In this episode of Nerdpreneur, hosts Chris Saunders and Frank sit down with JJ, the founder and CEO of Mythical City Games, an indie video game studio that's made half a dozen VR games. JJ shares his journey from working in the film industry to founding a video game development studio in Vancouver, Canada. The conversation dives into the intricacies of game development, particularly in the realm of virtual reality (VR), and explores the challenges and rewards of turning a nerdy passion into a successful business. Episode Links: Mythical City Games Follow JJ on Twitter Key Takeaways: Transitioning Careers: JJ transitioned from film production to game development due to a lack of creative fulfillment in his film career. The skills and processes from film production, such as pre-production, production, and post-production, translated well into game development. Starting Mythical City Games: JJ founded Mythical City Games in Vancouver after moving from the United States. The studio focuses on VR games, but also develops PC and mobile games. VR Game Development: VR offers a unique, immersive experience where players use their bodies as controllers. JJ highlighted the accessibility of VR, making it easier for non-gamers to engage with games. The Importance of Feedback: Getting early feedback from testers is crucial, even if the game is not yet polished. Understanding and parsing feedback helps improve the game and cater to the target audience. Funding and Industry Insights: Various funding options include publishers, investors, grants, and crowdfunding. The VR industry is stable but needs more big AAA titles to drive headset sales and user engagement. Innovations and Challenges in VR: Form factor and motion sickness remain significant challenges in VR. JJ emphasized the importance of VR experiences and the potential for business applications. Connect with Nerdpreneur: Website Twitter Instagram To get the extended interview with JJ and bonus Talking Nerdy Episodes sign up to be a member of the "AWESOME Nerdpreneur Board!" *Ominous Thunderclap* by going to www.Patreon.com/nerdpreneur New interviews with Nerdy entrepreneurs every month turning their unique passion into full-time income. Next Episode Preview: Don't miss next episode where Chris and Frank will talk to Pocket Bard! They are a start up that's revolutionizing the world of Music for your D&D game. Hit follow so you don't miss it! Don't want to spend money to be an AWESOME Board Member? You can become a Free Board Member with just your email. Board Members receive… Monthly "Loot" we think is epic, useful, or just cool! Episode updates (including upcoming guests) Occasional articles written by Chris or Frank on Nerdy Business subjects Nothing that sucks! Become a FREE Board Member HERE Follow us on Instagram @Nerdpreneurpod, Twitter @Nerdpreneurpod, and TikTok @nerdpreneur Follow Chris @professorepicproductions and Frank @frankrbaileyiv