GameDuell is one of Berlin’s best places to work at – here’s why!
To keep up the exceptional working atmosphere, it is crucial that all team members uphold a certain company culture and fundamental core values which produce the GameDuell vibe that is lived to the fullest every day.
Agile, goal-driven, motivated, attentive to detail, and only being satisfied with the best... These are just a few ingredients that go into making the GameDuell vibe.
We often hear from visitors just how special the GameDuell vibe is, because it is something usually only found in small startups which have been in operation for a few weeks.
Let's try to put the GameDuell vibe and the benefits GameDuell is offering in words. Here are 27 reasons why GameDuell is one of Berlin's places to work and why we receive around 500 applications per month.
Our office: much more than just a workplace
1. In the heart of Berlin
GameDuell has its finger on the pulse of the city! Our contemporary, bright and spacious office is located in the heart of Berlin, just a stone’s throw from Gendarmenmarkt, Friedrichsstraße and the Brandenburg Gate. There simply isn’t a more central location!
GameDuell is directly here: at Gendarmenmarkt in Berlin
2. After work BBQ
During a grill night on the terrace overlooking the roofs of Berlin, you can enjoy a great view of the French and German cathedrals at Gendarmenmarkt and have a nice chat with the other team members.
Yummy BBQ after work
3. Adjust your desk
All the office chairs and desks can be adjusted according to personal preference. High or low – it’s up to you.
Desks can be adjusted
4. 2 screens for everyone
It’s good to keep an overview of the situation. That’s why there are at least 2 computer screens at every desk. Or 1 large and 1 small. Or 3 small and 2 large. Or 4 large. Or... In short, at GameDuell, every work station can be completely individualized to your personal needs.
Some need 5 screens
5. Creative meeting rooms
Quippy’s Crib, Fluffy’s Nest, Hall of Game: these are not just names of features and characters from GameDuell games. Our creative meeting rooms bear these titles and are decorated accordingly. Additionally there is never a shortage of meeting rooms at GameDuell.
Project Manager meeting
6. Soundproof walls
In one room, project managers loudly discuss the various aspects of a new game, while in the meeting room next to it; developers are breathing life into snippets of code - all thanks to soundproof walls. They were installed especially when we moved in to keep it calm so that everyone can focus.
Soundproof walls ensure a relaxed working environment
7. World's best office chairs
Who doesn’t enjoy being comfortable? GameDuell team members sit on the best office chairs in the world: the Aeron by Hermann Miller.
We sit comfortable and healthy
8. Flexible working hours
GameDuell is perfect for those who like to sleep in. And for early birds. And for anyone, really, since we’ve replaced the standard 9 to 5 with flexible working hours.
That's the only clock in our office
Find all other reasons on our Corporate Website here.
Want to work with us?
27 Facts that make GameDuell one of Berlin’s best places to work
In the last few years, the concentration of internet companies in Berlin has reached new heights. As of today, 3,000 new startups per month are being founded.
The conditions for this are ideal: life in a big city that is affordable, train and subway systems that are convenient, and now - more than ever - those interested in Germany’s coolest and most fashionable cultural destination are willing to travel even long distances to experience it.
Publications from The New York Times to Asia Today are currently talking about the uniqueness of the “coolest city on the planet“, the special spirit that prevails here and how it is setting the tone for the world of the Internet all across Europe. Americans who wanted to make their mark in an online industry have typically gone to Silicon Valley. Europeans now head to Berlin.
This boom is fueled by the thinkers and leaders that work in Berlin companies. True to the Law of Attraction “like attracts like,” Berlin attracts ever more young, creative, extremely motivated and highly skilled personalities.
Many of them are not looking for “any old job.” They want a challenge that will allow them to actively contribute, shape, and ever-so-slightly change the Internet world.
That's the way to the GameDuell office
500 Applications per Month
Since 2002, GameDuell has been part of the startup capital and comes across as a bit of an old hand amongst all of the youngsters. After all, GameDuell has been able to collect extensive experience and has proven its long-term success.
In doing so, it has been able to maintain an outstanding company culture and consistently draw in top talent from all over the world.
This is why GameDuell now receives over 500 applications every month and plans to hire an additional 50 team members this year alone.
