Here's how you can regroup and move forward after a failed game release.

A good thing is to write down a list of, let's say, ten things that went right – what you're proud of. It might be tough, but acknowledging yourself and your work might help you escape a deep black hole you're falling into.

Owning up to mistakes can be tough, but it’s like respawning after a tough boss fight—you’ve got to face it head-on to get better. Gather the team and have an honest chat about what went wrong, keeping it blame-free. Once you’ve got the lowdown, start mining those setbacks for valuable XP. Sure, some things flopped, but there were also moves that worked. By tackling the failure directly, you set the stage for a stronger comeback, making sure the next release is powered by all those hard-earned lessons!

It’s tough, but it’s important to acknowledge what went wrong. Talk openly with your team about the setbacks, without pointing fingers. Once you’ve accepted the situation, you can start learning from it. Look at what didn’t work, but also what did. By facing the failure head-on, you can rebuild stronger and smarter, ensuring the next release benefits from the lessons learned.

There is often just a very similar level of work that went into a bad game vs a good one. The reasons why a game turned out bad can vary but how you recover from this can be situational. - Bad overall because of gameplay / design issues. A different new set of guys or juniors who have fresher game experiences may be able to avoid the sin of the original designers/devs being "too close to problem" - Didn't care about the game or got sick of working on it. Often the best thing to do is work on a smaller thing with the least burned out members of the team who still want to stick around - Ran out of money/ time. Is it really the end of the road? you might be able to keep going with a skeleton crew depending on what's fixable. Raise more $?

One thing I've found helpful is accepting failure as a learning opportunity. Actually, I disagree with dwelling on disappointment, as it hinders growth. An example I've seen is developers analyzing feedback from failed releases to improve their next project.

I disagree with this sentiment. Will your passengers on your plane have any idea what it takes to design a new plane? This is the old adage that gamers can design and Lead game development. They can only offer criticism. And they love to pile it on.

One thing I've found helpful is actively seeking player feedback after a setback. Actually, I disagree with avoiding criticism, as it offers key insights. An example I've seen is using surveys to gather honest opinions, leading to valuable improvements in future projects.

This should have been done in the beginning with a playable level. Gain valuable data from the test level. Does Pixar make a movie without first developing a storyboard AND solving their technical issues using the development of a short film? Every animated short they make is solving a technical hurdle for a major film.

One thing I've found helpful is analyzing user engagement data to identify problem areas. Actually, I disagree with relying solely on qualitative feedback without quantitative insights. An example I've seen is using metrics like retention rates to guide necessary improvements or redesigns.

Staying positive is key to regrouping and moving forward. It’s easy to get discouraged, but maintaining a positive outlook helps you focus on solutions instead of setbacks. Remind your team that failure is part of the process and an opportunity to learn. Celebrate the effort that went into the project, and focus on the steps you can take to improve. By staying positive and keeping morale up, you create the momentum needed to turn things around and head towards success with renewed energy.