Stuck in slow loops and broken systems? The Game Dev Leadership Accelerator can help you make lasting change. Sign up to learn more: https://forms.gle/nqRTUvgFrtdYuCbr6 Why do most teams default to two-week sprints, even when they're wrong? In this episode, Ben Carcich breaks down a simple model with three dials that you should use to tune your iteration length. He explains why iteration length is a product lever, not a calendar convenience for your leadership, and how choosing the right rhythm ...
Sep 16, 2025•39 min
Is there a way to predict whether a game will hit or flop? In this episode, Ben is joined by Colan Neese, who has spent a lot of time looking at how audiences relate to products at companies like Twitch and Nielsen. Colan's work at Mind Game Data is focused on "puzzling through the problem of anticipating which games are likely to take off at launch and which seem to be headed nowhere". The conversation challenges the conventional wisdom about what drives a successful launch, revealing why our d...
Sep 09, 2025•1 hr 41 min
🎮 There are tons of "game dev tools" out there promising to fix your problems… but too often, teams end up serving the tool instead of the tools serving them. In this video, I'll break down a simple, practical guide to streamline your process. You'll learn not just what you need, but why it matters whether you're running a team, starting a game studio, or pushing an R&D project forward. ✨ What you'll learn in this episode: The Power of Vision → Why a clear, shared vision is your best defens...
Sep 02, 2025•31 min
Setting goals is harder than you think. In this episode, Ben Carcich is joined by Melissa Phillips, founder of Games Leadership, to dive deep into a topic that leaders often approach with little understanding: goal setting. From a professional perspective, goal setting is about helping people find fulfillment in what they are doing. Melissa discusses how goals have evolved from a basic survival need to a more complicated, individualistic pursuit. What you'll learn in this episode: Why money is a...
Aug 26, 2025•59 min
Are live service games truly dying, or are we just seeing a new era of evolution? In this episode, we sit down with game designer and product thinker Ryan Scott to unpack the difficult world of live service titles. Ryan brings a wealth of knowledge from his time working on major titles, sharing his unique insights on what makes a live service game thrive or fail. We dive deep into the concept of "switching costs," the importance of meeting specific player needs, and the delicate balance between ...
Aug 12, 2025•1 hr 28 min
Do you need game publishing to ship your game successfully? What does a leader in a publishing organization truly do? Join us for a conversation with Elizabeth Howard, an industry veteran with over 20 years of experience across Aspyr, 2K, and Bungie, where she led publishing and production. Elizabeth views game development and publishing as two parts working together to ship games, defining publishing as everything outside of dev. This episode explores the nature of game publishing, the historic...
Jul 29, 2025•1 hr 10 min
How will the game industry adapt? Are we hurtling towards a gig economy? In this powerful conversation, we sit down with Trent Kusters, co-founder and studio head of League of Geeks, to talk about the future of our industry. Trent takes us on a deep, honest exploration of the game industry's current state, from platform power struggles and algorithmic curation to the erosion of full-time game dev careers. This vital conversation goes beyond just metrics, delving into the human element, sustainab...
Jul 15, 2025•1 hr 35 min
What does it truly take to deliver a great game consistently in an industry known for its challenges and complexities? Join us for a conversation with Steve Sargent, Head of Production at Blind Squirrel Games, a veteran with over 35 years of experience in the game industry, including work on iconic titles like BioShock: The Collection and Mass Effect Legendary Edition. Steve dives deep into the art and science of game production, sharing the things to do, and also what to avoid, from his extensi...
Jul 01, 2025•1 hr 20 min•Ep. 92
Game production lives and dies on planning—but most teams are still building like it's 2010. In this episode, Ben is joined by Jeanne-Marie Owens and Jesse Houston of Critical Path to reveal better ways a studio can function based on decades of experience. From the myth of the "critical path" to the illusion that things will magically come together in the final stretch, they explain why "figure it out later" kills projects, how lack of real commitment cripples teams, and what it actually takes t...
Jun 17, 2025•1 hr 42 min
Hiring only senior engineers might feel like a smart move, but is it breaking game development? In this episode, Ben sits down with Carly Taylor (an engineer and data scientist formerly on Call of Duty, now at Databricks) to tackle one of the most pressing and misunderstood issues in game development today: the crumbling pipeline of engineering talent. They dive deep into the tragedy of the commons happening across studios, where short-term thinking and overreliance on senior talent are putting ...
