This session was a technological adventure. My internet decided to take a break around 6:30 PM, forcing me to ditch my trusty three-screen setup and log in from my phone instead. Not exactly ideal, but Sarah Morrill and Chantel Elliott's insightful discussion made up for the inconvenience.
These ladies may not be avid gamers (I won’t hold that against them), but they grasped the market dynamics and reminded me that success hinges on marketing savvy, not just gaming knowledge. Their no-nonsense approach resonated with me. They emphasized that making assumptions is okay, but validation is crucial to managing risk. It's like navigating a challenging game level – you need strategy, skill, and sometimes, a little luck.
We took away key lessons: excel at customer discovery, clarify assumptions, and design a minimal viable product (MVP) to test our hypotheses. The sales and marketing presentation was comprehensive, covering essential elements like strategy, structure, and foundational principles.
Then came the million-dollar question: "Why do I play video games?" Honestly, my answer varies. Sometimes I unwind with Skyrim's vast open world, challenge myself with XCOM2's strategic gameplay, or geek out over Bioshock's thought-provoking narrative. But this made me really think about our game, Feline Frenzy, and why people would want to play it.
Delving into ideal customer profiles, targeting, and identifying users, buyers, and influencers was eye-opening. We need to answer critical questions: Why should customers buy our product? Why now? What sets us apart from the competition?
The worksheet provided was a lifesaver – as a hands-on learner, I appreciate tangible tools. Brainstorming, receiving instant feedback, and gaining pro tips made the session feel like an interactive workshop.
Some thoughts and takeaways regarding our game and the questions asked: Our game aims to keep players engaged, entertained, and learning – no catnapping allowed! Our initial focus is on post-secondary institutions, driven by our game's origins in addressing the lack of interactive learning tools for VOA students. However, this also means taking a calculated risk. To mitigate it, we'll:
- Craft targeted interview questions
- Connect with vet industry associations, post-secondary institutes, and online forums like Reddit
- Conduct thorough market assessments to validate our assumptions
As Abigail Adams wisely said, "Learning is not attained by chance, it must be sought for with ardor and attended to with diligence." These words resonate for the company, our 1st game, for our intended audience and with us on a personal level.
On a side note, the session took place in BVC's new E-sports arena, which I had the pleasure of touring earlier this week and let me tell you, it left me awestruck. The attention to detail, immersive atmosphere, and cutting-edge equipment created an unforgettable experience. Super cool that this was the chosen location to house such a great session.
Kerry
Co-Founder, PlayTheos
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