The Globe and Mail: From the Maritimes, game developer builds bridge to Silicon Valley

THE CHALLENGE

George Donovan, owner of Gogii Games Corp., a Moncton-based developer of interactive games, knew that the choice of location for his company was one challenge that would never change.

Disruptive technologies had changed the way the video-gaming industry worked, moving away from large video-game developers to independent producers spread around the globe. This shift had empowered individuals with unique skill sets to provide gaming content for hardware platforms, such as the iPhone and Android devices, from anywhere in the world.

Although the software side of the business could be farmed out remotely, the big players who controlled the production and financing sides of games continued to be in Silicon Valley, and Mr. Donovan knew that’s where he had to be to physically connect with the industry, customers and investors if he wanted to set up his own production and development business and grow.

Yet, he was not willing to sacrifice the lifestyle choice that residing in the Maritimes provided.

His choice was simple: Move to Silicon Valley to grow exponentially, or stay in Moncton and find a way to make it big.

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THE RESULT

Mr. Donovan’s strategy has worked well. The company has successfully established itself as a niche producer for his target market in the hidden objects game genre, in which players move through levels by finding hidden objects and treasures.

Since 2006, the company has produced 48 games, with 13 No. 1 hits based on downloads. The success of his strategy has led to aggressive development of new games, which has been accomplished by increasing his footprint in the Moncton office, to more than 50 employees, as well as establishing partnerships with development studios in Prague, Romania, France, Kiev and Halifax.

The growth was accomplished by plowing his profits back into the business, rather than relying on traditional outside investors, the industry norm.

Gogii recently launched its latest offering, Attack of the Groupie,” a tongue-in-cheek game inspired by Shannon Tweed’s life looking at the hazards of fame, in which she , battles hordes of groupies.

Mr. Donovan feels strongly that other entrepreneurs in the Maritimes who want to replicate his success in the technology realm must establish a strong bridge with Silicon Valley to gain the connections, venture capital and channels for distribution – all of which he had to do himself at considerable cost and time.