David Amor’s name is synonymous with innovation in the gaming industry. With 34 years of experience creating games, David has been at the helm of several pioneering ventures. Notably, he co-founded Relentless, the studio behind the acclaimed PlayStation game Buzz, which won a BAFTA in 2006. After a successful tenure at MAG Interactive post-acquisition, where he contributed to an IPO, David embarked on a new journey. His latest venture, Playmint, seeks to reshape the gaming landscape by leveraging decentralization technologies.

Playmint was created with a bold vision: to explore the untapped potential of decentralization in gaming. According to David, "We spend more time than ever in digital worlds, but these worlds are owned by platform holders who control what can be built and how they can be commercialized." Playmint aims to disrupt this model by building platforms where digital worlds are governed by their inhabitants. Their ongoing project, Downstream, aims to enable developers to create game worlds that are fully decentralized. “A truly open system like the internet shows that when architected correctly, digital platforms can create an explosion of opportunities,” says David.

In its nascent stage, Playmint successfully released its first game within a few months. David reflects, "It was simple, but it worked well, galvanized the team, and taught us some new things." However, they also faced challenges. “We’ve been guilty of disappearing into our caves for too long, cooking up something that was too big to release iteratively. It’s something I hope to improve in the future,” he admits.

David believes that managing the emotional rollercoaster of running a startup is crucial for any founder. He recalls a conversation with a friend and fellow entrepreneur in the industry: “I was complaining about whatever work stress I was experiencing at the time and remarked that it must be easier for him with his successful mobile games business. His reply stuck with me: ‘I lay in bed awake at night stressing about work all the time. IT’S THE JOB!’” This insight resonated with him. Founders need to brace for perpetual challenges and have the resilience to manage them. David emphasizes that enduring the highs and lows is essential, saying, "You spend a lot of your time chewing glass when you’re a founder."

One of David's most poignant memories is from 15 years ago when he was running a work-for-hire games studio with about 100 staff. They were on the brink of collapse, unable to secure the next project. "I remember being in my kitchen with my head in my hands, thinking it was probably time to wrap up the company," he recalls. Despite the grim outlook, David decided to pitch a project to Microsoft. The result was transformative: although the initial pitch wasn't accepted, Microsoft offered a different project that became their biggest title. This experience taught David the value of determination and seizing every opportunity, and just like Wayne Gretzky, he lives by the mantra that you miss 100% of the shots you don’t take.

David’s passion for the gaming industry is driven by its incessant innovation. “We’re lucky to work in an industry that regularly reinvents itself,” he says. He finds motivation in the fact that new technology and business models continually emerge, creating fresh opportunities. Startups, rather than established incumbents, are often the harbingers of this innovation. David sees founders of startups as the true drivers of change, which fuels his own entrepreneurial spirit. "For me to sleep on that opportunity seems remiss."

From his early days at EA to co-founding revolutionary companies like Relentless and Playmint, David Amor's journey is a testament to the power of innovation and resilience. Playmint’s vision of decentralized gaming platforms holds the promise of transforming the digital world landscape. As David continues to push boundaries, his work is set to inspire future generations of game developers and entrepreneurs. His story is a reminder of the impact that relentless passion and innovation can achieve, with aspirations to shape the future of gaming for years to come.

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