Eric Ries' Blog: Startup Lessons Learned

This article highlights a new blog by Eric Ries, cofounder of IMVU, focusing on startup lessons learned, particularly in the realm of games and metrics. Ries, now a venture advisor for Kleiner Perkins, shares valuable insights from his experience building a successful games company.

IMVU: A Platform for Games and Social Interaction

IMVU is a virtual world platform that allows users to create and share 3D avatars, explore virtual environments, and interact with others. The platform boasts a thriving community of content creators and offers a unique blend of social interaction and game-like experiences.

• Over 1.7 million user-generated items have been uploaded to the IMVU catalog.
• Content creators retain intellectual property rights to their work.
• IMVU attracts a significant user base, with teens comprising the largest demographic group.

Eric Ries' Blog: Insights for Games and Startups

Eric Ries' blog, Startup Lessons Learned, delves into various aspects of building successful businesses, particularly within the games industry.

• Distribution Models for Online Businesses: Ries discusses common distribution models for online companies, offering insights into how businesses can reach their target audience.
• Gaining Distribution Advantages on the iPhone: The blog explores strategies for gaining a distribution advantage on the iPhone, a crucial platform for mobile games.
• Market Research for Product Feedback: Ries provides practical advice on how to conduct market research and gather valuable product feedback.
• A/B Testing Products: The blog emphasizes the importance of A/B testing for optimizing products and improving user experiences.

Kleiner Perkins' Growing Focus on Games

Kleiner Perkins, a prominent venture capital firm, has been actively investing in games companies, demonstrating a growing focus on the sector.

Bing Gordon, a Kleiner Perkins partner and cofounder of Electronic Arts, has spearheaded investments in leading games companies, including:

• Zynga: A social gaming powerhouse with popular titles like FarmVille and Words with Friends.
• Ngmoco: A mobile games company founded by veterans of Electronic Arts.
• GoGii: A mobile games company founded by the Jamdat founders.

This strategic focus reflects the growing significance of games as a major segment of the tech industry, particularly in the realms of social gaming and mobile games.

The Intersection of Social Web and Games

Kleiner Perkins' portfolio of games companies highlights the convergence of social media and gaming, creating new opportunities for innovation and growth.

Chi-Hua Chien, a Kleiner Perkins partner who sourced Facebook for Accel Partners, brings valuable expertise to the intersection of social web and games. His insights contribute to Kleiner Perkins' strategic investments in this rapidly evolving sector.

Venture Capital and the Games Industry

Venture capital firms like Kleiner Perkins are actively investing in the games industry, recognizing its immense potential for growth and innovation.

These investments support the development of new games, technologies, and platforms, driving the industry forward. The focus on mobile games, social gaming, and the convergence of social media and gaming reflects the evolving trends within the industry.

Eric Ries' blog and Kleiner Perkins' investment strategy demonstrate the increasing importance of metrics, data-driven decision making, and user feedback in the development of successful games.

Key Takeaways for Games and Startups

The article highlights several key takeaways for those interested in the games industry and startup world:

• Data-Driven Decision Making: Metrics and data play a crucial role in driving growth and success in both games and startups.
• User Feedback: Listening to and responding to user feedback is essential for product development and optimization.
• Mobile Games: Mobile games are a significant segment of the gaming industry with immense potential for growth.
• Social Gaming: Social gaming continues to evolve, creating new opportunities for engagement and revenue generation.

Eric Ries' blog offers valuable insights into the challenges and opportunities of building successful games and startups. Kleiner Perkins' investment strategy highlights the growing importance of games as a key segment of the tech industry.