Dunning-Kruger Effect on Hyper-Casual

How does knowledge affect hyper-casual?

Hyper-casual is seriously affected by know-how. But how about knowledge? It’s getting clear that knowledge hurts hyper-casual, based on experience.

Socratic Paradox, Dunning Kruger Effect and the Hyper-Casual

Do these concepts seem unrelated? Socrates belongs to 469–399 B.C. and set the course of how philosophy is made to this day. Dunning and Kruger are famous psychologists that cognitively explained what Socrates said 2421 years ago: “I know that I know nothing”

What does he mean? A wise person knows that there’s much more to learn. Other than that, it’s a humble statement about the charges against him, and a matter of apology. He is saying that “I am aware of my ignorance, which is better, at least, than being ignorant of my ignorance, as my contemporaries are.”

Connecting the dots:

This effect is a type of cognitive bias that causes people to overestimate their knowledge or ability, particularly in areas with which they don’t have experience. Here’s a little graph for you:

I have experienced the Dunning-Kruger effect in two different ways: one is with hyper-casual studios and the other one is with myself.

Myself:

On my first day in the hyper-casual industry and I met with a studio who wanted a crazy deal! They had a reasonable explanation, so I did not question it much, considering my negotiation abilities were born at least a week later than that. So I was going to make that deal until my colleagues warned me. Let me tell you I was shocked! Looking at the quality of games that we publish today, and even the ones we test, I am grateful that this could be added to my know-how pile.

It does not need to be this extreme, but I was mad at not making “deals”, not giving money for a made prototype (lol), and not buying/renting people like other publishing companies in the industry. I wanted success fast, and I thought that being cunning like some was the way to achieve that.

As I learned more, my confidence decreased, and had this epiphany: Be true to everyone and if you see high confidence but little competence and experience, they are not making a hit anytime soon. We all need to be aware of our lack of knowledge, and that’s why I am honestly writing this one. Workwise, this is recognizing my own flaws without getting mad about disagreements.

Studios:

The studios who do not have enough know-how and rely solely on knowledge have a hard time with me. When you see or hear your game does not have potential, you should simply do these three things: let, it, go.

I have heard these phrases so many times: “but it’s based on psychological research”, “but it might be fun”, “it might have potential so we can try”. I also believe a concept can turn out to be a miracle (not really to be honest), but e. g. know-how shows space-related, snow-related do not make it. Yes, we all follow the trends dear studio, but if someone insists too much on their talents, or on their work, that’s not the one.

Both in life and in the gaming industry as well, people should admit they are ignorant. Hyper-casual is not an industry where you can live the American dream and find the excess of fun. It’s winning fast and losing a lot, easy to develop a prototype and harder to leave it so often. Veterans show me that we know so little. I always remind myself of this, after getting mad, or if I can not understand something, add that to my pile of know-how.

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