Free whitepaper · Signals of Success

The FirstLook Guide to Player Intelligence

Modern game launches are drowning in data, yet outcomes are more unpredictable than ever. We’ve seen studios spend years "wishlist farming" and chasing trailer views, only to find that visibility doesn't pay the bills... player behavior does.

Cover of the FirstLook Signals of Success whitepaper

What's inside

What 250+ senior games professionals told us.

In this exclusive report, FirstLook surveyed over 250 senior gaming professionals across the US, UK, and EU to uncover the truth about pre-launch metrics. We’re tearing down the illusion of top-line awareness to show you the behavioral signals that predict a game’s commercial performance.

  • The Wishlist Trap: Why only 11% of studios trust wishlists as a standalone metric

  • The Power of Community: How Discord growth became the #1 unseen success factor for surprise breakout hits

  • Actionable Intelligence: How to shift your focus from "tourists" to committed players who drive long-term revenue

How it works: pop in your email, tell us a bit about your game (six quick questions), and the whitepaper's yours.

Grab your free copy.

Free, no card needed. We only email when we've got something worth sharing.

Trusted by 1000+ studios

EA
SEGA
Scopely
Team17
Starbreeze Studios
ArenaNet
Skybound
Second Dinner
Dreamhaven
System Era
Ruckus Games
Playable Worlds
Bad Robot Games
Bulkhead
One More Game
Stoke
EA
SEGA
Scopely
Team17
Starbreeze Studios
ArenaNet
Skybound
Second Dinner
Dreamhaven
System Era
Ruckus Games
Playable Worlds
Bad Robot Games
Bulkhead
One More Game
Stoke
EA
SEGA
Scopely
Team17
Starbreeze Studios
ArenaNet
Skybound
Second Dinner
Dreamhaven
System Era
Ruckus Games
Playable Worlds
Bad Robot Games
Bulkhead
One More Game
Stoke
KRAFTON
IO Interactive
Avalanche Studios
Remedy
Undead Labs
Battlefield Labs
Bonfire
Wolcen Studio
Treehouse Games
Goosebyte Games
Big Cheese Studio
Noodle Cat Games
Night Street Games
Balor Games
Brain Jar Games
KRAFTON
IO Interactive
Avalanche Studios
Remedy
Undead Labs
Battlefield Labs
Bonfire
Wolcen Studio
Treehouse Games
Goosebyte Games
Big Cheese Studio
Noodle Cat Games
Night Street Games
Balor Games
Brain Jar Games
KRAFTON
IO Interactive
Avalanche Studios
Remedy
Undead Labs
Battlefield Labs
Bonfire
Wolcen Studio
Treehouse Games
Goosebyte Games
Big Cheese Studio
Noodle Cat Games
Night Street Games
Balor Games
Brain Jar Games
Signals of Success key findings metrics

Stop chasing tourists.

Find out which signals actually predict a hit, and start tracking the players who'll be there on launch day.

Get the free whitepaper
A page from the Signals of Success whitepaper with a foreword from FirstLook's CEO