Patrick Ascolese is the Founder of Dark Arts Software, a Seattle-based independent virtual reality, gaming, and technology studio. Before his current venture, he lent his expertise as an AR/VR Design Consultant at Meta for nearly a year, where he contributed to the development of its upcoming AR headsets. Patrick began his career at Microsoft over 20 years ago, where he worked as a software development engineer and software designer for Xbox 360 Emulation and Kinect, respectively. He departed Microsoft in 2011 to work at Camouflaj, where he was a founding partner, and left the company after Meta acquired it.

Virtual reality games have become highly successful than traditional video games due to their immersive and engaging nature. However, as a game developer, there are intricacies of VR that need addressing before fully committing to producing these types of products.

Seasoned gaming software developer and designer Patrick Ascolese explains that the formula for a successful video game, such as a VR game, is a product that is simple, fun, and interactive. However, many game developers underestimate the complexity of designing VR products, which require 3D software. Whether you are an aspiring video game developer or gaming entrepreneur committed to creating VR material, Patrick suggests hiring engineers with solid knowledge of physics, game loops, and memory management.

In this episode of the Here's Waldo Podcast with Lizzie Mintus, Patrick Ascolese, Founder of Dark Arts Software, discusses video game startups. Patrick shares the challenges that video game developers experience, what is trending in the gaming industry, and advice for aspiring video game professionals and entrepreneurs.

Irena Pereira is the Founder and CEO of Unleashed Games, a video game startup developing games that unite players through cooperative gameplay. Irena is also the Owner of Digital Experiments, a company that specializes in helping gaming teams elevate user participation, putting the player first. A pioneer in user experience, Irena is a seasoned veteran in game development with a focus on connecting people. She's worked in various roles across industry verticals, including as a user interface designer, chief creative officer, executive creative director, and product designer. A thought leader in gaming, Irena has been featured on Gaingels and has been a panelist at the MIT Gaming Industry Club.

Inspirational speaker Simon Sinek asserts that companies often hire the most intelligent person in the room only to silence them. This creates a toxic environment where people fear speaking up, and diversity and inclusion are undervalued. How can leaders create a safe, diverse, and inclusive work culture?

Entrepreneur and business leader Irena Pereira believes traditional work cultures have instilled the idea that it's unprofessional to show vulnerability. To counteract this belief, she suggests companies devise and implement inclusive practices. Training on unconscious bias, holding employees accountable for their actions, and creating a zero-tolerance policy for discrimination and harassment are positive steps to establish a comfortable work environment. Irena also advocates for genuinely listening to team members, seeking out dissent, and identifying people who disagree with leadership and are willing to explain their reasons.

In this episode of the Here's Waldo Podcast with Lizzie Mintus, Irena Pereira, Founder and CEO of Unleashed Games, discusses leadership in entrepreneurship. Irena shares the inspiration for creating Unleashed Games and its mission, how to build a successful team and implement a diverse and inclusive culture, and the lessons she's learned during her entrepreneurial journey.

Linda Shad is the Co-founder of Voidpet, a thoughtful multiplayer game where mental health meets Pokemon. Linda conceived the idea during the pandemic when she began using art as therapy — drawing monsters based on emotion. The concept quickly went viral, leading to a fanbase of over 100,000 members on Discord. Linda earned her BA in computer science from Boston College, where she worked as a lab and teaching assistant.

If you've been conceptualizing an idea for a video game that you're excited to share, you're not alone. Many entrepreneurs have ideas for products or companies, but the most challenging part is often taking the first step and initiating the idea.

Gaming influencer Linda Shad asserts that building an app is easier than most people think. However, she recommends taking a class if you need assistance getting started. When attempting to create a startup, she advises applying to startup accelerators such as Y Combinator or Speedrun, which help entrepreneurs acquire funding and launch their companies. Inexperienced entrepreneurs can also gain knowledge by interning or working for a startup company. Linda shares how her time working for a startup allowed her to learn and gain valuable experience. In addition, while developing a video game is exhilarating, having an audience is critical for success. Linda Linda recommends introducing your concept on social media platforms like TikTok and Discord to build a community and create buzz.

