Game Development in a Distributed Environment

Ólafur Andri RagnarssonBetware, Reykjavik University,

Icelandic Gaming Industry

Revenues

Head Quarters Betware Reykjavík

Betware DKBröndbyDenmark

Betware Solutions CA

Kamloops, BC

CertusOdense

DenmarkBetware MadridSpain

Betware Sp. z o.o.WarsawPoland

Betware currently has 101 employees worldwide

1995 Internet disruption

8

Lottery SalesLottery Sales % Change Year on Year 2003-2008

The traditional products are declining

Photo by: OlsenWeb http://www.flickr.com/photos/olsenweb/

For new games, New Media is mainstream

Key Observation

People will have more computing power on their person whereever they go

Key Observation

People will have constantconnectivity

Key Observation

Price is ready for mass-adoption

Key Observation

People will use multiple devices

Technology Adaption

Early Adaptors Mass Market Laggards

Super Smart PhonesInternet TV stationsE-book ReadersNetbooks

Big ScreenTV, Video Games

Many PersonsLocal

Entertainment

Personal ScreenDesktop, Laptop,

Single PersonSome Portability

Work

Small ScreenPhones, Netbooks,

eReaders

Single PersonEasy portability

Mobility

The Three Screens Strategy

Computing Power

What do Consumers Want?

Computing Power Network Connectivity

What do Consumers Want?

Computing Power Network Connectivity Social Interaction

What do Consumers Want?

Entertainment

Social

In 2006 Betware decided to introduce Agile development methods

Image from: http://flatlands.ecclectica.ca/team.htm

Today there are 12 teamsin our 6 locations

Question: How do you mange distributed teams?

Answer: Don’t distribute your teams

All the tools needed: IP phone system, Office Communicator, TeamViewer, Confluence Wiki, JIRA, GreenHopper…

“Pubs and Planes”

Project Silos – Component TeamsScrum-of-scrums

“Any piece of software reflects the organizational

structure that produced it”Conway’s Law