Unlocking Success: How Combat Waffle Studios Mastered the XR Awards

Combat Waffle Studios’ path to the XR Awards with ‘Ghost of Tabor’ was marked by a thoughtful, community-driven strategy.

As Scott Albright, CEO, recalls…

We were actually motivated by the community to enter… the community just kept saying ‘VR Game of the Year’; ‘You need to enter’.”
Scott Albright, CEO Combat Waffle Studios

This genuine push from their audience laid the foundation for their nomination, emphasising the significance of community engagement in their success.

But how?

Key Elements of Their Strategy:

1. Strategy 1: Community-Driven Motivation

   The encouragement from their players was a pivotal motivator.

   “It was something that wasn’t really on our radar because we were so heavy into development, but the community just kept saying ‘You need to enter’.”

   This support highlighted the game’s impact and resonance with its audience.

2. Strategy 2: Emphasising Unique Features.

   ‘Ghost of Tabor’ was distinguished by its innovative gameplay and narrative depth.

   The studio focused on showcasing these elements, understanding that a standout game needs more than just technical prowess

   It needs a story and character.

3. Strategy 3: Narrative and Emotional Connection.

   The nomination highlighted not just the game but the passion and journey behind it.

   Albright’s approach was about creating a narrative that connected with the judges and the wider XR community.

4. Strategy 4: Professional and Cohesive Submission.

   Combat Waffle Studios ensured their entry was not only comprehensive but also presented professionally.

   “We’re in such a young, malleable state and you (AIXR) were already setting standards of what an award show should be.”

   Knowing that the bar of quality is set high, their application had attention to detail that matched. This attention to detail reflected their dedication and the quality of their work.

As Combat Waffle Studios demonstrated…

…a strategic approach, rooted in community support and a compelling narrative, can pave the way for success at the XR Awards.

Combat Waffle Studios’ experience with ‘Ghost of Tabor’ at the XR Awards is a perfect case study to understand the cost-benefit dynamics of participating in such a prestigious event.

Scott Albright’s perspective offers a real-world view of the tangible and intangible returns on this investment.

Breaking Down the Costs:

• Nomination Fee:

  There is an inherent monetary cost in nominating a game. As Albright mentioned, this wasn’t initially on their radar due to their focus on development.

• Resource Allocation:

  The preparation for a compelling nomination demands both time and resources, which could otherwise be directed towards game development or marketing efforts.

Weighing Against the Benefits:

• Increased Visibility and Industry Recognition:

  Albright notes the significant impact of being a finalist and winner, stating, “Being a finalist is one thing… but when you’re a winner, everyone flocks to you.” This recognition elevates the studio’s profile immensely.

• Networking and Industry Connections:

  The award facilitated a flood of connections and outreach. “Executives at Sony and other places… have now reached out and connected,” shared Albright, highlighting the networking goldmine that the awards opened up.

• Boost in Team Morale and Standards:

  Winning the award had a profound effect on the team’s morale. Albright recounts the emotional response from his team, underlining the motivational power of such recognition.

• Marketing Leverage:

  Being associated with the XR Awards and AIXR serves as a powerful marketing tool, enhancing the game’s and studio’s brand image.

• Long-term Strategic Benefits:

  The win has led to new opportunities and discussions about future projects, amplifying the studio’s growth and development plans.

 

Cost-Benefit Analysis by Combat Waffle Studios:

Combat Waffle Studios weighed the initial investment against the potential benefits.

Albright’s experience revealed…

The returns – in terms of recognition, networking, team morale, and future opportunities – far outweighed the initial costs.

The nomination and subsequent win represented a strategic investment in the studio’s future, yielding dividends beyond the immediate accolades.

Combat Waffle Studios’ journey with ‘Ghost of Tabor’ to the XR Awards is a story of relentless dedication, community engagement, and innovative strategies. Despite being an indie studio… With limited support… …their approach and the game’s unique qualities set them apart in the highly competitive XR landscape.