Jun 03, 2025•1 hr 18 min
Building a game is hard. Leading the team to do it well without losing yourself along the way? That's even harder. In this episode, Ben sits down with Melissa Phillips, founder of Games Leadership and a former Head of Studio, to talk about the messy, emotional, and deeply human side of game leadership. From BAFTA boardrooms to indie trenches, Melissa brings a rare blend of psychological insight and real-world experience to one of the most overlooked conversations in game development: what happen...
May 20, 2025•1 hr 1 min•Season 2Ep. 89
What if the next great game studio doesn't come from the West? In this episode, Ben chats with Rob Wynne and Clark Kosene from Rising Tide Studios—an unannounced AAA-inspired indie team taking a bold leap: building a game that truly bridges Eastern and Western audiences. We dive deep into why the moat of Western AAA game development is disappearing fast—and how China, with more devs than the U.S. and EU combined, is already playing on equal footing. Rob and Clark share the untold story of how Ri...
May 06, 2025•1 hr 16 min
How would you know if your studio's culture is toxic—before it's too late? In this exclusive conversation, we talk with Charlie Sull, co-founder of CultureX and researcher with MIT, about how to spot, measure, and fix toxic workplace culture—especially in the high-stakes world of game development. Forget ping pong tables and free snacks. Culture is your operating system, and if leaders don't prioritize it, dysfunction spreads fast. We break down: What creates a toxic culture The Toxic Five behav...
Apr 22, 2025•48 min
Building a great game is hard—but getting players to actually discover and play it? That's often harder. In this episode of Building Better Games, Ben sits down with user acquisition expert Matej Lančarič, whose decade of experience spans mobile, PC, Steam, and cross-platform launches. Together, they dive deep into the realities of user acquisition (UA), creative strategy, and why great games still fail without a clear plan to get players in the door. We break down: What "user acquisition" reall...
Apr 08, 2025•1 hr 10 min
In this episode, we welcome back organizational psychologist Graham McAllister for part 3 of our deep dive into one of the most critical challenges in game development—game vision. If you're a game developer, leader, or aspiring leader, this is an essential conversation that exposes why studios struggle to align on vision and how that misalignment contributes to failed games, frustrated teams, and organizational friction. Graham shares exclusive insights from his groundbreaking research, reveali...
Mar 25, 2025•1 hr 31 min
The gaming industry is changing rapidly, and the global landscape is shifting in ways many studios aren't prepared for. Are Western game studios becoming too complacent? What role will international development play in the future of game creation? In this episode, Joseph Kim, CEO of Lila Games, shares hard-earned lessons about building a game studio in India, the challenges of hiring and leading globally, and the realities of making tough business decisions in game development. Key Takeaways: Th...
Mar 11, 2025•1 hr 7 min
What does it take to lead effectively in the gaming industry? Many leaders in game development step into their roles without formal training—learning through trial and error. In this episode, we break down what real leadership looks like, how to avoid common pitfalls, and how to drive meaningful change without falling into the trap of just "managing" processes. Key Takeaways: The difference between management vs. leadership in game dev How to set and maintain the right goals for your team Avoidi...
Feb 25, 2025•43 min
What if everything you thought about prototyping was wrong? Many teams rush to validate an idea too soon, but what if the real secret to success is building a studio that learns better? In this episode, Leif Johansen breaks down the myths of prototyping and how studios can create a structured approach to experimenting with game ideas. Key Takeaways: - Stop Searching for the "Perfect Prototype" – The best teams prioritize many small, fast failures over one high-stakes prototype. - Prototyping Is ...
Feb 11, 2025•1 hr 22 min•Ep. 82
Is the games industry maturing or collapsing? How have our old models and comparisons hurt how we develop? In this episode, Leif walks us through how game dev has shifted, and how you need to think differently to stay relevant. Enjoy! Key Takeaways: Playtesting and Leadership: How leaders set the tone for playtesting with their behavior, not their words. The Slow Rise of "Forever" Games: How players spending more time in older games is reshaping play patterns. Drinking Our Own Kool-aid: Too many...
Jan 28, 2025•37 min•Season 2Ep. 81
Why did Bungie's founder leave the AAA world to start building games in UEFN? What are the advantages and challenges of UGC platforms? Today, we talk with Alex Seropian, veteran game designer and founder of Bungie and Look North World, about the future of our industry. Enjoy! Key Takeaways: UGC Platforms Provide Some Serious Advantages: Tools like Fortnite Creative and Roblox empower creators, enabling rapid prototyping and innovation. Game Dev is Evolving: The shift from small teams to massive ...
