Suggestions
Chris Heintz
Founding partner @ Ignition Facility, building incredible game communities.
Professional Background
Chris Heintz is a celebrated veteran in the games publishing industry, recognized for his pivotal role in helping online game studios build, cultivate, and activate vibrant and engaged communities. With a career spanning numerous successful roles in reputable organizations, Chris has consistently demonstrated his commitment to enhancing player relationships and promoting exceptional communication strategies within the gaming sector.
Chris began his professional journey in the tech industry as a Mobile Computing Technician at Bank of America. There, he honed his technical skills, providing support that fine-tuned his problem-solving abilities and communication techniques. Following this initial experience, Chris transitioned into the realm of public relations with Arizona Technology Enterprises, where he served as a Public Relations Intern. This early role sparked his passion for communication and engagement, laying the groundwork for his future career.
In the following years, Chris ascended through the ranks, serving as Account Director at Triplepoint, where he leveraged his expertise in public relations to create successful promotion strategies. He then took on a more specialized role as the Public Relations Manager for Central Player Relations at Riot Games. While at Riot Games, Chris played a crucial role in formulating strategies to enhance player experience and community engagement, solidifying his reputation as a leader in player relations.
After his impactful tenure at Riot Games, Chris joined Amazon as Discipline Lead for Player Relations. His work there involved developing innovative strategies that put player feedback at the heart of content creation, further showcasing his dedication to community engagement. Chris later became a Founding Partner at Ignition Facility, where he continues to use his talents to assist online game studios in crafting compelling narratives and fostering communities centered around their games.
Education and Achievements
Chris Heintz’s educational background is robust, holding a Bachelor of Arts in Communication and Journalism from the esteemed Arizona State University, particularly through the Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication. This program is renowned for producing skilled communicators and storytellers, and Chris’s education laid the foundation for his exceptional career in public relations and player engagement.
In addition to his formal education, Chris is an advocate for lifelong learning and is continually looking to enhance his skills and knowledge in the ever-evolving gaming landscape. His ability to adapt to trends and identify the needs of communities is a testament to his commitment to excellence in his field.
Achievements
Chris Heintz’s career is punctuated with numerous significant achievements that highlight his effectiveness as a leader and innovator. Some noteworthy accomplishments include establishing himself as a thought leader in online gaming community dynamics, exemplified through his leadership roles at several influential companies in the gaming industry. As a founding partner at Ignition Facility, Chris has successfully helped various game studios implement community engagement strategies that have led to increased player retention and satisfaction.
His prior role as Public Relations Manager at Riot Games was marked by his ability to bridge the gap between players and developers, ensuring that player feedback was not only heard but also integrated into the game development process. His work at Amazon as Discipline Lead for Player Relations allowed him to further expand his impact on player relations, elevating user experiences through data-driven insights and engagement methodologies.
Furthermore, Chris has also served as an Advisor at Bad Fox Studios and as a Partner at The Waterthread Group, where he utilized his expertise to guide studios in navigating the complex landscapes of community management and communication strategies. His extensive background in public relations, coupled with a deep understanding of player behavior, has made him a sought-after consultant and expert in the field.
In summary, Chris Heintz is not only a veteran leader in the games publishing industry but also a passionate advocate for fostering meaningful connections between players and game developers. His educational background in communication and journalism, combined with his extensive professional experience across multiple high-profile organizations, positions him as a key influencer in online gaming communities. With a track record of strategic thinking and successful community engagement, Chris continues to shape the future of gaming through his innovative approaches and dedication to player satisfaction.
Highlights
I’m in the middle of a project that has been an absolute whirlwind, and thought I’d share a little about why it’s been so much fun. ZeroSpace from Starlance Studios is a next-gen, cinematic RTS powered by pro players. Its Kickstarter (https://lnkd.in/gGTDT5D2), which launched on Friday, blasted through its initial goal in mere hours, and today is nearly 300% funded (approaching $300,000) with nearly a month left to go.
Here’s why I think it’s going well:
-
Underserved Market: Real-time strategy has been all but written off by big investors in core games because of its perceived steep learning curve and niche audience. While there are some high-profile projects (chief among them Frost Giant Studios, Inc.'s Stormgate), RTS diehards are STARVING for a truly competitive expression of the genre. I believe we are in the midst of an RTS renaissance, and ZeroSpace’s meteoric Kickstarter launch is one more piece of evidence.
-
Network Effects: one of the wisest choices Marvin made was to build an incredible team that includes legendary creators and pro players from the StarCraft II scene, including Scarlett, GiantGrantGames, CatZ, and PiG. Not only does their input sharpen the product with deep RTS insight, it also gives the game instant credibility – and an instant audience. By producing day-one content on established YouTube channels and spreading the word to every Discord server, group chat and other atomic networks of RTS fans, ZeroSpace was able to instantly break through the noise and achieve critical mass (join the Discord! https://lnkd.in/gvRGz8D4). BTW, I think this is another example of the trend I wrote about here: https://lnkd.in/gZpw9hSs
-
No Fear: ZeroSpace is in pre-alpha. Most studios would balk at the notion of showing a massive amount of gameplay footage at this phase of a game’s development. But gameplay is king. Letting folks like Winter try the game and post honest impressions (https://lnkd.in/gCSagqmv) might seem like a huge risk, but gamers are smart and hungry for context, and the less you share the less they care. Oh yeah, I wrote about this too: https://lnkd.in/gkrP2EgS
If any members of the media or publishers in my network are at GamesCom and interested in a chat, Hrvoje will be there (repping Starlance’s partner on ZeroSpace, Ironward, best known for the Red Solstice franchise). Happy to make an intro!
Every #gamedev knows that getting content creators to play your game can make or break your chances of success. Here’s a quick, practical, DIY guide to finding and contacting Twitch streamers:
- Identify channels using Sullygnome, an incredible free tool. Use the search feature to narrow results to creators likely to be a good match (see attached image for reference): https://lnkd.in/gWYAkacp
Tip: Use a wide date range (30+ days), make sure to uncheck “online now,” and include a variety of games that have a similar audience to yours. Narrow by language if you’d like. Start with small and mid-tier broadcasters (<500 average viewers) unless you have a budget to spend on sponsored content (or your game really, truly slaps).
Tip: Show 100 results per page, then export each page of results to CSV and paste into a spreadsheet. Add columns for notes, status, and contact info.
-
Evaluate each channel. A) Facts - do they play a variety of games, including ones similar to yours? Do they stream consistently? B) Feels - Check out their channel and give their content a look. Think they'd dig your game? Do they seem nice?
-
Find contact info. A) Check their About tab. B) Check their Twitter or Youtube channels. C) Join their Discord. If you can’t find contact info in a minute or so, skip ‘em.
-
Reach out with a compelling message and value. Describe your game’s hook, link to your best trailer, and send them a free game key (consider offering extra keys to give away), offer exclusive keys for beta access for their viewers, etc. Edit your email and keep it as concise as possible. If reaching out via Discord or Twitter DM, keep it even briefer.
-
PROFIT?
This is just one process for one platform. There are many other approaches and best practices to working with creators. Google will reveal a plethora of blog posts and videos from games marketing agencies with serious insight. Good luck!
#influencermarketing
