Show Notes

In this episode of Nerdpreneur, hosts Chris Saunders and Frank sit down with JJ, the founder and CEO of Mythical City Games, an indie video game studio that's made half a dozen VR games. JJ shares his journey from working in the film industry to founding a video game development studio in Vancouver, Canada. The conversation dives into the intricacies of game development, particularly in the realm of virtual reality (VR), and explores the challenges and rewards of turning a nerdy passion into a successful business.

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Key Takeaways:

  1. Transitioning Careers:
    • JJ transitioned from film production to game development due to a lack of creative fulfillment in his film career.
    • The skills and processes from film production, such as pre-production, production, and post-production, translated well into game development.
  2. Starting Mythical City Games:
    • JJ founded Mythical City Games in Vancouver after moving from the United States.
    • The studio focuses on VR games, but also develops PC and mobile games.
  3. VR Game Development:
    • VR offers a unique, immersive experience where players use their bodies as controllers.
    • JJ highlighted the accessibility of VR, making it easier for non-gamers to engage with games.
  4. The Importance of Feedback:
    • Getting early feedback from testers is crucial, even if the game is not yet polished.
    • Understanding and parsing feedback helps improve the game and cater to the target audience.
  5. Funding and Industry Insights:
    • Various funding options include publishers, investors, grants, and crowdfunding.
    • The VR industry is stable but needs more big AAA titles to drive headset sales and user engagement.
  6. Innovations and Challenges in VR:
    • Form factor and motion sickness remain significant challenges in VR.
    • JJ emphasized the importance of VR experiences and the potential for business applications.

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New interviews with Nerdy entrepreneurs every month turning their unique passion into full-time income.

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