No One is Closing Down HitGrab

Did I scare you? Every once in a while I attempt a social experiment. I postulate the most absurd statements and revel in the responses. I'm curious though... What made you click? 

I have a theory. If you're reading this, you likely have a bias (either positively or negatively) towards me, HitGrab, or anyone associated with HitGrab. Otherwise, you wouldn't be here. 

That bias is a clue. That clue is leading me towards a mystery. The mystery of curiosity. What sparks it? Wanting to understand why people do things is just the way I'm wired. I've spent a lot of time at HitGrab trying to gauge user behaviours in our games and super-imposing that gauge against real-world measurements. Some things would seem logical like: Michelle (my wife) will likely click the link with concern. And with good reason. We're buying a house, so HitGrab not being around directly affects her. (No worries babe.) ;) Others, aren't so logical: The idea of something closing down might re-ignite an old memory or stir ones curiosity due to a past experience or recent revelation.

The Rub

Without understanding social contexts, it's difficult to assess one's purpose behind a click. I don't necessarily know you, so I can't determine your reasoning behind the click you gave my post. Wouldn't it be great if social context could be built-in? That way, I could create something that has social viability, not just virality. Social interactions that have virality baked-in might be effective once. Social interactions that have viability baked-in have meaning that transcend the click. 

My Theory

Social Games are going to have more and more baked-in social context to evolve the viral channels from simply having a closed-loop of connections (close friends, and others playing the games), to social contexts able to reach outside the realm of utility and into the realms of emotion and relevance between broad social connections. 

Our Next Experiment

I'm very excited because at HitGrab we get to put this theory to the test with our next gaming title. We're attempting to reach into the lives of players and give more context and meaning to the ways they share their gameplay experience with others. I really wish I could give you more details about it because I'm salivating at the potential. 

I'm Sorry

I'm sorry if I scared you about HitGrab's demise. I just wanted to give you a taste of some socially viable material for you to ingest while a very healthy HitGrab delivers our next title.

Thanks for caring :)

J.

Go check out a new game we've created around the Universe of the MythMonger. It's called LevynLight and takes a more RPG stance than the cards of MythMonger. 

http://apps.facebook.com/levynlight/

J. 

I wonder where we'll be in a year. HitGrab is, I believe, at the cusp of tremendous growth. In February we started hiring more developers and for a 3 month trial switched the way we do business by implementing a "Results Only Work Environment" based on Daniel Pink's best selling book, Drive. On May first, we see if it made a measurable difference. In my mind, it already has. 

Some of the lessons:

Targets are still hard to hit. Deadlines, although shared and agreed upon, are still affected by external forces whether we like it or not. That has not changed.

People are easier to hire. When we get people through the door, the cubicle-less openness, the coming and going of our team members, the ideas and energy being passed arou nd, shows them that we trust each other and want to deliver great products. I know because I've asked potential candidates what they thought. They want in. 

Control is hard to let go of. I don't have ability to just say "Okay folks, we all work until this is done!" with a slammed fist on my desk and a furrowed brow. Alright, I've never done that, but there certainly has been a sense, from the "guys at the top" that when someone isn't around, we wonder if they're being productive. I think we'll get over it. It's just hard to. 

Good products are their own reward. You'd think this was a no-brainer. The fact is, it's easy to forget what motivates people. Creating something innovative, fun and useful is always our intent - and makes one feel good. So why do managers inject themselves into micro-managerial tasks if it's so unproductive? Ego, control, nature, nurture, who knows? All I know now is that I need to try harder to count on people's desire to deliver results. Good products are their own reward. 

TED talks are awesome. I couldn't come up with a REAL 5th lesson, so I've decided not to waste one by making something up and pointing people to my new fave resource for inspiration. http://www.ted.com

Stay tuned. And here's my official apology to Daniel Pink for not blogging about this earlier. I'm working out my flaws with time management... very slowly. 

J.