Meet Tyler Cloutier, Founder at Clockwork Labs:
Tyler Cloutier, the founder of Clockwork Labs, boasts a diverse journey that began with a background in chemical engineering before diving into tech. His experiences at Bloomberg and Apple led him to MachineZone, where he thrived in data science, shaping big data platforms and predictive models for user behaviors in gaming.
Driven by an entrepreneurial spirit, Tyler co-founded Skylab, evolving it into Clockwork Labs. Here, he envisioned Bitcraft, an innovative MMORPG uniting players to rebuild civilizations. This endeavor not only birthed an expansive gaming world but also pioneered groundbreaking backend technologies.
Tyler’s path showcases his fusion of technical prowess, entrepreneurial drive, and a knack for innovation, making him a visionary force shaping the gaming landscape at Clockwork Labs.
Listen Up: Tyler Cloutier, Founder at Clockwork Labs — Full Podcast Episode on Spotify
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Quick Read: Tyler Cloutier, Founder at Clockwork Labs, Interview Highlights
Career Journey of Tyler Cloutier
In my recent conversation with Tyler Cloutier, the founder of Clockwork Labs, we discussed his career journey, from his time as a senior data science engineer at MachineZone to his current role. Tyler explained that his education in chemical and biomolecular engineering indirectly led him to the tech industry. His roles at Bloomberg and Apple were stepping stones to his interest in the gaming industry. He fondly recalled his time at MachineZone, where he worked on big data platforms and models for user behavior. His entrepreneurial journey began with Skylab, a startup focused on creating research software for grad students. Despite its limited commercial success, Skylab was the stepping stone to Clockwork Labs and the creation of Bitcraft, a unique massively multiplayer online role-playing game (MMORPG).
The Concept of Societal Games
When I asked Tyler about societal games, he explained how Clockwork Labs focuses on social interactions over combat. He emphasized the importance of collaboration in these games and how players can contribute irrespective of their progression level. He explained how societal games differ from traditional multiplayer games, emphasizing the importance of players working together against the world rather than alongside each other.
Attracting Global Talent
Discussing talent acquisition, Tyler highlighted the importance of developers who think about the product holistically rather than just their specific tasks. He shared about their unique hiring process where candidates can opt for a month working experience with the company instead of traditional interviews. This approach helps them find diverse talent who might not excel in standard interviews and assess cultural fit more accurately.
Looking Ahead
As for the future, Tyler is optimistic about the gaming industry normalizing in 2024. He shared his excitement about launching two of their products, Bitcraft and SpaceTimeDB, in early 2024. He also mentioned their plan to launch the mainnet for SpaceTimeDB, which would enable users to deploy production applications.
Overall, my conversation with Tyler offered valuable insights into the gaming industry, the importance of social interactions in games, and innovative hiring strategies for global talent. As a seasoned journalist and host, it was fascinating to delve into Tyler’s journey and understand his unique perspective on societal games and the future of the gaming industry.
