Press Start Evolution

Since I was very young around 10 years old I have had a good relationship with technology and loved video games, it was after playing WarCraft 1, 2, and 3, I remember it was a present from my father, that I decided I wanted to create video games for a living, that started a long journey to first learn how to create them and then how to build a company and a living based on them.

Press Start was born out of my need to create something of mine and at the same time the young dream of a group of friends to have our company. After its inception, people have come and gone, and none of the initial patterns remain in the company since it is very very hard to build and maintain a company through the years. Right now is a family company, me and my wife Johanna Merchán are the owners of the company. Throughout the years we learned about the hardships of working with friends and family and also the great things that happen when the leadership of the company works in the same direction with the same goals as is happening with us right now.

The company has been established in Colombia, USA, Australia and Uruguay. Through this journey, we learned a lot about doing business in different countries and cultures plus we learned about legal and account rules in every country we have had a presence, as of today we have legal entities in Colombia and Uruguay.

Press Start has also been in the market long enough to gain experience in different digital platforms and trends, we started developing games to publish on Facebook back when FarmVille was huge, and after that, we have been present in mobile, web, PC and now we are heavily involved in AR and all the platforms it can be deployed.

Our core values—our DNA—are built on 15 years of experience, remote work, punctuality, and trust.
Each member of our team is a specialist in a specific area, such as video game development, augmented reality, web development, and more. We ensure that each team member’s background and expertise add value to the rest of the team.
Our team operates 100% remotely. Since the company's inception, remote work has been our standard. We believe in this model so strongly that if someone prefers working in an office, they wouldn’t be the right fit for our team.
In video game and augmented reality development, missed project deadlines are common. At Press Start, our Project Managers maintain separate schedules—one for the team and another for the client—to effectively manage deadlines. This approach allows the team to work toward internal deadlines ahead of the client’s timeline, ensuring we consistently meet commitments with punctuality and reliability.
At Press Start Evolution, trust is fundamental. We don’t track the exact number of hours each team member works. If someone estimates that a task will take a certain amount of time, we trust their judgment. Of course, with 15 years of experience, we have a solid understanding of how long tasks typically take. The quality of work and the results delivered by each team member allow us to assess time management naturally, without the need for micromanagement.

From the beginning, through hard work, a bit of luck, and the talent of our team, we took a game developed in just three weeks and reached 175,000 players in under two weeks—officially making it a viral hit. That game became the foundation for the next five years of our work, leading us to secure angel investment in Silicon Valley and sign a publishing deal with Chillingo, which at the time was the world's leading mobile publisher, having just released Angry Birds.

Our second major milestone from that era was successfully pivoting from a product-based company with private investment to a service-based company generating revenue from clients. This shift was critical—we recognized our chances of success with our own games and made the strategic decision to evolve into a self-sustaining business. That transition wasn’t easy, but nearly 12 years later, we’re still here.

This pivot set us on a path where we’ve had the opportunity to work with some of the biggest brands and companies in the world, while also experiencing the unique journey of living and working in different countries—something I’ll share more about in the next paragraphs.
Setting up the company in different countries such as Colombia, the United States, Australia, and Uruguay has given us valuable knowledge, not only from a legal perspective but also in understanding the culture of clients that we have in each country.

During our trajectory of 15 years, we have had the opportunity to work directly with world-class clients across various industries such as toy and games, beverage, the fintech industry, and so on.

Our clients hire us per project for a specific time frame in which we have to finish the work, in cases we work on second or third iterations of the project, and in some cases we do tech support after the project is done.

We also have been working with a License business model for the past 4 years, especially for the event industry and through our own product called Gameit.

At Press Start most of the time we work with an in-house team. When we require more people for a specific project we hire them directly through the company for a specific period of time.

We have a unique combination of expertise that sets us apart. Our deep understanding of games stems from my 16 years in the video game industry, combined with my academic background—a Master of Fine Arts in Game Design from the Academy of Art University in San Francisco, CA, experience that I passed to the team. This, along with our strong technical foundation in software, particularly in cloud, mobile, web, AR, and immersive technologies like body recognition, enables us to take on highly complex projects, especially from a technical perspective. Over the past three years, our game development has focused on integrating augmented reality and other immersive technologies with 3D and 2D games, creating interactive and engaging experiences.

