Building Better Games

By Valarin Inc

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Episodes: 58

Description

Building Better Games is about helping leaders create better video games through holistic leadership. If you’re a leader in games and game dev, you are who we make this podcast for. Making games is hard, no two ways about it. Only 5% of video games that enter production turn a profit. We aim to increase that number. Through our own successes and failures we (and our guests) have learned lessons that will help you create better teams and better games. Leadership matters, so let’s get better at it together. Your team and your players will thank you.

Episode Date
E38 How AI Can Help You Lead Game Dev with Bill Frischling
38:56

AI is on the tip of everyone’s tongue right now. You’ve probably seen headlines in the news, on social media, maybe even heard conversations in the workplace. So, what’s the big deal with AI, and how does it affect game dev?

 

In this episode of Building Better Games, AI expert Bill Frischling defines AI and what it’s currently capable of doing. He also explains the limitations of artificial intelligence, generative AI’s completion model, and offers a ton of tips to get started using AI in your daily life or career.

 

Plus, what does Bill have to say to those that are nervous or trepidatious about the use of AI now and in the future? Will AI affect the creative process in a positive or negative way? Could humans be replaced by robots in the future? 

 

Tune in to find out his responses to these questions and more!

 

Topics discussed in this episode:

- Defining AI and its role in the world

- Misconceptions surrounding AI

- The impact on education and laborers

- Functional uses for AI and what it’s good for

- Tips to use AI and improve its production

- Content generation for game dev

- AI and NPCs

- How AI might improve the game dev process

 

Sign up for the Building Better Games Newsletter for monthly tips to help you lead game teams! https://buildingbettergames.gg/newsletter/

 

Check out our website: https://buildingbettergames.gg/

 

If you’ve enjoyed this episode and wonder if we could help your studio or company out, email us at info@valarinconsulting.com to set up a free 90-minute call!

 

For more episodes, head to the Building Better Games Podlink https://www.pod.link/1559448378

 

Connect with us:

https://www.tiktok.com/@building_better_games

https://www.instagram.com/building_better_games/

https://www.linkedin.com/company/valarin-inc/

 

This episode was produced by Podcast Boutique http://www.podcastboutique.com

 

Content Producer: Ben Chadfield

Jun 06, 2023
E37 How to Stop Cheaters in Video Games with Paul Chamberlain
35:42

What defines cheating in games? Is it exploiting existing bugs, using automation or macro tools? What about installing third-party mods that unlock special features in the game?

 

Building Better Games is joined by game developer and anti-cheat expert, Paul Chamberlain, on this episode to discuss cheating and creating an anti-cheat strategy. Cheating is inevitable, but there ARE ways to mitigate its effects and keep competitive integrity in games.

 

Paul outlines the importance of understanding your game, measuring vulnerable systems to find patterns, and the role of operations teams in combating scammers and investigating cheaters. He also goes over multiple examples from real games, including League of Legends and Fortnite.

 

Tune in to hear Paul’s advice for dealing with cheating in game development!

 

Topics discussed in this episode:

  • Why people cheat

  • How to reduce cheating

  • What defines cheating

  • Why you need to understand your product

  • Real examples of cheating solutions

  • How players view the volume of cheating

  • Paul’s advice to address cheating

 

Watch Dan Olsen's video, "Why It's Rude To Suck At Warcraft,” from his YouTube Channel, Folding Ideas: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BKP1I7IocYU

 

Paul Chamberlain's Twitter: https://twitter.com/arkem
New Avalon Studios Twitter: https://twitter.com/NewAvalonGames

 

Omega Strikers from Odyssey Interactive just released, and you can check it out here: https://www.odysseyinteractive.gg/omegastrikers

 

Sign up for the Building Better Games Newsletter for monthly tips to help you lead game teams! https://buildingbettergames.gg/newsletter/

 

Check out our website: https://buildingbettergames.gg/

 

If you’ve enjoyed this episode and wonder if we could help your studio or company out, email us at info@valarinconsulting.com to set up a free 90-minute call!

 

For more episodes, head to the Building Better Games Podlink https://www.pod.link/1559448378

 

Connect with us:

https://www.tiktok.com/@building_better_games

https://www.instagram.com/building_better_games/

https://www.linkedin.com/company/valarin-inc/

 

This episode was produced by Podcast Boutique http://www.podcastboutique.com

 

Content Producer: Ben Chadfield

May 23, 2023
E36 Work Systems: How to Build Process that Leads to Better Results
41:04

Things like meetings, reports and team structure are in place to help the game dev process go smoother, and create cohesion among team members. But are these work systems actually having a positive effect? If not, you probably have an alignment issue.

 

In this episode, we dive into this topic and offer tips to build a system that inspires autonomy, creativity, and effective decision making. You’ll hear about the benefits of defining goals and sharing this vision with your team, understanding how work systems and humans interact in game development, and more.

 

These changes will help you avoid doing extra work that’s not needed, utilize information in a way that will push you forward toward your goals, and rethink your approach to managing a team.

 

Listen to this episode to learn WHY and HOW you can invest in alignment every step of the way!

 

Topics discussed in this episode:

- Our ideal world of game development 

- The purpose of process 

- Defining alignment and why it’s important 

- What makes up a work system in game dev 

- The role of humans in the system 

- Adapting to the uncertainty and change in game dev 

- How to keep teams consistently aligned 

- Dealing with dissension 

- Facilitating effective decision making 

- Riot’s superpower 

- The impact of trust in work systems

 

Sign up for the Building Better Games Newsletter for monthly tips to help you lead game teams! https://buildingbettergames.gg/newsletter/

 

Check out our website: https://buildingbettergames.gg/

 

If you’ve enjoyed this episode and wonder if we could help your studio or company out, email us at info@valarinconsulting.com to set up a free 90-minute call!

 

For more episodes, head to the Building Better Games Podlink https://www.pod.link/1559448378

 

Connect with us:

https://www.tiktok.com/@building_better_games

https://www.instagram.com/building_better_games/

https://www.linkedin.com/company/valarin-inc/

 

This episode was produced by Podcast Boutique http://www.podcastboutique.com

 

Content Producer: Ben Chadfield

 

May 09, 2023
E35 How to Create a Reliable Game Roadmap: Managing Uncertainty, Risk, and Team Readiness
40:56

The truth is, most people underestimate how long a task will take. This is especially true in game dev, where new developments and problems are inevitable even with the guidance of a roadmap.

 

During this episode, the hosts of Building Better Games dive into the misuse of roadmaps and 5 key areas leaders should focus on more. We discuss prioritization, rate of discovery, managing expectations of key stakeholders, blindspots like team readiness and more.

 

Our tips will help producers better strategize their planning, create reliable roadmaps, communicate with their teams and keep them engaged in the process.

 

To learn how to adapt to change and incorporate uncertainty into your roadmap, tune in now!

 

Topics discussed in this episode:

- The obscurity of roadmaps 

- The value of having a roadmap and how it’s misused

- Updating your plan and clueing in the team

- Evaluating team readiness and risks

- Common planning mistakes

- Adapting to the discovery of new work

- Why prioritization is such an important tool

- How to manage expectations of stakeholders

- The role of producers in team engagement

 

Sign up for the Building Better Games Newsletter for monthly tips to help you lead game teams! https://buildingbettergames.gg/newsletter/

 

Check out our website: https://buildingbettergames.gg/

 

If you’ve enjoyed this episode and wonder if we could help your studio or company out, email us at info@valarinconsulting.com to set up a free 90-minute call!

