It will only get better...

Overview

The video argues that game development careers generally improve over time, even if earlier releases underperform. It challenges the idea of a “mob mentality” that treats a weaker second game as proof the developer “failed.” Instead, it emphasizes that commercial results vary and shouldn’t be moralized as simple success/failure.

Key Points and Examples

• Misleading narratives from online comparisons

  • A Reddit case is used to illustrate how people can draw incorrect conclusions from sequential releases:
    • One developer’s game reportedly made substantial net Steam revenue (described as $46,000).
    • The next game reportedly made less than $200.
  • The presenter argues the second result doesn’t automatically disprove the developer’s ability—especially because free-to-play games and long-tail revenue can behave very differently.

• Uneven sequels are common

  • The presenter references observed patterns where:
    • A first game performs well,
    • while a follow-up ships with much lower visibility or revenue.
  • Examples mentioned include:
    • Idle Pixel Fantasy vs. Hero Tale Survivors
    • Orb Breaker’s performance
    • Battle Battle Battle vs. a later release, “Cool Story, Bro”
  • The goal is not to judge why each game succeeded or failed, but to show that performance swings across sequels happen frequently.

• Long-tail income reduces pressure

  • Once a game is released, it can continue earning after new launches.
  • This is presented as a source of financial stability and a reason developers don’t need every new release to outperform the last.

• A portfolio approach is more stable than a single hit

  • Spending years on one game and relying entirely on it is framed as risky:
    • If it underperforms, the developer may be left with no ongoing runway.
  • Multiple games are portrayed as more stable because returns can compound through:
    • accumulated backlog income.

• Avoid the “must top the last success” mindset

  • The presenter warns against goals like:
    • “My next game must outperform a prior million-dollar title.”
  • This mindset can be paralyzing and lead to misery.
  • Instead, the focus should be on shipping the next game, since success often arrives after multiple attempts.

• The worst outcome is inactivity

  • The video describes “only on your hard drive” as the biggest career risk:
    • it blocks external validation,
    • limits feedback,
    • and reduces opportunities.

• Validation and marketing advantages compound

  • Earlier success can make future launches easier via:
    • press access,
    • social credibility,
    • and cross-promotion.
  • The presenter highlights examples including:
    • wishlists
    • analytics tracking
    • UTM tracking to measure how sales/wishlist prompts from one game can boost the next.

Overall Lesson

• Keep making and releasing games.
  • Even if early releases are small, repeated shipping improves the odds of discovering market-fit.
  • Over time, the overlap between:
    • what you want to make,
    • what you can make,
    • and what players want,
    • becomes clearer—leading to greater financial stability and a higher chance of reaching “million-dollar studio” outcomes.

Presenters / Contributors

• Main presenter/voice: (unidentified in the subtitles; commonly referred to as “the presenter”)