Values That Shape How We Build

Stormcloud emerged from a simple observation: arcade development often treats sustainability and player wellbeing as afterthoughts rather than core considerations. We wondered if a different approach might create better outcomes for everyone involved.

Our Oslo location influences how we think about development. Nordic culture emphasizes long-term thinking, environmental stewardship, and respect for individual wellbeing. These aren't just abstract values for us but practical considerations that shape daily decisions.

We're not claiming to have all the answers or to be morally superior to other developers. Rather, we've chosen to prioritize certain values in our work and accept the trade-offs that come with those choices. Some clients find this approach aligns well with their needs. Others don't, and that's fine.

What follows represents our current thinking about arcade development. These ideas continue evolving as we learn from projects, client feedback, and industry developments. We share them openly because transparency matters more to us than appearing to have everything figured out.

We believe technology should serve people rather than the reverse. This philosophy shapes how we approach player experience, client relationships, and team dynamics.

For players, human-centered design means respecting their time and agency. We avoid dark patterns that manipulate behavior and instead focus on creating genuinely satisfying experiences. This includes optional features like session timing feedback and natural break points that support healthy engagement without forcing specific behaviors.

For clients, this means transparent communication about project realities. We discuss challenges and trade-offs openly rather than maintaining illusions of perfect execution. When problems arise, we focus on collaborative problem-solving rather than blame deflection.

We recognize that empathy and respect cost nothing yet significantly improve outcomes. Small considerations like clear documentation, responsive support, and honest timelines build stronger relationships than impressive promises followed by disappointing execution.

This approach doesn't mean avoiding difficult conversations or always agreeing with clients. Sometimes human-centered means pushing back on requests we believe will create poor outcomes, even when saying yes would be easier. Respect includes honesty about our professional judgment.

We commit to honest representation of our capabilities, limitations, and results. This means acknowledging when we don't know something, admitting mistakes when they occur, and being clear about what we can and cannot promise.

Our development process remains visible to clients. We share progress honestly, including challenges and setbacks. This transparency sometimes makes us look less competent than competitors who maintain illusions of seamless execution, but we believe informed clients make better decisions.

We openly discuss our business model and pricing structure. Clients deserve to understand what they're paying for and why certain costs exist. Hidden fees and surprise charges violate our commitment to transparency.

When we make commitments, we take them seriously. If circumstances prevent delivery as promised, we communicate early and work collaboratively toward solutions. This might mean reduced fees, adjusted timelines, or other accommodations appropriate to the situation.

We hold ourselves accountable through measurable outcomes and client feedback. Claims about sustainability, wellness, and reliability need supporting evidence beyond marketing assertions. We track metrics that validate our approach and adjust when results don't match expectations.

Short-term optimization often creates long-term problems. We prefer sustainable practices that deliver consistent results over aggressive strategies that maximize immediate outcomes while creating future costs.

This philosophy manifests in product design through emphasis on longevity, repairability, and upgrade paths. Equipment designed for 7-10 year lifespans requires different engineering than products planned for 3-5 year replacement cycles.

For clients, long-term thinking means total cost of ownership matters more than initial price. Equipment with slightly higher upfront costs but significantly lower operating expenses often delivers better value over its operational life.

Environmentally, long-term thinking recognizes that today's convenience often becomes tomorrow's problem. Disposable electronics create waste streams that persist for generations. Choosing more sustainable approaches may involve present inconvenience for future benefit.

We acknowledge that long-term thinking requires some privilege. Operators facing immediate financial pressure may need to prioritize short-term survival over ideal long-term practices. We try to accommodate various situations while maintaining core principles where possible.