In this episode, I discuss the current challenges facing the games industry, including significant job losses, studio closures and the impact of rising costs and market saturation. I share insights from conversations with industry veterans and offer practical advice for navigating these turbulent times. The discussion also touches on the future of the industry, including potential recovery and the importance of networking and visibility for everyone in the industry.

Chapters:

00:00 The Turbulent State of the Games Industry

06:09 Understanding the Causes of Industry Challenges

15:13 Navigating the Future: Strategies for Survival

24:53 Hope for Recovery: Insights and Predictions

References & Articles

TIGA Report: https://tiga.org/news/weathering-the-storm-tiga-research-reveals-uk-games-dev-sector-continues-to-grow-despite-global-sector-downturn

The move towards film/TV structure: https://www.wiggin.co.uk/insight/a-litany-of-layoffs-how-the-games-industry-might-mitigate-some-of-its-pain-by-looking-to-film-and-tv/

Layoffs statistics: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2022%E2%80%932025_video_game_industry_layoffs 

About Me

Hi, I’m Cat Burton! I've built studios, raised funding and shipped games to millions of players. Now I help you do the same with expert games consultancy and coaching. The Goth Boss Podcast dives into the real challenges of making games and running game studios by sharing honest stories and inspiring conversations with my industry friends.

You can connect with me on:

GothBoss (Games Consultancy & Coaching): https://www.GothBoss.co.uk

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

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gothbosscat

Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/gothbosscat.bsky.social

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@gothbosscat

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Will Freeman's 20 year career spans many areas of the games industry. He's a freelance journalist, mock reviewer, copywriter and so much more. He's worked with a huge list of notable brands and publications including The Guardian, BAFTA, Epic, the BBC, EA, Vice and PC Gamer. While we do talk about games journalism, this episode quickly turned into an honest and authentic conversation about his career journey and personal struggles. What we're left with is a wonderful love letter to the games industry. I'm sure you'll enjoy this one.

Chapters:

00:00 Introduction

00:48 Career Journeys in the Games Industry

03:08 The Evolution of a Freelance Career

05:44 Finding Authenticity in the Creative Space

08:58 The Role of Community and Support

11:40 Mental Health and Acceptance in the Games Industry

14:26 The Importance of Open Conversations

17:44 Embracing Imperfection and Vulnerability

20:21 Work-Life Balance and Personal Growth

24:02 Meeting People and Making Friends in the Games Industry

31:39 Balancing Work and Personal Life

35:06 Understanding Energy Levels and Productivity

38:22 Mock Reviews for Games

44:09 How Game Development Roles Overlap

48:38 Navigating Imposter Syndrome in the Games Industry

57:59 The Future of Gaming and Cultural Impact

About Will

With 20 years in games journalism, Will Freeman has contributed reviews, critiques and features to some of the biggest names in the industry, from The Guardian and Edge to Eurogamer and IGN. Will is also a trusted partner for studios and publishers of all sizes, delivering insightful mock reviews that help shape games before release. You can find Will on:

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

Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/spadgy.bsky.social

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/spadgy_ota

About Me

Hi, I’m Cat Burton! I've built studios, raised funding and shipped games to millions of players. Now I help you do the same with expert games consultancy and coaching. The Goth Boss Podcast dives into the real challenges of making games and running game studios by sharing honest stories and inspiring conversations with my industry friends. You can find me on:

GothBoss (Games Consultancy & Coaching): https://www.GothBoss.co.uk

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

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gothbosscat

Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/gothbosscat.bsky.social

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@gothbosscat

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In today's episode of The Goth Boss Podcast I sit down with my friend Cinzia Musio a leading voice in diversity and inclusion in games.

We unpack the challenges and the myths of diversity and inclusion.

We also discuss the practical steps that leaders can take to build truly inclusive spaces.

Empathy and collaboration is going to make the games industry a much better place for everybody and Cinzia is going to tell you all about how you can make it happen.