 

For more episodes, head to the Building Better Games Podlink https://www.pod.link/1559448378

 

Connect with us:

https://www.tiktok.com/@building_better_games

https://www.instagram.com/building_better_games/

https://www.linkedin.com/company/valarin-inc/


This episode was produced by Podcast Boutique http://www.podcastboutique.com

 

Content Producer: Ben Chadfield

Apr 25, 2023
E34 Why You Need to Be Aware That Games Are Big Business (and What Can Go Wrong) with Susan Cummings and Ryan Scott
38:41

“It's cheap to have opinions. It's hard to have informed opinions. It's really, really hard to be an expert who's researched something.”

 

This episode of Building Better Games concludes our two-part series on Web3, wrapping up our conversation with game dev leaders Susan Cummings and Ryan Scott. Along with hosts Ben and Aaron, they highlight the importance of exploring the value of Web3 for games, including how leaders can stay on top of tech trends while not losing focus of player value.

 

We also continue our discussion into why the dialogue surrounding Web3 is so contentious, as well as how the industry should be approaching this new technology.

 

Tune in for advice on navigating this world as a game dev leader — and possibly get excited about Web3, too!

 

Topics discussed in this episode:

  • Why Web3 conversations are so contentious in game dev
  • Why players and game developers are angry
  • How the chaos in Web3 is affecting innovation
  • Susan’s monetization model
  • Advice to leaders navigating the world of Web3
  • The importance of curiosity and authenticity
  • Discernment when it comes to getting funding
  • How we should approach Web3 as an industry

 

Connect with Susan Cummings on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/susanicummings/

Learn more about Petaverse on their website: https://petaverse.com/

 

Connect with Ryan Scott on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ryan-scott-akamorello/

 

Sign up for the Building Better Games Newsletter for monthly tips to help you lead game teams! https://buildingbettergames.gg/newsletter/

 

If you’ve enjoyed this episode and wonder if we could help your studio or company out, email us at info@valarinconsulting.com to set up a free 90-minute call!

 

For more episodes, head to the Building Better Games Podlink https://www.pod.link/1559448378

 

Connect with us:

https://www.tiktok.com/@building_better_games

https://www.instagram.com/building_better_games/

https://www.linkedin.com/company/valarin-inc/


This episode was produced by Podcast Boutique http://www.podcastboutique.com

 

Content Producer: Ben Chadfield

Apr 11, 2023
E33 How to be a Master of Web3 Gaming Debates: Susan Cummings & Ryan Scott Share Key Insights
34:40

Web3 is the next generation of the internet, and it’s already having an effect on the gaming industry. There’s a lot of opinions floating around, but one thing the hosts of Building Better Games and today’s guest can agree on is that player value needs to be leading the conversation.

 

Joining Ben and Aaron on the show today to discuss Web3 is Susan Cummings, CEO of Petaverse, and Ryan Scott, a veteran senior design leader. Susan’s experience working in VR and Web3 gives her firsthand knowledge of how Web3 is affecting game development.

 

Susan and Ryan both help us address the issues plaguing game development related to Web3, including common misconceptions, opposing business models, and the future of games. We also explore the idea that digital ownership is the path to player value.

 

If you’re wondering why you should care about Web3 as a game dev leader, listen in to part one of our productive conversation with Susan and Ryan!

 

Topics discussed in this episode:

- Player value is missing in the Web3 conversation 

- Monetization in games 

- Lessons to learn from the past 

- How digital ownership relates to player value 

- A hybrid approach to metadata 

- Ryan’s utopian view and the future Metaverse 

- Transferring content between games 

- Value proposition for companies and players 

- The argument against it

 

Connect with Susan Cummings on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/susanicummings/

Learn more about Petaverse on their website: https://petaverse.com/

 

Connect with Ryan Scott on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ryan-scott-akamorello/

 

Sign up for the Building Better Games Newsletter for monthly tips to help you lead game teams! https://buildingbettergames.gg/newsletter/

 

If you’ve enjoyed this episode and wonder if we could help your studio or company out, email us at info@valarinconsulting.com to set up a free 90-minute call!

 

For more episodes, head to the Building Better Games Podlink https://www.pod.link/1559448378

 

Connect with us:

https://www.tiktok.com/@building_better_games

https://www.instagram.com/building_better_games/

https://www.linkedin.com/company/valarin-inc/


This episode was produced by Podcast Boutique http://www.podcastboutique.com

 

Content Producer: Ben Chadfield

Mar 28, 2023
E32 How to Convince The Leaders Above You to Support Your Change
37:54

What does it mean to really drive change? How do you effectively bring up problems with leadership? How do you say no when others want too much from you? What do you do when no one cares about the issues you bring up?

 

Get answers to these questions and MORE in today’s episode! In addition, you’ll hear our advice on being an active leader, rather than a passive leader that lets problems go unsolved. Plus, expect to learn how you should handle problems at every level, no matter your title.

 

Sometimes, values are so misaligned between employee and employer that there’s no chance of having a mutually beneficial work environment. That’s why we’re also sharing strategies you can use to feel heard when it seems like no one is listening, and how to know when it’s time to quit.

 

Tune in to hear conversation examples on getting support from your leaders, and how to be a supportive leader!

 

Topics discussed in this episode:

  • Being a leader at every level of your career
  • How we respond when we notice a problem
  • How we should respond
  • The responsibility of leaders to drive change
  • Setting priorities and getting support
  • How to have conversations with senior leaders
  • Can you make change at a bad company?
  • When you should skip your boss and go to their boss
  • How to know when it’s time to quit

 

If you’ve enjoyed this episode and wonder if we could help your studio or company out, email us at info@valarinconsulting.com to set up a free 90-minute call!

 

For more episodes, head to the Building Better Games Podlink https://www.pod.link/1559448378

 

Connect with us:

https://www.tiktok.com/@building_better_games

https://www.instagram.com/building_better_games/ 

https://www.linkedin.com/company/valarin-inc/

 

This episode was produced by Podcast Boutique http://www.podcastboutique.com

 

Content Producer: Ben Chadfield

 

Mar 14, 2023
E31 How to Keep an Open Mind During Difficult Times with Joseph Kim
40:30

Choose any issue, and you'll find people with differing perspectives. This is inevitable but yet, in the gaming industry, having an opinion that's not in line with current workplace trends is condemned. But why can there only be one way to do things?

 

Discussing this topic with us today is Joseph Kim, a longtime gamemaker and leader with a resume that includes Sega and Leila Games. He shares his philosophy surrounding the nuances in game development, including modern working methods, work-life balance vs. integration, the perceived class war between management and workers, and more.

 

They discuss why we’re struggling to have tough conversations, the effects it’s having on gaming culture and innovation, plus how leaders can avoid the trap of zero sum thinking.

 

Before you get into the minutiae of your career goals, spend some time thinking about meaning and what’s important to you. This episode will help you get started!

 

Topics discussed in this episode:

  • Why so many are against differing views
  • The rise of a self-centered work ethic
  • Evolution of workplace culture in the US tech/gaming industry
  • The perceived class war between management and workers
  • Joseph’s disappointment with leaders
  • How feelings play into the workplace environment
  • Differences between working at a startup vs. established company
  • Potential consequences and the effect on innovation
  • Stability vs. impact
  • Joseph’s advice to leaders

 

Sign up for Joseph's newsletter, The GameMakers Letter: gamemakers.substack.com

Connect with Joseph's Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jokim/

Learn more about Lila Games: https://lilagames.com/

 

If you’ve enjoyed this episode and wonder if we could help your studio or company out, email us at info@valarinconsulting.com to set up a free 90-minute call!

