consultants hired from the U.S. advised shutting down the project when it was almost complete, predicting its failure. - Devil May Cry and Dino Crisis were born while searching for fresh gameplay for RE. - Capcom was one of the first companies to start paying revenue shares to developers, which is particularly noteworthy for Japanese companies. - Toy Story I and RE I were released around the same time. - For a while, music for RE was composed by a well-known Japanese composer who was said to be deaf. It later turned out that he wasn't actually deaf and didn't compose the music himself. PS. In 2026, the series will celebrate its 30th anniversary, and there will likely be a special release or edition. Or perhaps they'll simply release a version with full DualSense support.

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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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🗣️💬 Can you spare 5 minutes? If you use communication apps in your work or personal life, I would love to hear what you think about the experience. ➡️ https://lnkd.in/gT8XHkev I am wrapping up my MA in interaction design at the University of North Texas. My capstone focuses on folks who use apps to keep in touch with people in their communities: hobbies, personal, school, sports, work. #discord #slack #survey #teams #unt

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Imagine you have been learning XR development for the last 2 months and you are being tasked to execute your first prototype only in 1 week! (on top of your daily job) Let's see some of the results from XR Bootcamp students for this week: Ellen L. - The Real House Fly - A physical exercise to smack annoying flies in a satisfying way. MR gives comfort to run around fast in a game. Meta’s tools: Mixed Reality Utility Kit, Depth API and Hand Tracking enable this project. Mika Haak - BrainBubble - A brainstorming app to map out, categorize, dissect and save your ideas spatially using Hand Tracking and Gesture detection for easy interactions. Meta’s Voice SDK enables AI functionalities to increase productivity. Laura Murinova - Lingua Space - A semantic translation app to learn any new language in a new discovering way. Meta Semantic Scene Understanding and a translation service are positioned to translate anchor labels. Voice SDK is used for pronunciations. This prototype is especially promising with future updates for Meta Scene Scripting in mind. Chui Yin Wong (Iris) - Photo Savvy - A fun way to get confident and train your creative photography skills. This demo uses Unity XR interaction tools and a savvy script to judge the quality of the photographs.

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Bit late talking about this one but huge news coming from 343 Industries, both a re-brand to Halo Studios and confirmation that they are switching development to Unreal. 🗞️ This comes off the back of 343's struggles with development of Halo: Infinite. We've seen many other studios move away from their own engines to Unreal, notably CD Projekt Red! Are proprietary engines going out fashion? 🤔 For those who have worked on both proprietary engines and Unreal, what have you found to be the key advantages of working with Unreal? #gamedev #unreal #halo

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💡 ERROR LOG #27: If your core gameplay loop isn’t compelling, your game might not be either. What I mean by that is the core gameplay loop is the heartbeat of your game. It’s the cycle of actions players will perform repeatedly, and if it’s not engaging, the entire player experience can be doubtful. The loop doesn’t just entertain, it defines the game, driving the player’s emotional and strategic investment. For example, think of a classic side-scroller. The loop might involve running, jumping, and shooting while collecting treasures and defeating enemies (YES! You got it! Metal Slug :D). Simple, but highly engaging. Compare that to a more complex RPG loop, blending exploration, combat, and dialogue. These loops provide different experiences, but they all share one thing: they’re finely tuned to keep players coming back but first and foremost they have to enjoy it! 💡As some of you know I’m not a designer by profession, I simply love all the aspects of game development. Here’s where I went wrong early in my design journey as I was mostly driven by visuals and appeal: I’d focus so much on flashy features and world-building that I’d lose sight of how those elements tied into the core loop. It’s easy to overcomplicate or dilute the loop with feature creep. But here’s the hard truth: if the loop isn’t tight, even the best visuals or narrative can’t save your game. 📘A-HA Moment: Start simple, then refine. Think of the gameplay loop as the game’s skeleton. It needs to be strong before you add the muscles (mechanics) and skin (aesthetics). For me, studying great games and their loops - like the seamless exploration and combat of The Legend of Zelda or the addictive power fantasy of Kratos in God of War was a game-changer. If you’re crafting a core gameplay loop, ask yourself: ✅ What will the player do 80% of the time? ✅ How does it feel? Is it satisfying, challenging, and fun? ✅ Does every element of the game enhance the loop or distract from it? What’s your favourite example of a perfectly executed gameplay loop? Let me know in the comments! Stay tuned for more ⚔️🐻

