Esports and Merch with Fateless

The latest episode of the Fateless Podcast, hosted by Brad, dives deep into the world of esports coaching, gaming conventions, and the future of merch in the gaming space. Joining Brad from the Fateless team are Sham and Simon, along with special guest Vex—an esports coach, content creator, and passionate gamer. Vex shares his unique insights on esports, game development, and the booming market for gaming merchandise.

Vex introduces himself as someone deeply embedded in the gaming world. He coaches high school esports teams, primarily focusing on FPS titles like Valorant and Counter-Strike. In addition to his coaching role, he's an experienced Dungeon Master, content creator, and an artist who sells his own work at conventions. His background gives him a broad perspective on the evolving gaming landscape, making him an excellent guest for this discussion.

One of the most interesting topics covered is the evolution of esports and the challenges that come with coaching young players. Vex points out that the esports scene is getting younger, with pro players often peaking between the ages of 18 and 25. As he coaches high school students, he focuses on strategy, teamwork, and communication rather than raw mechanical skill. He emphasizes the importance of training players to think beyond their own performance and work effectively as a unit.

A fascinating takeaway from the discussion is how esports coaching is similar to traditional sports coaching. Like rock climbing coaches who may not be as physically strong as their athletes but offer strategic guidance, Vex helps players develop their game sense, positioning, and team dynamics to maximize their performance.

Shifting gears, the conversation delves into the world of gaming merchandise. Vex shares his experiences working with major gaming retailers and traveling to conventions to sell Magic: The Gathering cards and other merch. He highlights the importance of unique and well-crafted items that resonate with fans, rather than generic logo-based apparel.

What Makes Great Gaming Merch?

According to Vex, successful merch falls into two categories: mainstream staples and unique collectibles. Common items like T-shirts, hoodies, and statues are expected in most gaming fandoms. However, it's the distinctive, high-quality items—such as acrylic standees, keychains, or even exclusive rugs—that truly excite fans and drive engagement. He mentions the example of Zenless Zone Zero's bizarre yet wildly popular six-armed cat rug, a promotional item that players go to great lengths to obtain.

One of the most exciting ideas discussed is the potential for physical merchandise tied to in-game purchases. Simon suggests the possibility of players receiving a real-life 3D-printed figure when they buy a limited-time in-game character pack. Vex's immediate reaction? Take my money!

This concept merges the digital and physical worlds, offering players a tangible connection to the characters they love. The challenge, however, lies in manufacturing logistics and pricing to ensure it's both feasible and appealing to players.

Vex also brings up his wishlist for Godforge, particularly focusing on normalized PvP and roguelike game modes. He expresses a strong preference for a draft-based system, where players build teams from a randomized selection rather than relying solely on their personal rosters.

The Fateless team has debated whether a normalized PvP system or a roguelike mode should be a launch feature, with Simon confirming that the team is leaning towards a roguelike experience first. The discussion highlights the challenge of integrating such modes into the game's core loop while keeping players engaged with their own collections.

Vex shares his experience of attending gaming conventions and vending at large-scale events. According to him, conventions are a huge success for vendors, especially for collectible-heavy games like Magic: The Gathering. However, the artist alley side of things can be hit or miss, with high competition making it tough for smaller creators to stand out.

What Merch Should Godforge Offer?

Vex suggests that Godforge should focus on character-driven, unique merch like enamel pins, keychains, and stickers rather than just standard logo apparel. He also emphasizes the importance of having a variety of items that appeal to different demographics, as gaming conventions attract a diverse audience.

Towards the end of the episode, Brad throws a curveball question about AI-generated art and its impact on the gaming industry. Vex reveals that while AI hasn't affected him much personally, many conventions now ban AI-generated art from being sold in artist alleys. While vendors may have more flexibility, the growing presence of AI in creative industries is something artists and game developers must navigate carefully.

As the episode wraps up, Brad asks Vex for his dream addition to Godforge. Unsurprisingly, his answer is Sun Wukong, the legendary Monkey King from Chinese mythology. However, he also surprises the team by suggesting Odysseus, inspired by the rising popularity of Epic: The Musical. He even recommends Jorge Rivera-Herrans, the voice and singer behind Epic, as a potential voice actor for the game.

The Fateless Podcast continues to bring insightful discussions about game development, esports, and the gaming community. If you're a fan of Godforge, esports, or just love nerding out about gaming merch, this episode is packed with valuable insights and entertaining moments.

Stay tuned for more updates from the Godforge team, and don't forget to check out Vex's content for more gaming discussions!