The GameDuell Vibe
To keep up the exceptional working atmosphere, it is crucial that all team members uphold a certain company culture and fundamental core values which produce the GameDuell vibe that is lived to the fullest every day.
Agile, goal-driven, motivated, attentive to detail, and only being satisfied with the best... These are just a few ingredients that go into making the GameDuell vibe.
We often hear from visitors just how special the GameDuell vibe is, because it is something usually only found in small startups which have been in operation for a few weeks.
In the following articles that will appear during the next week, we will try to describe the GameDuell vibe in more detail and allow a direct look into our company.
We love to cook ourselves
GameDuell to open Social Gaming Summit Berlin and Casual Connect Singapore
This week GameDuell's CEO Kai Bolik and Creative Director Michael Kalkowski will be speaking at conferences in Europe and Asia to share their longtime knowledge on social games and pick up interesting learnings from other speakers.
In both cases they were granted the honor to open the events with their presentations.
Make sure to pay us a visit and save the following dates.
Event: Casual Connect
Location: Singapore
Date: 22/05 at 9:00am
Title: Opening speech: Journey from the West – lessons for the future of social games in Asia
Speaker: Michael Kalkowski, Creative Director and Co-Founder, GameDuell
More information: Click here
Event: Social Gaming Summit
Location: Berlin
Date: 23/05 at 9:00am
Title: Opening Keynote: The future of social Games – how to be part of it
Speaker: Kai Bolik, CEO and Co-Founder, GameDuell
More information: Click here
A keen eye and nimble finger? Find the pirate’s treasure with Capt’n Torch!
Argh! All hands on deck, you landlubbers!
Hunt for valuable diamonds in GameDuell’s new game Capt’n Torch. A whole arsenal of pirate-strength tricks are at your disposal.
Are you ready for the treasure trove? Play Capt’n Torch now!
How does it work?
When the pyro meter catches fire, you will be able to remove many diamonds quickly
In Capt’n Torch, there are diamonds in five different colors. You can collect these gemstones when at least three of the same color are positioned next to each other on the game field.
To do this, a good eye and a quick index finger is required, because the time is ticking: you only have 80 seconds!
The pyro meter:
Decisive in this game is the pirate punch that the Capt’n brews for you in the pyro meter when you clear enough diamonds within a short period of time.
Then the playing field catches fire and every successful click is followed by an explosion that impacts your score!
Tips & Tricks:
Overconfidence is not rewarded! If you click on a diamond that is not connected to at least two others of its color, points will be deducted! Apart from that, every diamond group that successfully explodes, results in 10 points and a dancing Capt’n!
The five boosts
Choose three boosts in order to start the game.
So that the diamonds move over to your score even faster, the old rascal Capt’n Torch has thought up a few tricks.
At the beginning of the game, you can choose three from five possible boosts. They will simplify your hunt for the diamonds over the course of the game.
Note: All boosts have the same value, but help you in different ways.
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If you require more time, choose the hourglass: it will give you an additional 10 seconds of playing time. |
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The bomb brings quick help. With it you can clear all of the diamonds around the bomb irrespective of their color. |
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The color bomb works in the opposite manner: it causes only diamonds of a certain color to explode, but explodes all of these diamonds on the playing board - not just the ones near the bomb. This not only generates points, but also creates a lot of movement on the game field. |
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The fiery punch bowl is a good choice for a quick finger: with it you can make the pyro meter go even faster. |
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The multiplier allows you to collect double the points right from the start whenever you clear diamonds marked ‘x2.’ |
What are you waiting for? Capt’n Torch just set up a fresh pyro meter!
Kai Bolik, GameDuell CEO, to kick off the Berlin Social Gaming Summit
Kai Bolik will open the SGS Berlin
The global social games industry is coming together in Berlin in May for two intense days of learning sessions and know-how exchange. GameDuell, along with dozens of other prominent international game developers, will be participating.
Kai Bolik, CEO of GameDuell, will open the Berlin Social Gaming Summit conference with a keynote on May 23rd at 9 am, sharing some of GameDuell’s knowledge and experiences.
Kai’s keynote is titled, “The Future of Social Games: How to Be Part of It.” For more details on his presentation, read a quick description on the Berlin Social Gaming Summit website.
