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At first glance, the worlds of professional sports and gaming appear quite different. One rooted in physical performance, the other in technology and creative design. However, the mindset that drives success on the football pitch can also provide a strong foundation for building a sustainable and innovative gaming business.
Niklas Süle, professional football player for Borussia Dortmund and CEO and co-founder of games&leaves GmbH, is applying this perspective with the move to establish a new sports game franchise.
“We follow a clear strategy: a multi-game approach designed to deliver a diverse portfolio of titles across various sports genres in the future. Our first release, Goalden League, is only the beginning, with plans to expand into new sports-themed games as well as casual, arcade, and board game formats. By deliberately avoiding reliance on a single title, we aim to position ourselves to diversify revenue streams, adapt to market trends, and maintain creative flexibility,“ Niklas states.
A Strategic Approach to Growth
Success in both sports and business requires discipline, consistent effort, strategic thinking, and adaptability under pressure. These principles form the pillars of the firm and relate pertinently to game development. The design philosophy emphasizes player engagement through immersive storytelling, innovative gameplay mechanics, and accessible design. This is also supported by continuous feedback loops with test audiences and iterative development processes, ensuring that games meet the expectations of dedicated players.
Beyond entertainment value, the company is exploring ways to integrate real-world rewards for players, bridging the gap between digital interaction and tangible outcomes. “We aim to transfer the thrill and emotion of playing sports into various sports games, while also engaging users to eventually win real-life prizes. This approach aligns with a broader industry shift toward experiences that combine digital and physical value, offering players more reasons to return and engage over time,“ Niklas explains.
Culture as a Core Asset
While product quality is critical, long-term success also depends on the culture within the gaming studio. There is strong commitment to fostering an environment characterized by collaboration, trust, and high performance. This “locker room” mentality, where teamwork, shared goals, and mutual respect drive collective success, is essential to producing consistently high-quality games.
“Our goal is to build a corporate culture of collaboration and trust. One where high performance meets high imagination. By empowering team members to contribute ideas beyond their specific roles, we ensure that innovation comes from all corners of the organization. If you’re passionate about games, driven by teamwork, and inspired by excellence, we’re looking for teammates, not just employees,“ Niklas emphasizes.
By combining the discipline and leadership honed through years in elite sports with a genuine passion for mobile gaming, Niklas sets the ultimate goal to redefine what sports games can offer, both to the players who enjoy them and the people who create them.
Looking Ahead
The gaming industry continues to expand, offering significant opportunities for businesses that combine creative ambition with disciplined execution in producing games that are both innovative and enduring in appeal.
Future plans do not only include further game portfolio expansion, but also strategic partnerships with sports and entertainment brands, as well as exploring advanced features such as competitive esports integration or community-driven content creation. By leveraging both industry trends and internal expertise, the company seeks to create sports titles that stand the test of time.
Motivated by this perspective, Niklas points out: “This journey has already taught me that ones identity does not have to be confined to one passion or profession. Creativity does not switch off when you leave the stadium. It just finds new outlets. I think we are on the right track and I am excited to take on the next steps and challenges that come with our sports franchise.“
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