Behind The Pixels: Katowice European City of Science 2024

One week ago, with Jujubee S.A. we were just returning from Poznań Game Arena and Game Industry Conference. After a few days to rest and reset, we’re diving into another week full of new challenges and exciting opportunities, especially as Katowice City - live, work & invest has been officially named the European City of Science 2024 (ECSK 2024). This prestigious title, awarded by EuroScience and supported by the European Commission, brings science, technology, and innovation to the heart of our city.
This upcoming week is “Game Week,” and as a Katowice-based game studio, we’re thrilled to be part of the action. Starting on Wednesday, November 6th, we’ll be participating in “Around Esports”, a dynamic event hosted by the Esports Association. Besides watching top Silesian teams compete in CS tournaments, visitors can test out our latest game demos for Dark Moon and Emerald Caravan. I’ll also be leading an “Ask Me Anything” session on starting a career in game development at 10:20 AM at the Kato Science Corner.

Then, on Saturday, November 9th, I’ll have the honor of participating in the Green Gaming Seminar – Games for Climates with STRATEGIES and Katowice ECS at the Auditorium of the Silesian Museum (Muzeum Śląskie). Many thanks to the University of Silesia (Uniwersytet Śląski w Katowicach) and Center for Game Studies at the University of Silesia (Centrum Badań Groznawczych UŚ) for the invitation! I’ll be part of Panel 1: Making Games in a Time of Climate Crisis from 11:00 AM to 12:30 PM, alongside incredible speakers including Ruth Eggel (Cologne Game Lab), Aleksander Kauch (11 bit studios S.A.), Matthes Linder (SpielFabrique), Lukáš Kolek (Charles Games), Trevin York (Dire Lark) and Jiri Kupiainen, Maria Wagner from (Sustainable Games Alliance.

Both events are free to attend, and we would love to see you there!

Details:
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Behind The Pixels: PGA and GIC

And just like that, it's time to head home after an incredible experience at GIC and PGA! These past three days have been intense yet rewarding for our team at Jujubee S.A. We had the great pleasure of showcasing demos for Dark Moon, Emerald Caravan, Realpolitiks 3, and Maggie’s Movies. Seeing players engage firsthand with what we’ve created—and hearing their invaluable feedback—has been truly fulfilling.
Alongside PGA, we also had the opportunity to join the Game Industry Conference (GIC), and I’m grateful for all the meetings and amazing networking moments. It was wonderful to meet new people, reconnect with familiar faces, and share insights.

Thank you to everyone who signed up for the mentoring program; I only wish I could have accepted all the requests. If you'd still like to connect, feel free to reach out via priv!

To top it off, I had the chance to participate in the Ask Us Anything panel on artificial intelligence. Thanks to everyone who joined the discussion!

Behind The Pixels: Games Week in the European City of Science Katowice

🚀 Soon there will be Week 44 in the European City of Science Katowice – and this time, it’s all about Games Week! 🎮

On November 6th, the Katowice Science Corner will host the event “Around Esports,” featuring a CS2 tournament, a gaming zone, and industry talks.

Together with Jujubee S.A., we are collaborating with the Esports Association, so you can find us at gaming zone and catch me during a special AMA session on “Your First Job in Game Development.” 🎤

Looking forward to seeing you there! 👋 😊

Indie Time: Eternal Strands

 Quebec-based Yellow Brick Games has announced that Eternal Strands, an action-adventure fantasy game, will be available on Xbox Game Pass from day one when it launches in Q1 2025. Revealed during the Xbox Partner Preview on October 17, 2024, this third-person action-packed game promises to deliver a unique experience filled with magic, exploration, and epic battles.

A Glimpse of What’s to Come: The Cast & Combine Trailer

The recently unveiled Cast & Combine gameplay trailer showcases the Highland Iceclaw—a massive, flying creature that will force players to rethink their combat strategies. Players will dodge its devastating ice attacks or use kinetic powers to leap onto its back for mid-air combat.

The gameplay mechanics revealed emphasize a strategic synergy between magic and combat. Players will be encouraged to combine different elemental powers—such as frost, flame, and kinetic energy—to adapt their combat style and conquer tough enemies. The world of Eternal Strands is filled with colossal creatures called Epics and other powerful foes that can be defeated, respawned, and re-challenged using different strategies to harvest their magical threads or gather rare resources.

A Word From Yellow Brick Games

“We’re very happy to share the news with Game Pass subscribers today, and we’re convinced they will enjoy the ‘cast & combine’ freedom and the epic battles our game has to offer. The team is very excited for this partnership with Xbox and the opportunity this will bring to allow more players to experience Eternal Strands when it releases early next year. We can’t wait to see the players’ reactions.”

• Thomas Giroux, CEO of Yellow Brick Games

Launching on the Epic Games Store

In addition to its Game Pass debut, Eternal Strands will also be available on the Epic Games Store at launch. This announcement was made earlier this month at Unreal Fest in Seattle, where Yellow Brick Games' CTO, Louis Tremblay, spoke about the intricate physics system they developed using Unreal Engine 5 to create a highly interactive world, with advanced physics that impact the character Brynn, the Epics, and the game’s environments.