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Game studios are filing for bankruptcy and game devs are losing their precious jobs almost every other day. Here is a list of all the studios affected since the closure of Arkane Austin, Tango Gameworks, and Alpha Dog Games with their numbers of devs impacted. Lightforge Games: 35~ CI Games: 30~ Mighty Kingdom: 25~ Studio Wildcard: 6 Gameloft Romania (Cluj): 136 Phoenix Labs: 125~ Singularity 6: 36 Hatchery Games: 13 Fall Damage: 50~ (Bankrupt) *Stats from Obsidian The worst part is all of the gaming devs are being advised “not to take things personally” as businesses are going through restructuring. Why the hell shouldn’t they? How can we remotely imagine the hardships that they and their families are going through? I am not here to give hollow advice, I am here to share resources that will help anyone who was impacted recently in the games industry. First💎 A 100% scholarship on our $11,000 Full Stack game dev program - https://lnkd.in/gNKBWtjf Re-skill and revise your game dev knowledge with our advanced C++, OOPs, Unity, and Data Structure modules. Not only that you get exclusive 1-1 mentorship from top game programmers who will help you build a strong base. Second💎 Layoff Support Kit 2.0 - https://lnkd.in/gCCXW_Wp My team and I have spent tireless hours finding top resources for game dev across the internet so you don’t need to waste your time finding them. The resource contains top programming boot camps and game dev teaching creators, almost every major game engine compiled together in one place, free game assets to help you build games, podcasts, and so much more. Third💎 Our Discord Community of over 10K game devs - https://lnkd.in/gH-wZe2G Here, all we ever talk about is game development and its marvels, support aspiring game devs to build stronger portfolios, and solve each other's game dev doubts. If you are a professional game dev help young talent crack their way into the games industry. Also requesting Kelly Bender, Alexander Rehm, Caitlin Cooke, Jordan Mazer, Ruty Rutenberg, Hailey Rojas, Kevin F., Kat Craig, Lord Amir Satvat, Willem Delventhal, Ali Farha, Matt Barney, Ash C., and Matt Hearnden to help this reach all the folks who need this and can make use of this greatly. Sending all my power and prayers to everyone going through these tough times ♾️ WAGMI 💪

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Neat chart by Jack Soslow - AR/VR revenues rival those of the creator platforms currently getting a ton of attention (and valuation). This isn’t exactly apples to apples but interesting to see the developer payouts have become substantial in spatial computing. (Also a lot less competitive for get a share of the pie in VR)

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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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For puzzle games, the focus should be on the puzzle mechanics, with simple controls and intuitive gameplay. Read the full article: Simplistic Design in Video Game Design: The Key to Engaging and Accessible Games ▸ https://lttr.ai/ATQeT #VideoGameDesign #Pressstartleadership #Leadership

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If you are a math teacher about to teach Pythagoras Theorem to your students, read this! Assign Pythagoras Quest games 1 - 3 for homework. These are playable on a Chromebook, and no installation or password is required. Here is the link: https://lnkd.in/gkE7jHyh Students will learn the types of triangles and their properties by sorting them into the correct groups. They will then identify all the right triangles in the game environment, which demonstrates that the student has understood the difference between a right triangle and other types of triangles. Through this part of the quest, students will also learn that a rectangle is made of two right triangles. In the third game, they will learn about the lengths of the sides of the right triangle and identify the hypotenuse as the longest side. This homework assignment serves as an excellent introduction to Pythagoras’s Theorem. By completing it, your students will come to class with a solid understanding of the properties of right triangles, ready to explore more, derive the theorem, and use it to solve word problems. Students are expected to fully interact with the problems and their participation is required at each step. Try it and see! #math #mathteachers #edtech

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In any complex video game level, a clear strategy and understanding of the next steps can often mean the difference between getting to the next level or seeing the dreaded ‘Game Over' screen. Read more 👉 https://lttr.ai/AY6ia #VideoGameIndustry #CommunicationSkills #Pressstartleadership #Leadership

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Dive into the latest Game Poll summary for inights into how industry trends and developer perspectives are shaping the future of the video game landscape in 2024 and beyond. https://lnkd.in/eW2vPG2Q

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Some quick thoughts for independent devs looking to fund their games. You have some options, but unfortunately not many. Every option has pros/cons. In general, raising external money means you are giving up some combination of: equity, revenue, control. The combo and ratio depends on the source. * Angel or Friends & Family. Typically small amounts but without much expectation of return. You will give up some equity in your company, but probably a small amount. As your earliest funders, if you are successful you will be repaying these folks for the longest time. * Publisher. Typically offers funding and publishing support (marketing, community, QA, release management, etc.). You'll give up significant revenue share until they recoup, and then a small % usually perpetually or until they earn out some multiple. Some might want to own part of all of your IP (say no to this). This can be a good option if you need a fair bit of $ and don't want to self-publish. But beware -- there are sharks out there, and some of the self-proclaimed dev-friendly indie pubs are actually quite ruthless. The good news is with this funding you are not giving up equity, but you will probably be giving up quite a bit of control. * VC. Probably not right for you, unless you need a lot of $ and plan to scale very big and quickly. You will give up the most equity with this path. There will be a lot of pressure on you to grow and sell, because VCs need a small number of huge returns to make up for all the losses in their portfolio. Not a good path unless you plan to sell your company in 3-5 yrs. (YMMV and I'm sure there are good boutique firms out there with different expectations.) * Tax Credits & various government incentives. Nice to have but most won't make a difference. Most are based on tax refunds which means you need a year of revenue before you can claim anything, and the wheels of government tend to turn slowly. This is icing but for the most part won't be your primary funding. There may be a lot of admin overhead to get this money. * Crowdfunding/Early Access/Direct-to-Consumer fundraising. This brings you the closest to your customer, but needs to be managed super carefully b/c if you mess it up you are alienating the people who directly buy your game. A lot of people have been burned by these systems (Kickstarter, Early Access, etc.) so they will be expecting you to fail/cheat them and you need to constantly over-deliver to manage this. * Banks. Some will finance against future commitments like Game Pass deals but most still don't know anything about the games business and don't know what to do about it. This might be an area of growth for funding in the future, if the banks ever figure it out. Most independent devs will be way too small for a bank to take a financing risk on. * Private Equity. I don't know that much about this, and I doubt it is relevant to most independent devs. Choose wisely! What did I miss?

