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- 5 Business Lessons Learned from the Zombies from Plants vs. Zombies
Business inspiration can come from the unlikeliest of places—even the undead. Playing Plants vs Zombies has taught me more about running Dune Technology Ltd and KudosQA A than most business books. Here are five business lessons learned from the zombies about growing companies and delivering great results (while staying human, of course): Always Have a Goal in Mind (Brains = Success) Every zombie knows what they want, and they march relentlessly toward it. In business, having a clear goal keeps you focused, whether it's ISO27001 certification at Dune or achieving a 100% pass rate for console submissions at KudosQA. Bonus points if your goal is slightly tastier than brains. Adapt and Innovate (Bucket Heads = Resilience) Your competitors will throw all kinds of barriers at you, whether it's sunflowers or the latest tech challenges. The zombies’ ability to upgrade (hello, bucket heads!) reminds us to adapt, grow, and reinforce our strengths. For us, it’s scaling QA teams overnight or creating nearshore development teams that can handle anything. Specialise Your Team (Diverse Zombies = Diverse Talents) Every zombie brings a unique skill set; think pole vaulting, digging, or dancing! At Dune, our DevOps experts and game developers shine alongside AI specialists. At KudosQA , our testers ensure that even the sneakiest bugs get squashed. The right mix of skills makes us unstoppable. Collaboration is Key (Zombie Conga Line = Teamwork) Success isn’t a solo venture. Zombies work together to overwhelm obstacles. At Dune Technology Ltd and KudosQA , our team-first mentality means we support one another to meet deadlines, conquer projects, and deliver quality. Plus, conga lines are way more fun than silos. Persistence Pays Off The zombies don’t give up—ever. (Annoying for the player, inspiring for business.) Whether it’s late-night game testing or meeting tight dev deadlines, persistence and determination are why Dune and Kudos continue to grow and excel. So next time you see a zombie shuffling toward its goal, don’t panic—take notes.
- 2025 Trends To Watch Out For
2025 is well and truly here. The games industry stands at a pivotal crossroads shaped by the challenges and innovations of recent years. Despite last year's widespread layoffs and uncertainty, the ongoing global demand for gaming experiences continues to fuel creativity, drive innovation, and redefine how studios approach game development and production. I’ve taken a step back and looked at trends that will shape the games industry this year, from the rebirth of new studios to the evolving roles of AI and cybersecurity. These trends not only highlight the adaptability of the industry but also underscore the exciting potential for growth and transformation in the years to come. The Cycle Begins Again After what has been arguably one of the worst periods for layoffs in the games sector, In 2025 we're going to see a hoard of new games studios arise from the ashes. Games is a passion industry and the talent tends to stay in the sector. The demand for games is the biggest it's ever been. We're already seeing new studios start to emerge, with more freedom over their creativity and autonomy over their direction. Demand For Co-Development and 3rd Party Services Will Continue To Increase The last period has shown how unsustainable it can be to build and maintain large internal teams, through the development and release cycle. In 2025, studios that have downsized will increase their collaboration with other games studios to allow them access to the talent, without the financial commitments and risks of full-time employment. QA Continues To Shift Left The combination of the ever-increasing complexity of modern games, teams pushing the boundaries of what each generation of hardware can do and internal pressure for teams to deliver quickly, results in bugs. Bugs are a natural by-product of software development and need to be planned for holistically. Teams that include QA from the conception of