 

For more episodes, head to the Building Better Games Podlink https://pod.link/1559448378

 

Connect with us:

https://www.tiktok.com/@building_better_games/

https://www.instagram.com/building_better_games/

https://www.linkedin.com/company/building-better-games/

 

This episode was produced by Podcast Boutique http://podcastboutique.com

 

Content Producer: Ben Chadfield

 

Feb 28, 2023
E30 How to Estimate Accurately Without Burning Trust or Your Team
39:21

Game development is defined by creative work, and for leaders, sometimes that means ditching the old framework and coming up with nuanced approaches to common issues. This is especially true when it comes to estimations.

 

During this episode, we’ll answer these key questions on this topic: How do you explain estimation to your team, and give them confidence that it's actually useful? How do you know which estimation tools to use in different circumstances? What can you do as a leader when someone misuses your team's estimates?

 

We go over guiding principles that will help you build trust with your team, communicate with stakeholders, and know what data is needed before making an estimation. You’ll know how to find the value in estimations, and be able to discern when estimation becomes a hindrance instead of a tool.

 

By the end of this episode, you’ll have a better understanding of estimation behaviors and how they drive a culture at your company. Tune in now!

 

Topics discussed in this episode:

  • Effective vs. ineffective estimation systems
  • Dealing with uncertainty
  • Estimation based on past performance
  • How successful developers estimate
  • Issues leaders need to address
  • Ben’s project estimation story 
  • Consequences of poor estimation

 

If you’ve enjoyed this episode and wonder if we could help your studio or company out, email us at info@valarinconsulting.com to set up a free 90-minute call!

 

For more episodes head to the Building Better Games Podlink.

 

Connect with us:

TikTok

Instagram

LinkedIn

 

This episode was produced by Podcast Boutique http://podcastboutique.com/

 

Content Producer: Ben Chadfield

Feb 14, 2023
E29 Ideation, Pre-production, and Production: How to Lead During the Different Phases of Game Development
45:13

If you’ve listened to episode 21, How not to Lose Your Game Vision on the Altar of “Getting Shit Done,” then you’ve heard us talk about the pressure on teams to rush through the game development process.

 

This is just one problem that arises when game dev leaders try to adopt the system development life cycle method without leaving room for the creativity and flexibility the industry requires.

 

Today, we address the pitfalls of SDLC and the poor assumptions leaders make within it. This episode lays out each phase of the cycle and offers tips for leaders, such as dealing with deadlines and dwindling funds, when having a smaller team benefits you in the cycle, and MORE.

 

After tuning in, you’ll learn how to approach SDLC and lead your team to success, so press play now!

 

Topics discussed in this episode:

- The positives and negatives of the SDLC model

- Defining the phases of SDLC in game development

- Tips for the production phase

- What to focus on in post-production

- Approaching SLDC through the cone of uncertainty

- Risks of rushing into production

- How leaders can guide teams for the best outcome

 

If you’ve enjoyed this episode and wonder if we could help your studio or company out, email us at info@valarinconsulting.com to set up a free 90-minute call!

 

For more episodes head to the Building Better Games Podlink.

 

Connect with us:

TikTok

Instagram

LinkedIn

 

This episode was produced by Podcast Boutique http://podcastboutique.com/

 

Content Producer: Ben Chadfield

Jan 31, 2023
E28 How to Lead and Collaborate in a Remote World
40:23

Remote work has completely transformed the way we work on teams and communicate with each other. Leadership still has many of the same responsibilities, but the way they can successfully accomplish them has changed.

 

During this final part of Building Better Games’s series on remote work, you’ll learn the necessary skills remote work leaders need to keep company culture at the forefront of an organization’s structure. We discuss how producers/leaders in game development can stay in alignment with their team’s goals, and actively build trust and respect remotely.

 

There are key takeaways for leaders of every industry as well, such as how to effectively communicate and decide what is important to communicate, collaborate creatively remotely or in a hybrid work environment, and MORE.

 

We’re just starting to understand our roles and tools needed to succeed in a remote world, so tune in to get started!

 

Topics discussed in this episode:

- The pitfalls of remote work for game dev

- How leaders should be guiding teams in remote work

- Alignment is crucial to success

- Building trust and relationships remotely

- Using your facilitation skill set

- Tools and tips for leaders

- Creating a game jam environment

- Meetings as an alignment tool

- Effective communication

 

To learn more about facilitation, check out Marsha Acker’s book, The Art and Science of Facilitation, here and follow the author on LinkedIn!

 

If you’ve enjoyed this episode and wonder if we could help your studio or company out, email us at info@valarinconsulting.com to set up a free 90-minute call!

 

For more episodes head to the Building Better Games Podlink.

 

Connect with us:

TikTok

Instagram

LinkedIn

 

This Episode Was Produced by PodcastBoutique.com

 

Content Editor: Jenna Spangler

Jan 10, 2023
E27 Remote Work Exposed: A Deep Dive into the Pros, Cons, and Controversies
37:31

If you’re like the hosts of Building Better Games, then you thought the proliferation of remote work was temporary. The world has moved into a new era post-pandemic, and it looks like remote work is here to stay.

 

 

During this episode, a few questions about remote work are discussed, including: Is remote work a right, or a privilege that might need to be earned? What is the function of management in this remote world? How has remote work affected the gaming industry?

 

 

Remote work is such a controversial topic today, and there’s plenty more to explore. Listen in to start examining these issues together, and come back next week for part two of this discussion!

 

 

Topics discussed in this episode:

- Why remote work is so controversial

- The role of leaders in a remote world

- Our privilege to have the remote work debate

- Are we headed back into the office?

- Remote work as a workers’ rights issue

- Effects of bad management

- Challenging assumptions about remote work and corporate structure

- How the gaming industry has been affected by remote work

- Key takeaways from this episode

 

 

If you’ve enjoyed this episode and wonder if we could help your studio or company out, email us at info@valarinconsulting.com to set up a free 90-minute call!

 

For more episodes head to the Building Better Games Podlink.

 

Connect with us:

TikTok

Instagram

LinkedIn

 

This Episode Was Produced by PodcastBoutique.com

 

Content Editor: Jenna Spangler

Jan 03, 2023
E26 How to Build Trust as a Leader with Zach Blitz
44:21

Does likeability have a lot of value in leadership? How much does setting and enforcing boundaries help you and the organization succeed? What skills are important for leaders to exhibit?

 

 

Answering all these questions and more is Zach Blitz, a senior director of production at Epic Games and friend of the hosts of Building Better Games. He has experienced leading multiple teams in a large organization, while still keeping his leadership style relationship centric.

 

 

In this episode, Zach gives examples of his own growth as a leader in game dev, and how he finds the time to build relationships in a large organization. You’ll also hear advice on the interview process, solving problems, and fostering relationships at every organizational level.

 

 

Tune in to learn more about the psychology of creating a workplace that mutually benefits both leaders and employees!

 

 

Topics discussed in this episode:

- Zach’s career journey and background

- His new role at Epic Games

- The roles of interviewers and interviewees

- Do you need to be an expert in something to lead?

