In our last episode of 2024, hosts Faye Holland and James Parton bring you an engaging conversation with Sam Sully, the founder of Planetary Processing. This startup is revolutionising the indie gaming scene by making multiplayer game development more accessible. If you’re a tech enthusiast, startup founder, or venture capitalist, you won’t want to miss the insights packed into this episode.
From Minecraft Mods to Market Leader
Sam’s journey into the tech world started early. He credits Minecraft modding during his teenage years for sparking his passion for game development and coding. This hands-on experience led to a degree in Computer Science at Cambridge, setting the stage for his innovative career.
But it wasn’t a straight path, Sam recalls"
“I spent a year working remotely for a chaotic startup during lockdown. It was a trial by fire, teaching me how not to build technology and manage teams.”
These formative experiences shaped his understanding of the gaps between technical and non-technical stakeholders, which he now bridges expertly.
Revolutionising Multiplayer Gaming for Indies
Planetary Processing emerged from Sam’s realisation that indie studios—comprising 40% of the gaming industry—struggle to compete in the multiplayer space due to technical and financial barriers. His platform offers a game-changing solution:
Simplified Development: “We enable studios to build multiplayer games with ease,” says Sam. Early users have seen up to 40% cost savings and significant time reductions.
Rapid Prototyping: Sam demonstrated creating a scalable multiplayer game in just 30 minutes during a recent conference.
Accessible Pricing: With a “free-to-start” model and granular pay-per-player-minute pricing, Planetary Processing caters to developers of all sizes.
Market Insights and Growth Plans
Sam’s thoughtful approach extends to market strategy. Germany, with its vibrant gaming hub in Berlin, has been a strong focus. “We’ve also had early success in the US and plan to expand further,” he shares.
The current gaming industry trends—consolidation and cost-cutting—make Planetary Processing’s value proposition even more compelling. “We missed the metaverse hype cycle, thankfully,” Sam notes, emphasising the company’s commitment to delivering tangible benefits.
What’s Next for Planetary Processing?
With a successful beta behind them, the company is gearing up for significant growth in 2025. Key goals include:
Fund Raising: A spring funding round aims to support expansion and feature development.
Expanding Features: New integrations and user-requested enhancements are on the roadmap.
Reaching More Markets: Increased presence in Europe and the US will drive adoption.
Standout Quotes
“Building multiplayer games is hard, especially for indie studios. Our platform makes it simple and affordable.”
“Time savings are huge. We’ve shown developers can create scalable multiplayer prototypes in just 30 minutes.”
“The market is tough, but reducing costs and risk for developers resonates strongly.”
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