Team17 emphasizes the importance for indie developers to showcase a clear understanding of player preferences

During a session at Devcom, Jasper Barnes from Team17 shared insights on how indie publishers decide on games to back, emphasizing the importance of understanding player interests to make a game's release successful.

Barnes highlighted the necessity of a game's appeal to players as a critical factor in securing attention and investment.

"I think people often make it more complicated than it needs to be. It can be as straightforward as reflecting on an emotion, a beloved previous title, or another cultural phenomenon – it doesn't have to be overly complex," he mentioned.

Illustrating with an example, Barnes described a game concept he has long wished to see brought to life.

"I've expressed for years my desire for an old school survival horror akin to the scene from Jurassic Park with the kids evading a dinosaur in the kitchen. If someone is creating that, I'd eagerly invest in it."

The essence of a game doesn't have to conform to a traditional gaming genre or trope, according to Barnes.

"It can be the nostalgia, the unique moment, the reason why players would get excited about it."

A unique concept can build into replayability, a crucial factor Barnes stressed as essential in today's competitive market.

"Capturing player interest over the long term is incredibly challenging now," he noted. "A common error we notice is pitches that rely on a 20-hour narrative with character nuances, assuming players will be hooked. But if they're not engaged within the first minutes, none of that matters."

"You need to demonstrate that you understand what players are looking for and what they enjoy"

"It's crucial to show you grasp what players seek and enjoy, as that will keep them engaged in the early phases," he added.

Barnes acknowledged replayability is tough to gauge, yet it's among the top criteria publishers consider when evaluating games for investment.

"At Team17, we sift through about 4,000 pitches annually to decide which ones to support," he explained, adding that demos significantly aid in assessing gameplay and mechanics.

"Demos help identify games that have nailed their mechanics and are delivering on their promise," he stated.

He also observed, "That instinctive desire to return to a game is invaluable. It occurs rarely, but when it does, it's a sign of potential success."

Finally, Barnes discussed the importance of developers being receptive to feedback for a fruitful collaboration.

"Publishers aim to offer feedback on games, even if they like them," he pointed out.

Barnes continued, "Constructive feedback stems from eagerness and shared excitement. We're looking for developers who reciprocate this enthusiasm and consider suggestions like, 'That's a great idea, let's try it.'"

"This approach fosters excitement about both the game and the partnership. Instead of dismissing feedback outright, collaboration can transform the game into something outstanding, harnessing combined experiences to craft a project to be proud of."