- Zach’s foundational beliefs about humans/leaders

- How leaders deal with high work loads

- Types of leaders

- How Zach deals with conflicts as a leader

- Finding the time to be a good leader

- Who should leaders have one-on-ones with?

- Solving big problems with large teams

- A story exemplifying Zach’s ability to recruit and lead

- Trust is a core currency

 

Find Zach Blitz on LinkedIn!

 

If you’ve enjoyed this episode and wonder if we could help your studio or company out, email us at info@valarinconsulting.com to set up a free 90-minute call!

 

For more episodes head to the Building Better Games Podlink.

 

Connect with us:

TikTok

Instagram

LinkedIn

 

This Episode Was Produced by PodcastBoutique.com

Dec 13, 2022
E25 How to Build a Games Studio That Delivers the Promise of the "Dream Job" with Josiah Kiehl
43:02

“I believe that we will make better games by treating game developers better. Game development should be a dream job, but it's not.”

 

 

This quote comes from today’s episode with Josiah Kiehl, co-founder and CEO of Sprocket Games. After experiencing his own disappointment with the “myth of the dream job,” he teamed with like-minded creators to found a company that’s building a strong technology foundation and fostering a culture that supports creativity.

 

 

During his chat with the hosts of Building Better Games, Josiah talks about this passion for giving creators a better environment to reach their creative potential. You’ll also hear their views on the future of the gaming industry, and how leaders can help their employees thrive and businesses grow.

 

 

Tune in to learn more about building creativity into the culture and Sprocket Games, a company that’s hoping to have a big impact on the industry!

 

 

Topics discussed in this episode:

- Josiah on finding his place in the industry and starting a company

- Challenges faced in getting investors

- What motivated Josiah to create a company with a creative culture

- The importance of QA (quality assurance)

- Why aren’t more people changing along with the industry?

- Risk budgets and how leaders should work with them

- Consequences of the “myth of the dream job”

- Changes Josiah thinks leaders need to make

- What’s next for Sprocket Games

 

 

Find with Josiah Kiehl on LinkedIn!

 

Sprocket Games Website: https://sprocket.games/

BITKRAFT Ventures Website: https://www.bitkraft.vc/

 

If you’ve enjoyed this episode and wonder if we could help your studio or company out, email us at info@valarinconsulting.com to set up a free 90-minute call!

 

For more episodes head to the Building Better Games Podlink.

 

Connect with us:

TikTok

Instagram

LinkedIn

Dec 06, 2022
E24 How to Get a Job in Game Development
46:02

Dreaming of a career in game development? In the gaming industry, relevant skills and real experience delivering outcomes matter more than a college degree. If you’re highly creative and technical, and can work well on a team, you’ll do well in this industry, but keep in mind that working in game dev is not all fun and games.

 

 

On today’s episode, Building Better Games is addressing some of the myths and struggles of the industry, such as the pressure and time crunch many people in game dev are faced with. With a higher supply than there is demand for workers, there’s stiff competition and passion and a great resume just aren’t enough to land your dream role.

 

 

You’ll hear what the gaming industry is really like, both the numerous positive elements and the few bad, as well as ways you can develop your skills on your journey to working in game dev. This included modding, joining a community, and of course - playing games!

 

 

For tips on how you can demonstrate your worth and stand out in a field that has an influx of new interest, tune in!

 

 

Topics discussed in this episode:

- Misconceptions about working in the gaming industry

- What the gaming industry actually looks like

- Learning software development and problem solving

- Advice on landing a job in game dev

- Modding and getting exposure for your work

- Roles that don’t require expertise/experience

- How useful is a college degree?

- Tips to improve your resume

 

 

If your company could benefit from talking to us, email info@valarinconsulting.com to set up a free 90-minute call!

 

For more episodes head to the Building Better Games Podlink.

 

Connect with us:

TikTok

Instagram

LinkedIn

YouTube

Nov 22, 2022
E23 How to Handle Layoffs as a Leader with Sophie Vo Part 2: The Breakdown
43:01

During Part 1 of our conversation, our leader in game dev shared the tough layoff decision she was unexpectedly forced to make as a leader at her former employer. We learned the basics of what happened and how it impacted her, and now we dive into a deeper discussion of the choice she made in part 2.

 

 

Building Better Games plays devil’s advocate in this episode, discussing the different ways she could have addressed this situation. They talk about what led her to make her final decision, and the feedback she received from her team. You’ll hear a deeper dive into how she honored herself, her former employer, and her team.

 

 

We also discuss the employee life cycle, and why companies should help guide employees through their time at the company and prepare them to find a new role when they leave. This includes being a conscious leader, and addressing the emotional pain and stress that comes with layoffs.

 

 

Doing the “right thing” is not always the most pragmatic thing, but staying true to your values and doing what’s right may help you keep looking at yourself in the mirror each day. Tune in to this episode for advice on how to handle layoffs as a leader!

 

 

Topics discussed in this episode:

- Our leader in game dev considers other paths before making her final decision

- Leaders being unwilling to let go is a source of a lot of problems

- The surprising way the team’s story ended

- Conscious leadership and taking responsibility

- Ways to view severance packages in layoffs/firings

- Aaron on leaders that don’t handle firings well

- Staying true to yourself and decisions made as a leader

- How to approach a layoff scenario as a leader

 

 

Learn more about Rise and Play:

Rise and Play Website

Rise and Play

 

For tips on how to staff your dev team, email us at info@valarinconsulting.com to set up a free 90-minute call!

 

For more episodes head to the Building Better Games Podlink.

 

Connect with us:

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Nov 08, 2022
E22 How to Handle Layoffs as a Leader with Sophie Vo Part 1: The Story
41:24

If you’ve been on LinkedIn lately, you may have noticed a rise in layoffs. The interesting part about this news is not the fact that more layoffs are happening, but that more people and companies are being open about it.

 

 

Layoffs have always been common, but where companies go wrong in the process is their lack of transparency, which can result in employees feeling unimportant and ashamed. Layoffs are definitely a negative experience, but being laid off should not be a stain on someone’s resume.

 

 

A games industry leader recently experienced the reality of layoffs in her team. Her desire to provide information and thoughtful treatment during a layoff of half her team has given her firsthand experience on this topic. She recalls breaking the news to the team she passionately built, and how they navigated a tricky situation.

 

 

In Part 1 of our conversation, she shares how it affected her personally and professionally, including her decision to save the less secure team members over the more experienced leads — including herself. You’ll also hear a deep dive into the taboo subject of emotions in the workplace, and respecting yourself and your employee if it happens to you.

 

 

Listen to this first part of our conversation and learn what to do when your values misalign with your company, and why you should value your emotions and intuition as you make decisions!

 

 

Topics discussed in this episode:

- A layoff experience as a leader

- Why she made the decision to leave

- Emotions being taboo in the workplace

- Advice to other leaders in the same situation

- One thing many leaders lack in their approach

- Telling the team leaders and the exit plan

 

 

Learn more about Rise and Play:

Rise and Play Website

Rise and Play

 

For tips on how to staff your dev team, email us at info@valarinconsulting.com to set up a free 90-minute call!

 

For more episodes head to the Building Better Games Podlink.

 

Connect with us:

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Oct 25, 2022
E21 How not to Lose Your Game Vision on the Altar of "Getting Shit Done"
47:51

Time and time again, we see game teams struggle with the feeling that they're not moving fast enough. Something isn't right with the game, but they don't have time to think about it because there's “so much work to do.”

