One of the standout successes for Tinybuild is the game Kingmakers, which went viral on social media and garnered over 18 million views. The company tested the game early on with a solo developer and gradually built up enthusiasm before releasing it to the public. Duckside, another popular title, was initially announced as an April Fool’s joke with a humorous trailer that attracted over 70,000 sign-ups for the playtest. The game reached a peak of 1,600 concurrent users during the playtest.
Level Zero Extraction is another game that has seen a shift in its development. Originally announced as an asymmetric horror game, the team decided to pivot it into a multiplayer hardcore survival shooter game. The re-announcement of the game with a new trailer generated renewed interest.
During the Steam Next Festival, Tinybuild saw significant success with its playtests and demos. Players spent a total of one million hours in-game playing three of Tinybuild’s games: Level Zero Extraction, Duckside, and Drill Core. These games all share a common theme of being designed to be played for 1,000 hours.
Nichiporchik believes that if players spend a significant amount of time in a game, it increases the chances of long-term sustainability and success. He emphasizes the importance of verifying that players actually want what a developer is creating through playtesting and data analysis. Nichiporchik cites games like Rust as examples of successful 1,000-hour games, where players’ progression is their skill and winning is defined by their own goals and achievements.
Tinybuild’s focus on creating games with high replayability, social interaction, and emergent gameplay aims to capture the attention of players in a saturated and competitive industry. The company aims to provide players with unique experiences that they can continue playing for hundreds or even thousands of hours. By investing in playtests, early access, and community engagement, Tinybuild believes it can build a loyal player base and ensure the long-term success of its games.
Overall, Tinybuild’s recent successes and its commitment to creating 1,000-hour games demonstrate the company’s dedication to delivering engaging and immersive experiences for players. Through innovative marketing efforts, playtesting, and a focus on emergent gameplay, Tinybuild aims to stand out in a crowded market and provide players with games that they can enjoy for years to come.
