5 Essential Digital Tools Every Entertainment Startup Should Use in 2025

Being in the entertainment industry can require a lot of work.

While getting the right product can be challenging enough, the strategies and processes behind creating it can be just as difficult, especially in an industry as lucrative as gaming.

Developers and designers continue to work hard to ensure they have a product that they can be proud of, as well as ensuring it’s something that players will be happy to keep on playing. The free-to-play model has been a huge hit for many, as studios have been able to monetize their games via alternative methods.

Many different pop-up ads have been used as a standard feature, as these open up a new window within the game, prompting players to continue without leaving the title. These engage with the audience as they require players to take notice of them, whether that is by being required to watch content for a specific period of time or by forcing them to click on the ‘close’ button and taking note of what is being shown.

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Still, there can be a long way to go before a game even reaches the stage of being made publicly available to others.

The Crucial Five Digital Tools for Success

Every entertainment startup must be able to collaborate with each of its departments when it comes to releasing a product that has a chance of being successful. This is particularly true with game studios, as many moving parts will all come together to create a title.

Game designers will need to work with those who have written the scripts and gameplay to understand the vision that has been thought of; audio editors need to work with the artists and gameplay editors to ensure the right sounds are being played throughout. Testers need to communicate with developers to provide effective feedback and avoid a potentially negative mistake from occurring, such as releasing the title with known bugs.

However, with so many departments working together, it can be difficult for teams to collaborate. There can be many different components that all need to be considered, with each one needing to be on the same page throughout, to ensure the right product has been created that can have a chance of success.

This is where digital collaboration comes in and why there are five types of tools that are crucial for success…

Cloud-Based Collaboration Platforms

Cloud-based collaboration platforms like online video software (Zoom, Google Meet, Microsoft Teams), and instant messaging platforms (Slack) can enable teams to work together conveniently. Since many people now work remotely, these tools make it easier for teams to stay in touch, avoid delays, and keep projects moving as planned.

Task management systems like Asana and Trello can also be effective resources for game studios, as they can allow tasks to be set and moved around, with 100% transparency available to the relevant people. As tasks are created and completed, everyone can see where the game is in the process.

Digital Asset Management Software

Entertainment startups should be using a digital asset management (DAM) system for all of their tasks. These can help them to be organized, as they allow them to store and retrieve large volumes of digital content in one place. In addition, content such as video, audio, and images is all stored securely, allowing employees across several departments to access what they need and automate much of the workflow process.

Without one of these systems in place, the entire startup could struggle to know where they are in the product-creation stage, which could have negative consequences if the product is released too early or without being polished.

Streaming and Distribution Solutions

Most entertainment is now consumed online by audiences. It doesn’t matter if it is a game, video footage, or even images; most of what we consume in the form of entertainment is made available digitally and usually mobile-compatible.

Using a platform that can stream and distribute the content can streamline any launch that an entertainment startup makes, as these systems provide direct delivery of the content to audiences. They can support on-demand viewing and streaming, which has become extremely vital in an era that relies on the instant availability of entertainment.

Analytics and Data Dashboard Tools

An entertainment startup needs to know how well they are doing. They need to know if the product that they have released is being a success, or if they need to make adjustments and react to the feedback that the market is providing them.

Analytics and data dashboard tools can provide them with this key information. Tableau is a system that can provide real-time insights into audience behavior and campaign performance, empowering startups to make data-driven decisions about content, release schedules, and marketing strategies.

Social Media Management Tools

We’re very much in a social media era; everything is posted on these sites, with them often being the first that people check when they pick up their phones or log onto the internet. As a result, they’ve become an important marketing resource.

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Software like Hootsuite enables scheduling, monitoring, and analyzing social media across multiple platforms, which is crucial for startups seeking to build, engage, and grow their audience.

Final Thoughts

For entertainment startups, having these five tools in place can make the difference between struggling to keep up and being ready to deliver something audiences will enjoy. Each of them can help streamline the collaboration between departments, ensuring the right quality of product is launched.