Chapters

00:00 Cinzia's Journey into Diversity and Inclusion

10:19 Challenges in Diversity and Inclusion in the Games Industry

15:33 The Political Landscape and Its Impact on D&I

20:25 Practical Steps for Inclusive Workplaces

25:37 Language and Communication in D&I Practices

28:42 Measuring Diversity Beyond Quotas

32:21 Creating a Thriving Team Environment

33:55 Future Aspirations for Diversity in Gaming

36:24 Empathy as a Leadership Skill

40:09 Debunking Myths in Diversity and Inclusion

47:33 Success Stories in Diversity Efforts

About Cinzia

Cinzia Musio (She/They) is an award-winning Equity, Diversity & Inclusion Consultant in the UK, with an approach focusing on intersectionality, and Director at Code Coven. They work across the industry with helping build awareness and education, and using data to drive a culture of inclusion, knowledge sharing, and allyship. Cinzia is a Training Consultant and Researcher for Limit Break, a BAFTA member, and helps manage a UK Games Industry Slack community of over 8000 people. When not at work, Cinzia can be found doing various crafts or cuddling cats.

You can find Cinzia on:

http://cinziamusio.co.uk/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/cinzia-musio/

https://linktr.ee/cinzia_musio

About Me

Hi, I’m Cat Burton! I've built studios, raised funding and shipped games to millions of players. Now I help you do the same with expert games consultancy and coaching. The Goth Boss Podcast is where I dive into the real challenges of making games and running studios.

You can connect with me on:

Goth Boss Studios: https://www.GothBoss.co.uk

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

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gothbosscat/

Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/gothbosscat.bsky.social

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@gothbosscat

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Join me for an insightful conversation with Lee Kemp from Tea Imp Games as we delve into the world of game design.

Discover the nuances of a game designer's role, the challenges of balancing creative projects with consultancy and his journey of developing the indie game Thingamajigs.

Whether you're a studio leader or an aspiring designer, Lee's experiences and tips offer valuable lessons for anyone in the gaming industry.

Tune in for a blend of professional insights and personal stories that highlight the art and science of game design.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Game Design

02:31 The Impact of Location on Game Development

05:23 The Importance of Office Environments for Juniors

08:21 Design Reviews and the Role of a Game Designer

11:37 Understanding Game Mechanics and Player Experience

14:23 Analysing Game Design Processes

17:20 Common Pitfalls in Game Development

20:22 Balancing Freelance Work and Personal Projects

24:29 The Importance of Design in Game Development

25:44 When to Bring a Designer into the Team

26:30 The Role of Designers in Problem Solving

28:26 Challenges in VR Game Design

30:16 Introducing Thingamajigs: A Wholesome Game Experience

33:22 Navigating the Indie Game Development Landscape

33:48 How to Effectively Collaborate with Designers

37:30 The Importance of Open-Mindedness in Game Development

39:00 What's next for Lee

About Lee

Lee Kemp is a skilled design lead with a head for production and a focus on getting games to release. He’s led teams from 10 to 100 people, from tiny indie hits to platform launch titles.

In his current role as the head of an indie studio (Tea Imp Games), Lee leads the design on internal IPs. Externally, he's also freelance design lead who helping other studios find their creative footing around their own design issues.

You can find him on:

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

Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/designergoblin.bsky.social

Tea Imp Games: https://www.teaimpgames.com/

About Me

Hi, I’m Cat Burton! I've built studios, raised funding and shipped games to millions of players. Now I help you do the same with expert games consultancy and coaching. The Goth Boss Podcast is where I dive into the real challenges of making games and running studios.

You can connect with me on:

GothBoss (Games Consultancy & Coaching): https://www.GothBoss.co.uk

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

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gothbosscat

Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/gothbosscat.bsky.social

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@gothbosscat

P.S. We gave a little shoutout to our friend Dan Blatherwick who is an amazing sound designer for games. He also made the music for this podcast! You can find him at:

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

Portfolio: https://danblatherwick.co.uk/

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Do you feel like you're “always on”? Are you constantly checking emails, LinkedIn and social media? Do you find yourself looking at work accounts or posting to Slack outside of office hours? 