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So sorry to hear about layoffs at Modern Wolf, with 6 staff members being affected. The news broke last night, with my former CA colleague George Willard posting the news, as well as providing information about those also laid off to support re-hiring as quickly as possible. You can find that here: https://lnkd.in/eEXWSgNQ To those impacted by these layoffs, please find a comprehensive list of resources, below: 🥇First, Discipline Games Jobs Resources: Over the past weeks I have created 9 (at time of writing) Games Jobs Resources to find jobs in a wide range of disciplines: 🎨 Art, Animation, VFX and UI: This resource contains around 1,200 jobs worldwide across all links. Link: https://lnkd.in/eu2bjadW ⚙ Engineering and Programming This resource lists just over 1,900 jobs worldwide across all links. It also talks about interview tips and questions to practice. Link: https://lnkd.in/etPj22BE 🕹 Quality Assurance: This resource lists over 450 QA jobs worldwide. This post also talks about the craft of QA and contains tips and interview practice. Link: https://lnkd.in/dwwVjZuc 📑 Game Production: This resource lists around 400 jobs worldwide. It also contains info about game production as a whole and GDC talks. Link: https://lnkd.in/gxDvFM-Z 📢 Marketing & Community: This resource lists around 400 jobs worldwide. It also gives an intro into game marketing and community management. Link: https://lnkd.in/e5MuViug 🎶 Audio and Sound Design: This resource lists around 190 jobs worldwide. Link: https://lnkd.in/eSkPSsWf 📠 Studio Support, HR, Recruitment and BizDev: This resource lists around 290 jobs worldwide. Link: https://lnkd.in/ePG57_7v ⚙ IT, Helpdesk and DevOps: This resource lists around 140 jobs worldwide. Link: https://lnkd.in/e8ZsuiZh 🎮 Game Design: This resource lists around 480 jobs worldwide. https://lnkd.in/dCv_hQXv 🥈 Second, 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/ 🥉 Third, If you have worked in publishing, please message me. I am looking for quite a few roles right now! ⬅ 🎖 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 ❤️ #layoffs #gamesindustry #jobsingames #modernwolf

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Updated 15 Resource Tear Sheet - Condensed for Impact Always free and without ulterior motives at amirsatvat.com Friends, our community offers an incredible array of resources, but I understand it can sometimes feel overwhelming to keep track of everything. This updated overview of our six categories and their 15 resources is designed to simplify navigation and maximize the value you can get from our community. What Changed Today? 6-Month Job Seeker Workbook: Refresh and Consolidation Dear community, I rarely make this ask, but your support in aggressively sharing and engaging with this post would mean the world. Let’s help job seekers sign up for the refreshed, unified Job Seeker Workbook! Here’s the deal: every six months, we refresh our job seeker workbooks – this is our fourth refresh. It ensures we have the most current, actionable data to support those in need. Key Updates to the Workbook: 1) Consolidation: One workbook replaces the previous three (Job Seeker's Workbook, Games Job Seeker's Workbook, Amir Loves Artists), making it easier to attract recruiter and hirer attention. 2) Portfolio Space: Artists and other contributors can now include portfolio links, ensuring a more comprehensive profile. 3) Efficiency: Functional tabs updated multiple times a week, paired with reminders to keep visibility high. 4) Fairness: Replaces previous community spotlights and Helping Hands initiatives, offering equal opportunities for everyone. Our data shows these workbooks work. With this new format, I’m confident it will be even more impactful - but I need your help to share and rebuild momentum. To job seekers in games: even if you’ve signed up for a previous workbook, please register again as part of our six-month refresh to stay visible to actively hiring recruiters. Sign up here: https://lnkd.in/e9SUfCvb Thank you for your support - let’s work together to connect job seekers with opportunities faster than ever! Discover All 15 Resources! This tear sheet provides a brief description of each resource and how to use it, whether you’re a job seeker or a recruiter. Please download and share this one-page PDF with anyone who could benefit from our community. Together, we can continue building opportunities for all.

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The social strategy for Azra Games 🔜 Consensus Austin is simple… Build excitement & community for their brand new action-RPG by consistently showcasing the games development via short form videos on YouTube Shorts. 📈6 month results📈 🎥 Video Views: 396,862 (+9.9K% vs previous 6 months) 🌟 Engagement: 12,581 (+5.1K% vs previous 6 months) 👍 Likes: 11,418 (+9.4K% vs previous 6 months) 💬 Comments: 519 (+674% vs previous 6 months) 📤 Shares: 644 (+1K% vs previous 6 months)

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