Our team dynamics are built on specialization, clear communication, and a shared passion for innovation. Each member is an expert in their respective field, which allows us to leverage diverse skills and perspectives in every project.

To foster collaboration and teamwork, we emphasize:

●    Transparent communication – Regular meetings and open discussions ensure everyone is aligned.
●    Agile methodologies – We follow structured workflows to keep projects on track.
●    Mutual support – Encouraging knowledge sharing and cross-functional collaboration.
●    Common goals – Keeping a strong focus on delivering high-quality results that align with our clients' needs.

This approach ensures efficiency, creativity, and a positive work environment.

Every member of our team has been given the opportunity to grow professionally from the moment they joined Press Start Evolution. Regardless of their role, we have continuously challenged them with the types of projects we take on, most of which have been complex in various aspects. Even if a team member is unfamiliar with a particular technology or programming language, we encourage them to learn, explore, and find solutions to challenges they haven't faced before.

Additionally, we have provided training on relevant topics and given our team the opportunity to participate in courses during work hours.

Thanks to our experience, we have had the opportunity to develop many educational video game projects, helping our NGO clients with their social activities, which help thousands of people in need. These developments have been made with the understanding that internet connectivity and learning material do not exist in many rural areas, our work helps mitigate this.

We also know that internet connectivity at events is often unstable, which is why most of our video games and interactive experiences do not require an internet connection helping our clients meet their goals in the events they participate in.

Over the past five years, we have done extensive work in the events industry, particularly with companies exhibiting at trade shows and those that design and build booths. This industry has a significant demand for software and digital experiences that capture attendees' attention and collect their contact information—an area where video games prove to be an excellent tool. We also collaborate with the entertainment industry, developing innovative experiences that engage players in new and exciting ways.

Around 85% of our clients partner with us on more than four projects, and many have worked with us for several years. Beyond delivering successful projects, our main goal is to build meaningful, trust-based relationships with our clients. This not only fosters a positive and productive work environment but also allows us to create outstanding digital products together.

We excel at building digital products from the ground up, which allows us to develop our own apps and video games, experiment with new ideas, and push boundaries. Currently, we have two self-funded products that serve as both R&D environments and functional products for users.

1.    Gameit – Gameit is an innovative platform that transforms how businesses interact with their audience at events, conferences, and trade shows through customized video games. The platform consists of two components: a cloud-based web admin for game creation and customization, and an application that can be installed on mobile devices, large screens, or PCs to download games created from the cloud.

Key features of Gameit include its No Code approach, meaning no programming knowledge is required to create customized video games. Additionally, the platform operates both online and offline, which is particularly advantageous for events with connectivity issues, allowing for offline database creation.

Our games have been used at events such as conferences and trade shows, spanning industries like sports, fintech, alcoholic beverages, personal care, food, medical insurance, and tourism.

2.    AR Brew – An augmented reality app with a cloud-based system that recognizes up to 350 beer labels, displaying on-screen details about the beer, brewery, and more. Users can create a digital album of the beers they’ve tried and connect directly to the brewery’s website and social media. The app continuously expands its database with new labels every month. Available on the App Store - AR Brew iOS and Google Play -  AR Brew Android.

We also regularly develop rough demos to experiment with new technologies and game mechanics. Our latest prototype transforms smartphones into controllers, allowing players to enjoy a local multiplayer game on a smart TV, tablet, or laptop—essentially creating a game console experience for playing with friends in the living room.

Our clients reach out to us mainly for digital and entertainment experiences for events, this could be a custom video game or experience or a license from our product Gameit.

Another important service our clients ask for is the development of video games or digital experiences that use immersive technologies with a strong focus on AR and motion, object, and color recognition.

We build and maintain strong relationships with our clients through clear communication, transparency, and a commitment to delivering high-quality results. From the very beginning, we establish trust by understanding their needs and ensuring we align with their goals mainly with the deadlines.

To gather and act upon client feedback, we have several mechanisms in place:

●    Regular check-ins and meetings – We maintain constant communication to ensure expectations are met.
●    Agile methodologies – We incorporate feedback at different stages of the project to make necessary adjustments.
●    Post-project reviews – After completing a project, we conduct evaluations to gather insights for future improvements.
●    Direct communication channels – Clients can easily share feedback through emails or dedicated meetings.