Jan 14, 2025•57 min•Season 2Ep. 80
No guests today! Instead, I'll be taking questions from the Building Better Games discord and answering them. I cover10 questions including the challenges with AAA dev, the rise of co-dev, and what production careers look like. Enjoy! Question #1 : How do you ensure that you (the royal you) are making a game that will be fun for players, not just fun for its designers to make? (Or maybe in this context - what are the ways in which production can support product management and ensure the sprint-t...
Dec 31, 2024•1 hr 19 min•Ep. 79
There's a ton of knowledge about how we sustain games, but the art of creating something new remains mysterious, even to veteran developers. In this episode, Omar Kendall returns to talk about unknowns, product vs design, and how our industry is relating to risk. Enjoy! Key Takeaways: Embrace Uncertainty: Build teams ready to solve the riskiest problems first. Early Feedback Wins: Engaging players early reduces risks and validates ideas. Product vs. Design: Learn the difference between identifyi...
Dec 18, 2024•54 min•Season 2Ep. 78
Figuring out a novel game idea is HARD. You can't just hope the mishmash of ideas in your head are going to come together - history shows they often don't. So how do you pick your target? Omar Kendall is here to help you out with that. Enjoy! Key Takeaways: Learn how Elden Ring and FromSoftware's iterative approach shaped success. Discover why leveraging your team's strengths beats chasing trends. Explore the balance between expertise and innovation for new opportunities. Understand the importan...
Dec 03, 2024•56 min•Season 2Ep. 77
Marketing games is tough. The world is twisting under our feet right now, as big and small studios struggle to reach players. The world is changing, but there are things you can do. We've got Chris and Joe here to help you better market your game. Enjoy! Key Takeaways: Navigating Niche Marketing: How targeting specific communities can yield better results than broad-based marketing strategies. The Power (and Risks) of Early Access: Testing games early can provide critical feedback and build a pl...
Nov 19, 2024•37 min•Season 2Ep. 76
In this episode, Ben sits down with Chris Heintz and Joe Blancato, co-founders of Ignition Facility, to discuss the challenges and strategies in game marketing today. As game industry veterans with deep experience in marketing for top studios like Riot Games, Chris and Joe share insights on why traditional marketing models often fall short in a crowded gaming landscape. They explore how studios can reach players more effectively by building meaningful communities, testing their games early, and ...
Nov 05, 2024•52 min•Season 2Ep. 75
Narrative is often overlooked in game dev. We want to explore what you might be missing if you skip writers, storytellers, and worldbuilders, and what to look for when working with them. We are joined by Matthew Garcia-Dunn, who most recently wrote for Space Marine 2. Enjoy! Key Discussion Points: The role of narrative in game development and why it's essential How to effectively build worlds that engage players The balance between creativity and production constraints The state of the gaming in...
Oct 22, 2024•51 min•Season 2Ep. 74
Welcome to the BBG podcast! In this special episode of Building Better Games, co-host Aaron Smith returns to share his insights on game development, leadership, and the state of the industry. Aaron opens up about the challenges facing AAA studios today, the impact of the pandemic on his career, and his recent decision to step back from the podcast and industry. He also discusses the importance of staying connected to players and why innovation is critical for the future of game development. Key ...
Oct 08, 2024•35 min•Season 2Ep. 73
Welcome to Episode 72 of the Building Better Games Podcast! We're getting back into flow, this time focusing on players and game design. Kevin Scheepers, the founder of FlowMate and GameWell, will be talking about how you can build flow into your games to improve engagement. Have you ever felt completely immersed in a game, losing track of time and becoming one with the experience? Or wondered how developers can intentionally craft this feeling for players? Knowing how flow works for players wil...
Sep 24, 2024•34 min•Season 2Ep. 72
Welcome to the BBG podcast! Today, we venture into the heart of Larian Studios, the creative minds behind the critically acclaimed Baldur's Gate 3. John O'Brien and Greg Lidstone unveil the culture and processes behind the game's cinematic development, offering insights into adapting to an evolving story and nurturing a collaborative environment. Key Points: Embracing Fluidity: Baldur's Gate 3's development was a dynamic process, with story elements and cinematic scenes constantly changing. Lari...
Sep 10, 2024•41 min•Season 2Ep. 71
Welcome to the BBG podcast, episode 70! In today's episode, Ben dives deep into the concept of flow with Kevin Scheepers, founder of FlowMade and GameWell. If you've ever wondered how to enhance collaboration in your dev teams or struggled with balancing a chaotic calendar, this episode is for you. Kevin shares his passion for creating high-functioning game studios by focusing on organizational flow. Key Points: Understanding Flow: Flow is an optimal state where individuals perform and feel thei...
Aug 27, 2024•39 min•Season 2Ep. 70