Join Lizzie Mintus in this episode of the Here's Waldo Podcast as she interviews Linda Shad, Co-founder of Voidpet, about the process of creating a video game. Linda discusses building an audience and community through social media, overcoming imposter syndrome, and video games impacting mental health.

Joanie Kraut is the CEO at Women In Gaming International, a platform dedicated to cultivating resources for advancing economic equality and diversity in the global games industry. She has offered her talents in various tech and gaming verticals, including consulting studios, startups, and nonprofits. Joanie is a thought leader in finance, DEI, and the advancement of women in leadership. In 2019, CalCPA recognized her with the Women to Watch in Finance & Accounting, Experienced Leader Award, and in 2020, GCIF and Prism Events named her the Top 100 Global Leaders in Finance. Joanie was also recognized by CEO Monthly as the Most Influential CEO of 2022 and named the Top 50 Women Leaders of Los Angeles by Women We Admire in 2023.

Women have been omitted from the gaming industry's history for years, making up less than 24% of the workforce. Meanwhile, females account for 48% of the gaming community, proving that women are interested in working in the field. How can the recruitment of women in gaming improve?

After participating in numerous panel discussions on women in gaming, Joanie Kraut founded Women in International Gaming, providing free resources to a global community of 38,000 members in 78 countries. WIGI operates over 90 workshops, panels, programs, and initiatives, including Get in the Program, which has a 90% successful recruiting rate. The initiative helps participants craft resumes, cover letters, and portfolios. Additionally, it helps them polish their interview skills and introduces the women to a network of seasoned industry professionals. Joanie shares that while drafting well-written CVs is vital, applicants must work on their personal brand by cleaning up their social media. She suggests posting accomplishments and accolades such as earned degrees, certificates, and relevant events you've attended that illustrate your dedication to the industry.

In this episode of the Here's Waldo Podcast with Lizzie Mintus, she talks to Joanie Kraut, CEO at Women in Gaming International (WIGI), about the advancement of women in the tech and gaming industry. Joanie discusses WIGI's Get in the Game initiative, tips for building a personal brand and overcoming imposter syndrome, and career advancement strategies.

Gina Jaio is the Director of Recruiting at Dreamhaven, an Irvine, California-based video game developer and publisher. Gina is an 18-year veteran in the talent and acquisitions industry, lending her talents at Fortune 500 companies like Sony, Warner Bros., Disney, and Blizzard. In addition to leading the recruitment team at Dreamhaven, Gina provides TA support and strategies for various partner studios.

Career searching can be monotonous and discouraging when opportunities fall short. Fortunately, professional recruiters are willing to share their knowledge, so what steps should you take if you struggle to find employment?

Seasoned recruiter Gina Jaio advises job seekers to leverage their networks by contacting colleagues and mutual connections and asking for introductions. When contacting companies, she recommends expressing how your values align with theirs. Applying for multiple jobs gets tedious, but Gina cautions job seekers to refrain from copying and pasting templates. Instead, impress recruiters and hiring managers by researching product releases, following company news and blogs, and being aware of company events. In addition, draft a concise, personalized cover letter.

In this episode of the Here's Waldo Podcast with Lizzie Mintus, Gina Jaio, Director of Recruiting at Dreamhaven, discusses career strategies for job seekers. Gina explains the importance of being transparent with recruiters, how to evaluate job offers, and the difference between mentors and sponsors.

Andy Tsen is the Co-founder and CEO of Ramen VR, builders of the VR MMO Zenith: The Last City. Andy has held product and engineering roles at various top-grossing social and mobile free-to-play gaming studios, including Metamoki, GREE, Mobee, and Jana. Before Ramen, he was the CEO at TribeVR, a builder of multiplayer games that he helped co-found. From 2014-2016, Andy was a co-organizer for Boston VR, the second-largest VR community in the US. He is also an alum of Y Combinator, the world's leading startup accelerator.

