How to Build a Company to Weather Any Storm
Gary Gattis
ggattis@spacetimestudios.com
Company Overview
Based:
Austin, Texas
Employees:
42
Founders:
Gary Gattis, CEO
Cinco Barnes, CVO
Anthony Sommers, CTO
Jake Rodgers, CCO
Investors:
Insight Venture Partners
Reach: 150 million play sessions in 200+ countries
Company Timeline
2005: Founded to build large-scale AAA PC MMOs
2006 – 2007: Built Spacetime Engine, created Blackstar IP
75 employees
2008: Blackstar cancelled, shop to publishers
30 employees
2009: Work-for-hire, project cancelled
15 employees
2010: Pocket Legends, world’s first 3d Mobile MMO
6 employees
2011: VC investment, Star Legends (unify Android and iOS)
15 employees
2012: Dark Legends, Arcane Legends
42 employees
Find the Right Partners
• Vital skills
• Complementary temperaments
• Clear responsibilities
Set Up Shop
• Business Entities
• Contracts/ Leases
• Infrastructure
Find the Right Crew
• Model core values
• A-team only
• HR documentation
• Accountable processes
Cover Your Ass
• Termination Clauses
• Milestone Documentation
• Product Acceptance
Make it Happen
• Know you core competencies
• Do one thing well
• Keep your focus
Confidential | Copyright 2011 | Spacetime Studios, Inc.
Confidential | Copyright 2011 | Spacetime Studios, Inc.
Confidential | Copyright 2011 | Spacetime Studios, Inc.
Confidential | Copyright 2011 | Spacetime Studios, Inc.
Confidential | Copyright 2011 | Spacetime Studios, Inc.
Confidential | Copyright 2011 | Spacetime Studios, Inc.
Confidential | Copyright 2011 | Spacetime Studios, Inc.
Confidential | Copyright 2011 | Spacetime Studios, Inc.
Confidential | Copyright 2011 | Spacetime Studios, Inc.
Deal with Disaster
• Accept it and move on
• Cut to the bone
• Be generous
Assess your Strengths
• Enterprise-class MMO technology
• MMO development expertise
• Scalable architecture
Survive
• Work for hire/ partner
• Manage client pipeline
• Keep the dream alive
Keep Swinging
• (Re) assess your strengths
• Examine emerging markets
• Mitigate your risks
Embrace the Pivot
• Don’t be afraid to drastically change direction
• Commit to doing it
• Go for it with everything you’ve got
Be of One Mind
• Employee ownership = shared vision
• Information flow
• Open pits
Leave a Big Wake
• Embrace PR
• Utilize social channels
• Respond to your players
Do it All Over Again
• Assess your strengths
• Start small
• Manage growth
• Follow your dream
In Summary
• Find the right partners
• Hire a lawyer
• Be conservative in everything
• Watch your cash flow
• Have a life outside of work
• Swing for the fences
• Keep swinging
• Have fun
Questions?
Gary Gattis
ggattis@spacetimestudios.com