David Helgason of Unity Technologies #157

TWiST #157 with David Helgason of Unity Technologies

On this episode of TWiST, we take a global look at gaming startups as Jason sits down with David Helgason of Unity Technologies. Unity, originally founded in Denmark, is a platform for creating 3D games and David is on a mission to democratize game development. With clients ranging from EA and Disney to niche hobbyists, Unity is busy disrupting the gaming ecosystem while attracting the attention of the Valley's top VCs.

0:00-1:00 Welcome and introduction of guest, David Helgason of Unity Technologies.
1:00-3:00 Join the TWiST List to become a part of the show: twistlist.co to sign up.
3:00-4:15 Thank you to Trada for sponsoring the program.
4:15-5:45 Welcome to David. What is Unity Techonologies?
5:45-7:45 Where are you from originally?
7:45-9:00 So you went user, then platform?
9:00-10:00 Was SaaS something that hit Denmark all at once?
10:00-10:30 So what did people start making?
10:30-11:30 Did you and your partners think of giving up?
11:30-12:00 What happened when you offered it for free?
12:00-13:45 How did you wind up meeting Sequoia Capital?
13:45-15:30 How many Danish VCs are there? Do they have funds?
15:30-16:30 David tells about his first meeting with Roelof. Jason: Did you talk to any other VCs besides Sequoia?
16:30-17:45 Did you ever date a girl who had all of these terms that came with being with her?
17:45-19:00 Is it true that the lower-tier VCs have ridiculous terms?
19:00-20:00 After that you came to the US?
20:00-22:00 Does the US have more red tape than Denmark? What are the advantages to being in the US?
22:00-24:30 Thank you to MailChimp for sponsoring the show.
24:30-25:15 David demonstrates a Unity game, Guerilla Bob, on his phone.
25:15-26:00 If they build the game in your software, they can import it to many different platforms? How easy is it?
26:00-26:30 How much faster can people build games now that they have the 3D model and the engine set up?
26:30-27:30 How much of the game was built in your platform?
27:30-28:30 The platforms combined with smartphones combined with app store monetization have changed everything, yes?
28:30-29:30 How much does someone pay for your engine and what is that rate based on?
29:30-30:30 TWiST List Producer Rodrigo asks: Do you have any plans to add augmented reality to the system?
30:30-31:00 You only made one game on your own system. What did you learn from that?
31:00-32:00 What do you think the outlook is for mobile publishers?
32:00-33:00 Tyler: Will we get to the point where high school kids are making games in class?
33:00-33:45 Will smartphones destroy the concept of the console?
33:45-34:00 What’s your take on the Sony PlayStation hack?
34:00-37:00 What’s E3 like these days?
37:00-38:30 Jason talks about how infrequently he games these days.
38:30-40:00 Tell me about taking a risk as an entrepreneur? How important is persistence to your success?
40:00-41:45 So there’s a time to be risk adverse and a time to take risks?
41:45-42:30 Does not having enough money in the bank scare you?
42:30-45:00 Tell me about the times you’ve been paranoid in the past and it’s paid off?
45:00-46:15 As a CEO with highly skilled technical people, how do you get people who are smarter than you to take competitor threats seriously?
46:15-47:30 How do you run your bootcamps for employees?
47:30-48:00 So basically you’re creating telecommuting centers so that you can have access to people worldwide?
48:00-49:30 Let’s talk about your other competitors. Is Unreal Technology the biggest one?
49:30-51:30 How has your second phase been an adjustment for you as CEO?
51:30-54:30 Tell me about connected TVs and Internet devices. How will that impact your business?
54:30-55:00 What kind of chips are they putting into them now?
55:00-58:00 Do you think Apple is going to make a TV?
58:00-1:00:00 Examining the similarities between David and James Spader.
1:00:00-1:4:00 Executive Producer Greg Berry in the Shark Tank.
1:4:00-1:06:00 Jason: I think the idea is very strong. I give it an 8 and I think the pitch was very tight.
1:06:00-1:06:30 Tyler: The pitch was great, a solid 8. I’m intrigued by the model. My thought is that you might be leaving some money on the table.
1:06:30-1:08:00 David: I think the pitch was a 6.
1:08:00-1:09:30 Jason helps Greg refine his pitch. David: I give the business a 9.
1:09:30-1:10:30 Thank you to David for being on the show.

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FOLLOW ON TWITTER
Jason: @jason
Tyler: @steepdecline
David: @davidhelgason
Unity Technologies: @unity3d

Special Thanks to the members of the TWiST List Producer Program!
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• Louis-Eric Simard
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