These kinds of issues arise when we're focused on building stuff, rather than creating compelling experiences that resonate with players. That’s why, in today’s episode of Building Better Games, we’re focusing on value, not work!

 

 

We want to help you hone in on what true progress looks like and discover how you can create the best possible player experience using the smallest amount of stuff. Tuning in, you’ll learn why you need to abandon the GSD or “get-shit-done” approach to game development and adopt a more minimalist approach instead.

 

 

Do you want to feel more empowered to make value-based decisions that align with what your game should be? Are you looking to avoid some of the most common progress pitfalls that game developers tend to fall into? This is the episode for you!

 

 

Topics discussed in this episode:

- Defining ‘value’ and ‘stuff’ for the purposes of this conversation

- Why value is greater than the sum of its stuff

- Centering progress on player experience rather than work progress

- Making something of value versus “getting shit done”

- A look at why you need to create value and build stuff

- Why figuring out what the game should be is key

- Tips for building a production roadmap with value at its core

- Why it’s critical to communicate the player experience to your team

- Assessing the importance of each and every piece of work

- How to embrace uncertainty as a leader

- Differentiating between play tests and product reviews

- A minimalist approach to creating the best player experience

- Common progress traps that game developers fall into

- How the acronym IKIWISI can be useful here

- Advice for keeping vision and strategy top of mind

 

If you’d like to work with Jeff, you can connect with him on LinkedIn or email him at jeff@supergroup.co.

 

Resources Mentioned:

The Ladder of Inference

Big Five Personality Test

Structural Dynamics

 

For tips on how to staff your dev team, email us at info@valarinconsulting.com to set up a free 90-minute call!

 

For more episodes head to the Building Better Games Podlink.

 

Connect with us:

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Oct 11, 2022
E20 How to Get People on Board with Your Ideas: with Jeff Hackert
44:31

Knowing how to communicate and listen effectively is right up there with knowing how to write code, design characters, or compose a musical score. Taking what you have constructed in your mind and being able to materialize it, in whatever form, is like a muscle that can become strengthened over time with enough practice.

 

 

Today, we're going to show you how to level up your day-to-day communication skills with your peers and your seniors. We illustrate how to better understand the thinking and motivations of others, and how to avoid some of the more common foot-in-mouth communication traps that we've all fallen into at one point or another!

 

 

With us is master communicator, seasoned coach, and former Riot Games engineering manager, Jeff Hackert. Jeff helps teams align on organizational goals, build shared values and work habits, and improve both their communication and software delivery process.

 

 

Together, we give you the tools you need to avoid ‘fishbowl communication’, become a conversational superhero, and ultimately ship better games.

 

 

You won’t want to miss this thought-provoking conversation!

 

 

Topics discussed in this episode:

- Where Jeff’s passion for human dynamics comes from

- The drive to be “right” in high-stakes environments

- Using the Ladder of Inference to explain awareness bubbles

- How agency can be perceived as power

- Why Jeff recommends taking a personality test

- Understanding selection bias

- A look at Structural Dynamics and the different communication styles

- The role of the interventionist in bridging communication divides

- Why you need to be willing to adopt a different communication style

- Changing the circumstances versus expecting others to change

- Some of the perils of democratic decision making

- How you can benefit from engaging with uncertainty

- The problem with closed communication styles

- Tips for building a shared vision of the desired outcome

- Why empathy and humanity are important for effective communication

- Advice for game development leaders to fix communication, not people

- The value of becoming a better listener

 

If you’d like to work with Jeff, you can connect with him on LinkedIn or email him at jeff@supergroup.co.

 

Resources Mentioned:

The Ladder of Inference

Big Five Personality Test

Structural Dynamics

 

For tips on how to staff your dev team, email us at info@valarinconsulting.com to set up a free 90-minute call!

 

For more episodes head to the Building Better Games Podlink.

 

Connect with us:

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LinkedIn

YouTube

 

Sep 27, 2022
E19 BBG Extras: Tabletop RPGs vs Video Games with Tyler Kamstra of RPGBOT.net
31:23

Far from losing steam in the digital age, tabletop games are booming thanks to their collaborative and tactile nature. In fact, today’s guest believes that video games can learn a lot from tabletop RPGs – and vice versa!

 

 

Today, we’re joined by Tyler Kamstra, a software developer by trade who plays a whole lot of Dungeons and Dragons and other tabletop RPGs in his spare time. Tyler is also the founder and primary author of RPGBOT.net, an online resource for tabletop roleplaying games, including informative articles, online tools, and the RPGBOT.Podcast.

 

 

We discuss the crossover between video games, board games, and tabletop RPGs, whereTyler fills us in on some of the exciting developments taking place in the tabletop gaming world. We take a look at some of the joys and perils of leadership, how you can benefit from building an open and respectful corporate culture that promotes transparent feedback, and what the future holds for RPGBOT.net.

 

 

To learn all this and more from an expert from the tabletop world, make sure to tune in today!

 

 

Topics discussed in this episode:

- Overlap between video games and tabletop RPGs

- What pen and paper can learn from digital and vice versa

- Why collaborative storytelling makes games memorable – even if they suck!

- How RPGBOT.net has evolved from a solo passion project

- Areas of leadership that Tyler finds difficult

- The importance of building feedback into your culture

- Why professional leadership can be about breaking stuff The origin story of RPGBOT.net

- How Tyler became known for his character optimization content

- The role RPGBOT.net plays in the tabletop space today

- Developing needs in the space and how the ecosystem is evolving

- What the future of RPGBOT.net looks like

 

Follow Tyler on LinkedIn and Twitter. You can also visit his website and discover his Monstrous Races series on Dungeon Masters Guild.

 

Check out RPGBOT.net and listen to the RPGBOT.Podcast to learn more about tabletop roleplaying games and become a better player!

 

For more tips on how to staff your dev team, email us at info@valarinconsulting.com to set up a free 90-minute call!

 

For more episodes head to the Building Better Games Podlink.

 

Connect with us:

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Sep 20, 2022
E18 How to be a AAA Art Director in Game Dev with Tomáš Jech
46:46

The visuals and feel of a video game are a lot more complex than even most artists think. It is imperative that your team is on the same page when it comes to communicating with the player through the game’s visuals, especially during long and complex game development cycles.

 

 

This is why you should make the art direction clear from the start, then be ready when people don’t understand or try different things. Having a clear yet evolving vision allows for teams to create better games, learn quickly, and maximize each member’s individual strengths. Your team won’t get it perfect the first time, and that’s ok. They may surprise you!

 

 

Tomáš Jech, co-founder of independent studio Tandemi and TEDx speaker, joins us in today’s episode to share his experiences in art direction, some of the tools he’s discovered over the years, and where he sees opportunities to lead better in making art for games.

 

 

After years of creating in the gaming world, Tomáš is still learning about the importance of limitations, the usefulness of having a visual hierarchy, and why you need to understand what ignites the spark of passion within your team—and tap into it!

 

 

Tune in for pragmatic advice on how to leverage your team’s individual talents and experiences to make a game that not only looks good, but plays well too.

