Presented by DataStax

Building your player base and making sure it thrives long-term requires the right technology tools, solutions and strategy. In this VB Spotlight, industry pros behind one of the world’s largest games share the key strategies and crucial technology that helps games rise to the top.

Watch now, on-demand!

A poor user experience will kill a game fast. For 50% of players, poor response in the games they play is their biggest frustration, and 34% will quit a session, or ditch even an entire game, in the face of bad response times. Of course, and unfortunately, a studio can’t control variables on the user’s end. But if it wants to stay competitive in an increasingly crowded market, it had better take charge of every other element of a game — particularly when it comes to putting its tech infrastructure in place and making technology decisions.

“If your game takes even as long as a blink of the eye to respond, that’s when players start looking for other options,” says Aaron Ploetz, DBRE and developer advocate at DataStax. “A good example of this is the launch of Pokémon Go, which fell on its face because the data store layer was not properly scaled. They didn’t think ahead of time in terms of the potential audience, and the technology they’d need to handle an influx of users. It’s about being prepared to handle your own success.”

For a game today, that means a real-time scalable data stack that can deliver user experiences, and back up engagement, retention and growth strategies. Developers need to launch the game with technology optimized to handle the situations you expect (like outages), the events you’re hoping for (like overwhelming popularity) and the possibility of expansion in the future.

From the start, it’s important to build out the components of a game system so that they can be individually scaled. By their nature, some systems will need more CPU, some more RAM, others more disk, all based on what kinds of functions they’re fundamentally designed to handle. The more separated these components are, the easier it is to spec out those resources based on what’s necessary at any given time. Ploetz points to the cloud microservice architecture paradigm as an example, especially as cloud digital transformation has become more ubiquitous.

For the data store layer, it’s important to think about using tech that he describes as geographically aware. Apache Cassandra (also the database behind DataStax Astra DB), is geographically aware, because you can logically tie it to a data center. The idea is to make data calls as local as possible, to reduce as much latency as possible. Users in New York shouldn’t have to call all the way to London for a data write.

“A geographically aware database is about getting the data to where your customers are,” he explains. “Most cloud economists recommend ensuring your data replication centers are in places that are central to where your customers live. But if money were no object, you’d want to put your data in as many regions as possible.”

He notes that building distributed data structures is quite different than traditional relational databases, not only in the way that data is stored, but in the way that it’s accessed. Relational databases were designed at a time when disk space was inordinately expensive (to the tune of a million bucks); today you can snag a terabyte drive off Newegg for $40.

For distributed data models, operational time can be the challenge. When you store the items that are queried together, column values, rows and partitions can start to grow large — and that means queries slow down, sometimes significantly. Keeping it as small as possible makes the most difference in performance — the smaller the result sets, the faster your system moves. It’s part of what makes dealing with large-scale distributed systems a challenging endeavor, and why companies new to the technology should start small, one system at a time, and tap a partner for backup.

To learn more about the ways your technology backend is directly tied to player engagement, retention and growth, how to build a powerful game infrastructure that grows with your studio and more, don’t miss this VB Spotlight event!

Watch free, on-demand here

Agenda

• Launching new games faster and shipping updates quickly
• Increasing player engagement, retention and word of mouth
• Scaling efficiently and cost effectively for every size audience
• Maintaining availability for a global audience

Presenters

• Henning Kosmack, CEO and Co-founder, MegaZebra
• Daniel Lee, Solutions Architect – WWCS DNB Games, AWS
• Aaron Ploetz, DBRE/Developer Advocate, DataStax
• Rachel Kaser, Technology Writer, VentureBeat (Moderator)

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The following schedule has been designed and approved with the expectation that students must plan to take up to two examinations per day. Questions about this schedule or policy should be directed to successcenter@calvin.edu. (See below regarding classes that meet four days per week and common test times for some classes.)

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The first volume of Weekly Shōnen Jump this year had something interesting in it. The main characters from each magazine were dressed in similar attire and presented the same phrase in different forms: 合格祈願 (Gōkaku kigan). As for the meaning of this cover and this phrase, it's a cultural thing.

A lot of what's going on in Shōnen Jump's cover has to do with the New Year. Japan has its own set of traditions for celebrating New Year's Day. Jump decided to use this occasion to embody a rather specific part of that tradition.

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In Japan, people like to usher in the New Year with their first official visit to a local Buddhist temple or Shinto shrine; this is called Hatsumōde (初詣). Once there, they'll make all sorts of prayers (祈願, kigan) for good luck. They often pray for fortune in things like health, love, business, or even exorcism. In the case of students, the thing they pray for should be obvious.

