Welcome to another episode of Building Better Games! Today, we are thrilled to have John Cutler, a capable and experienced product leader with a background in tech (with some game development and music thrown in). John will share his insights on fostering a healthy product culture, maintaining vision, and avoiding common pitfalls in the industry. Key Points: John Cutler's Journey: Started with a video game studio. Transitioned from music to software product management. Writes, consults, and lead...
Aug 13, 2024•43 min•Season 2Ep. 69
Graham McAllister Returns! We dive deeper into the challenges of vision alignment in game development, helping you improve vision at your studio. Discover practical advice for game dev leaders, the impact of misaligned visions, and strategies to foster better communication and unity within teams. Whether you're a developer or a publisher, this episode offers valuable insights to enhance your game development process. Key Takeaways: Advice for Frustrated Game Developers: To Do: Gather team leads ...
Jul 30, 2024•43 min•Season 2Ep. 68
In this episode, Ben Carcich and Dr. Graham McAllister explore the concept of vision in game development, highlighting the common challenges and misalignments that teams face. They discuss the importance of a unified vision, how it impacts the final product, and the friction that arises when vision is unclear or miscommunicated. Join us as we delve into the intricacies of vision alignment and its crucial role in creating successful games. Key Takeaways: Vision in game development can be ambiguou...
Jul 16, 2024•42 min•Season 2Ep. 67
Welcome to another episode of "Building Better Games." In this episode, Ben sits down with Patric Palm, CEO and founder of Favro, to delve into the intricacies of game development and how modern tools and practices can revolutionize the process. Patric shares his vast experience and provides insights on improving game production, enhancing collaboration, and achieving excellence in live operations. Key Discussion Points: Transitioning from Startup to Scaling in Game Development Avoiding the pitf...
Jul 02, 2024•36 min•Season 2Ep. 66
In this episode of "Building Better Games," Benjamin Carcich and Greg Street, also known as Ghostcrawler, delve into the intricacies of game design during the ideation phase. Greg shares his extensive experience from his time working on League of Legends, World of Warcraft, Age of Empires, and his current venture at Fantastic Pixel Castle. Key Discussion Points: Early Stages of Game Development: How to initiate a new game project and the unique challenges that come with it. Differentiating game ...
Jun 18, 2024•43 min•Season 2Ep. 65
In this episode of "Building Better Games," hosts Benjamin Carcich and Aaron Smith dive into the complex and often frustrating topic of estimation and planning in game development. They address the challenges, misconceptions, and emotional reactions surrounding estimation, drawing on their extensive experience in the industry. The episode also covers current trends in game development, including the ongoing issue of layoffs and economic pressures affecting studios. Key Points: Challenges of Esti...
Jun 04, 2024•45 min•Season 2Ep. 64
Episode 63: People, Products, Playtests (Republish of E1 of BBG) Welcome to Building Better Games! Due to Ben's recent knee surgery, we're revisiting one of our most popular episodes from season two. In this episode, originally titled "People, Products, Playtests," we dive deep into the importance of maintaining a strong relationship with the games we create. By the way, our discord community is live! Join here to engage with leaders and producers in game dev looking to make our industry a bette...
May 21, 2024•1 hr 1 min•Season 2Ep. 63
Are you leveraging the full potential of your leadership role in game development? Or are you stuck in the traditional tech-driven mindset? In this episode of the Building Better Games podcast, hosts Ben and Aaron dissect the common leadership missteps in game development and offer a fresh perspective on what effective leadership really looks like in the game dev industry. Key Highlights: Rethinking Technical Expertise: Ben and Aaron challenge the prevailing notion that deep technical skills are...
May 07, 2024•48 min
Titles and seniority impact your ability to drive positive change. It's worth knowing what promotion looks like so you can have the maximum impact possible. In this episode of the Building Better Games podcast, join hosts Ben and Aaron as they delve into strategies for climbing the career ladder in game development. They explore the often overlooked tactics and mindsets essential for professional growth within the world of gaming. Ben and Aaron dissect the complexities of career progression, fro...
Apr 23, 2024•48 min
In this episode of the Building Better Games podcast, join hosts Ben and Aaron as they recap GDC 2024, diving deep into the heart of game development, user-generated content (UGC), and the role of AI. Ben and Aaron dissect the changing dynamics of game creation, pondering the sustainability and success of non-lifestyle games amidst a sea of thousands-hour adventures. They navigate the intricate world of UGC, unpacking its potential to accelerate the creation of diverse and engaging gaming experi...
