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 systems aligned with shared objectives. The episode addresses prevalent misconceptions surrounding production and delves into the unique challenges confronted by game producers in a dynamic industry like game development. Aaron and Ben advocate for a shift toward outcome-driven leadership, effective communication, alignment strategies, and the development of systems that ensure the repeatability of successful results.

Key Takeaways:

• Game producers should prioritize leadership, influence, and systems building for maximum effectiveness.

• Leadership encompasses goal setting, cultural establishment, outcome-oriented thinking, and driving transformative change.

• Influence is the art of equipping team members to make informed decisions through impactful communication, fostering alignment, and nurturing productive relationships.

• Systems building revolves around creating repeatable results by defining directions, modeling desired behaviors, and implementing efficient work systems and processes.

• Game producers should aspire to be architects of human systems, mastering the craft of designing and enhancing systems that bolster both the team and the organization.

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!

For more episodes, head to the Building Better Games Podlink https://www.pod.link/1559448378

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/

Content Editor: Jonathan Singh

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 in game production diverges from traditional management roles and underscore the producer's need to prioritize value and the project's overarching objectives, rather than becoming entangled in processes, tools, or excessive planning.

Key Takeaways:

• Effective game production requires leadership, not just management. 

• Suboptimization, focusing too much on process, tools, or planning, can hinder the success of the project. 

• Unskilled supporters who take on tasks without providing true leadership can create friction within the team. 

• The actively dangerous, such as those who always have an answer or act as authoritarian taskmasters, can harm team dynamics and hinder progress. 

• Producers should focus on the overall goal and value creation, rather than getting caught up in specific tasks or processes.

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!

For more episodes, head to the Building Better Games Podlink https://www.pod.link/1559448378

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/

Content Editor: Jonathan Singh

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.

Key Takeaways:

• Poor management practices are prevalent in the gaming industry, but there are steps that can be taken to improve as bosses. 

• Clear expectations and growth trajectories are essential for effective people management. 

• Creating a system that has integrity is crucial. Systems with integrity are knowable and consistent, they create a reliable frame for management.

• Accountability is crucial for ensuring that goals are met and progress is made. 

• Advocacy is an important aspect of being a manager, and managers should be willing to use their influence to recognize and reward their team's achievements.

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!

For more episodes, head to the Building Better Games Podlink https://www.pod.link/1559448378

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/

Content Editor: Jonathan Singh

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 game.

Key Takeaways:

• Understand where your game falls on the live service spectrum to determine the level of investment needed.

• Build live service stewardship into the culture of your teams to ensure everyone takes responsibility for the live service.

• Train new employees to think about the live service and how it relates to their work.

• Determine the relationship you want to have with your players and communicate openly with them.

• Set clear expectations with players and be proactive in communicating any changes or updates.

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!

For more episodes, head to the Building Better Games Podlink https://www.pod.link/1559448378

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/

Content Editor: Jonathan Singh

“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 and Aaron on today’s episode to have a crucial conversation about how relying on procedure can prevent progress, and more importantly, why people won’t collaborate or why they can’t seem to get it right.

It is clear that when done well, collaboration produces the highest quality outcome and it just feels good. But why do people struggle with it? This is the question that Jim, Ben, and Aaron discuss in today’s episode, as well as how to collaborate effectively, the benefits of collaboration, how to assess your level of collaboration, dealing with conflict and frustrations within a group, and how to get leaders to get the most out of their team, and much much more.

If your team is missing deadlines, not seeing eye to eye, noticing more bugs, and the stress levels are high, or if you’re just looking for ways to improve your collaborative efforts, this episode is for you.

You don’t want to miss this one!

Topics discussed in this episode:

• A little bit about Jim’s background

• Similarities between music and games

• Dealing with uncertainty through collaboration

• Incentivizing “pulling the cord” in collaboration vs. in knowledge work

• Producing value in teamwork vs. solo work

• Why don't leaders use collaboration more often?

• Do gamers want more complex tech?