 

 

Topics discussed in this episode:

- The importance of a clear art strategy

- Getting on the same page

- Understanding your team makes for better games

- Creativity is an ocean of opportunity

- The importance of limitations

- The idea repository

- The soup is greater than the sum of its parts

- Having clear paths of authority

- Why a visual hierarchy matters

- Protecting your time

- Maximize your team’s individual strengths

- Tomáš’s latest creative venture: BEGONE BEAST

 

Check out Tandemi’s upcoming project, BEGONE BEAST at begonebeast.com and sign up for their newsletter to help develop the game!

 

For more tips on how to staff your dev team, email us at info@valarinconsulting.com to set up a free 90 minute call!

 

For more episodes head to the Building Better Games Podlink.

 

Connect with us:

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Sep 13, 2022
E17 Should You Create a Video Game Startup? What Founders Need To Know with Joakim Achren
38:58

Every creator of a new video game or founder of a video game startup loves gaming. No one in this industry is unique in that fact. If you’re trying to get VC funding, loving games will not differentiate you from everyone else.

 

 

Investors are looking for more from founders. To be taken seriously, there has to be something more, something with clear potential to succeed. You need to figure that out before you decide to bring an investor to the table. VCs see multiple pitches a day, and each one is a great idea. If you are looking for funding, you need to go beyond just having a great idea.

 

 

To speak more on what founders and companies should consider when starting a game studio or looking for funding to make a game, we have invited Joakim Achren, an expert in startups, venture capital funding, and game studio leadership, as well as author of ‘The Long Term Game'.

 

 

Joakim joins us in today’s episode to walk us through what maximizes your chances of successfully starting a game company.

 

 

Tune in for practical advice from a real game dev investor so you know what it takes to found a video game startup and make better games!

 

 

Topics discussed in this episode:

- The big ingredients of a successful game startup

- Can you be part of creating games and also facilitate game making as a founder?

- Common mistakes made by early stage founders when constructing a team

- What happens when hiring a team with too many similarities

- Why Joakim takes a proactive stance instead of a reactive one when advising

- How to create vulnerability in board meetings to deal with issues

- How the recession is impacting conversations around runway

- A leader’s secret to building culture within a company

- Why is ambition level important when founding a video game startup?

- What VCs care about when you are pitching to them

- The optimal way founders and leadership should be looking at product

- Joakim’s personal philosophy on learning loops

- What are some reasons why startups fail

 

To learn more from Joakim, check out elitegamedevelopers.com, or check out his podcast at https://elitegamedevelopers.com/podcast/

 

For more tips on how to staff your dev team, email us at info@valarinconsulting.com to set up a free 90 minute call!

 

For more episodes head to the Building Better Games Podlink.

 

Connect with us:

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Aug 30, 2022
E16 How to Staff Up For A Successful Game
47:11

It seems intuitive that adding additional people will increase your speed in making a great game. However, staffing up is more nuanced than that. If you add people to a system where there are underlying operational and/or cultural issues all you’re doing is adding weight to a cart that’s already in the mud. So how do you staff video game development efficiently?

 

 

Honestly, it’s complicated. A lot of the aspects of whether a person is needed or a good fit are intangible, and can only be felt and understood by paying attention, which is a huge missing piece in most staffing plans and hiring processes.

 

 

This podcast will show you how to use your judgment as a leader to identify key data points and make effective decisions around staffing.

 

Topics discussed in this episode:

- The importance of deliberately constructing a team

- Why hiring more people does not equate to more productivity

- How big should your team be?

- Importance of leaders understanding their team’s workflows

- How you identify your worst bottlenecks

- Management overhead when it comes to staffing

- Incentivizing not working on unnecessary aspects of the project

- When hiring more people is appropriate

- Understanding the human intangibles as being critical to staffing

- Summary of four points to keep in mind when thinking of hiring

 

For more tips on how to staff your dev team, email us at info@valarinconsulting.com to set up a free 90 minute call!

 

For more episodes head to the Building Better Games Podlink.

 

Connect with us:

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Aug 16, 2022
E15 How to Save Your Developers Time: Avoiding Death by JIRA
47:47

“I want to be maximizing value. These tools can create a side game that actually is only vaguely and tangentially related to value, perhaps even in a negative way.”

 

 

Why do people hate JIRA so much? There is a whole website dedicated to rants calling JIRA out for its oppressive bureaucratic nature and the evangelistic cult created around its adoption across many industries, including the video game industry. What we want to find out is, is it REALLY that bad, especially since it is one of the most popular management tools used to date, or are people just sour they are being forced to use it? When we pick apart this issue, many things are uncovered, but one constant remains, which is that creating value for players is ultimately the goal of any game dev organization.

 

 

It's easy to lose sight of that goal (and the players!) when everyone is fixated on being in the green or moving tickets, which is where most of the team’s energy ends up being spent. This is a massive issue that we need to tackle and we think there are solutions. One solution can be found right here in this episode!

 

 

Hosts Ben Carcich and Aaron Smith sit down to discuss how management tools like JIRA get a bad rep, and who’s to blame for it. Theoretically, what would happen if we just eliminated management tools all together? Would the entire organization crumble, or would the value of work actually go up instead? As senior leaders themselves, they know and understand this part of the job, and have a five step solution that could dramatically decrease management overhead. That will leave you with more time for adding quality and value and, ultimately, creating better games.

 

 

Topics discussed in this episode:

- Why do people hate JIRA so much

- The argument for the benefits of JIRA

- Who is actually benefiting from using JIRA?

- Why do we inflict JIRA on our dev teams?

- The frightening amount of time teams spend moving tickets

- Is value actually added if a ticket is closed?

- What would happen if we eliminated management tools?

- Incentivizing delivering on JIRA vs. delivering actual value

- What is the solution to the “JIRA Overhead” issue: 5 step process

- How to lower the overhead for your team

- Something you can measure right now that CAN add value

- Advice for leaders

- The cultural impact of management systems

 

 

For more episodes head to Apple Podcasts.

 

 

To join our community, head to Facebook and join our private Building Better Games podcast group!

 

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Aug 02, 2022
E14 How to Make Amazing Content While Avoiding the "Infinite" Quality Bar
45:55
Leading any team is a huge responsibility. You have the ability to impact on each individual and the product in significant ways. The job isn’t for everyone, and no matter how great of a leader you are, mistakes will be made along the way. A difference between great and poor leaders is how they learn from their mistakes and come back better.
 
 
Want to make leadership more difficult? Go from leading a team you are very comfortable with to a brand new team with a different dynamic, for a short period of time, and especially when there is high external expectation and pressure to succeed. The entire operation can get out of sync if you aren’t present and leading for the right reasons. These are just a few lessons host Benjamin Carcich learned during his stint making Champions for League of Legends at Riot Games.
 
 
As discussed in this episode, Ben shares how he tried to shift the paradigm from a climbing quality bar when developing a champion, to a more holistic view, focusing instead on maximizing player value over time. He quickly realized that the orientation of the team had to be adjusted, which created a tug and pull within disciplines and team members. Ben discusses how he dealt with these situations and what he learned along the way.
 
 
Listen in to hear a story coming from a place of humility with great insight into what it means to be a leader and how to make a bigger and better impact while leading.
 
 
Topics discussed in this episode:     
  • What was the motivation for the champion team

  • What does quality mean when developing a new champion

  • Importance of game first vs graphical fidelity first

  • What player value actually is

  • Impact on delivery when quality is focus

  • Knowing when to stop improving a game asset

  • What makes a valued champion

  • Lessons learned in how to lead 

  • Challenges in moving between two very different teams

  • Core responsibilities as a leader

 

 

For more episodes head to Apple Podcasts.