Apr 09, 2024•45 min
Is true leadership about wielding power, or is it the art of empowering others? In this episode, Ben and Aaron tackle the often misunderstood concept of servant leadership within the game development arena. They dissect the myths surrounding the philosophy, highlighting the difference between being a mere servant to the team and truly leading by serving. Delving into the nuances of engineering as both an art and a science, the duo sheds light on the importance of flexibility in leadership styles...
Mar 26, 2024•47 min•Ep. 59
Why are your favorite games getting more expensive to make? In this episode, Ben and Aaron dive into the escalating dynamics of game development costs and the transformative shift towards user-generated content and indie gaming success. They explore the astronomical budgets of AAA games, touching on examples like GTA 6's rumored $2 billion development cost, and contrast these figures with the efficiency and innovation found in platforms like Roblox and games like PUBG and Stardew Valley. The dis...
Mar 12, 2024•42 min•Ep. 58
In this episode, Ben and Aaron navigate the intricate landscape of leadership within the gaming industry. They tackle the dichotomy between mobile and traditional gaming leadership, the economic shocks shaking the foundation of game studios, and the contentious monetization strategies dividing industry veterans. Delving deeper, the conversation illuminates the pressures of balancing creative innovation with financial realities, and the complex dance between developers, publishers, and venture ca...
Feb 27, 2024•43 min
Despair and burnout are commonplace in game development. As leaders, what can we do about that, both to prevent it and solve it when it's present? In this episode, we're joined by Greg Street, a veteran in the game development industry, currently serving as the Studio Head and Game Director at Fantastic Pixel Castle Greg shares his valuable experiences and strategies for tackling burnout, demoralization, and despair within game development teams. He emphasizes the importance of providing team me...
Feb 13, 2024•46 min•Season 2Ep. 56
In this episode, Ben and Aaron delve into the complex interplay between creative direction and executive production in game development. They explore the challenges and pitfalls of aligning creative vision with operational efficiency, emphasizing the importance of collaboration between different leadership roles. The discussion includes real-world examples and insights into developing a successful leadership team, balancing creative and operational responsibilities, and fostering a productive wo...
Feb 06, 2024•53 min•Season 2Ep. 55
In this episode, Andrei Van Roon, the Head of League Studio at Riot Games joined Ben and Aaron to discuss the emergence of live service and gameplay in the gaming industry and how it has become the default expectation for players. Andrei shares insights on the importance of regular updates and content expansion to keep players engaged. He emphasizes the need for a high level of quality in live service games and the challenges of balancing the needs of different player segments. The conversation ...
Jan 16, 2024•44 min•Season 2Ep. 54
In this episode, Josh Thaler discusses the mindset and skills required to build successful live service games. He emphasizes the importance of total ownership, where every team member takes responsibility for the features they develop. Josh also highlights the need for empathy and grit in the team, as well as the importance of building a strong technical foundation with tools like continuous integration and delivery. He explains the significance of release cadence and the need for predictability...
Jan 02, 2024•44 min•Season 2Ep. 53
Steve Bromley, a games user research consultant, joins Ben and Aaron to discuss the importance of user research in game development. He emphasizes the need for teams to understand their target players and their needs, and to integrate player insights throughout the development process. He also highlights the value of early playtesting and the benefits of engaging with real players rather than relying solely on internal feedback. He encourages teams to make user research a collaborative process a...
Dec 19, 2023•44 min•Season 2Ep. 52
Paul Gebel, a product leader with over 20 years of experience, joins Aaron and Ben to discuss the importance of product management in game development. They explore the difference between good and bad product managers, the challenges of the role, and the impact a great product manager can have on a team. They also touch on the need for empathy, communication, and a focus on value in product management. The conversation highlights the value of understanding the user and the importance of balancin...
Dec 05, 2023•44 min•Season 2Ep. 51
Join us in this enlightening episode where Serge Knystautas, a seasoned technologist with extensive experience in the gaming industry, dives into the art of crafting outstanding live services and assembling stellar technology teams. As a leader in game development, Serge brings a wealth of knowledge to the table, discussing the intricate challenges unique to game development, the necessity for ongoing innovation, and the pivotal role of technology in curating exceptional player experiences. This...
