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By Benjamin Carcich
5
88 ratings
The podcast currently has 91 episodes available.
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. Larian Studios' structure fostered adaptability, allowing teams to react to these changes and seize opportunities.
Collective Decision-Making, Singular Vision: Decision-making at Larian was a collaborative effort involving various team leads and prioritizing player experience above all else, with decisions framed against an aligned vision everyone shared.
Open Communication & Trust: The studio thrives on transparent communication and a deep-seated trust in its team members. This fosters autonomy and allows individuals to take ownership of their creative contributions.
The Human Element: Building a great game isn't just about project management; it's about embracing the human element. Larian encourages its developers to make games they are passionate about, fostering a sense of personal investment and creative fulfillment.
Baldur's Gate 3 stands as a testament to the power of adaptability, trust, and open communication in game development. Larian Studios' approach highlights the importance of embracing change, fostering a culture of collaboration, and empowering individuals to contribute their unique creativity.
Share your thoughts! What are your key takeaways from John and Greg's experiences? How do you navigate the challenges of adaptation and collaboration in your own projects? Let us know in the comments below!
Don't forget to subscribe and hit the notification bell for more episodes. Your feedback and support are greatly appreciated, and we look forward to bringing you more valuable content. See you next time!
To learn more about Larian Studios:
• Larian Studios Website: https://larian.com/
• Larian Studios LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/larian-studios/
• Baldur’s Gate 3 Website: https://baldursgate3.game/
Our discord community is live! Join here to engage with leaders and producers in game dev looking to make our industry a better place that makes better games: https://discord.gg/ySCPS5aMcQ
If you’re interested in an online course on becoming a better game producer, head here: https://www.buildingbettergames.gg/succeeding-in-game-production
Subscribe to our newsletter for more game development tips and resources: https://www.buildingbettergames.gg/newsletter
Ben's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/benjamin-carcich/
YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@buildingbettergames
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:
Individual vs. Organizational:
Triggers and Blockers:
Creating an Environment:
Compliment:
Leadership:
Kevin Scheepers leaves us with valuable advice on designing game studios that thrive on flow, encouraging leaders to map out their team’s strengths and challenges. By understanding the unique makeup of your team and the processes that drive flow, you can unlock new levels of creativity and productivity in game development.
Don't forget to subscribe and hit the notification bell for more episodes. Your feedback and support are greatly appreciated, and we look forward to bringing you more valuable content. See you next time!
To learn more about Kevin Scheepers:
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kevin-scheepers-96229428/
• FlowMade Website: https://flowmade.org
• GameWell Podcast: https://flowmade.org/gamewell
Our discord community is live! Join here to engage with leaders and producers in game dev looking to make our industry a better place that makes better games: https://discord.gg/ySCPS5aMcQ
If you’re interested in an online course on becoming a better game producer, head here: https://www.buildingbettergames.gg/succeeding-in-game-production Subscribe to our newsletter for more game development tips and resources: https://www.buildingbettergames.gg/newsletter
Ben's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/benjamin-carcich/
YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@buildingbettergames
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:
Product Thinking:
Diminishing Returns:
Role of Product Managers:
Leadership and Culture:
Feature Factory Approach:
Complex Adaptive Systems:
Ideal Prioritization:
Aspiring Product Managers:
Culture and Leadership:
Thanks for joining us! We explored John's journey, highlighting the importance of a healthy product culture and clear vision. John provided advice on the role of product managers, effective prioritization, and fostering creativity within teams.
Don't forget to subscribe and hit the notification bell for more episodes. Your feedback and support are greatly appreciated, and we look forward to bringing you more valuable content. See you next time!
