Multiple perspectives on video game prototyping in a business accelerator

What is it about?

The paper looks at two aspects of a business accelerator designed indie video game companies. First, how does the accelerator change prototypes and choices early on in a product's lifecycle. Second, how does the accelerator affect participating companies during and after the program. A six-week long accelerator program featuring 10 indie video game companies was analyzed. The main methods were participant observation and interviews. The main findings: (1) Accelerator participants created 42 prototype games, (2) two companies received additional funding, but (3) no games were released within one year of the program. The definition of "success" for those involved changed over the course of the program.

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Photo by charlesdeluvio on Unsplash

Photo by charlesdeluvio on Unsplash

Why is it important?

This is the first study looking at a formal video game development accelerator. It takes three different perspectives to provide a more rounded view on these types of programs and experiences. We conclude that accelerators are more complex than just the organizational structure or the product output. The accelerator may rapidly generate ideas or prototypes, but this does not guarantee a quicker final product release.