A Gōkaku kigan is best translated as a "prayer for (academic) success." This is for all of the entrance exams and other such exams that students have to take at the start of the New Year. They might not feel confident that studying is enough, so they hope for a miracle on top of it.

As for why Jump is praying for success on exams, in particular, it likely has to do with their target demographic. Shōnen (少年) specifically refers to young or adolescent boys. This mostly refers to elementary school and middle school boys, but it can also include high school boys, too; any other demographic the magazine happens to attract is just good business. This cover is wishing luck to all the young boys in the audience who will likely be taking exams soon.

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The way 合格祈願 is written and presented can be in many forms. Most who are cheering for students to succeed will wave flags, fans, and banners. Some more eccentric supporters will put on outfits or speak through megaphones like they're part of an ōendan (応援団), literally "cheering squad" or "cheering section"). Much of this can be seen in the Jump cover.

It was nice of Jump to pay this indirect tribute to its readers. It serves as both a thank-you for reading, but also a reminder of the importance of studying. Hopefully, the readers will take this prayer to heart and do their best on their exams.

Series 79, also known as the Investment Banking Representative Exam, is a Representative-Level test administered by FINRA. Anyone who passes the Series 79 test is qualified to advise on and/or facilitate debt and equity offerings, mergers and acquisitions, tender offers, financial restructurings, asset sales, divestitures (or other corporate reorganizations), and business combination transactions.

Low-code/no-code platforms have gained much attention as a way to meet growing software development demands as digital transformation continues apace.

These platforms are designed to streamline app development with intuitive drag-and-drop interfaces and preconstructed templates, enabling non-technical users to build custom applications and integrations without writing code. 

Growth is on tap for the platforms, largely attributed to enterprise-wide hyperautomation and composable business initiatives. According to research by Gartner, the global market for low-code development technologies is projected to reach $26.9 billion this year, up 19.6% from 2022.

Low-code/no-code platforms offer several advantages, but they are not without their share of obstacles and challenges. The tools can create an over-reliance on the low-code/no-code vendor. While the technology has found uptake in simple workflow integrations with cloud services, it may stumble as more complex projects are undertaken. Security and governance of low-code implementations may lag as citizen developers quickly launch applications.

Still, the low-code/no-code paradigm gains momentum.

Demystifying low code/no code: The reality behind the hype

Low-code/no-code platforms have been around for decades in various forms, but only in latest years have they gained such widespread popularity. This popularity can be attributed to increasing digital transformation, which has led businesses to embrace cloud-based platforms and services. Low-code/no-code platforms provide accessible solutions for businesses looking to develop and integrate custom applications without investing in more developers. 

“The low-code market has evolved due to the ability to connect with more tools and technologies,” Jessica D’Oliveira, an analyst at research and advisory firm Forrester, told VentureBeat. “The standard capabilities have not changed but have gone deeper into user experiences, data management and process automation.”

D’Oliveira said low code is effective for companies of any size. But companies must embrace digital transformation, and be willing to adjust their organizations to adopt low-code approaches. 

The needs of businesses and developers are similar in enterprises and the startup/small business segments of the market, she said. In fact, developer tools are undergoing the same evolution presently seen in business users’ tools.

“Low-code/no-code platforms are maturing at speed, growing to integrate with other technologies in the area of artificial intelligence called TuringBots that develop apps for you. This is not just changing low code/no code, but development for all methodologies,” explained D’Oliveira. 

According to Shiva Nathan, founder and CEO of application development platform Onymos, low code/no code has become more advanced and accessible over the last decade. Yet he counsels caution.

Workflow sees low-code/no-code inroads

Nathan told VentureBeat, “Low code/no code is especially appealing during the boom part of the economic cycle, when the need for software projects, hence software engineers, is high.” Driving low-code/no-code interest is a need for more tech talent, which is where the new tooling models generally aid.

But one endeavor stands out right now: These tools have found their biggest uptake in workflow automation programs, Nathan indicated.

“Workflow automation platforms are low code/no code, too, and most sales and marketing teams are leveraging them today to automate their campaigns or poll their user bases,” he said. “Pragmatists can wager that low code/no code will remain a good tool for use cases like those.”

Likewise, James Glover, general manager of AI at personalized marketing platform Movable Ink, said one of the main misconceptions is that simply adopting a low-code/no-code platform will automatically Improve content production and remove any go-to-market inefficiencies.

While it will certainly help in those regards, organizations still need a clear roadmap for exactly how they will integrate these technologies into their existing tech ecosystems and how their users will be impacted.

“It is important to note that low-code solutions will not completely eliminate positions within the organization. The most successful companies realize that adopting a low-code solution empowers their staff, not replaces them,” Glover told VentureBeat. “Another misconception is that it takes a massive implementation cycle to get there. This is not the case — [these solutions are] quicker to implement than people think.”