the project, catch bugs faster and have better visibility of outstanding issues. This allows them to be able to plan and forecast more accurately and not get stuck in the crazy rush to find and fix everything before a fixed deadline. AI Is Being Embraced (but not trusted) We've seen tools and AI integrated across the board in all walks of software development across coding, Art, video generation, QA, content generation and more. While scaremongers are shouting that AI is taking people's jobs, the reality is that talent across all works of game development are using those tools to improve their productivity and workflow. Using these tools successfully is a new skill in itself, which will start being assessed as part of the hiring process. Security and Cybersecurity Will See Even More Importance Cyber security risks are probably at the highest they have ever been. The combination of the visibility of games studios, and the fact that many studios are relatively small makes them an attractive and often soft target for cyber attacks. Be it Ransomware attacks, DDoS, or data breaches. Games studios should be building security into their games and internal systems from the outset. Providing security training for their staff, managing their supply chain carefully and of course conducting 3rd party penetration tests before launch. These trends reflect a dynamic and forward-thinking industry that continues to captivate and inspire audiences worldwide. As gaming moves further into the mainstream, 2025 is set to be a year where innovation and resilience pave the way for a brighter, more secure, and more creative future. What have I missed? What do you think will be the big trends for next year? Let me know below 👇
- 5 Business Lessons Learned from the Harkonnens
As someone who named their business Dune Technology, what did you expect? 1. Leave no Resource Untapped! 💼💡 The Harkonnens know that if there’s value to be gained, you dive in headfirst. Take advantage of every opportunity that presents itself. In software and QA, you take each opportunity to shine in delivery, be proactive with delivery issues as they arise, and make sure communication is clear across all levels. Maximize the opportunity for repeat work and recommendations. Maybe treat your people a bit better than the Harkonnens did though. 🤝😊 2. Build your Reputation 🏆👩💻 A notorious reputation can work for or against you. Baron Harkonnen taught us the power of making a lasting impression – though perhaps without the heart plugs! 🫀 For both QA and development, it’s all about building credibility: make your quality standards so well-known that clients can’t imagine launching without you. Let's be known for our work, not the sabotage! 🤫 3. Calculated Ruthlessness – Harkonnen Tactics in Project Management 📈⏳ Sometimes, you’ve got to make difficult decisions for the good of the project. The Baron didn’t flinch when it came to achieving his objectives, and while we don’t recommend plotting (or double-crossing), there’s something to be said for focused prioritization. Feature creep? Mercilessly cut it down. Shaky code? Refactor ruthlessly. Be Harkonnen with your timeline – but with a gentler touch on the team. 🤗 4. The Power of Proxies 🧑🤝🧑🚀 Even the Baron's most devious schemes required capable hands on the ground. He couldn’t be everywhere at once! For us, this means effective delegation and trusting your team to handle projects – whether that’s building software from our Tunis office 🇹🇳 or collaborating with our tester squad in the UK 🇬🇧. Strategic partnerships are the key to conquering the galaxy, or at least delivering that project on time! ⏲️ 5. Control the Spice – or the Data! 🧂📊 'He who controls the spice controls the universe.' In the world of tech, it’s more like, 'He who controls the data, wins.' 🏆 Harkonnens knew data was power. For us, it means owning our KPIs and metrics 📈 so we can proactively drive improvements, foresee potential issues, and ultimately make better calls. Data doesn’t extend life or expand consciousness like spice but it definitely leads to better business decisions every time!