In this episode of The Goth Boss Podcast, I’ll share practical strategies to break the habit of constantly checking apps and emails, and help you set digital boundaries. Learn how to protect your focus and model healthy disconnection so your team feel empowered to do the same.

If you're looking for a way to avoid burnout, learning to switch off is the first step.

Got your own tips to add? Please share them with others in the comments!

Chapters:

00:00 The Pressure of Being Always On

08:03 Breaking the Cycle of Digital Addiction

14:01 Practical Steps to Disconnect

15:17 Action Points

16:28 Leading by Example

~~~~~

Hi! I’m Cat Burton, I've built studios, raised funding and shipped games to millions of players. Now I help you do the same with expert games consultancy and coaching. 

The Goth Boss Podcast is where I dive into the real challenges of making games and running studios.

GothBoss (Games Consultancy & Coaching): https://www.GothBoss.co.uk

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

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gothbosscat

Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/gothbosscat.bsky.social

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@gothbosscat

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of The Goth Boss Podcast, I speak with marketing expert Haley Uyrus about how indie and AAA game developers can effectively market their games. We discuss strategies ranging from defining business objectives and understanding audiences, to making the most of social media, mailing lists, events, and store pages like Steam. Haley also shares insights on current trends and future predictions for game marketing.

If you have any questions or comments, you can send me a message at gothboss.co.uk/podcast.

00:00 Introduction

01:03 Marketing fundamentals in gaming

03:30 Understanding Your Audience

06:22 The Evolution of Social Media in Marketing

09:28 The Resurgence of Mailing Lists

12:38 Behind the Scenes: Humanising Game Development

15:37 Indie vs. AAA Marketing Strategies

18:31 The Role of In-Person Events in Marketing

24:32 Maximizing Steam Page Effectiveness

33:42 Understanding Fractional Roles in the Games Industry

39:58 Marketing Trends and Predictions for 2026

Haley Uyrus is an award winning brand marketing director and creative leader, having worked 12+ years in the industry on games like Fall Guys, LEGO Fortnite, and most recently Sonic Rumble.

You can connect with her on:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/haley-uyrus-a0059212/

Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/absintheuse.bsky.social

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@brand.sorceress

Hi, I’m Cat Burton! I've built studios, raised funding and shipped games to millions of players. Now I help you do the same with expert games consultancy and coaching. The Goth Boss Podcast is where I dive into the real challenges of making games and running studios.

GothBoss (Games Consultancy & Coaching): https://www.GothBoss.co.uk

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

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gothbosscat

Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/gothbosscat.bsky.social

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@gothbosscat

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Should You Keep Going… or Walk Away?

In this episode of The Goth Boss Podcast I talk about one of the toughest calls you’ll ever have to make: knowing when to stick with something and when it’s time to pivot.

I share my own experiences that led to me starting Goth Boss Studios and a simple framework to help you figure it out, inspired in part by Seth Godin’s The Dip.

We’ll explore how to spot the difference between a temporary setback and a true dead end.

I'll remind you how to check your success metrics and your energy to know if something is worth sticking with.

Getting an outside perspective can make all the difference, so remember to ask a mentor or coach for their unbiased opinions.

If you’re stuck on whether to push through or change direction, this episode will help you make the decision.

Book recommendation:

Seth Godin's The Dip: https://amzn.to/3UXezWV

Chapters:

00:00 Navigating the Decision to Pivot or Persist

05:46 Understanding The Dip: Insights from Seth Godin

07:58 Evaluating Your Situation: Five Key Checks

08:33 Check 1: Check your metrics

10:15 Check 2: Check your energy

11:29 Check 3: If you stopped doing this thing, what would you lose?

12:38 Check 4: What's the alternative?

13:40 Check 5: Get an outside perspective

15:28 How I Decided to Pivot

17:09 Making the Choice: When to Pivot and When to Stick

20:17 Recommended reading: Seth Godin's book The Dip

21:13 Final Thoughts: Embracing Change and Growth

If you have any questions or comments, send me a message at gothboss.co.uk/podcast.

