Matt hosts Robbie Singh, founder of Omeda Studios, on Progression's Founder Spotlight Episode 1. Robbie shares his journey from a university student creating gaming content to founding a video game company. He discusses the evolution of Omeda Studios, from bootstrapping to securing a $20 million Series A. Key insights include the power of community, the impact of innovative game development, and targeted advice for aspiring founders. The episode underscores Robbie's vision to empower players in the gaming landscape while navigating the challenges of startup growth with strategic investor relationships.
About the Guest(s):
Robbie Singh is the founder of Omeda Studios, a promising video game development company focused on creating a AAA third-person MOBA (Multiplayer Online Battle Arena) for PC and console. Robbie's journey in the gaming industry began as a content creator, where he gained prominence for his work on Epic Games' Paragon. Witnessing the vibrant community around Paragon, he capitalized on his understanding of community dynamics to build Omeda Studios alongside his co-founders. Through determination and strategic vision, Singh has successfully guided the company from its grassroots beginnings to securing significant venture capital funding and support from Epic Games.
Episode Summary:
In the inaugural episode of Progression Founder Spotlight, host Matt welcomes Robbie Singh, the ingenious mind behind Omeda Studios, to delve into the backstory of a thriving gaming startup. Robbie shares his path from being an enthusiastic content creator in 2016 to founding a company focused on developing a AAA third-person MOBA. Drawn by the viral gaming phenomenon and his engagement with Paragon fans, Singh embraced the community's energy, effectively leveraging it to establish Omeda Studios and secure pivotal investment rounds.
Robbie discusses the challenges and victories in evolving Omeda Studios from a passionate side project to a well-funded venture. The episode highlights his strategic pivot following Paragon's shutdown, illustrating his commitment to the community-driven development ethos. Through adept use of networking and pitching skills, Singh recounts how Omeda Studios successfully secured a $20 million Series A funding round, emphasizing the importance of clear vision and robust planning in gaining investor confidence. This episode delivers an inspiring narrative on realizing gaming industry dreams through community strength and entrepreneurial grit.
Key Takeaways:
Content to Company: Robbie Singh evolved from a content creator to a founder by leveraging community engagement with Paragon, setting the foundation for Omeda Studios.
Community Power: The shutdown of Paragon showcased the power of community, motivating Singh to fill the void left for his dedicated followers.
Funding Journey: Omeda Studios' path from bootstrap operations to raising a $20 million Series A highlights the importance of strategic planning and investor alignment.
Pitch Refinement: Constructive feedback and iteration on pitch decks are crucial for securing investment, as Singh demonstrated through his experience.
Innovative Vision: Omeda Studios aims to empower players with creation tools, simulating the success seen in games like Fortnite and Roblox.
Building Games and Communities: The Rise of Omeda Studios with Robbie Singh
Video game startups are often viewed as passion projects driven by a blend of creativity and dedication. In the first episode of Progression Founder Spotlight, we meet Robbie Singh, the founder of Omeda Studios, whose journey exemplifies the convergence of community building and entrepreneurship in game development. Robbie’s dynamic story, as shared with host Matt, offers insights into starting a video game company amidst challenges, leveraging community passion, and navigating the intricacies of raising venture capital.
The Power of Community in Video Game Development
Robbie Singh’s narrative begins with a compelling realization of community potential. When Epic Games shut down their game Paragon in 2018, Robbie saw a void that needed filling. Recognizing the game’s passionate fanbase, he decided to harness this collaborative energy to create something new. As he notes, "For the first time, I'd really seen the power of community where people were really upset that this game had died."
This community-centric approach became foundational to Omeda Studios’ development. By collaborating with fans and integrating their feedback, Robbie and his team built a game that resonated with an already invested audience. The emphasis was on maintaining authenticity and acknowledging the community’s role, which Robbie highlights: "If I can just get an investor to look at my community, they're going to see what I see - all these passionate people."
Robbie’s advocacy for community inclusivity underscores a potent strategy for indie developers. Beyond just creating games, it is about building spaces where gamers feel heard and valued, ultimately transforming dedicated fans into vocal advocates.
Strategic Fundraising: From Bootstrapping to Series A
In balancing creative aspirations with financial realities, Robbie’s journey navigating venture capital epitomizes strategic fundraising. Initially working with limited resources, he emphasized the importance of decisiveness and clarity when transitioning from bootstrapping to securing external funding. As he states, "And wanting to give [the community] as polished an experience as possible was one of the reasons why we wanted to raise money."
Robbie achieved a notable milestone by raising a venture round and receiving Epic Games’ Megagrant, which provided the momentum needed to develop a high-quality product. The transition to a successful Series A round was marked by transparency and preparedness. Robbie’s pragmatic outlook is evident: "Once you start dealing with larger sums of money, you need to be much more cohesive in your vision."
The journey from humble beginnings to a $20 million Series A serves as an inspiring blueprint for startups. It accentuates the value of adapting to investor expectations through iterative feedback and enhances the ability to pivot challenges into growth opportunities.
Empowering Player Creativity: The Future of Gaming
Progress rarely stagnates, especially within the gaming industry. Recognizing and adapting to trends that empower user agency is key to enduring success. Robbie discusses how their vision extends to giving players creative control, an emerging trend that's reshaping the industry. As he suggests, "Something that's really exciting us is giving the power to players to create the things that they want to create."
Following the trajectory set by Fortnite's creative modes and similar platforms like Roblox and Minecraft, Omeda Studios envisions providing gamers with AAA visual fidelity and creative tools. This approach aligns with increasing consumer desire to participate actively in content creation.
As game development intricacies deepen, offering players agency transforms standard interaction into co-creation. This paradigm shift not only sustains engagement but also nurtures innovation from the ground up, fortifying community ties and ecosystem longevity.
In reimagining how players interact with virtual worlds, Robbie's forward-thinking perspective offers a glimpse into what's next—not merely in terms of technology but in fostering a participatory culture across gaming communities.
Omeda Studios’ journey from inception to disruption outlines a roadmap marked by resilience, adaptability, and unwavering community focus. Through strategic alignment with stakeholder needs and empowering players as creators, Robbie Singh transcends traditional boundaries, shaping the future of immersive gaming. By building on foundations of passion and support, Omeda Studios reflects a catalytic force in the evolving digital landscape.