Building Better Games

E82: The Art & Science of Game Prototyping with Leif Johansen


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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 a Science and an Art – The most successful studios create intentional experiments that map out their design space before committing to a vision.

- Build a Learning Machine, Not Just a Game – A strong studio isn’t just about good ideas—it’s about a team that knows how to test and refine them.

- Innovation Comes from Small Fixes, Not Big Ideas – World of Warcraft and Apex Legends didn’t just win by reinventing the wheel; they won by refining existing formulas with micro-improvements.

- Hiring Too Fast Can Kill Your Game – Too many studios hire for downstream roles (art, animation) before locking in core mechanics, creating inefficiencies and wasted resources.

  👉 Connect with Leif Johansen

- Leif Johansen LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/leif-johansen-52139141

 

Our Discord community is live! Join here to engage with leaders and producers in game dev looking to make our industry a better place: https://discord.gg/ySCPS5aMcQ

Interested in an online course on becoming a better game producer? Check it out here: https://www.buildingbettergames.gg/succeeding-in-game-production

Subscribe to our newsletter for game development insights: https://www.buildingbettergames.gg/newsletter

 

Follow & Subscribe:

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

- YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@buildingbettergames

- Spotify Podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/6QD5yIbFdJXvccO8Z5aXpm

🚀 Support the Show! Help us create more amazing content by joining us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/BBGOfficial

 

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Building Better GamesBy Benjamin Carcich

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