PLAN AHEAD

For Zatkin, the most common mistake that a developer makes when embarking on a new project is to fail to consider what makes a successful game early on in the process. “It may sound obvious, but players instinctively compare the games they play with other games that they have played. So you have to ensure that your core mechanics are tight, your art is appealing, your content is compelling, and your game is, ultimately, enjoyable.” Beyond the mechanisms of the game itself, there’s a host of external factors a team often fails to consider. “A game must have the right marketing to communicate the strongest ‘hooks’ to make sure people are interested. Then you just consider the right distribution method for the game, the best price or monetisation strategy, and the support system so the people continue to enjoy the experience once they have bought your game.”