Make the game you love, not the game others tell you to make (but still keep an eye on the market)!

Disclaimer: This DevLog is intended to help anyone, who is in a similar situation we are in at the moment. Everyone has to make their own decisions. This merely is our own honest view and opinion, based on our experience. We would love to hear from you, what you think about it all. We wish you all the success and fun you deserve with the development and release of your game! eXplore Studio

Game developers often face a big dilemma: should they create a game they love or develop one that is more likely to sell well? Clearly, in the extremes lies danger: Some game developers make just the game they have always dreamed about and spend many years on it. This is a very long time without income, unless there is some other way of financing the development, for example by means of grants or crowdfunding of some form or another. And without some kind of market orientation and community building, financial success of the final game may be questionable.

On the other hand, if a game is being developed that corresponds to the market today, but that does not really fill the developers with enthusiasm and joy, then they may be spending years of development doing something they do not enjoy. Also, the market moves faster than a game is usually developed. So, there are no guarantees at all that the targeted market segment will still be promising once the game is actually ready for release.

As so often, the best way forward lies probably in a more balanced approach. The developer or the development team should feel inspired and enthusiastic about the new game. This is more likely to result in a more authentic and unique experience. Their enthusiasm will shine through and resonate with players who appreciate the genuine effort. Passion-driven games can lead to very innovative mechanics, storytelling, and art. Unchartered territory may be explored, which can be rewarding creatively. Finally, working on something they love can provide long-term satisfaction to the team members, even if the game does not become a massive financial hit, or at least not immediately.

At the same time, a new game should also be designed for market success. In a diverse team, with not only diverse team members but also different responsibilities including for marketing, joint decisions are more likely to be balanced, including from a marketing perspective. At least one person in the team should look into marketing matters, and do thorough market research: understanding similar games, player preferences, trends, and market demands is crucial to identify gaps and opportunities.

In summary, successful game development often involves a blend of passion, market awareness, and strategic decision-making. Diverse teams, distributed responsibilities within the team, and frequent synchronisation among all team members are more likely to achieve the right balance and high adaptability to changes in volatile segments of the game market. All of the above does not guarantee but should increase the likelihood of being financially successful with a new game, while keeping the team motivated and passionate for what they are doing.