UPGRADE ACQUIRED - Founder, Director of Publishing
FEBRUARY 2014 - PRESENT
- Launched the organization from the ground up with less than $7,500.
- Facilitated the design of our website and created all art assets.
- Manage all social media, web presence, and communications.
- Acting account manager and lead generator, launched first project on 19 December 2014 (Merchant). As of August 2015, Merchant has over 200,000 downloads.
- Built strong relationships with dozens of potential clients.
Upgrade Acquired is a publishing label dedicated to helping smaller-scale developers release their work to as many players as possible.
The eventual aim of the company is to create a funding incubator for talented studios without the resources to gather attention and retention for their games.
MERCHANT (Available on Android)
Blending together traditional RPG systems, tycoon mechanics and a fantasy overworld, Merchant aims to reimagine the traditional mobile RPG. In Merchant, players take the role of a shopkeeper who must manage a team of Heroes and Crafters. Heroes are sent out on quests in order to fight enemies and gather materials. Crafters then use those materials to create weapons and armor. As the shopkeeper, players must balance their micro-economies between selling items for gold and crafting items to better ensure success for the Heroes.
When launching Merchant on Android (completely free with no IAPs) on 19 December 2014, our goal was to create a communication channel and trusting relationship between ourselves, our developer, and our customers. Given the success of the launch, Merchant will also be ported to iOS and possibly other platforms.
Merchant has amassed over 200,000 downloads to-date on the Google Play Store (August 2015).
Merchant in the Press!:
When launching Merchant on Android (completely free with no IAPs) on 19 December 2014, our goal was to create a communication channel and trusting relationship between ourselves, our developer, and our customers. Given the success of the launch, Merchant will also be ported to iOS and possibly other platforms.
- Created and/or edited all promotional copy for the game.
- Worked with client to construct outward-facing marketing for themselves, primarily on reddit, including post-launch.
- Managed discussions on Twitter, Facebook, and reddit about the game, constantly logging bugs and feature requests from the community.
- Contacted and acted as a liaison with media, press, and press distribution outlets.
- In conjunction with the developer, created a strategy for porting the game to other devices.
- Worked on the entire project with a $0 marketing budget.
Merchant has amassed over 200,000 downloads to-date on the Google Play Store (August 2015).
Merchant in the Press!:
- Examiner: "A must play for fantasy fans."
- JayIsGames: "...a combination of crafting, RPG, incremental and resource management elements all deftly shuffled together into one neat release."
- BadCoyoteFunky: "A well-structured game."
HEX HEROES (Coming to PC, Mac, Linux, and Wii U in 2016)
Hex Heroes is a multiplayer real-time strategy game for Wii U where up to 4 players share the TV harvesting resources, building structures, fending off enemies, and exploring dangerous territories. Another player uses the gamepad to manage resources and teammates, make executive decisions, and survey the land from a bird’s eye view.
Hex Heroes has heard praise from a variety of sources, including: Polygon, Joystiq, VentureBeat, NintendoLife, The Escapist, and Dan Adelman!
Additionally, we’ve partnered with a number of developers and personalities to include their game characters into our world: Heart Forth, Alicia, Trine, Game Grumps, Guacamelee, Mutant Mudds, Shovel Knight, SteamWorld Dig, Rogue Legacy, Paradise Lost: First Contact, Wizorb, and Hyper Light Drifter!
Hex Heroes has heard praise from a variety of sources, including: Polygon, Joystiq, VentureBeat, NintendoLife, The Escapist, and Dan Adelman!
Additionally, we’ve partnered with a number of developers and personalities to include their game characters into our world: Heart Forth, Alicia, Trine, Game Grumps, Guacamelee, Mutant Mudds, Shovel Knight, SteamWorld Dig, Rogue Legacy, Paradise Lost: First Contact, Wizorb, and Hyper Light Drifter!
- Helped raise $86,946 out of the proposed $80,000 goal.
- Created, edited, and/or consulted on promotional copy and updates for the Kickstarter campaign.
- Worked with client to construct outward-facing marketing for themselves as well as develop consumer and business relationships.
- As the game continues to develop, we will be developing the marketing campaign and will be in contact with Nintendo regarding promotional options.
- Consultation for the developers and some direct management in regards to community affairs.