What to Expect in Eternal Strands:

• Challenge Your Creativity: Combine magical powers and enchanted weapons to craft your unique combat style.
• Interactive Environments: Use the world as your weapon—burn, freeze, and destroy objects in your surroundings to overcome enemies.
• Epic Climbing: Scale massive surfaces and colossal enemies during intense combat scenarios.
• A Vibrant World: Explore a rich world full of secrets, supported by a warm cast of characters.

Stay tuned for the official release date and more exciting updates as we get closer to the launch of Eternal Strands in early 2025.

Behind The Pixels: GIC - AUA: Navigating the AI Frontier

The seventh anniversary of my work at Jujubee is approaching. A work during which, apart from working on games, I have spent a lot of time focusing on artificial intelligence. During this period, we have completed two large R&D projects centered on AI: “Development of a Framework for Building AI Behavior Systems in Multi-Actor Real-Time Strategy Games - GS-AIM” and “Development of the Grand Strategy Engine Tool for Designing Multi-Actor Grand Strategy Games in Real-Time or Turn-Based Modes and Its Integration with the Grand Strategy Artificial Intelligence Mechanism (GSAIM)”. Of course, each of our games also required some form of artificial intelligence. Thanks to my experience at Jujubee, I was able to join the Artificial Intelligence Working Group (GRAI) at the Ministry of Digital Affairs last month. I hope this will allow me to contribute to creating safe and supportive conditions for the development of this technology in our country. I will have the pleasure of discussing my experiences with artificial intelligence, its business potential, and its applications in video game production at the next GIC, during the AUA panel. I warmly invite you! And if you're not interested in this topic but would like to meet up, Jujubee will have a stand at PGA, where you are more than welcome to visit.

Game Producers' Gold Pixels: Tip #50 - Navigating the World of Game Budgets

Greetings, visionary game creators and dedicated producers!

In our ongoing exploration of the world of game production, we reach a pivotal aspect of bringing your creative visions to life: game budgets. Understanding and managing your game budget is essential to ensure that your project remains financially sustainable and successful.

Tip #50 - Navigating the World of Game Budgets

Game budgets are the financial lifelines of your projects. Mastery in this area is crucial for a game producer. Here's your next gold pixel, focusing on this vital aspect of game production:

"Balancing Creativity and Cost: Navigating the World of Game Budgets"

Define Project Scope: Clearly define the scope of your game, including gameplay features, art assets, audio, and other elements that impact the budget.

Budget Categories: Create a detailed breakdown of the budget, categorizing expenses such as development, marketing, art, sound, quality assurance, and contingency.

Contingency Fund: Set aside a contingency fund to address unexpected costs or changes in project scope. This is a crucial safety net for staying on track.

Realistic Revenue Projections: Project revenue realistically, considering different monetization models, target markets, and player behavior.

Monitoring and Adjusting: Continuously monitor the budget throughout the project and be prepared to make adjustments if necessary.

Transparency and Communication: Foster open communication about the budget with your team, investors, and stakeholders to ensure everyone is on the same page.

The Art of Financial Management

Navigating the world of game budgets is an art as much as a science. By striking a balance between creativity and cost-effectiveness, you can ensure that your game projects are financially sustainable and ultimately successful.

In future posts, we'll continue to explore various aspects of game production, industry trends, and more. Your feedback and questions are always welcome. If there's a specific topic you'd like us to explore or if you have experiences to share, please don't hesitate to reach out.

Thank you for being a vital part of our community. More golden pixels await on this journey through the world of game production!

Best regards,

Mateusz Hyla 

Executive Producer

Game Producers' Gold Pixels: Tip #49 - Navigating the World of Mobile Games

Hello, esteemed game creators and dedicated producers!

In our ongoing exploration of the world of game production, we arrive at a dynamic and ever-expanding realm: mobile games. Mobile gaming has become a powerhouse in the industry, offering unique opportunities and challenges for game producers and developers.

Tip #49 - Navigating the World of Mobile Games

Mobile games have transformed the way we play and connect with gamers worldwide. Understanding the intricacies of the mobile gaming landscape is key to success. Here's your next gold pixel, focusing on this vital aspect of game production:

"Unveiling Mobile Magic: Navigating the World of Mobile Games"

Platform Diversity: Recognize the vast diversity of mobile platforms, from iOS and Android to emerging platforms, each with its audience and requirements.

Casual Appeal: Mobile games often cater to casual gamers. Simplicity, accessibility, and pick-up-and-play experiences are highly valued.

Monetization Strategies: Explore various monetization models, such as in-app purchases, ads, and premium pricing, and choose the one that aligns with your game's design.

User Acquisition: Understand the importance of effective user acquisition strategies, including app store optimization (ASO), marketing, and community building.

Updates and Live Ops: Mobile games thrive on regular content updates and live operations to keep players engaged and foster long-term relationships.

Quality and Polish: Ensure that your mobile game is polished, bug-free, and optimized for the various devices and screen sizes it may encounter.

Mastering Mobile Game Production

Mobile games represent a unique avenue for creativity and success in the gaming industry. By mastering the dynamics of the mobile gaming world, you can unlock the potential to reach millions of players and create captivating gaming experiences.

In future posts, we'll continue to explore various aspects of game production, industry trends, and more. Your feedback and questions are always welcome. If there's a specific topic you'd like us to explore or if you have experiences to share, please don't hesitate to reach out.

Thank you for being a vital part of our community. More golden pixels await on this journey through the world of game production!

Best regards,

Mateusz Hyla

Executive Producer