Ahead of PC Connects Seattle 2019 on May 13th and 14th, we are catching up with some of the big names that we have on-stage at the show.
Today Adam Lieb from Gamesight tells us about how he got into games and shares his thoughts on the market
Tell us a bit about the company.
Gamesight empowers publishers to build strong communities, engage the right influencers, and effectively measure marketing performance.
What does your role entail?
As CEO I am primarily in charge of raising money from top investors, recruiting an ace team, and working with customers to ensure we are providing the best products and services.
Why did you want to work in the games industry?
As a kid I hated being told to "stop playing games it is a waste of time." I was determined to turn my passion into a profession. I started my first gaming website when I was 11. It did fairly well and it was ultimately purchased by IGN. I never looked back.
What advice would you give to anyone looking to get into it?
Just do it. I hear in interviews all the time "oh I'm so excited to work for a company in gaming, I hated working in industry X." Just do it. Gaming has very non-linear job growth. People join the industry from everywhere with varied skill sets. Rather than waiting for the perfect job or the perfect opportunity, I'd advise just getting started. Find an opportunity and get in the door then navigate from there.
What are your thoughts on the industry in the last 12 months?
2018 felt like a huge year in gaming. Fornite helped prove the power of a truly cross-platform game. Game store competition finally started heating up. It definitely felt like a major turn.
What major trends do you predict in the next 12 months?
Increasing competition in the games storefront space. Increased focus on content creators as not just media outlets but as partners. We will also see an increased focus on performance-based user acquisition. That will be coupled with a continued shift towards cross-platform and service-based games.
How has the games industry changed since you first started?
I started 21 years ago, so it has really changed in too many ways to count. One major shift I have seen is the infusion of science and analytical thinking. Games fundamentally creative endeavours. The best games are built by the most creative people with the best visions, no doubt. However over the years I have seen an increased emphasis put on the analytical. I now believe the best games built by teams with a proper mix of the two.
Which part of the Connects event are you most looking forward to and why?
I've actually never been and I've been to a ton of industry shows. I'm very much looking forward to getting a sense of the event and meeting new people.
Tickets for PC Connects Seattle 2019 and Pocket Gamer Connects Seattle 2019 are available right here
More info about the event can be found right here.