Mariusz Gąsiewski

In my opinion, confidence in public speaking comes from preparation that involves understanding: - what you are talking about (understanding the topic of your speech deeply, combining both theoretical and practical knowledge). - who you are talking to (understanding your audience and what parts of your knowledge are most interesting and useful for them). - when you are going to speak (e.g., who is speaking before your session, what the energy level will be like during your session, etc.). - how you are going to speak (this involves proper preparation, including details like: is the internet quality good enough for me to show demos or examples, what is the quality of projector etc).

The best approach to player feedback is to combine qualitative and quantitative data. Qualitative data (direct discussions with people who fit your player personas) provide more ideas to develop the game before it's even created. Here, we could understand: - how users define specific types of games, which ones they play, and which ones are outside their interests. - what they liked in competitors' games and what they are missing there. - in which specific contexts they play specific games (e.g., with family or with friends). Quantitative data works very well for analyzing data once we have developed/prototyped specific features (e.g., how retention and monetization metrics changed once we added a new tutorial in the game).

I believe AI is shifting the paradigm of specialization. High specialization will become less necessary as generative AI tools increasingly replace the need for in-depth knowledge of specific details. What will matter more is a deep understanding of the connections between different aspects of game development, analysis, and growth. This understanding will enable you to optimize the entire process by effectively leveraging new specialized AI tools.

The gaming industry is a high-risk, high-reward business. This means it's inherently risky, with potential for both great success and significant setbacks. In such an environment, networking is crucial for professional development. A strong network can: - keep you informed about important industry changes and trends - prepare you for unexpected events like layoffs Building and nurturing your network before you need it is key. Be proactive in offering help and support to others, as this fosters reciprocity and strengthens relationships. In the dynamic and unpredictable gaming industry, you never know when you might need assistance. By providing value and helping others, you create a foundation for receiving support when you need it most.

Investors can be divided into two categories: - those who prefer big ideas with potentially large markets: These projects tend to be riskier but offer higher potential returns. - those who prefer less risky, smaller, but more profitable niches: These projects offer more stability but may have lower growth potential. Venture capitalists (VCs) typically lean toward the first category, while angel investors may be more receptive to the second. Before pitching your app idea to an investor, consider the following: - Has the investor funded mobile apps before? This indicates interest and expertise in the space. - Does their investment history reveal a pattern or strategy? Understanding their preferences will help tailor your pitch.

I believe there's a crucial aspect of game development that isn't often discussed: the inherent risk. Regardless of the game you're creating, you need to prepare for the possibility of it not succeeding or taking longer to develop than expected. In this industry, having a plan B is vital. This can be challenging from a cash flow perspective, but it's a critical consideration nonetheless. Studios that forget about this go out of business sooner or later...