Game Development — Development

From the entertainment industry powerhouses to international medical device corporations, we have made games for clients in several verticals. Each industry is different, and each company starts the conversation with different expectations. Some have a solid idea or concept that we help them flesh out and bring to life. Others want to work closely with us on several iterations of a design doc. Still, other organizations request that we create a submission for an RFP (Request for Proposal).

We understand that for many companies this might be their first experience in the video game world, and we are happy to go through whatever discovery process helps them make an educated and strategically beneficial decision. Through many conversations like these, we have gathered a set of criteria which represent the “best practices” to ensure that you – and we – are getting the necessary information for a successful partnership.

1. Tell me your budget and ask me how we’ll spend it. Many times, companies are hesitant to talk numbers. However, it is difficult for us to provide an accurate scope of what is possible for your game without knowing where to begin, or where to stop. Furthermore, providing a budget in an RFP is advantageous to you because it puts you in control. You’ll be able to compare all proposals based on their content and not their price point.
2. Tell me what your timeline is. Even the most carefully planned games undergo a process of iteration. When the design doc meets reality and playable builds are on hand, designers and artists inevitably find room for improvement and tweaking. Often, the serendipities experienced in actually playing a game reveal elements and polish that never would have been identified in a purely theoretical space. Knowing what your timeline allows us to budget time for this type of playtesting and iteration.
3. Tell me what your digital strategy is. Games can complement a digital strategy in many ways. They can serve as client acquisition or lead nurturing tools. They can drive deeper brand engagement or catalyze more meaningful brand activations. Each situation is unique, and no two companies will have the same needs. Rather than have us guess what your current tactics are, tell us straight out, so we can tailor your game to synergize and enhance your current efforts.
4. Tell me what your marketing strategy is. Similar to your digital strategy, informing us of your current marketing tactics can help us design your game to dovetail with them. Do you need to amplify your messaging? Reach a new demographic? Raise social sharing? A game can accomplish all of this and more – just let us know what is important to you.
5. Tell me about your trade show and exhibition plans. Let’s use those events to your game’s advantage for user acquisition, pooling feedback, and most importantly, getting the engagement that matters at your booth.
6. Ask me about Mega Cat Studios. You can get an idea of the company just by browsing our website or typing our name into a search engine. However, I’d also like the chance to explain why I think we’re the best match for your project or needs. Sending out an RFP inevitably means that there will be submissions from multiple companies – allow me to explain what sets us apart.
7. Tell me your goals and objectives for the project and the company objectives it supports. A game can form the cornerstone of your mobile marketing strategy, a product launch, inject fans into a brand’s story, ignite your expo and event presence, or provide a medium for physical merchandise sales. Knowing what else you’re working towards allows us to deliver more value on the project.
8. Ask me about game design for a project like this. Sometimes it is hard for companies to understand how their product or service could be turned into a game, let alone a fun and engaging game. This, however, is our strength. As a creative-first game studio, we see the world, and the offerings of every client, as an opportunity for play.
9. Ask me about our game design ethos. One thing that sets us apart from the competition is how we think about and approach games. We believe that with the right game, anyone can be a gamer – especially your audience. Come see what makes a Mega Cat game different.