Data Driven Game Development

This book covers how data can be used to develop and improve video games from multiple aspects, based on the author’s extensive experience working in the video game industry for over 16 years. The book is a comprehensive tool for learning about data of various types, including analytics, research, and financial. It details a journey of building up from zero data maturity to full data maturity, covering both analytics and UX research departments, using case studies from real life scenarios. By the end of this book, readers will have a better understanding about gathering and analysing data, then presenting actionable insights that lead to a better game and a better player experience. This book will be ideal for any aspiring or existing games industry professional looking to understand how to use data to build better games.

Nicklaus Goh has been working with data in the video game industry for over 16 years, at Creative Assembly, Sega, and King (Microsoft). He has contributed to dozens of video games, spanning genres like strategy, Match3, simulation, first-person shooters, horror, CCGs (collectible card games), MOBAs (multiplayer online battle arena), racing, and puzzle games. He helped build up an analytics department and then subsequently started and built up his own UX research department.