The Life of a Game Designer

By | Career Advice, Game Design, Games, Viking Profiles | No Comments

There is a fierce demand for game designers in the gaming industry, but most people are unsure of what, exactly, a game design job entails. To help us better understand this essential role, we sat down with our very talented game designer, Stojan. In this Viking Profile, Stojan shares how he got into game design, what makes a well-designed game, and how aspiring game designers can break into the field.

Game Designer at Big Viking Games Stojan

Q: What is your role at Big Viking Games, and how long have you been with the company?

Stojan: I was hired by BVG as a game designer in February of 2013, so I’ve been with the company for nearly four years now.

“Game Designer” can tend to be a misunderstood role. What does a game designer do?

Stojan: The short answer? A game designer is somebody that creates an experience that succeeds in maintaining the interest of a player for as long as possible, using various game design conventions.

The longer answer is that a Game Designer is the one who is responsible for a game’s core loop and builds out detailed specifications for features in the game. Depending on the type of game, this specification could include an overview of what the effect of certain features will be (short and long term), the proper math, the proper economy balance and impact, and the necessary high-level user experience flows.

The designer also has to verify any features before they are rolled out by ensuring that any new features are consistent with the game’s existing design. And, of course, a successful game designer needs to stay on top of the current trends in game design, particularly Free to Play trends. Read More

Big Viking Games Announces $10 Million Publishing Fund For HTML5 Messenger Instant Games

By | Announcements, HTML5, Tech | No Comments

HTML Mobile Instant Games

TORONTO and LONDON, ON – (November 29, 2016) – Big Viking Games, the largest independent mobile and social game studio in Canada and a pioneer in HTML5 Messenger Instant Games, is expanding the reach of its HTML5 initiatives today with the creation of a $10 million publishing fund to develop and distribute third-party content for messengers platforms in HTML5.

The Company is a founding launch partner on the Facebook Messenger Instant Gaming platform, and will lead with its addictive space-shooter, Galatron, on the platform on December 15. Along with Big Viking Games’ nearly five years of pioneering research and development in HTML5 messenger game development technology, developers will also have the support of its data science platform from Gallop Labs, a top Facebook awarded data science and marketing automation platform that Big Viking Games acquired earlier this year. With Big Viking Games customized HTML5 development and marketing platform, developers will have access to both cutting edge HTML5 development tools, as well as data science, user acquisition and advanced live operations abilities to create an ideal environment for third-party publishing. Read More

Deloitte Recognizes BVG on Technology Fast 50 and Fast 500 Lists

By | Awards, Culture | No Comments

Deloitte Fast 50

Big Viking Games has been named by Deloitte to its Technology Fast 50 list, which highlights the fastest growing tech companies in Canada. We have also been named to the Technology Fast 500, which honours the most promising tech organizations across the United States and Canada.

Specifically, Deloitte’s Technology Fast 50 and 500 lists recognize the companies with the highest percentage of revenue growth between 2012 and 2015. Big Viking finished with a fantastic 287% growth over that period which placed us at #46 on the Fast 50 list, and #333 on the Fast 500.

As Big Viking Games is still a relatively young company, this is the first year that we have been eligible to win this award. We are honoured to receive this recognition of the strength of our business, alongside the many accolades we’ve achieved in the past for our progressive studio culture. The awards show that not only is Big Viking an amazing place to work, but also that a great culture drives great results. Thank you Vikings for all your hard work!

We’d also like to congratulate all of the other organizations who were recognized. To see a complete list of winners, along with the selection criteria, visit the Deloitte Technology Fast 50 site.

 

Big Viking Games attracts $21.75 million in investment to increase its lead in HTML5 mobile instant games

By | Announcements, HTML5, Tech | No Comments

blogpostREAD THE OFFICIAL PRESS RELEASE

Years of investing in mobile instant gaming using HTML5 are paying off for Big Viking Games. We have received $21.75 million in funding so far to support our strategic initiatives, and we’re planning to raise $60 million more as we seek to partner with developers, publishers, agencies and brands to create the next generation of HTML5 experiences.

Big Viking Games’ focus on HTML5 stated way back in 2012.

“We made the decision to make significant investments in HTML5 instant games because we saw the potential of the technology and how it will define the future of mobile gaming and entertainment,” says BVG co-founder and CEO Albert Lai. “Others have moved away from HTML5 due to the technical investment required but we believe that open standards and more powerful devices will pave the way for a massive shift on mobile phones and tablets.” Read More

Five Years of Working at Big Viking Games

By | Career Advice, Culture, Games, Viking Profiles, YoWorld | No Comments

In October of 2011, Big Viking Games was formed. From that start with only 6 employees, to the BVG of today, with over 100 Vikings, our team has come a long way. Fish World and YoWorld, two of our earliest games, are still running strong, and years of research into HTML5 have paid off with titles like Tiny Tappers and Galatron.

To celebrate 5 years of BVG, we sat down with Gary Stevenson, Senior Product Manager for YoWorld and Fish World, who has been with us since the company started. From a humble beginning as a customer support representative, to now being responsible for two of our highest grossing games, Gary shares how he has grown at BVG in this Viking Profile.

Gary Stevenson Big Viking Games

How long have you been working at Big Viking Games?

Gary: I was actually hired prior to BVG’s existence, back in October of 2010, when we were still known as Tall Tree Games. So I guess you could say I’ve worked for Big Viking Games for its entire existence.

Please tell us what life was like at BVG when you started working here. Read More