As CEO of the leading creator and supplier of cross-platform games in Europe, Kai shares the knowledge and background that comes from nine years of successful casual games development.
GameDuell is operating more than 80 social games on our own platform, mobile devices and social networks.
GameDuell founders Kai Bolik, Michael Kalkowski and Boris Wasmuth are regular speakers at the largest and most important events in the games world, such as the Game Developers Conference in San Francisco, Casual Connect in the United States, Europe and Asia, as well as European events like the Berlin Social Gaming Summit.
Casual Connect Europe 2012 Presentation by Michael Kalkowski about Cross-Platform
Casual Connect Europe was held in Hamburg from February 7th-9th. More than 4,000 well-known faces from the web, mobile and social games industry were on location to discuss the latest developments and trends in games.
Michael Kalkowski, Co-founder & Creative Director at GameDuell, spoke at the event about "Online-transplatform: Success Factors and Pitfalls of Cross-Platform Gaming". He shared key metrics and lessons learned from several GameDuell cross-platform social games. In addition, he provided interesting answers to the question of how game developers can benefit from offering cross-platform games to their players by improving user acquisition, monetization, and retention.
More about Cross-Platform on the GameDuell Blog
Fluffy Birds and Bubble Speed Birthday Cake
Today, the GameDuell team members prove once again that in addition to developing the best online games, they are also excellent pastry chefs.
Our team members with a sweet tooth are spoiled for choice: Fluffy Birds or Bubble Speed cake?
Who would you like to nibble on: Quippy or Fluffy?
GameDuell Inside: Take a look behind the curtain
GameDuell is the world's leading cross-platform community. On our new corporate website you have the chance to take a look behind the curtain and get to know us better.
Here's what's in for you:
All about GameDuell
- The company: What’s our mission and what do you really have to know about us
- The GameDuell history: From the start in 2003 till today
- Be responsible: Read about measures GameDuell carries out to support safe and responsible playing
Meet the GameDuell team
- Culture: Our team and culture are our greatest strengths - check out what’s so special about them
- Our office: Bright and spacious, table tennis and billard and in the heart of Berlin
- 3 guys, 1 dream, 1 vision: Find out who founded GameDuell back in 2003
Open jobs at GameDuell
- Work with us: Join the most fun workplace in Berlin and San Francisco and shape the games world
Press portal
- Get in touch: Our new press portal makes it easier to learn more about us
5 Best GameDuell Cross-Platform Games
The idea of cross-platform
We were recently diving into the subject of cross-platform gaming and how technology has allowed us to create a totally new type of gaming experience. Without any hassle, people are able to jump into their favorite games on different platforms: in any browser, on their smart phone and through social networks like Facebook and Google+.
One of the biggest benefits is that you don’t have to learn how to play your game again when switching to a new platform; in fact, the game experience is almost identical regardless of how or where you’re getting into it.
Although the idea of cross-platform gaming is not necessarily new, it’s been only recently that a few games companies have started to create games that run on smart phones, in any web browser and on social platforms.
Since it’s hard to keep track of everything happening across all these platforms, here is “GameDuell’s Top 5 Best Cross-Platform Games” list.
5. Bubble Speed
Bubble Speed is a fun and relaxing game that helps you to take a break in the heat of the day. But if you like a little bit more action, then Bubble Speed is the right choice and the best thing is that the mobile version of this classic puzzle game syncs with Facebook. This means, you’ll have you friend’s list and gems on both platforms.
Play Bubble Speed on Web | iOS | Facebook
4. Solitaire Harmony
Player ‘yscot’ explains best what this game is all about: “I love this game. It's very addicting and it's one of those games you can’t stop playing. It will keep you going for hours.” Skill and speed can make you a winner and it actually also runs on the Kindle Fire. Play solo or against the world.
Play Solitaire Harmony on Web | iOS | Android | Facebook
3. Jungle Jewels
Do you love puzzle and match three games? Then you need to play Jungle Jewels. The different game modes ensure that you can either relax while playing casually or experience a serious challenge. There is even an “endless” option – make sure you’ve got plenty of time if you start this mode, however, as you will not want to stop playing.
