🚀 The Founder’s Leap: Naivety as a Superpower

Chris didn’t start with a 50-page business plan; he started with frustration. After years as a journalist for legendary titles like Edge and PC Gamer, he realized he wanted to build something of his own.

The Lesson: Sometimes, "not knowing what you don't know" is exactly what you need to take the first step. Chris admits that if he had known how hard tech would be, he might have been more cautious—but that naivety allowed him to launch into the unknown.

📉 Hard Truths: When to "Close the Burn"

Running a business for 20 years isn't all launch parties and award ceremonies. Chris was candid about the hardest moments:

• Cutting Costs: Having to let talented people go is the ultimate challenge for any founder who feels responsible for their team.

• The Sunk Cost Fallacy: Just because you’ve invested time and money into an idea doesn't mean you should keep doing it.

• Focus is Key: Steel Media started by trying to launch 10 websites at once. They quickly learned it’s better to do one or two things really well.

"Whenever you've closed something down, especially if you still think there was something in it, but you just can't find a way to make it viable—that’s always difficult." — Chris James

🌍 Why In-Person Events Still Matter

In an era of Zoom and AI, why are 3,000 people still flocking to Pocket Gamer Connects London?

1. Trust & Social Needs: We are "social animals". Shaking a hand and sharing a drink creates a level of trust that a digital avatar can't replicate.

   
   

2. The Ecosystem: A great event isn't just for CEOs; it's a "melting pot" where students and indie devs rub shoulders with AAA investors.

   
   

3. Cross-Pollination: This year, Steel Media is expanding into Transmedia and Apps, bringing in giants like Netflix, Epic, and Duolingo to see how different industries can learn from one another.

   
   

🎮 Rapid Fire: Trends & Tidbits

• Overhyped Trend: While Chris thinks Web3 was overhyped, he believes the current industry negativity is a self-fulfilling prophecy. He advocates for a more "American-style" optimism.

• AI: It’s everywhere, but Chris notes that the games industry is uniquely good at co-opting new tech—whether it's AI, VR, or the next big thing.

• Current Addiction: Despite his professional status, Chris is still "absolutely addicted" to Clash Royale and recently hit the 10,000 trophy mark!

  
  

📅 What’s Next for Steel Media?

2026 is a massive year for the team, featuring 10 global conferences including stops in London, San Francisco, Barcelona, Helsinki, Dubai, and Bangkok.