To learn more about John Cutler:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/johnpcutler/
Twitter: https://x.com/johncutlefish
Newsletter: cutlefish.substack.com
Our discord community is live! Join here to engage with leaders and producers in game dev looking to make our industry a better place that makes better games: https://discord.gg/ySCPS5aMcQ
If you’re interested in an online course on becoming a better game producer, head here: https://www.buildingbettergames.gg/succeeding-in-game-production
Subscribe to our newsletter for more game development tips and resources: https://www.buildingbettergames.gg/newsletter
Ben's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/benjamin-carcich/
YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@buildingbettergames
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:
Understanding the Struggle with Vision:
Importance of Experience Design:
Challenges in Team Alignment:
Publisher and Developer Relationships:
Thank you for joining us for Part 2 of our discussion on vision in game development with Graham McAllister. We hope these insights help you and your team achieve better alignment and success. Don't forget to subscribe and hit the notification bell for more episodes. Your feedback and support are greatly appreciated, and we look forward to bringing you more valuable content. See you next time!
To learn more about Dr. McAllister:
https://grahammcallister.com/
https://www.linkedin.com/company/teamsync-ltd/
Graham’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/grahammcallister
Our discord community is live! Join here to engage with leaders and producers in game dev looking to make our industry a better place that makes better games: https://discord.gg/ySCPS5aMcQ
If you’re interested in an online course on becoming a better game producer, head here: https://www.buildingbettergames.gg/succeeding-in-game-production
Subscribe to our newsletter for more game development tips and resources: https://www.buildingbettergames.gg/newsletter
Ben's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/benjamin-carcich/
YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@buildingbettergames
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 ambiguous and multifaceted.
Misalignment of vision among team members can lead to significant challenges and failures.
Stability in game studios is often undermined by conflicting visions and organizational flux.
Shared mental models are crucial for aligning team vision and improving the development process.
Practical solutions exist to address vision misalignment and create more cohesive and successful games.
Thank you for joining us for Part 1 of our discussion on vision in game development with Dr. Graham McAllister. We hope you found the insights valuable and thought-provoking. Stay tuned for Part 2, where we will continue to explore solutions and strategies for achieving better vision alignment in game studios. Don’t forget to subscribe and hit the notification bell so you don’t miss any updates. Your feedback and support are greatly appreciated, and we look forward to bringing you more content that helps you succeed in your game development journey. See you in the next episode!
To learn more about Dr. McAllister:
https://grahammcallister.com/
https://www.linkedin.com/company/teamsync-ltd/
Graham’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/grahammcallister
Our discord community is live! Join here to engage with leaders and producers in game dev looking to make our industry a better place that makes better games: https://discord.gg/ySCPS5aMcQ
If you’re interested in an online course on becoming a better game producer, head here: https://www.buildingbettergames.gg/succeeding-in-game-production
Subscribe to our newsletter for more game development tips and resources: https://www.buildingbettergames.gg/newsletter
Ben's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/benjamin-carcich/
YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@buildingbettergames
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
Effective Live Operations Management
Collaborative Estimation Practices
Empowering Teams with the Right Tools
The Role of Community and Knowledge Sharing
For more info about Favro and the “Learn from Leaders” podcast, including a section showing examples of how to use the tools effectively, check out the Learn from Leaders Podcast: https://www.favro.com/learnfromleaders
For more info about Favro, go to http://www.favro.com
And to learn more about Patric, check out his LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/today/author/patricpalm
Thanks for listening!
Our discord community is live! Join here to engage with leaders and producers in game dev looking to make our industry a better place that makes better games: https://discord.gg/ySCPS5aMcQ
If you’re interested in an online course on becoming a better game producer, head here: https://www.buildingbettergames.gg/succeeding-in-game-production
Subscribe to our newsletter for more game development tips and resources: https://www.buildingbettergames.gg/newsletter
Ben's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/benjamin-carcich/
YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@buildingbettergames
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:
Greg also shares personal anecdotes and insights from his career, emphasizing the importance of flexibility, adaptability, and maintaining a clear vision throughout the game development process. This episode provides valuable guidance for aspiring game developers and offers a deep dive into the complexities of game design in the ideation phase.
Our discord community is live! Join here to engage with leaders and producers in game dev looking to make our industry a better place that makes better games: https://discord.gg/ySCPS5aMcQ
And if you're interested in more of our content, links below.