Glover added that these platforms are enablers for personalization, and personalization is proven to drive the massive lift. 

“Because it’s automated and has no code, you can run clear A/B tests that demonstrate the lift of the no-code automated solution compared to more traditional approaches. Using these platforms to optimize measurement capabilities and drive revenue are key ways for CTOs and CEOs to get the most benefit out of these solutions,” he said. 

What’s fueling the low-code/no-code movement?

The COVID-19 pandemic resulted in a major shift toward a digital-first approach for many businesses. Low-code/no-code platforms offer a solution to these highly demanding changes by enabling quick deployment of applications, often in a matter of weeks, much faster than developing them from scratch. This is especially important for small and medium-sized businesses lacking the budget for traditional large-scale development efforts. 

Critics argue that these platforms limit applications’ customizability and that the result is often a product that doesn’t fully meet the business’s needs. But one technology manager at a leading business consulting, information technology and outsourcing services provider believes this narrow view overlooks important benefits.

Balakrishna D. R., popularly known as Bali, executive vice president and global head of AI, automation and ECS at Infosys, said he believes low-code/no-code platforms are becoming even more prominent in the context of current technological advancements. 

“Low code/no code allows organizations to achieve business agility and cost optimization through the evolution of verticals — including experiential design, digital experience and application platforms, digital process automation, enterprise productivity, and data science and AI,” Bali told VentureBeat. 

Infosys, Bali said, has seen these benefits as it aided in the creation of low-code mobile regulatory compliance tools for sales and relationship managers at a leading U.K. commercial and business banking services provider. Using this platform for more than 7,000 managers across 58 countries, the company reduced administration staff costs by 50–60% and increased app adoption by 30% in less than five months, he said.

Another underrated resource in many low-code/no-code platforms is the ability to integrate seamlessly with other tools and technologies, such as project management tools, CRMs and databases. This makes it easier for businesses to build end-to-end solutions.

Best practices augur long-term success

Low-code/no-code platforms are not without limitations. For one thing, as with every technology, security and data privacy concerns still loom large. 

“Decentralizing application development to business users introduces the risk of the proliferation of applications in the environment that aren’t developed to company standards. Applications that are implemented without following proper development standards risk introducing security or regulatory compliance issues to the environment,” said David McIntire, engagement director of application managed services at Capgemini Americas.

McIntire recommends that companies study potential risks associated with a platform and define the standards and governance for the use of the platform, prior to rolling it out to non-professional developers.

“Devote the time at the onset of an engagement to define the structures and processes that govern the use of the platform,” McIntire told VentureBeat. “Defining the training required for citizen developers, the standards around security and data, the processes for delivering new applications and the review process are all key to using low code/no code to balance time-to-market and application quality.”

Likewise, Liran Hason, CEO and cofounder of AI model monitoring platform Aporia, said that allowing departments outside of core R&D to have access to creating automation through low-code/no-code platforms results in higher efficiency and productivity. But Hason acknowledged “the security aspect of adopting these tools with minimal standardization, mainly when talking about permissions and misconfigurations.”

“To combat these fears,” Hason said, “create the right infrastructure and equip your security teams with visibility to easily vet the gain versus risk of these tools.”

Hason got to the crux of the matter by saying that it’s easier to educate and teach non-technical personnel to use an app than to learn computer science.

The movement is nothing less, he said, than the next step in democratizing software engineering.

Secure Copy is a UNIX standard used to transfer files from one computer to another. He's how to use the function in macOS, all via the Terminal window.

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scp examples

scp local copies

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When I visited the SCP hotel in Redmond, Oregon a couple of weeks before Christmas, I heard there was going to be a performance of The Christmas Carol in the lobby at six. It seemed a bit unusual for a hotel, but I like Christmasy stuff, so I went downstairs. That’s when I found out I was in the show. Everyone was. A local librarian passed out copies of the script, which we were to perform readers’ theater style. At my request to be a ghost, she cast me as the Ghost of Christmas Past. My fellow players ranged in age from about seven to perhaps mid-60s. As far as I could tell, I was the only person staying at the hotel. The experience made me feel immediately involved in the community. I’d just rolled into town, and already I was in a play.

This is one of an impressive number of community initiatives I was to learn about during my two-day stay at SCP Redmond. The initials stand for Soul Community Planet and I was astounded at how diligently the brand works to live up to that promise.

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The hotel layout

SCP Redmond is right in the downtown strip. The town of Redmond has a population of just under 36,000 and is 17 miles northeast of Bend. While Bend has exploded to reach a population of more than 100,000 in the last couple of years, Redmond still has a smaller town feel.