Play Jungle Jewels on Web | iOS | Android | Facebook
2. Cleopatra’s Pyramid
Everyone who loves Solitaire will also love Cleopatra’s Pyramid and its beautiful cards artwork. This version of the card game takes you back in the time of ancient Egypt and its legendary pyramids. The goal is to form pyramids of 52 cards without having to turn over a new card. The game play is truly captivating and with 212 levels you certainly won’t run out action any time soon.
Play Cleopatra’s Pyramid on Web | iOS | Android | Facebook
1. Fluffy Birds
These cute, fluffy, little, colorful birds want to be secured – desperately! So fire up your iOS or Android device, Facebook or log in to GameDuell.com to help them. The game is easy to learn but hard to master and the time you have to complete a level is limited, which adds tons of tension to the game. Fast thinking, quick reactions and intuitive skills are necessary in order to post high scores (and beat your challengers). This game is cuteness to the max – try it out yourself.
Play Fluffy Birds on Web | iOS | Android | Facebook
Which game do you like most?
What’s your favorite cross-platform GameDuell game? Let us know in the comments!
Why cross-platform is games’ greatest innovation
Years of learning
Let’s kick this off with a little anecdote some of us might have forgotten already:
The “cross-platform” idea is not something completely new. Back in the days when Microsoft launched the original Xbox, they were testing ways to connect console players with game enthusiasts who preferred playing on PCs. The goal was to unite and connect all gamers who were playing a game regardless of the platform they were using.
The biggest issue Microsoft faced came to light in 2007 with the game "Shadowrun". PC players using a keyboard and mouse were owning console players in deathmatches due to the differences in the platforms and controls. Within a few days, Xbox players began dropping out of online matches in droves, which quickly ended up killing the number of online games.
The end result was that Microsoft killed the idea of cross-platform games (prematurely) and focused instead on separating players per platform – until today. The idea of developing the same game in an identical way for different platforms was also put on pause for a long time.
Six years later, attitudes amongst games developers are very different – at least if we look into the casual and social gaming world. Companies like GameDuell, which offers more than 70 games on different platforms, have plunged into the cross-platform arena after realizing it was the right way to match player interests.
Same game, three different platforms
But what does this all mean to us, the gamers?
When your friends tell you about their new favorite game which “you’ve just gotta try”, you no longer have to spend much time worrying about platform compatibility. Many of today’s new games are cross-platform and will run on almost any device you have in your pocket or at home.
Our best example at GameDuell: Fluffy Birds. If you can’t get enough of those cute little birds, then you’ll love the cross-platform nature of the game. When you’re on Windows or Mac, the application runs without any downloads or installations directly in your web browser.
When you’re away from your computer - on the way to work, waiting in line, avoiding commercials on TV - you can fire up the iOS or Android version and play the exact same game on an iPhone, iPod touch or similar Android devices.
Lunch break at work and you still can’t get enough for the fluffy birds? It’s a perfect time to log in to Facebook and play a bit when the boss isn’t looking.
Today’s games are also created so that PC players won’t have an advantage over other platforms by default. Games are now created so that they not only play the same, but have similar layout and design, making the entire game experience identical amongst all platforms.
Cross-platform game design enables people to easily play their favorite game on different platforms whenever and wherever they please. Apart from the screen size of the various devices, there isn’t much difference between the gaming experiences, allowing players to use the same game identity, track results across all platforms and much more.
The idea of cross-platform gaming at GameDuell
The greatest innovation
In 20 years when we’re discussing this ever changing and fast paced industry, 2012 will be remembered as the year gaming experienced one of its greatest innovations in history.
The way players interact with their games and with their friends has completely changed; people have never been more engaged with games than today and it became possible to play 24/7/365, anywhere, anytime and with anyone, whether they are a friend or a complete stranger.
While every one else is just starting to talk about the importance of cross-platform play, GameDuell has already been at it for almost an entire year.
We have 50 games that are now cross platform across the web, Facebook, iOS and now Android, putting us a step ahead of almost everyone else. We are hopeful that we will be able to balance our games better now than in the early days of cross-platform games six years ago.
At GameDuell, we’re not just talking about cross-platform, we are cross-platform!
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