"Succeeding in Game Production: What You Aren't Taught" online course for game producers: https://www.buildingbettergames.gg/succeeding-in-game-production
Newsletter: https://www.buildingbettergames.gg/newsletter
Ben's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/benjamin-carcich/
Greg's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/greg-street-b356447/
Greg’s Website: https://fantasticpixelcastle.com/
Greg’s Twitter: https://x.com/Ghostcrawler
YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@buildingbettergames
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 Estimation:
The Importance of Flexibility:
Relative Estimation and Calibration:
Prioritization and Learning:
Balancing Creativity and Control:
Trust and Communication:
Tools and Techniques:
By addressing these points, Ben and Aaron provide valuable insights into how to navigate the complexities of estimation and planning in game development, ultimately helping studios ship better games with less stress and frustration.
Our discord community is live! Join here to engage with leaders and producers in game dev looking to make our industry a better place that makes better games: https://discord.gg/ySCPS5aMcQ
And if you're interested in more of our content, links below.
"Succeeding in Game Production: What You Aren't Taught" online course for game producers: https://www.buildingbettergames.gg/succeeding-in-game-production
Newsletter: https://www.buildingbettergames.gg/newsletter
Ben's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/benjamin-carcich/
Aaron's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/doublearon00/
YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@buildingbettergames
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 better place that makes better games: https://discord.gg/ySCPS5aMcQ Key Topics: 1. Playtesting and Engagement: We discuss how regular playtesting can prevent teams from getting lost in the technical aspects and keep the focus on creating an engaging player experience. 2. Internal Playtests: We explore different company cultures around playtesting and how frequent testing can lead to better team behaviors and more successful products. 3. Gamer First, Developer Second: We talk through the impact to our own careers of being a gamer before a developer and how this perspective can lead to better game design and development. 4. Approach to Playtests: Aaron shares insights on the mindset and cultural aspects of playtesting, emphasizing the importance of playing the game from a player's perspective rather than just a developer's. Join us for this episode on how to build better games through effective playtesting while maintaining a meaningful connection with both the product and the audience. Don't forget to check out our new Discord server for game development leaders and producers to continue the conversation and solve the right problems together. Enjoy the episode! And if you're interested in more of our content, links below. "Succeeding in Game Production: What You Aren't Taught" online course for game producers: https://www.buildingbettergames.gg/succeeding-in-game-production Newsletter: https://www.buildingbettergames.gg/newsletter Ben's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/benjamin-carcich/
Aaron's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/doublearon00/
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 essential for leadership, advocating instead for the power of soft skills and systemic thinking.
Overcoming Systemic Barriers: Discover the systemic issues that can cripple even the most talented game development teams, and learn how effective leadership can overcome these challenges.
Enhancing Team Communication: Explore strategies to foster better communication and collaboration within teams, which can lead to increased creativity and efficiency.
Cultural Evolution in Leadership: Learn about the shift from authoritative to facilitative leadership styles in game development, and how this can transform team dynamics and project outcomes.
The Role of Trust and Empowerment: Understand the critical role of trust in empowering team members and fostering an environment where creativity and innovation thrive.
Curious to find out how these insights can transform your leadership approach and help you build better games?
Tune in, engage with us in the comments, hit that like button if you find the discussion valuable, and don't forget to subscribe to Building Better Games for more insightful explorations into the nuances of game development.
Join us as we pave the way to a new era of leadership in gaming!
Courses built by game devs for game devs - check out “Succeeding in Game Production” https://www.buildingbettergames.gg/succeeding-in-game-production
Sign up for the Building Better Games Newsletter for bi-weekly tips to help you lead game teams! https://buildingbettergames.gg/newsletter/
Check out our website: https://buildingbettergames.gg/
If you think we could help your studio or company build better games, email us at [email protected] to set up a free 90-minute call!
Connect with us:
Ben’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/benjamin-carcich/
Aaron’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/doublearon00/
BBG LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/company/building-better-games/
BBG Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@building_better_games
BBG Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/building_better_games/
The podcast currently has 91 episodes available.
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