Product Breakthrough Services
We help you build high-retention products & games 10X faster
De-risk your innovative ideas
We help startups, game studios & global brands solve mission-critical design challenges including:
- finding product-market fit
- designing for long-term customer retention
- testing your product idea before building
Our proprietary Product Breakthrough Method merges research, design & prototyping techniques from gaming into an integrated
framework you can deploy quickly.
If you want to build a product your customers crave, don’t waste time – do it 10X faster with the Product Breakthrough Method.
Build products your customers crave
The fastest way to accelerate product/market fit is to validate your Customer Journey with high-need early customers.
But to do that, you need research, design & testing resources that most founders don’t have & can’t afford to hire.
That’s why we created the Product Breakthrough Method – a step-by-step system for building products that your customers crave.
These techniques are adapted from the games industry, where the pace of innovation is relentless. And the same methods that make games engaging can make your product irresistible.
Case studies of product breakthroughs
We deliver design & market insights that tip the scales towards success. Learn about our Client results here.
SERVICES
Netflix
We helped Netflix fix 60-day drop-off that was plaguing their early streaming service.
GAMES
Covet Fashion
We helped Crowdstar design and create a hit mobile game that’s still going strong after 10+ years.
APPS
Replika
We helped AI chatbot Replika find their core audience, and boost long-term retention.
Realize a breakthrough
Turn you innovative idea into a breakthrough hit
Bringing an idea to life? Here’s how to move faster.
Use the Product Breakthrough Method to save time & tip the scales towards success.
We do this by delivering answers to these 4 critical questions – without working code or polished designs.
Discovery
Who will want your product?
Find out whether there’s a real market for your product (idea) and which needs or problems it should address.
We’ll help you find a small group of high-need customers & get clarity on what they need.
Design
How will people use your product?
Understand how your product will fit within people’s daily lives and what it’s going to help them achieve.
We’ll help you design the core product experience & end-to-end customer journey.
Storyboard
How will people re-engage?
Identify the important elements that will keep customers engaged over time.
We’ll help you prototype & visualize your 30-day customer experience.
Validation
How do you test your product?
Learn from your ideal customers and find out whether you’re on the right path.
We’ll help you set up and run insightful tests with the right people.
We’ve helped dozens of innovative teams tackle these questions & find success… how can we help you?
This program made me a better, more strategic product maker
Ian Brand
Product Innovation @ General Motors
This program got everyone on the same page, testing our assumptions
Allison Kelsey
Director of Product @ Geocaching
This program had invaluable impact on my product thinking – AND my product
Chris Swain
Professor @ USC Iovine and Young Academy
The path to success
How we deliver product breakthroughs
You don’t have to create working software or high-fidelity designs to get reliable customer feedback.
There’s a different… and better way.
Our Product Breakthrough System delivers actionable customer insights about your product in weeks with minimal sunk cost in code or design.
We help you move faster with a proven framework, proprietary GenAi platform, expert coaching, and professional creative services.
If you’re ready to accelerate, we’re excited to deliver you results 🚀
Powerful Tools & Templates
Over the years, we’ve developed powerful templates that enable a laser-focused approach to innovation.
Our templates minimize guesswork, save valuable time, and consistently deliver successful insights and outcomes.
We’ve also added our own AI-powered tools to do some of the heavy lifting for you by showing you exactly what to do, and how to do it.
Our Tools & Templates
These templates will assist in making smarter design decisions — faster than you thought possible.
Discovery
- Pitch Maker: Define who you’re serving & what they need
- Niche Finder: Discover the key traits of a high-need niche
- Screener Builder: Draft your 6-question Screener Survey
Design
- Habit Synthesizer: Identify relevant Habit Stories
- Loop Builder: Design a sticky Habit Loop
- Journey Crafter: Describe your customer’s goals during 4 stages
Storyboard
- Beat Shaper: Identify key Story Beats in your end-to-end journey
- Persona Creator: Define how customers will engage with your product over time
- Storyboard Builder: Visualize key “beats” in a 30-day experience
Validation
- Playtest Planner: Create & run high-learning concept tests
- Insight Clipper: Collect video clips illustrating your key insights & findings
- Brief Builder: Summarize what you learned & next steps
Expert Coaching & Guidance
Receive expert feedback & guidance with your project from Amy Jo Kim as well as from other project teams during a 12-week program.
We’ll guide you through the complete end-to-end process and teach you the inner workings of the Product Breakthrough System.
You and your team will be equipped and confident to execute the steps and make incredible progress in just 3 months time!
Breakthrough Coaching
- Gain product/market insights that cut product development costs
- Perform months worth of work in just weeks
- Meaningfully boost your chances of success
Professional Creative Services
For companies and teams that value more direct involvement from us, we also provide the Product Breakthrough System as a bespoke service.
During 12 weeks, Amy Jo Kim and her team will work hand in hand with your team on your product.
We’ll be available to you and your team at every step, helping you get the most out of the Product Breakthrough System.
Breakthrough Creative Services
- Execute the steps from the Product Breakthrough System with the experts right by your side
- Exclusive focus and attention from Amy Jo Kim and her team on your product and project
- Significantly boost your chances of success
Finally, I have a method to track innovation projects & help my team build hits
George Ogbonnaya
VP @ First City Monument Bank
Now I can do research much earlier & set my teams up for success
Bonnie Chiurazzi
Director Market Insights, Glassdoor
I was amazed at how quickly we found our ideal target customers. This stuff works.
