It’s true that gaming is a brutal industry, always has been. 1. When there were hundred games launching a week - it was easier to get noticed, appreciated. But the marketing avenues and growth channels were not accessible to everyone. 2. Today 1000+ games launch each week (sometimes on a single day). Obviously it’s harder to stand out of the noise. 100s of marketing channels exist - gaming communities, ad nets, gaming websites and more. But the common thing across all decades is that games need to appeal to a critical mass of loyal gamers. For indies the critical mass might be thousands of loyal gamers, for big AAA games it’s millions of gamers. Build games with passion, for you are healing the world by spreading joy.

Celebrate Creativity and Originality: Encourage the team to bring wild, out-of-the-box ideas to the table. Sometimes the best solutions emerge when we’re free from constraints. Revisit the Core Vision: Remind the team why they entered the gaming industry and what impact they wanted to make. Focusing on the original mission can be grounding and motivating. Embrace Small Wins and Milestones: Acknowledge every bit of progress, especially when times are tough. Small wins can help keep momentum and maintain a positive outlook.

Reignite passion by celebrating past creative successes and emphasizing your team's unique strengths. Encourage a brainstorming session focused on bold, boundary-pushing ideas. Remind them that true innovation often comes from taking calculated risks, regardless of trends.

When my team feels down about market trends, I refocus us on what we can control: creating something unique. I remind them why we started - our passion for making memorable experiences for players - and celebrate small wins to build momentum. We dive into player feedback to reconnect with the impact we’re making. I also encourage brainstorming sessions where no idea’s off the table, sparking creativity and a sense of ownership. By shifting focus from market pressures to our mission and the fun of building, we rekindle that drive for innovation and push boundaries together.