More initiatives of the Hamburg Kreativ Gesellschaft
De
More initiatives of the Hamburg Kreativ Gesellschaft

Games Lift: Nenad Slavujevic on calculating chaos

His game idea looks like a well-tuned formula. And he can explain it like a pro. Nenad Slavujevic impresses us in the incubator with strong credentials and a clear plan.

After having worked in Hamburg’s gaming industry for years, solo dev Nenad Slavujevic is now putting his experience into his new concept: “Chaos Royale” is a mix of auto shooters like “Vampire Survivors” and battle royale style titles like “Fortnite”, with a dash of “Binding of Isaac”. It's an automatic top-down shooter with competitive multiplayer gameplay. 

Isn't that a bit obvious? “Sure,” says Slavujevic, looking content. He has thought this through. That much is evident in every answer. He knows exactly why he is starting with a “proven concept” – it is not about copying others. He has specifically developed an idea that fits his strengths and goals. 

Nenad Slavujevic keeps a close eye on his idea.

Making a multiplayer game is a central part of the plan, because Slavujevic wants to work “sustainably”. He doesn't want to survive from title to title with a best case scenario of “recouping the costs” so that his next title can be created under the same precarious conditions. And he shows a deeper understanding of the genre he is working in; not only multiplayer games, but auto shooters or bullet heaven games in the spirit of “Vampire Survivors”. He can explain in detail what is supposed to be fun here: It's about the power fantasy of becoming stronger, being “almost overpowering” to the opposition, and finally facing opponents who have built themselves up in the same way. 

Small successes 

The fact that Slavujevic knows how studios work is owed to his career. He has years of experience in the industry. After completing his bachelor's degree at HAW Hamburg, he quickly found employment. Working long days at a start-up was his first gig, before he landed at established indie studio Tiny Roar. Here, he found “a lot of fun” developing and supporting multiplayer games for mobile. 

Slavujevic wants to work sustainably with Chaos Royale.

As a programmer, he felt well integrated into the studio. But even though he was able to outgrow his role there somewhat, he wanted more. “My plan has always been to take on more responsibility,” Slavujevic explains. He thinks himself “quite good” at coding, but it is ultimately “not that fulfilling” to him. 

Now Slavujevic has taken on full responsibility. He is implementing the techical side of his project by himself for now, but he definitely doesn't want to stay alone. He has enlisted professional help from day one. “I'm not an artist,” he clarifies. Freelancers he has “known for a long time” and whom he “absolutely trusts” are on board already. 

Big Plans 

Slavujevic wants to build a live-service game that he and his studio will keep supporting and developing. “There's no world in which I would do it alone,” he clarifies. The search for a strong partner is already baked into his plans. Early next year, he hopes to make his first hire. Internal tests of a first playable version are planned even earlier. If it is found to be working as planned, Slavujevic will quickly start “approaching mobile publishers” to test the waters. 

Slavujevic is putting an emphasis on building up his network and looking for advice. To him, it’s a main reason for getting into the Games Lift Incubator. He has special praise for Steffen Rühl's pitching workshop: The advice was crucial to him and helped him turn a presentation that is “almost embarrassing” to him now into a much better one. Now, he knows exactly what he is trying to sell and how he’s doing it. 

Slavujevic has also adjusted when it comes to the core question of his platform. He originally pitched “Chaos Royale” as a mobile-only title, but now he's also looking into pitching a PC version. During the conversation, one thing becomes clear: Slavujevic does not conflate a good idea with a successful one. He stays open to good advice and plans ahead further. 

News

Games Lift: Team Dottobeau have an eye for emotions

The game feels particularly warm and empathetic – and its team is a reflection of those values. “Dottobeau” is a game about searching and finding one’s own place in the universe. And it demands emotional intelligence.

Road to Hamburg Games Conference 2024: Apply until January 21

For Hamburg Games Conference 2024, Gamecity Hamburg once again opens its Road To program: We offer a number of physical showcasing spot packages for Hamburg-based studios, publishers, teams, and devs. Apply until January 21!

Hamburg Games Conference 2024: First Highlight Speakers

The Hamburg Games Conference will bring the international games industry together on March 5 and 6, 2024 under the key topic of "Invest in Games."

Games Compass on November 16 on "AI in game development"

On November 16, InnoGames and Gamecity Hamburg invited decision-makers from the games and digital industry to network and exchange ideas at this year's Games Compass in Hamburg.

Games Lift: Bagpack Games keep moving

They've been around for a few years now: Bagpack Games have successfully established themselves in the Hamburg scene. Now they are bringing a real eye-catcher of an idea to the Games Lift Incubator.

4 Hamburg Games nominated for German Developer Award 2023

The Deutscher Entwicklerpreis (German Developer Award) 2023 has announced its nominees. With SIGNALIS, EVERSPACE 2, Marble Maze and Misgiven 4 Hamburg games have been shortlisted.

Games Lift: Markus Koepke stays the course

Years of experience have led him here: Alone, on an abandoned ship in the middle of the ocean. Markus Koepke's project "Journey Beyond the Edge of the World" in the Games Lift Incubator lures us in with its melancholic vibes.

Three Questions to: Gamelight and their AI-Powered User Acquisition Platform

The Hamburg-based company Gamelight is one of the world's biggest rewarded marketing platform for mobile games. The platform uses AI algorithms to provide User Acquisiton services by connecting gamers and game developers through its game recommendation systems. The platform has won multiple prestigious awards, including "Best AI Tool" at the dottCom Awards. Recently they received the Digiday Technology Award in the category of Best Mobile Marketing Platform, which provided the perfect opportunity to invite them for a short interview to explain their business to us.

Recap: Polaris 2023

The Polaris 2023 was a blast! While it was just the second edition of the games, anime and community convention, the event already pulled a great number of visitors from all over Germany and beyond, resulting in a sold-out event on Saturday and Sunday. In addition to that, the organizers even set a new world record!

Games Lift: Pipapo Games get the joke

Pipapo Games know how to make a concerted effort. The team behind "Map Map" reports to the interview in a bright mood, helps each other out on every question and still manages to take their own plans very seriously.

Games Lift: Meet you at the top

For its 2023 edition, the Games Lift Incubator launches with a new space, new concepts, five brand-new teams - and with years of experience.

Games Lift Kick-Off 2023 in New SPACE Innovation Rooms

On Monday, September 11, 2023, the official kick-off of the Games Lift Incubator 2023 took place in the new SPACE innovation space of the Hamburg Kreativ Gesellschaft.

More News
Cookies are used to make this website work and to enhance your experience.

To learn more about the types of cookies this website uses, see our Cookie Policy. You can decide for yourself which categories you want to allow. Please note that based on your settings, not all functions of the website may be available.

Cookies are used to make this website work and to enhance your experience.

To learn more about the types of cookies this website uses, see our Cookie Policy. You can decide for yourself which categories you want to allow. Please note that based on your settings, not all functions of the website may be available.

Your cookie preferences have been saved.