Building Better Games

E118: The Truth About "Culture Fit" in Game Dev


Listen Later

If you're a leader in game dev who feels stuck, able to spot problems but struggling to make a real difference, 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

Is your "culture fit" interview actually just a trap for hiring clones?

We tackle the paradox of culture in game development. While many studios are abandoning "culture fit" to avoid echo chambers and bias, ignoring it entirely can lead to toxic hires that destroy trust and decision-making.

Ben breaks down the two distinct types of culture—Taste vs. Operating System—so you can hire for high-stakes collaboration without sacrificing diversity of thought.

In this episode, you'll learn:

  • Why hiring "clones" feels good short-term, but creates blind spots that stall real problem-solving
  • How to separate Taste Culture (optional vibes) from Operating System Culture (non-negotiables that ship work)
  • How different decision-making and feedback models work, and how to choose the right one for your studio

If you're a lead or founder torn between team diversity and everyone "just getting it," this episode gives you a clear framework to balance both—protecting your team's operating system without creating an echo chamber.

Connect with us:

🔗Ben's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/benjamin-carcich/

🔗BBG's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/building-better-games/

🔗Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/buildingbettergames/#

🔗Website: https://www.buildingbettergames.gg

🔗YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCZpMT-dUwQR-R4Mb4uub6Sw

If you want me to help producers or studios build better games through effective systems and leadership, you can reach me at: [email protected]

#GameDevLeadership #StudioCulture #GameIndustryHiring #TeamBuilding #BuildingBetterGames

...more
View all episodesView all episodes
Download on the App Store

Building Better GamesBy Benjamin Carcich

  • 5
  • 5
  • 5
  • 5
  • 5

5

10 ratings


More shows like Building Better Games

View all
Exchanges by Goldman Sachs

Exchanges

982 Listeners

The a16z Show by Andreessen Horowitz

The a16z Show

1,101 Listeners

The Daily by The New York Times

The Daily

113,078 Listeners

Deconstructor of Fun by Deconstructor of Fun

Deconstructor of Fun

100 Listeners

The AIAS Game Maker's Notebook by Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences

The AIAS Game Maker's Notebook

192 Listeners

Game Dev Advice: The Game Developer's Podcast by The HP Video Game Podcast Network - John JP Podlasek

Game Dev Advice: The Game Developer's Podcast

50 Listeners

The Prof G Pod with Scott Galloway by Vox Media Podcast Network

The Prof G Pod with Scott Galloway

5,668 Listeners

All-In with Chamath, Jason, Sacks & Friedberg by All-In Podcast, LLC

All-In with Chamath, Jason, Sacks & Friedberg

10,203 Listeners

Triple Click by Maximum Fun

Triple Click

1,164 Listeners

The Ezra Klein Show by New York Times Opinion

The Ezra Klein Show

16,487 Listeners

The Four Horsemen by Last Free Nation

The Four Horsemen

19 Listeners

Risky Business with Nate Silver and Maria Konnikova by Pushkin Industries

Risky Business with Nate Silver and Maria Konnikova

276 Listeners