E111: Why Western Game Dev Is Breaking — What Leaders Do Next
Episode description
If you're a leader in game dev who feels stuck, there is a path forward that levels up your leadership and accelerates your team, game, and career. Sign up here to learn more: https://forms.gle/nqRTUvgFrtdYuCbr6
30,000 Layoffs. Solid prototypes can't get funding. Western Game Dev Is Breaking.
In this episode, Rich Vogel explains why Western game development isn't in a downturn, it's in a reset.
Fresh off fundraising conversations in 2025-2026, Rich breaks down why funding for large-budget games has nearly disappeared, why publishers and VCs are pulling back from North American teams, and how leadership decisions, not creativity, are sinking studios.
Rich is a 30-year industry veteran who's founded and led four major studios, including BioWare Austin and Sony Online Entertainment Austin, which have generated over $3B in revenue. As producer on Ultima Online, Star Wars Galaxies, and Star Wars: The Old Republic, he's seen every cycle, and knows exactly why this one is different.
We cover:
- Why investors see Western studios as high-risk
- How salary inflation and entitlement narratives are reshaping where games get made
- Why unproven big bets are no longer survivable
- How small, shippable wins are the new path to scale
This episode is a wake-up call for studio heads, producers, and game leaders still playing by outdated rules.
Learn more about our guest:
🔗LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rich-vogel-093425/
🔗T-Minus Zero Entertainment LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/t-minus-zero-entertainment/
🔗Website: https://www.t-minuszero-relaunch.com/
If you want me to help producers or studios build better games through effective systems and leadership, you can reach me at: info@valarinconsulting.com
Connect with us:
🔗Ben's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/benjamin-carcich/
🔗BBG's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/building-better-games/
🔗Newsletter Signup: The Building Better Games Newsletter
🔗YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCZpMT-dUwQR-R4Mb4uub6Sw
🔗Website: https://www.buildingbettergames.gg
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