- 5 Business Lessons from Team Rocket: Corporate Baddies, But Making It Work
We all know Team Rocket are probably the worst criminals in Pokémon history, but can they teach us anything about running a business? Of course, they can! Who knew Jessie's hair flips and Meowth’s sass could teach us something about startups and QA? Let’s dive in and review this week's list of tenuous stretches 1. "Prepare for Trouble and Make It Double!" Always be ready for challenges and double-check everything. At KudosQA, we ensure all bugs are squashed and every certification submission is flawless. At Dune, our agile development teams prepare for trouble (a.k.a. complex projects) and make it double (hello, scalable resources). 2. "Teamwork Makes the Scheme Work" Sure, Jessie, James, and Meowth always fail, but they fail together. Their bond is admirable. We believe in the power of collaboration too—whether it’s our Tunis-based nearshore development team at Dune or KudosQA’s UK-led game testers. Our teamwork actually wins. 🎉 3. The "Meowth" That Roared (Communication is Key) Meowth is the real 10X dev —he’s the only Pokémon who can talk! His quick wit gets Team Rocket out of sticky situations (sometimes). At both Kudos and Dune, we put clear communication at the centre of everything we do. Ensuring our clients know what’s happening every step of the way. Meowth would be proud. 4. Innovation = Persistence + Catapult Every episode, Team Rocket comes up with some crazy invention —a mecha Pikachu, a giant vacuum, a balloon that somehow defies physics. Sure, it explodes, but the innovation is there! At Dune Technology, our AI projects and DevOps solutions actually work—no explosions, promise. And KudosQA? Our testers think outside the box to break the game before your players do. 5. Embrace Failure (but Not for Long) Team Rocket fails spectacularly every single time. But what is their response? Just blast off into the sunset and try again tomorrow. That’s the mindset we encourage at both Dune and KudosQA—fail fast, learn faster, and aim for the next win (ideally not while dangling from a hot-air balloon). So next time you hear, “To protect the world from devastation...” Remember: even the goofiest villains have lessons to teach. And unlike Team Rocket, our plans never fail. 😉
- Kudos QA Announces New Leadership: Dan Atherton and Thouraya Walker to Lead with Fresh Vision for Kudos
Kudos QA, a specialist in providing quality assurance (QA) services for the gaming industry, is excited to announce a change in management, marking the beginning of a new strategic era for the company. Effective immediately, Kudos QA will be co-led by Dan Atherton and Thouraya Walker , both seasoned leaders in the tech sector and Co-CEOs of Dune Technology . This leadership transition reflects Kudos QA’s commitment to innovation and excellence, with a renewed focus on delivering best-in-class QA services to the gaming industry. The company has become a go-to partner for game developers and publishers, providing comprehensive testing solutions that ensure smooth gameplay, performance stability, and an exceptional user experience. Under the leadership of Atherton and Walker, the company aims to enhance its current QA offerings, leveraging new technologies and refining its operations to better serve the fast-paced and evolving gaming sector. In addition to the leadership change, Kudos QA is delighted to announce that the company has retained its highly skilled team in Doncaster. The Doncaster team has been instrumental in driving Kudos QA’s success, and both Atherton and Walker have expressed their excitement about working with such a dedicated and innovative team to continue delivering world-class gaming services. Dan Atherton brings over 20 years of expertise in quality assurance, including extensive experience in gaming QA. His deep understanding of the unique demands of gaming software and his ability to design highly efficient testing frameworks will be critical in elevating Kudos QA’s services. Thouraya Walker , Co-CEO of Dune Technology, has a strong background in scaling tech businesses and integrating innovative solutions. She is set to introduce new advancements such as AI-powered testing, automation, and cloud solutions to help game developers accelerate release cycles without compromising quality. In a joint statement, Dan and Thouraya shared their enthusiasm for leading Kudos QA: "We are thrilled to take the reins at Kudos QA, a company that has earned its reputation as a leader in gaming QA. We ’ re equally excited to continue working with the incredibly talented team in Doncaster. Their creativity, technical expertise, and passion are at the core of what makes Kudos QA a trusted partner for the gaming industry. With the gaming industry advancing rapidly, our goal is to stay ahead of the curve by adopting innovative technologies while maintaining the high standards of service that our clients expect. We look forward to driving the next phase of growth at Kudos QA."
- 5 Business Lessons from the Sith (and how we channel the Dark Side at KudosQA and Dune Technology)
1. Embrace Ruthless Ambition 💥🚀 Sith Lords don’t just set goals; they obsess over them. At KudosQA, our team is driven to uphold a 100% pass rate on console submissions, and at Dune Technology, our aim is nothing less than industry-leading solutions and ISO27001 certification. Aim high, and remember… we’re relentless. 2. Leverage “Strategic” Alliances 🤝🛠️ Remember Vader and Lando? Sure, they had their “differences,” but a temporary alliance paid off nicely (well, for one of them). KudosQA and Dune Technology collaborate with clients and partners alike, creating partnerships that—don’t worry—don’t end in betrayal, just great results. 3. Adapt and Evolve or Be Destroyed 🔄🌌 Vader knew the value of adapting on the fly—one day he's on the Light Side, the next he's ruling the galaxy. With ever-evolving game requirements, KudosQA’s testers adapt quickly, scaling teams in a single day. Dune Technology? Our dev teams master new tech and methods to stay a step ahead. Adapt or be left in the galaxy’s dust. 4. Look for Disturbances in the Force (Understand Your Competition) 🕵️♂️🔍 Sith Lords are meticulous about knowing their rivals—and maybe throwing a little Force choke here and there. At KudosQA, we dive deep into industry standards to ensure your games pass with ease, while Dune Technology keeps close tabs on tech trends to maintain that edge (Force choke not included). 5. Master the Art of the Dark Side (Maintain a Strong Presence) 🖤👥 Sith walk into a room, and you feel it. We cultivate that same strong presence in business, building credibility—KudosQA for flawless game testing, and Dune Technology for innovative solutions. When you work with us, rest assured: we are the company you’re looking for. And remember: no need to rely on Jedi mind tricks… at Dune and Kudos, we’re already on top of it. ⚔️🌠
- 🤖 5 Business Lessons from GLaDOS 🎮✨
Everyone is talking about how AI can enhance their business or product, but let’s forget ChatGPT and Gemini for a moment and think about what a psychotic AI with a penchant for passive-aggressive insults and unethical experiments can teach us about business. Yes, I’m talking about GLaDOS from Portal. 🟡 Here are five business lessons from everyone’s favourite sentient AI (filtering out the murdery bits): 1. Keep testing until something breaks. 🔄💥 GLaDOS would agree: nothing builds confidence like knowing your systems can handle anything. At KudosQA , our approach to game testing isn’t far off from hers… minus the "potential for lethal exposure to high-energy pellets." ⚡ Whether it’s smoke testing, compliance checks, or destructive testing, our team ensures that when a game ships, it’s bulletproof. (Metaphorically speaking.) 2. The cake is a lie (unless you’ve got the right team). 🎂✅ GLaDOS might promise you cake, but in business, you need a team that delivers. At Dune Technology Ltd , our nearshore dev teams in Tunisia are masters at turning promises into results. Whether it’s mobile apps 📱, websites 🌐, games 🎮, or AI projects 🤖, we make sure the cake is real… and delicious. 3. Deploy your turrets strategically. 🎯🔧 Turrets in Portal are positioned to maximise effectiveness. Similarly, in business, you need to deploy resources wisely. At KudosQA, we’re experts at scaling QA teams, quickly ensuring every resource is perfectly aligned with our client’s needs. No wasted turrets. (Or testers.) 🎮👨💻👩💻 4. Embrace the power of a good voice line. 🎙️📢 GLaDOS’ iconic voice is memorable for a reason. Communication is everything—whether you’re running a test chamber or a business. At KudosQA , all client communication is led from the UK 🇬🇧 to ensure clarity and alignment. (We promise fewer passive-aggressive comments.) 😉 5. Always have a backup plan. 💾⚙️ GLaDOS was great at bouncing back after every defeat, thanks to her numerous backup systems. In business, you need that resilience, too. At Dune Technology Ltd , our rigorous DevOps practices ensure that no matter what, our client’s projects stay on track. Because let’s face it: the real-world equivalent of "critical system failure" isn’t pretty. 🔧🖥️ Running a business may not be as dangerous as Aperture Science… but it’s close. With KudosQA and Dune Technology Ltd , we’ve learned to channel a little bit of GLaDOS’ energy (just the productive parts!) to build better systems, processes, and continuity plans. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I’m off to grab a real cake 🍰 from the coffee shop.