Starting a video game studio is a challenging endeavor with potential pitfalls, including high startup costs, the need to find trustworthy partners, increasing competition, and the ever-changing nature of the industry. However, for those who are serious about making their dream a reality, what priorities should they focus on?

Andy Tsen, a video game industry veteran, offers three pillars of advice: assemble a trustworthy team, design a concept, and create a marketing strategy. Game development requires patience and long hours, so surround yourself with committed, talented, and reliable individuals. Additionally, the team should include experienced professionals with the skills and expertise necessary to bring the studio's vision to life. It is also vital to create a culture of collaboration and innovation. Although owning a studio is exciting, its success depends on having appealing products. So Andy encourages having a clear vision of the types of games you want to develop. However, creating cutting-edge video games is only possible with an iron-clad marketing strategy. Beyond materials like blog posts and social media, Andy suggests posting information on Reddit, building a website illustrating concept art, and teasing potential buyers with surprising reveals.

In this episode of the Here's Waldo Podcast with Lizzie Mintus, Andy Tsen, Co-founder and CEO at Ramen VR, discusses the ebbs and flows of the VR gaming industry. Andy shares the inspiration for founding Ramen VR, overcoming rejection, and advice for breaking into the video game space and starting a studio.

Deniz Gezgin is the Founder and CEO of 5X5 Gaming, a San Francisco-based, mobile-first cross-platform video game studio. Deniz is a 15-year veteran in the gaming and digital collectibles industries. Before founding 5X5 Gaming, Deniz led Topps Company's — one of the world's largest and oldest collectibles companies — digital division as its General Manager. As an expert in product growth, he's held various executive roles for companies such as Epics Digital Collectibles, Gazillion Network, Idle Games, Zynga, Machine Zone, and FunPlus.

5X5 Gaming is a video game studio founded on the idea of combining NFTs and digital collectibles. Despite launching at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, the company has been able to scale rapidly in its few short years. If you're considering starting a video game company, there are various logistics that you should consider.

The foundation of any startup is a solid business plan that includes the company's mission, vision, goals, and a detailed product description. After establishing a course of action, Deniz Gezgin, a seasoned game developer and entrepreneur, recommends designing a prototype before securing funding. A prototype allows developers to present it to industry events and investors. However, it is crucial to avoid expanding the team too quickly, as the market could change or fundraising could decrease. You can also save on overhead by hiring a remote team of game developers, artists, designers, and marketers. Additionally, employing a virtual team increases productivity and retention levels. Starting a video game company is challenging and competitive. By planning accordingly, staying current with the latest trends and technologies, and building a diverse top-tier team, the chances of success significantly increase.

Join Lizzie Mintus in today's episode of the Here's Waldo Podcast, as she interviews Deniz Gezgin, Founder and CEO of 5X5 Gaming, about the process of launching a video game startup. Deniz shares advice on securing financing, the challenges of starting a company, and the benefits of managing a multicultural team.

Kelly Wallick is a Partner and Community Builder at 1Up Ventures, a venture capital fund supporting a diverse and inclusive community of independent game developers. She is also the Founder and CEO of Indie MEGABOOTH, a platform dedicated to promoting independent game developers at gaming expositions. Kelly has over 10 years of experience in the tech and video game industries. As a self-professed passionate believer in the impact of community in gaming, she's sat on various boards, including Light Forge Games, advocating for creative, unique, and diverse voices. Kelly is also a former Chairperson of the Independent Games Festival, an event held at the Game Developers Conference (GDC), championing excellence in independent games.

For years, the video game industry has grappled with diversity, catering to an infinitesimal demographic and causing toxicity within the gaming community. As gaming studios and venture capitalists focused on diversity and inclusion emerge, could there be a shift in the industry?

