Research Summary
The report discusses the success of Lethal Company, a co-op horror game developed by Zeekerss. It highlights the developer’s journey, the game’s impact, and the role of platforms like Roblox and Unreal Editor for Fortnite (UEFN) in nurturing young talent.
Key Takeaways
Zeekerss’ Journey to Success
- Decade-long Experience: Zeekerss, the developer behind Lethal Company, has been creating games for a decade, starting with small-scale Roblox experiments before moving on to more complete games on platforms like Steam.
- Genre Mastery: Most of Zeekerss’ creations are horror games, demonstrating a mastery of the genre. The influence of previous horror hits such as Five Nights at Freddy’s and Phasmophobia is apparent in their work.
Impact of Solo Developers on Steam
- Challenging the Norm: Lethal Company’s success challenges the industry norm of massive game teams. At the time of the report, it was the sixth most-played game on Steam.
- Success of Solo Developers: Other successful games built by a single developer include Geometry Dash, Unturned, and Stardew Valley, all maintaining a respectable player base beyond launch hype.
Role of Roblox and UEFN in Nurturing Talent
- Training Ground for Young Developers: Platforms like Roblox and UEFN serve as training grounds for young developers, teaching them the basics of coding, 3C, and art, as well as live ops and community management.
- Monetization Opportunities: These platforms also offer developers the opportunity to monetize their creations. For instance, Lethal Company’s next update is slated to include the first live service feature: weekly challenges.
Actionable Insights
- Investigate the Potential of Solo Developers: The success of solo developers like Zeekerss suggests that investing in individual talent can yield significant returns. Companies should consider supporting solo developers or small teams with innovative ideas.
- Explore the Role of Platforms in Nurturing Talent: Platforms like Roblox and UEFN play a crucial role in nurturing young talent. Companies should consider partnering with these platforms to identify and support emerging talent.
- Consider the Impact of Genre Mastery: Zeekerss’ success demonstrates the potential of genre mastery. Companies should consider investing in developers with a deep understanding of specific genres.