• Improving sequels by removing the “bad stuff” instead of adding

• The best way to deal with stress

• Questions to ask yourself to gauge your level of collaboration

• Dealing with conflict when collaborating

• A healthy way to deal with unhealthy frustrations

• What is learned helplessness and how to deal with it

• How to make visualization effective for groups and teams

Check out what Jim Benson is up to by visiting his websites here: https://moduscooperandi.com/

https://modusinstitute.com

You can find Jim Benson’s books here: 

Personal Kanban: https://www.amazon.com/Personal-Kanban-Mapping-Work-Navigating/dp/1453802266/

The Collaboration Equation: https://www.amazon.com/Collaboration-Equation-Strong-Professionals-Delivery-ebook/dp/B0BHXDBG25

Sign up for the Building Better Games Newsletter for monthly tips to help you lead game teams! https://buildingbettergames.gg/newsletter/

Check out our website: https://buildingbettergames.gg/

If you’ve enjoyed this episode and wonder if we could help your studio or company out, email us at [email protected] to set up a free 90-minute call!

For more episodes, head to the Building Better Games Podlink https://www.pod.link/1559448378

Connect with us:

https://www.tiktok.com/@building_better_games

https://www.instagram.com/building_better_games/

https://www.linkedin.com/company/valarin-inc/

Content Editor: Jonathan Singh

This episode was produced by Podcast Boutique https://www.podcastboutique.com

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 ability to strategize the use of tools. He also shares his approach to building tools, as well as the steps you can take to improve your games and build better tools that your team will want to use.

So, when should you invest in proprietary tools? How should you prioritize tools differently during different stages of production, or different stages of a company? What can you do when your leaders won't invest in better tools?

Tune in to hear Jean-Eric’s answers to these questions and lots more!

Topics discussed in this episode:

• Why tools are forgotten about and undervalued

• When you should and shouldn’t use a third party tool

• When to invest in proprietary tools

• Examples from his work on League of Legends

• Prioritizing tools in each stage of development

• Cost of change

• Savings money versus creating player value

• Jean-Eric’s process for building tools

• How to get people to switch tools

Connect with Jean-Eric Khalife on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeaneric/

Sign up for the Building Better Games Newsletter for monthly tips to help you lead game teams! https://buildingbettergames.gg/newsletter/

Check out our website: https://buildingbettergames.gg/

If you’ve enjoyed this episode and wonder if we could help your studio or company out, email us at [email protected] to set up a free 90-minute call!

For more episodes, head to the Building Better Games Podlink https://www.pod.link/1559448378

Connect with us:

https://www.tiktok.com/@building_better_games

https://www.instagram.com/building_better_games/

https://www.linkedin.com/company/valarin-inc/

Content Editor: Jonathan Singh

This episode was produced by Podcast Boutique https://www.podcastboutique.com

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 relationship between money and production, including what questions should be asked, and necessary alignment around product and operations. We also talk about issues of sunk cost, disincentivized transparency, and more.

As Joel says, “people want to put a $60 million game in a $20 million box.” Tune in to find out how game dev can start to solve this problem!

Topics discussed in this episode:

• The disconnect between business and development in game dev

• Conversations that should be had ahead of projects

• Getting on the same page on project size

• Examples of mismanaged projects

• Sunk cost and low-quality products

• Why it’s hard to be honest in negotiations

• Why it’s hard to tell people “no” in development

• Dealing with companies that won’t negotiate

• How Joel likes to spend efficiently and manage burn rate

Sign up for the Building Better Games Newsletter for monthly tips to help you lead game teams! https://buildingbettergames.gg/newsletter/

Check out our website: https://buildingbettergames.gg/

If you’ve enjoyed this episode and wonder if we could help your studio or company out, email us at [email protected] to set up a free 90-minute call!

For more episodes, head to the Building Better Games Podlink https://www.pod.link/1559448378

Connect with us:

https://www.tiktok.com/@building_better_games

https://www.instagram.com/building_better_games/

https://www.linkedin.com/company/valarin-inc/

Content Editor: Jonathan Singh

This episode was produced by Podcast Boutique https://www.podcastboutique.com

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 roles of the RAPID framework.

Linda also shares how these roles work in harmony to balance power and build trust, the three reasons to not use the tool, and its built-in accountability feature. Plus, she gives real examples of the RAPID process, using the framework to make cross-cutting decisions, and MORE.

Tune in to learn more about the RAPID decision-making framework, and how best to introduce it to your organization!