The hotel has a lot going on. Between its café, two bars, upscale restaurant and coworking space, I suspect some people don’t initially realize these aren’t separate businesses, but part of a single hotel. There’s also a gym equipped with two Peloton bikes, TRX trainers and a good selection of small equipment like kettlebells, dumbbells, medicine balls and yoga props. And a dedicated meditation space. It’s all decked out with lots of art and an outdoorsy/explorer theme.

Redmond’s big attractions are nature and business. Many hotel guests are hikers and rock climbers exploring nearby Smith Rock State Park. Business travelers may be in aviation — Redmond has the regional airport — or be affiliated with Facebook and Apple’s humongous data centers in nearby Prineville.

Integrating into the community

As I sat in Provisions Market, the hotel’s café, general manager Tobias Colvin blew my mind with all of SCP’s community connections and said, “If you look at some of the items that are on the shelves, you’ll see local entrepreneurs.”

He pointed out delicious-looking candied nuts made by Smith Rock Nut Roasters, the side hustle of a local high school teacher. There’s coffee from Bend roaster Back Porch and teas from central Oregon brand Metolius Teas. As he talked, I panic my recorder wouldn’t pick up his voice, as the place was packed with artsy, enthusiastic high school students and other assorted locals starting their day with smoothies, espresso drinks and conversation. The carefully curated snacks benefit both hotel and entrepreneurs.

“It builds their business. And it helps our customers get a uniquely local product that they’re not going to get anyplace else,” Colvin said.

SCP also works with agencies like Diversability to employ people whose diverse abilities make it difficult to find jobs. The hotel has some not-so-verbal people who clean the hotel and do dishes in the restaurants. These workers might start off with a job coach until they learn their tasks.

“So it’s giving them confidence in their abilities,” Colvin said. “The goal is to be self-sufficient.”

The Provisions Market is especially popular with Redmond residents. Book clubs come in. A knitting club gets together every Tuesday to chat, knit together and have coffee or tea. Friend groups regularly meet up here. That said, it hasn’t all been easy. SCP Redmond opened in December 2019 which, as you might remember, was only a few months before a world-altering pandemic.

“The growth has been very slow,” Colvin said. “But once we get people, they come back all the time.”

A surprisingly veg-friendly property

I knew ahead of time that SCP billed itself as “plant-forward.” But when I got there, the property turned out to be all vegetarian! This may not last forever. As Erin Behzadian, executive chef of Terra Kitchen told me, SCP Redmond was having a hard time finding ethically-sourced local meat. So they took it off the menu.

During my stay, I reveled in the meat-free space. I ordered a vegan burger and avocado-based chocolate mousse at the Wayfarer Bar. For my two mornings there, I drank smoothies and ate a vegan breakfast burrito or avocado toast.

And best of all, there’s Terra Kitchen. I was pretty shocked to find an upscale veg restaurant in Redmond. So are the locals, some of whom realize there’s no meat on the menu and turn around and walk out. Behzadian said that they’ve added pizzas recently to make the menu more approachable, and that’s helped with locals. I skipped the pizza and ordered the delightful veg-packed Persian stew, one of her grandmother’s recipes.

The SCP brand

If the brand’s message of soul, community and planet sounds good to you, you’re in luck. The chain is expanding. Right now, it owns properties in Oregon, Colorado, California, Hawaii and Costa Rica. SCP doesn’t build anything. Instead, they buy and revive. The SCP Redmond site first started out as a hotel in 1906. The properties may differ drastically in size, location and amenities.

“The brand is always the same,” said Colvin. “We’re always trying to go for soul, community, planet. We try to source things locally. We try to make sure that it’s all healthy food that you’re eating.”

When I checked in, the desk person greeted me and told me they’d be planting a tree in honor of my stay, like they do for everyone. I can’t think of a better welcome.

The MarketWatch News Department was not involved in the creation of this content.

Feb 16, 2023 (The Expresswire) -- [In-short Report Summary with Updated 120 Pages] : ”Modern Industry Trends, Business Segment Analysis, Top Key Players, Types, Applications and Grooming Regions”

Latest “Hyper Converged Infrastructure Market” Growth 2023: Report analysis based on sales revenue, economic expansions, technological advancements, and changes in consumer behavior. The report highlights new market opportunities, competitive landscape, strengths and weaknesses, effective sales strategies and business plans are developed in the research. By staying informed about changing market trends and anticipating new opportunities, businesses can position themselves for long-term growth and success. Rising demand of Hyper Converged Infrastructure Market driven by various factors such as changing consumer preferences, development plans, and demographic trends.

The MarketWatch News Department was not involved in the creation of this content.