Video Game Development

Business Development

Consulting Services

My experiences as a Studio Manager, Creative Director, Solo Indie Developer, Business Analyst, and Military Veteran can help you level up your project and make gamedev life easier.

Learn more

Why Hire Me?

I Make GameDev Easier

Imagine a smoother, more efficient game development process where creativity thrives, projects stay on track, and your team feels supported. That's what I bring to the table. I make game development easier by taking a holistic approach and providing comprehensive expertise in game development, business strategy, and consulting.

GameDev

When it comes to game development, I offer a wealth of services designed to streamline your workflow and enhance your game's quality:

Prototyping and Project Outsourcing: I can turn your ideas into playable prototypes, build complete games directly, or manage your outsourcing needs.
Design Work and Content Production: From level design to game mechanics, I help bring your vision to life with meticulous attention to detail.
Research and Playtesting: Ensure your game hits the mark with thorough market research and iterative playtesting for continuous improvement.

BizDev

Navigating the business side of game development can be daunting, but with my assistance, it becomes a manageable and rewarding journey:

Leadership and Team Management: Foster a positive, inclusive, productive studio environment where your team can excel.
Strategic Planning: Develop long-term strategies that align with your goals and adapt to industry trends.
Research and Marketing: Leverage market insights to position your game effectively and maximize its reach.
Recruiting and Training: Attract top talent, build a cohesive, high-performing team and keep them sharp.

Consulting

My consulting services provide targeted solutions to enhance your studio's efficiency and success, or help you reach your personal career goals:

Project Research and Evaluation: Assess the viability of new projects and identify areas for improvement in ongoing ones.
New Initiative Planning and Implementation: Launch new initiatives with confidence, backed by strategic planning, experience, and execution.
Productivity and Time Management: Optimize your team's workflow to boost productivity and meet deadlines, while maintaining high morale.
Leadership Coaching: Develop your leadership skills to inspire and guide your team effectively.
Mentorship and Career Development: Support your team's growth and career progression with group / individual consultation services, personalized to your unique situation.

Overall, I can make your gamedev life easier.

Whether you're looking for game development outsourcing, a versatile generalist for your studio, a strong and compassionate team leader, or just want some advice and extra help, I can make your game development journey smoother and more successful.

But don’t just take my word for it!

Check out my LinkedIn Recommendations.

Skills & Services

I provide comprehensive video game and business development services, from full project outsourcing and team management, to indie developer assistance and individual consultations.

Let’s chat and see if I'm the best fit for your needs, or if I can help direct you to the right resources.

Video Game development

Full Project Outsourcing
Game Design / Creative Direction
Prototyping / Concepting
Game Development Generalist
Level Design / Content Design
Content Development
Licensed Property Designs
Art Asset Creation / Outsourcing
Scripting and Programming
User Interface (UI) Design
User Experience (UX) Optimization
Playtesting, Reporting, QA
Bug Fixing and Debugging
Game Mechanics Balancing
2D/3D Animation and IK
Audio Direction and Sourcing
Virtual Reality (VR) Development
Augmented Reality (AR) Dev
Multiplayer Networking
Post-Launch Updates and Support

Business Development

Strategic Planning
Market Research and Analysis
Marketing and Sales Strategy
Funding and Investment Strategies
Brand Development and Management
PR, Media, and Influencer Outreach
Content Creation, Trailers, etc.
Partnership and Collaborations
KPI and Performance Metrics Analysis
Operational Efficiency Optimization
Cost Management and Budgeting
Community Building and Management
Talent Acquisition and Recruitment
Employee Training and Development
Crisis Management and Resolution
Startup Support and Incubation
Risk Management and Mitigation
Licensed IP Pitches / Management
Event Planning and Coordination
Marketing Campaigns

Level Up Consultation

Mentorship and Career Development
Project Management and Oversight
Leadership Coaching
Team Building and Dynamics
Workflow and Process Improvement
Productivity and Time Management
Communication Skills Training
Conflict Mediation and Resolution
Change Management Strategies
Performance Evaluation and Feedback
Stakeholder Relationship Management
Diversity and Inclusion Initiatives
Company Culture Development
Innovation and Ideation Workshops
Creative Brainstorming Sessions
Remote Work Optimization
Tech and Tool Recommendations
Burnout Recovery and Prevention
Public Speaking Skills
Game Project Evaluations

How May I Help You?

