EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW: ‘Studios Can’t Simply Build a Game and Hope Players Arrive’—Eden Chen
In an exclusive interview, Eden Chen, CEO of FirstLook, a playtesting and analytics firm specializing in player engagement and creator marketing, discusses how modern game studios must prioritize community building from the earliest stages of development. Chen argues that studios can no longer rely on simply launching a game and hoping players will arrive—instead, successful titles require deliberate ecosystem development and ongoing engagement strategies.
The interview emphasizes the critical importance of accessibility features and player feedback throughout the development cycle, reflecting a significant industry shift in how games are brought to market. Studios are now building and nurturing communities much earlier than in previous industry eras, recognizing that player investment and trust are essential to a game’s success.
The conversation references a Newzoo report on Grand Theft Auto 6’s projected earnings potential, which could exceed $5 billion in its opening week. This success is largely attributed to the franchise’s established community and brand loyalty. The comparison underscores the substantial challenges developers face when launching new intellectual properties in a competitive market, where community engagement and consumer trust are paramount to commercial viability.