Robin Allenson
CEO & Founder, Similar.ai
Powerful & Versatile
Trusted By Leading Brands, Startups & Game Studios
The Product Breakthrough System is a proven innovation system that we’ve developed, applied and refined for many years. The method, process and tools have consistently delivered key insights and meaningful breakthroughs.
The system is powerful and versatile. It has proven effective across different sectors and product categories. Our clients work in automotive, beauty, education, entertainment, finance, healthcare, manufacturing, and technology.
Successful product teams at Disney, Netflix, Tesla, Google, MTV, Electronic Arts, Ubisoft, and the New York Times have used Game Thinking to bring their ideas to life faster and smarter.
Are you next?
How can we help you?
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Case Studies
Read about how companies have applied the Product Breakthrough System to set their product up for success.
Products
Shiseido
After an initial failed product launch, the cosmetics giant turned to the Product Breakthrough System to tune their product and find success.
Games
Covet Fashion
Using the Product Breakthrough System, Crowdstar were able to design and create a hit mobile game that’s still going strong after 10+ years.
Apps
Happify
Thanks to insights gained through the Product Breakthrough System, Happify became a market-leading digital mental health app.
Video Testimonials
Hear from product leaders on how the Product Breakthrough System has helped them in their endeavors.
Amanda Taylor
Senior Researcher
Dylan Watkins
VR / AR Developer
Eugenia Kuyda
CEO @ Replika
This program is magic for entrepreneurs searching for product/market fit
Candis Best
CEO @ Learningateway
This program saved my team months of time. Incredible value
Vinayak Joglekar
CTO @ Excellerate
This program changed how we design; it delivers powerful insights fast
Kacie Hsu
User Research @ Jam City
Who we are
Pleased to meet you 👋🏽
Amy Jo Kim
Game designer & startup coach
I’ve helped hundreds of product leaders bring ideas to life – co-designed Rock Band, The Sims, eBay, Covet Fashion, & Happify – run & sold a venture-funded startup.
Now I help innovative teams & leaders find product/market fit faster & delight customers with high-retention products & games.
Scott Kim
Educational game designer
I’m a game designer specializing in puzzles & education games. I created the puzzle modes on Tetris & Bejeweled as well as helped to create adaptive math game Mastering Math for education giant ABCmouse.com.
I’d love to help you build more entertaining & effective product & games.
Amy Jo’s program & insights gave me practical, tangible design skills.
Gina Bianchini
CEO, Mighty Networks
Amy Jo’s MVP methodology is fantastic. The results you’ll see are a no-brainer
Ofer Leidner
President, Twill / Happify
Amy Jo has a refined, effective process for bringing new ideas to life
Blair Ethington
VP @ eBay
Get meaningful results FAST
Our Product Breakthrough Method delivers product/market insights that save you time & boost your odds of success.
We offer three levels of service to support teams, founders & product leaders who are looking for their next Product Breakthrough.
Product Breakthrough Bootcamp — learn the method in 3 days
3-day hands-on workshop where learn how to apply the Product Breakthrough Method to your own project.
Product Breakthrough Sprint — implement the method in 10 weeks
10-week Implementation Sprint where you’ll apply the Product Breakthrough Method to your product, with weekly sessions for coaching, support & expert guidance.
Product Breakthrough Services — let us do the work
For fast results, leverage our expertise & let us implement the Product Breakthrough Method on your product & level-up your end-to-end journey design.
The Method in a nutshell
Get your product on the right track
- Find & study a small group of ideal, high-need customers
- Keep them engaged with a sticky habit loop & journey
- Visualize your 30-day experience with storyboards
- Validate your customer journey before shipping
Apply our techniques, tools & templates & see the difference
Which level of service is right for you?
3-DAY EXECUTIVE WORKSHOP
Learn the Product Breakthrough Method & apply it to your own project.
Who It’s For
Founders & leaders who want to learn the Product Breakthrough Method
Duration
3 days
Timing
2X yearly (Q2 & Q4)
What you get
- Access to our Starter Templates
- 3 LIVE workshop sessions
- 20 short instructional videos
- 25-page workbook
- 1 month access to our GenAI tool
10-WEEK IMPLEMENTATION SPRINT
Apply the Product Breakthrough Method to your project, with coaching & support.
Who It’s For
Teams & leaders who want to implement the Product Breakthrough Method.
Duration
10 weeks
Timing
1X yearly (next session Q4 2024)
What you get
- Access to our Advanced Templates
- 10 LIVE group coaching sessions
- 40 short instructional videos
- 50-page workbook
- 3 months access to our GenAI tool
- Private Team Kickoff session
- Private Peer Group to learn alongside
- Private Team Coaching (optional)
LET US DO THE WORK
We’ll work with your team & implement the Product Breakthrough Method for you.
Who It’s For
Startups, studios & brands who want to leverage expertise & see results quickly.
Duration
Varies by project (4-12 weeks)
Timing
Continuous -– contact us for availability
What you get
- Private meetings (as needed)
- Private team workshops (as needed)
- Unlimited access to our templates
- Unlimited access to our GenAI tool
- We perform all of the operational work on your behalf, under your direction
Frequently Asked Questions
My team needs to find product/market fit, can this help?
YES! It’s perfect for teams who want to iterate faster & ship the right product to the right people. To learn more, get in touch
When do meetings happen?
We host weekly AMAs with hot-seat coaching & peer feedback Tue @ 9am PT. VIP level includes private coaching & services.
I’m a solopreneur – is this for me?
If you’re a funded solopreneur & work with freelancers, it might be a fit. Contact us to learn more
What is the time commitment?
We offer 3 levels of support. Your time commitment depends on your support level. Contact us to learn more