Creative Direction

Business Strategy

Game Design

Unity Development

Content Creation

Marketing

Fundraising

Recruiting

Project Planning

Startups

Research

Analytics

Concepting

Prototyping

QA

Outsourcing

Sponsorships

Playtesting

Narrative Design

Team Building

Leadership

Level Design

Public Speaking

Presentations

Events

Creative Direction Business Strategy Game Design Unity Development Content Creation Marketing Fundraising Recruiting Project Planning Startups Research Analytics Concepting Prototyping QA Outsourcing Sponsorships Playtesting Narrative Design Team Building Leadership Level Design Public Speaking Presentations Events

Previous Work

Pigeon Simulator

Pigeon Simulator is a physics sandbox roguelite about the world’s most notorious birds and their quest for world domination.

As Creative Director, I led a team of 16 to design and develop this ambitious project for tinyBuild Games, featuring fully destructible cities, procedurally generated content, and loads of action-comedy adventure.

Guts & Glory

Guts and Glory is a physics-based, action-comedy game where players race through tracks full of deadly obstacles for riches and glory.

As Solo Indie Developer, I brought this project from concept to commercial success, releasing it on PC and all major consoles. It has raised $30k on Kickstarter, gained a publishing deal, and sold hundreds of thousands of copies worldwide.

HakJak Studios

HakJak Studios is a game development company I founded as a subsidiary of tinyBuild Games.

As Studio Managing Director, I built the studio from the ground up, directly recruiting over a dozen talented creatives, making platform pitches (Microsoft, Sony, etc.), helping to secure millions in funding, and managing day-to-day first party developer work.

Beyond Games

My business and leadership experience extends far beyond the games industry.

As a Category Manager for PepsiCo, I gained valuable skills in research, analytics, business operations, marketing and sales.

As a U.S. Military Veteran, I gained a wealth of experience in leadership, strategic planning, operations management, and the tenacity to overcome challenges and succeed.

Aside from my professional experiences, I’m constantly exploring, learning, and experimenting with new mediums, tech, and ideas in my eternal quest to “create all the things” and bring joy to the world!

“I bring over 20 years of experience to the table… plus coffee!”

Jed Steen

Jed makes GameDev Easier

"Jed understands games, sure, but even more than that, Jed understands people."

Amanda Farough
"I've never felt more at home in a work environment than I did working for Jed."

William Pheloung
"Jed's passion and amazing ideas make him a standout leader in any project or team. He deeply cares for the project and his team and his courage and positivity are infectious."

Neelam Jani
"Through his presence and mentorship, Jed made each of us feel like we were the most important member of the team while bringing out the best of the collective group."

Dave Kornfeld
"Jed has been a wonderful boss who always focused on bringing out the best in others. His stable running of the studio allowed me to focus on my work and have the tools I needed."

Madison Belka
"Jed's special leadership qualities inspired me to join the studio, where his calmness and positivity set the tone for success."

Junaid Nomani
"Jed is without doubt the best boss I've ever had. He's fantastic at what he does - bringing people together, inspiring creativity and passion, and leading us with a level of honesty, compassion, and positivity that is hard to find."

Emma Lowry
"Jed's enthusiasm for the project, coupled with his industry knowledge and experience, gave everyone the confidence that we could conquer any challenges that lay ahead."

Grant Niesner
"Jed is one of the best bosses I've ever worked with. He is kind, understanding, and actively encouraged all of us to be the best versions of ourselves. He's a shining example of how industry leadership should be."

Sophia B Marcus
"The industry needs more leaders like Jed. His kindness and compassion were inspiring, encouraging me to do my best work and be my best self."

Dylan Valev
"Jed allowed me the creative freedom to create amazing work that I am proud of. He was clear with direction and feedback and kept us on track. He's got leadership skills that support teams under his care."

Michelle Thomas
"What really made Jed special was how much everyone liked him. He didn't have to try, and he used that talent to bring a fantastic group of people together to make the best games they could. Jed wants to bring out the best in everyone around him, and uses his skill and charisma to do just that."

Colin McInerney
"Jed's model for leadership is to build a group of people who support each other, rather than follow him unquestioningly. This style earned him the respect and dedication of the people he hired. I hesitate to even say he was a 'great BOSS' to his team; Jed is a true LEADER."

Trevor Whitaker Black