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I mean no disrespect to those involved, but this is the same take for years (the article, not Tony!) - that Scottish devs don’t shout enough about their success - and it’s fundamentally wrong.
(Big-ass thread) https://twitter.com/tony_gowland/status/1386250116470870017
(Big-ass thread) https://twitter.com/tony_gowland/status/1386250116470870017
The truth is we shout _beyond_ local press because that’s where the audience is.
Does the average daily record viewer care about No Codes latest narrative game on PC? Not really. Does PC Gamer, IGN, Eurogamer et al? Yes!
The truth is we shout a lot, but _beyond_ local press.
Does the average daily record viewer care about No Codes latest narrative game on PC? Not really. Does PC Gamer, IGN, Eurogamer et al? Yes!
The truth is we shout a lot, but _beyond_ local press.
So the effort shifts to those outlets (because it IS a lot of work to promote, made easier by the likes of @Neonhive and @indigopearluk ).
Sure some (many) studios could do better, but it’s the same for literally any industry, not some quirk of Scottish Games.
Sure some (many) studios could do better, but it’s the same for literally any industry, not some quirk of Scottish Games.
So what irks me about this ‘silence’ take, is that looking at the _current_ state of things on a global scale raises two questions:
1. Why do we think ‘silence’ when it clearly isn’t the case?
2. What are you hoping to achieve if you ‘fixed the problem’?
1. Why do we think ‘silence’ when it clearly isn’t the case?
2. What are you hoping to achieve if you ‘fixed the problem’?
For 1. My opinion is that it’s being assessed in a way that nobody cares about: where stuff comes from.
Pick the last new movie you watched. In most cases do you know where it originated from beyond “America vs somewhere else”? Do you care where the production teams hail from?
Pick the last new movie you watched. In most cases do you know where it originated from beyond “America vs somewhere else”? Do you care where the production teams hail from?
Further to this - when did you last read an article about the Welsh gaming scene? Or the Irish? Or the English for that matter?
These kinds of articles are by industries FOR industries, and there’s not much to gain for an indie to try and score a feature on this topic.
These kinds of articles are by industries FOR industries, and there’s not much to gain for an indie to try and score a feature on this topic.
For 2. I believe what this is REALLY about, is looking for validation (we don’t need).
This need to prove that we ‘outsell film and tv’ is just a desperate attempt to make us more relevant to the wider public, when we’re already very relevant to those who matter: our audience.
This need to prove that we ‘outsell film and tv’ is just a desperate attempt to make us more relevant to the wider public, when we’re already very relevant to those who matter: our audience.
We don’t NEED to remind people every day that Scotland once made waves in the beginning of our industry and say “nowadays nobody cares! What’s up with that!?” because what people assume is that nobody cares because the spark is gone. It must be that the new games aren’t as good?
Why would they think that? Because every article about the ‘issue’ says as much by not talking about the new successes of the countries game output without mentioning takeovers, other non-Scottish originated IP, and 30 year old games.
So!
If you truly want to change the supposed perception that “there’s a lot going on and no one will talk about it!!!” then push articles that prove there’s a lot going on and people are talking about it!
Speak to the successes, and frame the discourse in a positive light.
If you truly want to change the supposed perception that “there’s a lot going on and no one will talk about it!!!” then push articles that prove there’s a lot going on and people are talking about it!
Speak to the successes, and frame the discourse in a positive light.
Lastly, I do want to add because last time I spoke about this I lost 2 followers that I’m sad about because I really like them as people:
I loved lemmings. I played it at a friends house, ran home and convinced my dad to upgrade from our commodore.
I loved lemmings. I played it at a friends house, ran home and convinced my dad to upgrade from our commodore.
I drew lemmings. I sketched my own levels. By the time I had an Amiga I was drawing levels in Deluxe Paint. I was a 12 year old Game Artist!
I have a lot of respect for that game and that team. So much so that I’m so proud to say 30 years later Dave Jones is a business partner!
I have a lot of respect for that game and that team. So much so that I’m so proud to say 30 years later Dave Jones is a business partner!
So when we gripe about lemmings being mentioned in every article, please don’t take it personally! It’s just that we need room to grow and fixating on the past prevents that.
After all, how can we demonstrate the industry is moving forward, if we don’t?
After all, how can we demonstrate the industry is moving forward, if we don’t?