Nov 21, 2023•41 min•Season 2Ep. 50
Communication challenges are a common concern in game development studios, but are they the real root issue? In this episode, Aaron and Ben argue that the crux lies in collaboration and the intended outcomes of communication. It's not just about relaying information; it's about the response and actions it triggers. The hosts caution against an excess of documentation and unproductive meetings and advocate for game development leaders to truly understand their teams' needs to foster effective col...
Nov 07, 2023•43 min•Season 2Ep. 49
In this episode, Aaron and Ben address the prevailing frustration and cynicism within the game development industry concerning Agile methodologies. They stress the importance of acknowledging the evolving landscape, characterized by a shift from defined to empirical work methods. To facilitate this transition, they introduce the concept of the Six Parameters: Innovation Needed, Uncertainty, Rate of Change, Cost of Change, Controllability, and Impact of Failure. These parameters serve as invaluab...
Oct 24, 2023•42 min•Season 2Ep. 48
In this episode, Aaron and Ben delve into their winning model for exceptional game production, highlighting the skills that define successful production. Their perspective: leadership, influence, and systems building are the pivotal yet often overlooked skills to acquire for the "Game Producer" role. Discover the essence of production, which extends beyond mere planning, focusing on force multiplication, empowering teams to make sound decisions, and crafting, enhancing, and sustaining human syst...
Oct 10, 2023•42 min•Season 2Ep. 47
In this episode, Ben and Aaron delve into the critical role of game production and shed light on common misconceptions and pitfalls often encountered by producers. The discussion uncovers three distinct categories of production traps: suboptimizers, unskilled supporters, and the actively dangerous. Ben and Aaron underscore the importance of steering clear of these pitfalls and emphasize the significance of effective leadership in driving both team and project success. They explore how leadership...
Sep 26, 2023•43 min•Season 2Ep. 46
Aaron and Ben discuss the challenges of poor management practices in the gaming industry. They explore the lack of transparency, the flawed promotion system, and the need for managers to prioritize their role as people managers. They introduce four principles of being a good boss: growth, integrity, accountability, and advocacy. They emphasize the importance of investing time and effort into effective management and advocate for creating a system that supports the growth and success of employees...
Sep 12, 2023•45 min•Season 2Ep. 45
Ben and Aaron discuss the importance of understanding where your game falls on the live service spectrum and how that impacts your development process. They emphasize the need to build live service stewardship into the culture of your teams and train new employees to think about the live service. They also stress the importance of setting clear expectations with players and communicating openly with them. Overall, they provide valuable insights and advice for running a successful live service ga...
Aug 29, 2023•41 min•Season 2Ep. 44
"Most of the failures in any project that I've ever been on have been due to lack of communication, lack of coordination, lack of respect for other people, overemphasis on procedure, as opposed to being able to react elegantly to changes in the situation that you're in." - Jim Benson This quote is from our guest on today's episode Jim Benson, who has extensively studied why people struggle to collaborate and is the author of Personal Kanban and The Collaboration Equation. Jim joins our hosts Ben...
Aug 14, 2023•44 min•Season 2Ep. 43
When it comes to saving money, working efficiently or creating value for players, what should take priority in game dev? No matter what your opinion is, tools are a possible solution to all of these problems. In this episode, we're joined by Jean-Eric Khalife, product manager at Hypixel Studios, to talk about what happens when tools are overlooked or used poorly, and when they shouldn't be used. Formerly a tech artist, he's a pro at solving problems and has plenty of examples to prove his abilit...
Aug 01, 2023•41 min•Season 2Ep. 42
There was an unusually high number of low-quality games released in 2022, and we think we know why. The disconnect between the money and development sides often lead to rushed deadlines and games that don't live up to their promises, resulting in an oversaturated market and subpar products in competition with each other. That's why we have Joel McGinnis on this episode to help us discuss this topic, and why business and creative need to start communicating better. Joel shares his ideal relations...
Jul 17, 2023•40 min•Season 2Ep. 41
Is your organization struggling with making decisions, from a lack of consensus or clarity on who the key decision makers are, or something else entirely? The RAPID decision-making framework might be your solution. Joining us on this episode to discuss the RAPID Decision-Making Matrix is Linda Fane, a consultant, coach and organizational expert in games. We start by going over the scale of decision making, including the two extremes of the spectrum and which model is the most effective, and the ...
Jul 04, 2023•38 min•Season 2Ep. 40