Kelly Wallick, an industry community builder and VC, explains that changes in hiring practices have widely contributed to inclusivity. And with the increase of remote-first jobs since the pandemic, it's easier for companies to recruit worldwide. The popularity of video games spans the globe, so it makes sense for characters to reflect this. VCs have also taken an interest in independent game developers with unique voices. Companies such as 1Up Ventures, led by a woman with decision-making power, advocate for underserved communities, such as people of color and individuals with physical and mental disabilities.

In this episode of the Here's Waldo Podcast, Lizzie Mintus sits with Kelly Wallick, Partner and Community Builder at 1Up Ventures, to discuss the shift in the video game industry. Kelly discusses how gaming communities impact participants' lives and careers, indie game development challenges and diversity, and creating healthy workplace cultures. She also reflects on her inspiration for founding Indie MEGABOOTH and partnering with 1Up.

Eve Crevoshay is the Executive Director at Take This, a mental health research, advocacy, and training nonprofit serving the game community. She's a 20-year veteran in the nonprofit sector with experience in education, social services, and the arts. Eve sits on the advisory boards for the Fair Play Alliance, the Game Developers Conference (GDC), and The International Game Summit on Mental Health. In 2022, she received the inaugural GamesBeat Up and Comer award, and in 2022, Eve was awarded the Games for Change Festival Vanguard Award.

A July 2023 Statista reports that the total amount of video games sold in the US was $4.19 billion. Video games play an intricate part in people's lives and help with stress relief, relaxation, and mental stimulation. Unfortunately, bullying trends in the industry affect players and game developers. So, is it possible to design mindful products that protect mental health?

According to Eve Crevoshay, managing director of an organization focused on mental health in the gaming industry, technology has finally caught up with the issue of toxicity in video games and the gaming community. With this knowledge, companies' interest in safety is now a top priority. However, the creation of a toxic-free culture begins with leadership. Management can implement solutions such as setting working hours and boundaries in work contracts, designating quiet spaces, and offering resources and information on mental health. Eve also advocates for self-care in the gaming community, including adequate sleep, healthy eating, exercise, and finding your safe space.

Join Lizzie Mintus in this episode of the Here's Waldo Podcast as she interviews Eve Crevoshay, Executive Director of Take This, to discuss mental health in the gaming industry. Eve addresses the Bungie lawsuit, how gaming companies can design toxic-free video games, and building a work culture of inclusivity and positive mental health.

Paxton Galvanek is the CEO of Studio Hermitage, a transmedia company that develops original IP for production across various formats. He has over 20 years of leadership experience as a serial entrepreneur, having founded and managed several companies, including The Chatham Group, a recruiting and talent acquisition firm; G&W Advertising Agency, a full-service creative and advertising agency; and Funcom, an interactive gaming center. Beyond his entrepreneurial endeavors, Paxton volunteers at Activate Good, a nonprofit volunteer center, and guest lectures at the East Coast Gaming Conference.

Building a business entails research, a business plan, and fundraising. Once the logistical aspects are complete, it's time to build a team and create a company culture. Company culture is a defining characteristic of an organization, as it influences employee satisfaction, productivity, and brand reputation. So, how can a leader cultivate a positive work culture?

Recruiting is essential when assembling a dynamic work environment. However, hiring managers should be transparent about job expectations and compensation. While small to mid-size businesses may be unable to compete with larger, more established corporations in terms of salary, entrepreneur Paxton Galvanek suggests a healthy work-life balance as a suitable alternative. A healthy work-life balance reduces stress, improves mental and physical health, and increases productivity. It also attracts candidates who value family, flexibility, and personal interests. Additionally, leaders promote a robust company culture by guiding and nurturing talent with the resources they need to succeed.

In today's Here's Waldo Podcast episode, Lizzie Mintus interviews Paxton Galvanek, Co-founder and CEO at Studio Hermitage, on leading a team and company culture. Paxton discusses the importance of branding oneself for a career in the video game industry, hiring best practices, and work-life balance.