Topics discussed in this episode:

• How Linda built her career in the gaming industry

• The spectrum of decision making

• Consultative decision making

• Framework of the RAPID Decision Making Matrix Tool

• Examples of implementing the RAPID matrix

• When you shouldn’t use the RAPID tool

• What happens when people don’t agree

• How long it takes for an organization to adopt RAPID

• The consequences of a bad decision

• Why there’s opposition to RAPID and how to introduce it

Watch Linda’s GDC talk, “Epic Sync: Wrangling the Work of Highly Interdependent Dev Teams at Bungie:”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ndPyhgorOKY

Connect with Linda Fane on LinkedIn:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/lindafane

Learn more about the RAPID decision-making framework:

https://www.bain.com/insights/decision-insights-10-great-decisions-not-a-solo-performance/

https://hbr.org/2006/01/who-has-the-d-how-clear-decision-roles-enhance-organizational-performance

Learn more about consultative decision-making:

https://www.teamly.com/blog/consultative-decision-making/

Sign up for the Building Better Games Newsletter for monthly tips to help you lead game teams! https://buildingbettergames.gg/newsletter/

Check out our website: https://buildingbettergames.gg/

If you’ve enjoyed this episode and wonder if we could help your studio or company out, email us at [email protected] to set up a free 90-minute call!

For more episodes, head to the Building Better Games Podlink https://www.pod.link/1559448378

Connect with us:

https://www.tiktok.com/@building_better_games

https://www.instagram.com/building_better_games/

https://www.linkedin.com/company/valarin-inc/

Content Editor: Jonathan Singh

This episode was produced by Podcast Boutique https://www.podcastboutique.com

Having opposing views from your team or struggling to communicate with senior leaders and stakeholders are just a couple of common issues game producers have when trying to make changes to improve the game dev process. That’s why it’s crucial for leaders to understand what it takes to drive change in a positive direction, and to make sure everyone is on board.

First up in this episode, senior game dev leader Leslee Sullivant shares her definition of a producer, and how her ideal role lends itself to effective leadership. Then, we discuss the difference between leadership and management, ways to build trust amongst change, and how to lessen roadblocks and distractions for your team.

Leslee also shares the key skills that have helped her drive change at multiple companies, her process for making any team functional, and how she implements change even with different types of resistance. Plus, you’ll hear an example of how she improved a key process while working on Marvel Strike Force.

Tune in to hear our key takeaways for all game dev leaders in this conversation with Leslee!

Topics discussed in this episode:

• Where leadership fits into a producer role

• Types of resistance and how to deal with them

• The skills that have helped Leslee drive change

• Lack of agency

• How to plan and implement changes

• Leslee’s process for driving change on a dysfunctional team

• Prioritization and the true goal of a producer

Sign up for the Building Better Games Newsletter for monthly tips to help you lead game teams! https://buildingbettergames.gg/newsletter/

Check out our website: https://buildingbettergames.gg/

If you’ve enjoyed this episode and wonder if we could help your studio or company out, email us at [email protected] to set up a free 90-minute call!

For more episodes, head to the Building Better Games Podlink https://www.pod.link/1559448378

Connect with us:

https://www.tiktok.com/@building_better_games

https://www.instagram.com/building_better_games/

https://www.linkedin.com/company/valarin-inc/

Big welcome to our new content editor, Jonathan Singh!

This episode was produced by Podcast Boutique http://www.podcastboutique.com

AI is on the tip of everyone’s tongue right now. You’ve probably seen headlines in the news, on social media, maybe even heard conversations in the workplace. So, what’s the big deal with AI, and how does it affect game dev?

In this episode of Building Better Games, AI expert Bill Frischling defines AI and what it’s currently capable of doing. He also explains the limitations of artificial intelligence, generative AI’s completion model, and offers a ton of tips to get started using AI in your daily life or career.

Plus, what does Bill have to say to those that are nervous or trepidatious about the use of AI now and in the future? Will AI affect the creative process in a positive or negative way? Could humans be replaced by robots in the future? 

Tune in to find out his responses to these questions and more!

Topics discussed in this episode:

- Defining AI and its role in the world

- Misconceptions surrounding AI

- The impact on education and laborers

- Functional uses for AI and what it’s good for

- Tips to use AI and improve its production

- Content generation for game dev

- AI and NPCs

- How AI might improve the game dev process

Sign up for the Building Better Games Newsletter for monthly tips to help you lead game teams! https://buildingbettergames.gg/newsletter/

Check out our website: https://buildingbettergames.gg/

If you’ve enjoyed this episode and wonder if we could help your studio or company out, email us at [email protected] to set up a free 90-minute call!

For more episodes, head to the Building Better Games Podlink https://www.pod.link/1559448378

Connect with us:

https://www.tiktok.com/@building_better_games

https://www.instagram.com/building_better_games/

https://www.linkedin.com/company/valarin-inc/

This episode was produced by Podcast Boutique http://www.podcastboutique.com

Content Producer: Ben Chadfield