~~~~~

I’m Cat Burton, a games industry veteran of 17 years, studio founder and leadership coach. This is The Goth Boss Podcast where I dive into the real challenges of making games and running studios.

From burnout and imposter syndrome to scaling teams and finding funding, I share honest stories, practical strategies and conversations with inspiring people across the games and creative industries.

Whether you’re leading a studio, building your first project or figuring out your next move in games, my goal is to help you thrive and ship your games without burning out.

Links:

Goth Boss Studios: https://www.GothBoss.co.uk

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

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gothbosscat/

Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/gothbosscat.bsky.social

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of The Goth Boss Podcast, I sit down with Charlotte Pook to talk about what it really takes to land a job in the games and creative industries. We dig into the value of strong portfolios, how to navigate career gaps and where AI is starting to show up in recruitment. Charlotte shares her perspective on attracting diverse candidates, the changing balance between remote and on-site work and how to spot red flags in a job offer.

We also cover practical tips on negotiating salaries, building your network and making speculative applications that actually get noticed. If you’re job hunting in games or creative tech, this conversation is packed with advice to help you stand out and apply with confidence.

Chapters:

00:00 Intro

00:31 Navigating Job Applications in the Creative Industry

02:02 The Importance of LinkedIn and Online Portfolios

04:53 Understanding Career Gaps and Job Market Trends

08:21 The Current State of The Job Market

21:33 Negotiating Rates and Understanding Studio Budgets

28:14 Identifying Red Flags in Job Opportunities

34:30 The Role of AI in Job Applications

43:42 Attracting Diverse Applicants in Recruitment

51:46 The Future of Work: Remote vs. On-Site

Charlotte Pook is an experienced Talent Acquisition Manager in the games industry and a mentor with BAME in Games and Into Games. You can connect with her on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/charlotte-pook-2021/

You can find me, Cat Burton, on LinkedIn here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/catburton

If you have any questions or comments, send me a message at gothboss.co.uk/podcast.

~~~~~

I’m Cat Burton, a games industry veteran of 17 years, studio founder and leadership coach. This is The Goth Boss Podcast where I dive into the real challenges of making games and running studios.

From burnout and imposter syndrome to scaling teams and finding funding, I share honest stories, practical strategies and conversations with inspiring people across the games and creative industries.

Whether you’re leading a studio, building your first project or figuring out your next move in games, my goal is to help you thrive and ship your games without burning out.

Links:

GothBoss: https://www.GothBoss.co.uk

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

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gothbosscat/

Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/gothbosscat.bsky.social

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Feeling stuck or unsure what’s next in your career or business? In this episode, I walk you through the 4 key elements of ikigai: what you love, what you’re good at, what the world needs, and what you can be paid for. This process will help you find clarity and purpose. If you're planning a career change, starting a business, or just craving more fulfilment in your day-to-day this episode will help you reconnect with what truly motivates you. Packed with practical examples and mindset shifts to help you take the next step.

If you have any questions or comments, send me a message at https://gothboss.co.uk/podcast.

Hosted each week by me, Cat Burton, a founder with over 17 years of experience in the games & creative industries. Through Goth Boss Studios I provide ad-hoc founder-level support and coaching. Whether you need help shipping a project, growing your studio or team, or navigating the highs and lows of running a business, I’m here to help.

Socials Links:

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

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gothbosscat/

Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/gothbosscat.bsky.social

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Feeling exhausted, unmotivated, or disconnected from the work you once loved? You might be burned out, and you’re not alone. In this episode, I dive into what burnout really is (hint: it’s not just being tired), the most common causes (like perfectionism, overwork, and people-pleasing) and how to recover. Whether you’re a founder, freelancer, or full-time employee, this is an honest look at burnout recovery, setting boundaries, and building a sustainable career.

Send me your stories or questions for future episodes at gothboss.co.uk/podcast.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.