 

To join our community, head to Facebook and join our private Building Better Games podcast group!

 

Connect with us:
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Jul 19, 2022
E13 How to Reduce Risk & Ship Your Game: Battling Organizational Fallacies
46:29

Aaron and Ben dive into some common problems they see working with game developers from startups to large scale publishers. You'll learn about some patterns to avoid and how to focus on continually delivering real value.

Jul 06, 2022
E12 Building an Adaptable Engineering Org for Your Game with Jonathan McCaffrey
01:08:15

Jonathan McCaffrey (JMac) is a leader and engineer who has worked to help engineering and production understand each other wherever he worked. He covers working with limited resources at a new startup, the fallacy of being either fast or clean but not both, and what it's like scaling from small to large companies and back again. If you want a better understanding of engineering in game dev, this is worth a listen!

Jun 21, 2022
E11 Why You Should Embrace HR at Your Game Studio with Dominic Saintfort
01:12:41
Dominic is a master at navigating the complexity of organizations and embodies everything we believe about modern talent development and HR. We dig in on what's changing in this world, perception vs reality when it comes to corporate HR, and the skills and awareness leaders need today to be successful with their talent in the midst of a revolution.
Jun 07, 2022
E10 BONUS EPISODE: How to Develop Ownership on Your Team with Randy Tau
55:39
Randy Tau wanted to talk about ownership, and we were happy to oblige. Randy's career runs from startups to the military to being a director at Amazon. We cover ownership from a ton of angles, and also talk about leading at scale and what it means to level yourself up.
May 30, 2022
E9 Creating Successful Mods: Flavor Universalis with PDXBigBoss
01:34:01
"BigBoss" is the creator of the Flavor Universalis mod, one of the most successful Europa Universalis IV mods out there. He is about to live every modder's dream by going and working for Paradox on the game he used to mod for free. In this podcast, he talks a bit about his process, how he relates to his community, and what it has been like to lead a successful modding project.
May 23, 2022
E8 How to Lead as an introvert in Games with Grace Liu
01:04:21
Grace Liu is an experienced Art Director and Lead Artist working at Netflix with past experience at Riot Games and Blizzard. She shares her journey into leadership, focusing on what the shift from individual contributor to leader looked like, as well as how her less directive style leads to great results for her people. We talk about art, crunch, and more. Check it out!
May 10, 2022
E7 Hiring Part 2: How to Find Talent In Game Dev with Erin Hardman
01:18:39
In this episode, we bring in Erin Hardman to talk about recruiting in games. Erin has been hiring leaders and developers in the games industry for years and provides a look at some myths in the games industry when it comes to hiring, as well as exploring how finding talent for game dev has changed due to COVID and remote work.
Apr 26, 2022
E6 Hiring Part 1: How to Hire the Right People for YOUR Org
01:13:01
Understanding how people join your team and who they should be is a sacred process. Companies live and die on their ability to hire effectively. Join us as we go through the key (and core) principles of how we approach hiring, what companies get wrong, and discuss practical tools that you can use to set your team and yourself up for success (and finding great people).
Apr 07, 2022
E5 How to Turn a Video Game into a Successful Show: Arcane with Alex Yee
01:26:03
Arcane released in 2021 and quickly became the highest rated series on Netflix, recently winning 9 Annie awards. We've seen our share of video game flops in film and TV, so we wanted to get a better understanding of why Arcane succeeded. In this episode, we talk to Alex Yee, one of the show's original creators responsible for writing and producing Arcane. We talk about how the show came to be, leadership, and his creative work in video games and television.
Mar 29, 2022
E4 Managing Others Pt 2: How to be a Good Boss
01:21:39

Part 2 of Managing Others! This time we're talking about accountability and advocacy. With accountability, we look at how you can set expectations within your org as a leader and someone responsible for growing others. With advocacy, we look at a crucial role a manager plays for their employee and the company. Take a listen, and let us know what you think!

Mar 15, 2022
E3 Managing Others Pt 1: How to be a Good Boss
01:10:26
Nearly every adult has had a boss. Many people have been a boss. Yet so few people have thought about what it means to be a good boss beyond the superficial. What makes a good boss? What role do they play in the work lives (and lives!) of the people they manage? Ben and Aaron start off the podcast with a debate about what should make bosses tick, then explore two of their people management pillars: Growth and Integrity. If you're looking for some controversial statements, take a listen!
Mar 01, 2022
E2 How You Lead Creative Content Teams with David Klaus
01:16:19
Content pipelines! There's little info about them outside of the game industry, and even within it we tend to view them as some reductionist and step by step repeatable process, a machine you shove artists and writers and designers into to get 'game art stuff' out the other end. In this podcast we talk to @David Klaus, an Agile Coach and former producer who led one of the most profitable teams in the history of game development, to talk about how you lead, serve, and support developers as they make fantastic and useful art.
Feb 15, 2022
E1 People, Products, And Playtests: Staying Connected To Your Players
01:07:01
It's our first episode of Season 2! We've renamed ourselves Building Better Games, and we're going to start by talking about the importance of maintaining a connection between game devs, the game they're making, and the audience. Get ready to talk about playtests, product thinking, and player empathy. Enjoy!
Feb 01, 2022
S1 EP19 Real Life: Game Design From The Trenches with Ryan "Morello" Scott
01:28:17
In episode 19, @Ryan Scott joins Ben and Aaron to talk about Game Design. The conversation ranges from what makes a good game designer, to the relationship between product leadership and design, then over to modern trends and a shared skepticism of NFT-oriented games. Hope you enjoy it!
Jan 11, 2022
S1 EP18 How To Be A Holistic Leader Part 2: Working At Every Layer
01:17:11
What is 'Holistic Leadership'? In this episode, Aaron and Ben talk about what it means to be a leader and operating at more than just the process layer. They discuss how leadership and management are different, which do we most often see, and what do we need more of in the modern world? Take a listen if you're trying to improve your leadership capability and feeling stuck. Hope you enjoy!
Dec 28, 2021
S1 EP17 How To Be A Holistic Leader Part 1: Our Org Model
01:04:48
Over and over we run into orgs that want help with 'the process'. Over and over we do a little bit of exploration and discover that the org's issues reside at a deeper 'level'. In this podcast, we walk through the three layers (Culture, Product, and Process) and talk about how so often leaders are focusing all their efforts on the layer where they can have the least long-term positive impact. Check it out, and let us know what you think!
Dec 14, 2021
S1 EP16 Real Product Management: Hard-Won Lessons Creating Amazing Products With Darko Vukovic
01:21:17
"Product Management" is everywhere in technology. Wherever you're working there is a need to understand what we're trying to do and where we're trying to go. The role is ubiquitous, it is crucial, and it is also undeniably difficult to do well. 

