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ArticleEludamos: Journal for Computer Game Culture26 Apr 2010

"Stay Small and Keep It All": Making a Big Splash in Boutique Game Development

Summary

This interview with Michael Thornton Wyman, founder and CEO of Big Splash Games, explores the trade-offs and character of boutique game development compared with large publisher environments like Electronic Arts. Wyman, whose earlier credits include work at EA, Maxis, and Lucas Learning, argues that smaller studios gain creative freedom and the ability to take risks, while sacrificing the financial cushion and exposure that large companies provide. He describes a lean setup in which every team member must be highly capable, since there is little room for weak performers, and in which mistakes carry far greater consequences for the studio's survival.

The discussion covers the practical realities of small-team production, including the difficulty of pursuing multiple projects at once and the reliance on informal, hands-on user testing, often conducted in home settings with testers who play without guidance. Wyman contrasts this with the more formalized testing he experienced at larger companies. He also notes that casual, downloadable games depend heavily on moment-to-moment gameplay and strong theming to attract players, and that end users generally evaluate games on their experience rather than on the identity of their developers.

On the question of defining a boutique studio, Wyman emphasizes creativity and polish over size or intimacy, pointing to PopCap's work as an example of quirky, carefully crafted design. The interview further addresses outside contracting, which both boutique and AAA developers use to contain costs and manage risk, with trade-offs between contractors that offer reliability and individuals who offer higher-quality work. Wyman concludes that cheap outsourcing rarely succeeds, a view grounded in his own experience with an overseas partner.

"Stay Small and Keep It All": Making a Big Splash in Boutique Game Development

"Stay Small and Keep It All": Making a Big Splash in Boutique Game Development

Key insights

Boutique studios gain freedom but lose the financial cushion.

Small studios need a uniformly capable team with little room for weakness.

Small teams test informally, often with players at home.

Casual games live or die on gameplay and theming.

Wyman defines a boutique studio by creativity and polish, not size.

Cheap overseas outsourcing rarely succeeds, Wyman concludes.

Summary

Games and companies in this document

Connections

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