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:

• The Complacency Problem – Many Western studios lack the urgency and work ethic to stay competitive in today’s game industry.
• Why Small Teams Outperform Big Teams – Large studios often have unresolved issues that everyone knows about but no one addresses. The key to success is a strong culture of accountability.
• Experience as a Team Matters More Than Individual Talent – A well-coordinated team that has worked together for years will almost always outperform a group of "rockstar" hires.
• The Reality of Game Development in India – The country has talent, but cultural perception, technical challenges, and legal hurdles create unexpected difficulties for game studios.
• The Pre-Production Trap – Everyone knows pre-production is critical, yet studios repeatedly rush through it, leading to costly inefficiencies.
• People and Culture Define Success – A game studio doesn’t fail because of a lack of ideas—it fails due to misaligned leadership, poor hiring decisions, and weak company culture.
• Hard Conversations Matter – Many studios suffer from unspoken problems. Addressing issues early is the difference between success and failure.
• Decision-Making Should Be a Science – Too many game studios rely on gut feelings rather than structured, first-principles thinking when making critical decisions.

Connect with Joseph Kim

GameMakers Newsletter: https://www.gamemakers.com

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jokim

Website: https://lilagames.com/

Expert Profile: https://www.liquidandgrit.com/expert-directory/joseph-kim/

Check out this episode: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fjBIXbN6h_E

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Lilagames

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If you're a game developer, leader, or someone looking to start a game studio, this episode provides essential insights into the future of game development. Like, comment, and subscribe for more industry discussions.