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PC Connects London 2019 - Meet the Speakers - Thomas Bidaux, Ico Partners

PC Connects London 2019 - Meet the Speakers - Thomas Bidaux, Ico Partners

Ahead of PC Connects London 2019 on January 21st and 22nd we are catching up with some of the big names that we have on-stage at the show.

Making his third appearance at a PC Connects event is Thomas Bidaux from Ico Partners who is going to be sharing his insight into the crowdfunding market at the show. We caught up with the man himself to find out more

Tell us a bit about the company. What does your role entail?

Ico Partners is a video games consulting agency, with expertise in online games and crowdfunding. I support video game companies with their strategy, providing expert advice and an external perspective, backed by market research. I also work with crowdfunding campaigns to maximise their chances of success.

Why did you want to work in the games industry?

I can't remember. I was massively into games, I had relevant skill sets for a role that was advertised, and I said: "Why not me?". The last 19 years have been a rollercoaster. 

What advice would you give to anyone looking to get into it?

Be thorough, make sure you understand the context of the industry, especially the niche you want to get into. We have all made massive mistakes, but they are been repeated all the time.

And very importantly, make sure you are pro-active in getting involved in the industry. There is more than one way to get started.

What are your thoughts on the industry in the last 12 months?

Specifically for crowdfunding, the space has been quite stable lately. It doesn't explode, but it doesn't tank either. If anything, it feels like there should be more.

What major trends do you predict in the next 12 months?

Again, around crowdfunding, I hope we see the main platform, Kickstarter, adopt new features that have been missing for too long now, alongside with an easier way to create project.

That would not necessarily draw a massive growth, but it would help adoption from creators I think.

I wonder if Fig will have a significant project as their pace has slowed down very significantly.

How has the games industry changed since you first started?

The industry used to be all about selling boxes in shops... Now, games are all embracing their online components, making for new challenges and new opportunities.
I used to work in part of the industry considered niche (online), it is now very relevant to any video game project

Which part of the Connects event are you most looking forward to and why?

I am looking forward to meeting new people. Last year I had very refreshing meetings from different actors of the industry I would have not met otherwise.

Tickets for just PC Connects London 2019 are available right here, with tickets for the entire show on sale here  - buy now to save big. 

More info about the event can be found right here


PCGamesInsider Contributing Editor

Alex Calvin is a freelance journalist who writes about the business of games. He started out at UK trade paper MCV in 2013 and left as deputy editor over three years later. In June 2017, he joined Steel Media as the editor for new site PCGamesInsider.biz. In October 2019 he left this full-time position at the company but still contributes to the site on a daily basis. He has also written for GamesIndustry.biz, VGC, Games London, The Observer/Guardian and Esquire UK.