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CEO of Supercell on the Harsh Truth About Game Development
@ a16z speedrun
04/03/25
Takeaways
IP
Ilkka Paananen
04/03/25
@ a16z speedrun
I built a culture at Supercell where only the best ideas survive, leading to the early termination of most projects to focus on true breakthroughs.
IP
Ilkka Paananen
04/03/25
@ a16z speedrun
The fundamental belief at Supercell is that the team working on a game fully owns and controls what they do, free from external interference.
IP
Ilkka Paananen
04/03/25
@ a16z speedrun
We aim high at Supercell, often shooting for the moon, knowing that we will likely fail most of the time, but that's part of our core philosophy.
IP
Ilkka Paananen
04/03/25
@ a16z speedrun
One of my biggest mistakes was not documenting our culture and values early enough, which led to misunderstandings about responsibilities within the team.
IP
Ilkka Paananen
04/03/25
@ a16z speedrun
When forming new game teams, we look for individuals who can achieve a lot with very few resources, embodying the entrepreneurial spirit.
IP
Ilkka Paananen
04/03/25
@ a16z speedrun
In live game teams, we need individuals who are customer-centric and can analyze data effectively, as these insights play a crucial role in decision-making.
IP
Ilkka Paananen
04/03/25
@ a16z speedrun
Our pivot from web games to mobile was a critical decision, driven by the realization that our first Facebook game was a failure, which ultimately guided our direction.
IP
Ilkka Paananen
04/03/25
@ a16z speedrun
Supercell has a reputation for killing around 90% of the games they develop, which is a strategic choice to maintain high product quality.
IP
Ilkka Paananen
04/03/25
@ a16z speedrun
The failure of a Facebook game led Supercell to rethink their approach, ultimately resulting in the creation of Clash of Clans.
IP
Ilkka Paananen
04/03/25
@ a16z speedrun
Supercell believes that the most important metrics to focus on early in game development are retention and engagement, as they indicate whether players truly care about the game.
IP
Ilkka Paananen
04/03/25
@ a16z speedrun
When pitching to investors, it's crucial to communicate a bold vision and demonstrate that your team is capable of executing it, rather than focusing on exit strategies.
IP
Ilkka Paananen
04/03/25
@ a16z speedrun
Supercell aims to create games that are remembered for years, contrasting with the trend of casual games being seen as short-lived 'snack entertainment'.
IP
Ilkka Paananen
04/03/25
@ a16z speedrun
AI can empower smaller teams at Supercell to achieve more, enhancing efficiency and enabling new gameplay experiences.
IP
Ilkka Paananen
04/03/25
@ a16z speedrun
Supercell's approach to innovation involves disrupting themselves to stay ahead of competitors, ensuring they continue to create unique gaming experiences.