In this episode, Aaron and Ben bring Darko Vukovic to the podcast. Darko's an ex-Riot/Google/Oracle PM who has led teams, products, and other product managers in a variety of environments. The discussion ranges from what a product manager is supposed to be doing, how do we get sidetracked, and what younger product managers can do to set themselves apart. There's a lot in this one, enjoy!
Nov 30, 2021
S1 EP15 Accountability: Why It's Hard And How To Do It
01:27:08
We often hear leaders lament a lack of 'accountability' around organizations. It's commonly discussed, usually when something has gone wrong. But what is accountability? Why is it not present when people seem to want it so badly? How do you set it up? In this podcast, Ben and Aaron explore the topic, walking through what accountability is, why we get it wrong, and how to set it up for yourself and those you lead. Hope you enjoy!
Nov 17, 2021
S1 EP14 Adventures in AAA Game Design with Andrew Brownell
01:06:57
For this episode we got to sit down with an old friend - Andrew Brownell. He's spent years as a designer and product lead in AAA studios like Riot, Red 5, and Boundless. Included are crucial lessons on getting yourself unstuck, the social nature of design, and incorporating learning into your development approach.  Brilliant guy and we had a blast.
Nov 04, 2021
S1 EP13 Feedback: Do you really care about the people around you?
01:11:11
Feedback: People don't even know what we mean when we use the term. We're talking direct, constructive, and growth-oriented - focused on the person and how they behave.  We tend to focus on the work and avoid confrontation, but if you ask anyone you know its likely they have at least one "earth-shattering" story of when someone told them the hard thing and it changed their life. Why do we struggle with this?  This is a key function of a trust-based and growth focused organization. To demonstrate our trust and investment in each other, we have to learn to say the hard things (and hear them too).
Oct 19, 2021
S1 EP12 Scaling Yourself As A Leader: What they didn't teach you.
01:00:31
In this podcast we discuss and breakdown the major changes that occur as you grow into higher levels of leadership, and how our industry hasn't trained us to be effective when we get into them. Here we'll provide key focus areas for leaders at various levels and how the journey transforms what tools you'll need to be successful.
Oct 07, 2021
S1 EP11 Joining a Team Part 2: Disasters, challenges, and (eventual) successes
57:33
In Part 1, we talked about the framework and approach we'd recommend for a leader joining a new team.

In Part 2 (this episode), we cover what bad looks like, some of the challenges you can encounter, and some real-life stories of how Ben and Aaron approached joining teams and organizations in the past. Hope you find something useful that you can apply.
Sep 21, 2021
S1 EP10 Joining a Team: Lead with curiosity to avoid some common traps
01:06:05
As leaders, we are occasionally asked to join new teams. It could be part of a promotion or expansion of responsibility, it could be that they need help and you've 'finally' arrived to provide it. Whatever the reason, you are launched into a new and uncertain world. In this episode of the Valarin Perspective, Aaron and Ben discuss what a healthy orientation and approach looks like, and also cover a lot of common missteps, such as assuming you know what the team needs, or trying to turn the organization into something similar to what you've worked with in the past. Hope you enjoy it, let us know what you think!
Sep 09, 2021
S1 EP9 You Can't Firefight Your Way to Success
54:47
So many organizations are constantly focused on solving problems and firefighting.  In this reactive position we lose a level of deliberateness: Are we actually moving toward our vision?  There will always be another problem to solve, and it feels very rewarding to solve them. What does it look like if we focus on abundance, and pursue opportunities instead?
Aug 23, 2021
S1 EP8 Ahmed Sidky: Agility and driving past your faster horse
51:35
For this episode we've brought on one of our esteemed mentors lovingly referred to as "Dr Agile" ( his super-duper favorite nickname). Ahmed is a legend in the software development and Agile space, bringing to bear the truth that this was always about sparking a mindset revolution, as opposed to just process and tools.  He's founder of the ICAgile organization, a PhD, and a thought leader across the board in our industry. We discuss what we're missing, why organizations are struggling, and why we all got into Agility in the first place. How in the end, this is all about transitioning our entire worldview from one of optimization, throughput, and raw tactical effeciency toward people, adaptiveness, and learning in a changing world.

Apr 28, 2021
S1 EP7 Incentives: The crucial part of culture you’re not considering - Part 2
01:09:59
Continuing our talk on Incentives, we dive into some examples and pragmatic ideas that can help you take advantage of the behaviors you encourage and discourage in your team or organization. Ask us questions, give us a piece of your mind, or start a discussion using the hashtag #ValarinPerspective

Find us at www.valarinconsulting.com, or at @ValarinInc on Twitter and IG.

Mar 17, 2021
S1 EP6 Incentives: The crucial part of culture you’re not considering - Part 1
51:57
Leadership. That always present topic that helps us realize that just talking about something doesn’t make it any better. We take a look at what is so often missed when we think about any leader’s role in an organization, and the consequences to feedback, autonomy, and work. This isn’t a question of process, it’s a question of approach. Ask us questions, give us a piece of your mind, or start a discussion using the hashtag #ValarinPerspective

Find us at www.valarinconsulting.com, or at @ValarinInc on Twitter and IG.

Mar 16, 2021
S1 EP5 Death Spiral: Planning the meeting to prep for the discussion at the leadership off-site about why our team's productivity is low.
01:35:48
Why, oh why are there so many meetings all the time. Meetings. MEETINGS. It’s all we do anymore. With remote work it’s even worse. It’s mind-numbing. We hate it. Why do we keep doing it to ourselves? Let’s get into it. (Yes we realize the irony of you spending another hour listening about meetings) Ask us questions, give us a piece of your mind, or start a discussion using the hashtag #ValarinPerspective

Find us at www.valarinconsulting.com, or at @ValarinInc on Twitter and IG.

Mar 16, 2021
S1 EP4 Operations Dudes Try Product Management
01:18:18
The first podcast we ever recorded. Starts slow, but gets rolling about halfway through. We’ve always loved product management. And we’ve always known it was hard. Now you get to watch us fumble, grow, and learn our way through managing our own mini-product building the Valarin logo. Fun ensues, enjoy the Orc music! Ask us questions, give us a piece of your mind, or start a discussion using the hashtag #ValarinPerspective

Find us at www.valarinconsulting.com, or at @ValarinInc on Twitter and IG.

Mar 16, 2021
S1 EP3 Stop Doing and Start Being
01:29:20
We're missing something in our approach when it comes to Agility and process.  "I'm executing the steps right and it just isn't working." We hear a lot of talk about the difference between "being" and "doing" Agile. Join us as we dig into real world examples that show how behavior and principle are key to guide us to the right results.   Ask us questions, give us a piece of your mind, or start a discussion using the hashtag #ValarinPerspective

Find us at www.valarinconsulting.com, or at @ValarinInc on Twitter and IG.

Mar 16, 2021
S1 EP2 Explaining the Inexplicable Boss
01:20:20
What’s at the bottom of why we do the things we do? Sure, there’s mastery, autonomy, and purpose, but let’s take a deeper look at what so many are trying to solve for. Go far enough, and you can often see the counter-intuitive motivations behind your leaders (and your own) choices. Ask us questions, give us a piece of your mind, or start a discussion using the hashtag #ValarinPerspective Find us at www.valarinconsulting.com, or at @ValarinInc on Twitter and IG.
Mar 16, 2021
S1 EP1 He did it all for the Nook-E-Reader
01:00:40
Aaron takes us on his journey through a year spent at Barnes & Noble, walking through the differences in culture, some system shocks, and the Riot hangover.   Ask us questions, give us a piece of your mind, or start a discussion using the hashtag #ValarinPerspective

Find us at www.valarinconsulting.com, or at @ValarinInc on Twitter and IG.

 

Mar 16, 2021
EP0 Game dev: Why we're here and what we believe
04:41
Why are we doing this?  What's the point of it all? Start here as we dig into the "why" behind Building Better Games. Spoiler: Great games come from great leaders.
Mar 15, 2021