Key Differentiators of ‘Ghost of Tabor’:

Continuous commitment to Improvement The game’s development was marked by constant updates, almost weekly, showcasing the studio’s commitment to improvement. Scott Albright reflects on the early days, acknowledging:

“When it was first released to market it was in a state of bugs and had lots of issues, but the studio kept at it.” Scott Albright, CEO Combat Waffle Studios

But one theme was always constant: The studio’s approach was deeply rooted in community engagement. They actively involved players in the development process, using real feedback to shape the game. This involvement went beyond just tweaks; it was about celebrating the journey of ‘Ghost of Tabor’ with the community. But how? The studio’s use of social media platforms like Discord and Twitter to connect with their audience was game changing. They didn’t just make game updates; they created an ongoing narrative about the game’s development. Using developer update posts, real world videos, in game videos, player postcards, Discord polls and more. Further strengthening the bond with their community, beyond anything the XR Awards has seen before.

However, it didn’t stop there.

The studio hosted VR Awards watch parties along the way, from their server And post-win? They integrated a real-world duplicate of their award into the game. This act exemplified their philosophy of shared success with their community. But here is the real twist. Resourcefulness and Resilience made things go even further… Despite the initial challenges, the studio’s resourceful approach turned potential setbacks into opportunities for growth and community building. For example, Even though the game was only available on Meta Quest Lab and Steam VR, its sales numbers were impressive, highlighting its popularity among players. This achievement is particularly noteworthy considering their indie status and limited mainstream store presence. Both indie and AAA studios stand an equal chance of winning.

Combat Waffle Studios’ journey with ‘Ghost of Tabor’ in the XR Awards unlocked more than just accolades; it opened a treasure trove of networking opportunities that were instrumental in their growth.

Scott Albright’s recount of their experience post-win offers valuable insights into the networking impact of such recognition and unlocked AAA platform conversations.

Let’s dive in.

Post-victory: Combat Waffle Studios witnessed an influx of outreach and interest from across the industry.

“Everyone flocks to you at that point because now you’re an award-winning studio.”
Scott Albright, CEO Combat Waffle Studios

This newfound attention came from not just the community but also industry executives, including those from major companies like Sony.

Their active presence on platforms like LinkedIn and Discord amplified their networking reach. Albright emphasised the heightened visibility and connection with a broader audience from the continuous stream of congratulations and interactions,

Their customer support person, who knew everyone in VR, even experienced a flood of outreach, illustrating the far-reaching impact of their win.

What about their team’s networking?

The award not only benefited the studio at a corporate level but also empowered individual team members.

Albright recounts how his lead developer made extremely valuable connections with executives and other developers, enhancing their technical capabilities and knowledge sharing.

The XR Awards served as a powerful catalyst for Combat Waffle Studios, transforming them from an indie studio into a recognized name in the VR industry.

This recognition opened doors to collaborations, discussions, and potential partnerships that would have been challenging to secure otherwise.

Combat Waffle Studios’ triumph at the XR Awards with ‘Ghost of Tabor’ had a profound impact not just externally, but internally as well, significantly boosting team morale and elevating their standards.

Scott Albright’s reflections on the aftermath of their win offer a vivid picture of this transformative experience.

Let’s see how.

The moment of victory was more than just an achievement; it was an emotional high point for the entire team. Albright recalls, “We were all live, we were all on the Discord chat watching it live, together.”

The collective experience of winning strengthened their sense of unity and pride in their work.

The team, having grown from the original six to thirty-three, experienced a shared joy, especially among the original members who broke down in tears during the live announcement.

But team dynamics started to shift…

…positively.

It wasn’t just about celebrating the success; it became a motivating factor in their daily work. The recognition as ‘Game of The Year’ became a frequent point of discussion and a source of motivation, driving the team to uphold the standards associated with such a title.

And, with the accolade of being an award-winning studio came a new set of expectations.

Albright describes the motivational shift:

“We are now an award-winning studio, we’ve set a standard and we must continue that standard and grow even greater. Surpass ourselves now.”Scott Albright, CEO Combat Waffle Studios

This sentiment reflects the heightened standards and pursuit of excellence that the team embraced post-win.

Albright’s military background and his demand for perfection were amplified following the win. The recognition served as a catalyst to push for even higher levels of performance and dedication within the team.

This drive for excellence became a core part of their studio culture, influencing their approach to future projects and day-to-day operations.