The podcast is back! And it's had a bit of a makeover (or a make-under as I’ve stopped doing video, at least for now). In this update episode, I explain why I've been away for so long, why I've renamed the podcast and what you can expect going forward.

If you're someone who looks fine on the outside but is quietly struggling underneath, this is for you.

It’s good to be back!

Key topics: burnout, sustainable success, ADHD, imposter syndrome, masking, people pleasing, career pivots, purpose

Send me your questions/comments at: https://www.gothboss.co.uk/podcast

You can also find me on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/catburton/

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

Dan Pinchbeck is the co-founder of The Chinese Room, the award-winning studio behind many wonderful games including Dear Esther, Amnesia: A Machine for Pigs, Everybody’s Gone to the Rapture, Little Orpheus, Still Wakes The Deep and most recently Vampire: The Masquerade - Bloodlines 2.

In this episode, we talk through Dan’s incredible journey with the studio. From its early days making Half-Life 2 mods to becoming one of the UK’s most distinctive storytelling studios. Dan opens up about the highs and lows of running a team and what really happened behind the scenes. He gives an honest insight into how he navigated creative burnout and what led him to leave the studio before Bloodlines 2 shipped.

We also get into some big industry topics: the AI hype sweeping game dev, what’s broken in the games industry and what gives him hope for the future of smaller studios.

Chapters:

00:00 The Origins of The Chinese Room

03:49 Starting with Mods: Conscientious Objector, Antilion Soccer, Dear Esther & Korsakovia

05:11 Moving to Commercial Games: Dear Esther and Amnesia: A Machine For Pigs

07:02 Shifting from Walking Simulators to Horror Games

12:39 The Formation of The Chinese Room as a Company

16:33 The Impact of Studio Size on Development

20:23 Funding Struggles and the Studio Downsizing in 2017

25:57 Recovery and the Sumo Group Acquisition

29:06 Little Orpheus and Maintaining Creative Control After Acquisition

34:01 The State of the Game Industry

39:26 The Impact of AI on Game Development

45:46 Challenges for Indie Developers

48:27 Vampire: The Masquerade - Bloodlines 2

01:02:43 What's next for Dan

About Dan:

Dan Pinchbeck is a writer, creative director, and co-founder of the acclaimed UK studio The Chinese Room. With a background in academia and digital arts, he’s known for pioneering narrative-driven experiences that blur the line between storytelling, atmosphere, and player agency. Dan’s work has helped shape modern indie game storytelling and inspired a generation of developers to experiment with emotion and meaning in games. You can find him on:

Dan's Website: https://www.danpinchbeck.co.uk/

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

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 advice. 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.

The game industry might be unpredictable, but your career doesn’t have to be.

In this episode, I share ten practical tips to help you stay strong while working through these really tough times.

Chapters:

00:00 10 Practical Tips to Future-Proof Your Career

02:00 Tip 1: Focus on What You Can Control

03:04 Tip 2: Be Ready for Change

05:25 Tip 3: Lift Others Up

07:23 Tip 4: Stay Visible

09:41 Tip 5: Protect Your Energy

12:49 Tip 6: Build Your Confidence

16:10 Tip 7: Lead with Transparency and Trust

19:41 Tip 8: Stay Curious and Keep Learning

22:09 Tip 9: Create Financial and Mental Stability

24:59 Tip 10: Redefine Success

27:15 Recap

Links:

UK game industry Slack: https://www.ukgamesindustry.com/

Imposter syndrome episode: https://youtu.be/hOTjI38cnCg?si=vogYLgBkFVvJ0AP3

Burnout episode: https://youtu.be/1tKNL_iuk1c?si=L_HSNh-5hA1vfWlR 

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 advice. 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:

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

Take Part:

Send me your questions to answer in future episodes! Or if you would like me to interview someone to hear about their game industry career, game or studio, please recommend them. Send me a message at: https://www.gothboss.co.uk/podcast

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

What if the key to solving the climate crisis, social inequality and even human behavior wasn’t found in policy papers, but in games?

In this episode, I sit down with Trevin York, founder of Dire Lark, to explore how Games for Change are reshaping the way we tackle global challenges. From climate action and healthcare to finance and education, Trevin reveals how playful design can turn complex, serious topics into experiences that inspire real-world impact.

We dive into the power of data to understand players, what it takes to design for transformation and the surprising business realities of running a purpose-driven game studio. You’ll hear how AI is influencing funding and what aspiring designers can do to build games that truly make a difference.

If you’ve ever wondered how games could actually change the world, this conversation will make you rethink what “serious play” really means.

Books:

Design for the real world by victor Papanek: https://amzn.to/43d7nKK 

Design when everybody designs by ezio manzini: https://amzn.to/3KKd2lh 

Designs for the pluriverse by Arturo escobar: https://amzn.to/4nMxzV3 

Ideas Arrangements Effects by the Design Studio for Social Intervention: https://amzn.to/477DpJx 

The Transformational Framework by Sabrina Culyba: https://amzn.to/4n446Vt 

Trevin's book - The Game Needs to Change: https://www.routledge.com/The-Game-Needs-to-Change-Towards-Sustainable-Game-Design/Prax-Whittle-York/p/book/9781032836195?srsltid=AfmBOoq7wZEBpY_yHJWvlB1iKJPOXi4CLmyWnPxGWdl4q1DXIl7DWJ69 

About Trevin

Trevin York  has spent over a decade collaborating with talented teams to make games and other interactive experiences focused on effecting lasting change. As the founder of Dire Lark, Trevin works with organizations ranging from tech startups to game studios to international firms, bringing game design techniques and processes to projects aiming for real-world positive impacts across a variety of contexts. You can find Trevin on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/trevin-york/, and Dire Lark at: https://direlark.co.uk/

About Cat

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

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

Unity has had a rough few years including PR disasters, project cancellations, layoffs, a now-cancelled runtime fee policy and a recent security flaw. Many developers have switched engines in the last few years as a result. But is Unity still the right engine for your next game?

In this episode, I break down Unity’s recent challenges, compare it to Unreal, Godot and GameMaker, and explain why many developers still stick with Unity in 2025.

Topics:

• Unity’s controversies & leadership shakeups

• Which engine to choose for for different project types

• Godot’s rise as an indie favorite

• Why Unity still excels for prototyping, mobile and AR/VR

Subscribe for more weekly insights into the games industry.

Chapters:

00:00 Unity's Current Crisis

01:01 A Few Difficult Years For Unity

04:20 Unity's Strengths and Advantages

06:51 Comparing Unity to Unreal Engine, Godot and Game Maker

07:09 Unity vs Unreal Engine

08:36 Unity vs Godot

09:48 Unity vs Game Maker

11:10 Where Unity Still Wins

12:27 Summary

14:15 Goth Boss Studios Podcast - Video Intro.mp4

References:

Pocket Gamer’s article about John Riccitiello calling people idiots: https://www.pocketgamer.biz/unity-ironsource-john-riccitiello-marc-whitten-merger/ 

John Riccitiello’s apology in Pocket Gamer: https://www.pcgamer.com/unity-ceo-apologizes-for-calling-developers-fking-idiots-promises-to-do-better/

Unity announces, then cancels, Gigaya: https://unity.com/blog/games/introducing-unitys-latest-sample-game-gigaya 

Unity layoffs 2022-2025: https://www.blog.udonis.co/mobile-marketing/mobile-games/unity-layoffs 

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

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.