Question By: After 25 years in gaming, including managing teams at Blizzard and working with various studios, I've seen what makes the difference between success and failure.
Here's the reality: Studios rarely fail because they make bad games. They fail because of predictable, preventable issues.
Let me break down how gaming consultants actually help:
Development Strategy First:
We help studios make tough, realistic decisions. It's not just about having a great game idea – it's about executing it within real-world constraints. Great consultants help studios avoid the "endless polish trap" by setting clear milestones, making hard feature decisions, and knowing when to ship.
Cash Flow Protection:
This morning alone, I read about another studio bankruptcy. The pattern's always the same – they run out of money before generating revenue. Gaming consultants help create realistic burn rates and funding milestones that match the actual rhythm of game development. Think of it as creating a financial roadmap that gets you to launch with runway to spare.
Player-First Decision Making:
Look at Game of War – they went from #1 in the US to barely making the top 200. Why? They forgot about their players. Good consultants help studios balance monetization with player trust. It's not about maximizing short-term revenue; it's about building sustainable player relationships.
Market Positioning:
Understanding your real competition is crucial. I recently worked with a studio convinced they were competing with AAA titles when their actual market opportunity lay elsewhere. Gaming consultants help studios find their unique space in the market and build strategies that match their capabilities.
Team Structure:
Building a studio isn't just about hiring talent – it's about creating the right foundation first. A good consultant helps studios scale at the right pace, maintain team health, and create clear accountability without killing creativity.
Ace Consulting provides comprehensive advice from Fractional CEO/ COO for hire or consultative sessions.
Visit their website, https://aceconsultinggroup.biz/, to learn more.
Answer By: