A personal reflection by a serial entrepreneur on the failings of the digital media company, TuDocs Ltd

Abstract

This paper contains a personal account by the author on his experiences of running TuDocs Ltd. As such it is personalised, but also made with close reference to wider experiences. This paper examines the personnel, legal, and management issues which afflicted this small but complex company, which began as an e-portfolios website, migrated into games creation, moved into active (graphic) novel development, and drifted towards becoming a games education and research organisation.

The primary reasoning behind the paper is to give a rare account by a central actor in the processes that worked in and around a failed computer games company. There were some positive aspects to the company, including the central role of networks; enthusiasm amongst its directors and some interns; the general feeling of serendipity; and, the pursuit of several opportunities. Negative experiences included some office politics, and the lack of assistance and cooperation from government agencies and the banks.

It is hoped that this account will serve as a warning to other future computer games entrepreneurs who are aiming to launch and run their own new-start companies. Despite all the problems experienced by the author and other people in TuDocs Ltd, the best advice the author can offer to other entrepreneurs is simply (i) stay focussed on the original and/or best business ideas (do not try several projects all at the same time); and (ii) just get on with building and marketing computer games products.