By actively listening to our clients and adapting to their needs, we build long-term partnerships based on trust and collaboration.

Our company has adapted to changes and challenges in the business landscape by staying agile, embracing innovation, and continuously learning from industry trends. As a video game and augmented reality development company, we operate in a rapidly evolving sector, which requires us to be flexible and proactive.

To ensure resilience and sustainability, we have employed several key strategies:

●    Diversification of services – We have expanded our expertise beyond game development to include augmented reality experiences, allowing us to serve a wider range of industries.
●    Global market approach – By working with clients across different countries, we reduce dependency on a single market and gain insights into diverse business environments.
●    Agile development and adaptability – Our team follows agile methodologies, enabling us to quickly respond to new challenges, technological advancements, and client needs.
●    Continuous learning and upskilling – We invest in training and professional development, ensuring our team remains at the forefront of emerging technologies.
●    Strategic partnerships – We collaborate with business networks and Government entities to enhance our capabilities and expand opportunities.

By staying flexible and forward-thinking, we have built a company that not only adapts to challenges but also thrives in an ever-changing industry.

Every quote we send includes the payment structure and the project's execution phases. In 90% of cases, an advance payment is required before work begins, with the deposit percentage varying based on the project's duration.

The remaining payments are tied to the completion of each phase, ensuring alignment with project progress. If additional features are requested once development is underway, they may require separate payments.

We rarely compromise on budget for a project, as past experiences have shown that doing so leads to poor outcomes. When a project doesn’t align with our budget standards, we prefer to pass on it.

To offer a high-quality, cost-effective solution in the gaming/events space, we developed our own casual game engine, Gameit, which allows us to deliver excellent results while maintaining efficiency.

Gameit is an innovative platform that transforms how businesses interact with their audience at events, conferences, and trade shows through customized video games. The platform consists of two components: a cloud-based web admin for game creation and customization, and an application that can be installed on mobile devices, large screens, or PCs to download games created from the cloud.

Key features of Gameit include its No Code approach, meaning no programming knowledge is required to create customized video games. Additionally, the platform operates both online and offline, which is particularly advantageous for events with connectivity issues, allowing for offline database creation.

Our games have been used at events such as conferences and trade shows, spanning industries like sports, fintech, alcoholic beverages, personal care, food, medical insurance, and tourism.
With Gameit companies can have a full game with a database collection for as low as $250 USD.

We mainly work with projects from 10k up to 250k. The license model of Gameit starts at $250 USD.

Of course, there are exceptions depending on the type of project, this can be a good range.

We currently develop apps using the latest technology, including motion recognition, body recognition, and object recognition, alongside AR experiences and video games for web mobile, and mobile platforms. Additionally, we are actively working on both 2D and 3D AR games for web mobile and mobile applications.

We are also beginning to explore spatial computing and have plans to develop apps for the latest VR/MR see-through devices, expanding our expertise into the next generation of immersive technology.

In the next 10 years, we envision our company as a global leader in video game development and augmented reality experiences, recognized for innovation, creativity, and cutting-edge technology. Our goal is to create immersive, high-quality interactive experiences that engage users worldwide while expanding our presence in international markets.

Our long-term goals and aspirations for growth include:

●    Expanding into new markets – Strengthening our presence in North America, Europe, and other key regions to reach a broader audience.
●    Developing proprietary IPs – Creating original video games using AR and AR experiences that establish our brand in the industry.
●    Investing in emerging technologies – Staying at the forefront of advancements in AI, AR, MR, and cloud gaming to enhance our offerings.
●    Building strategic partnerships – Collaborating with top industry players, Government entities,  to drive innovation and expand opportunities.
●    Growing our team and expertise – Attracting top talent and fostering a culture of creativity and continuous learning.

Ultimately, we aim to be a company that not only adapts to industry trends but shapes the future of interactive entertainment.

Our vision is to be the leading company in Latin America in video game and augmented reality development outsourcing, providing innovative solutions that transform the way businesses interact with their customers.

To become a benchmark in augmented reality trends and products, driving its mass adoption with accessible and high-impact solutions for both entertainment and information.