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Mastering Retention Podcast

How to start your own game studio

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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gGnGrMum9fU⁠

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**🎮 Starting a Game Studio

The podcast revolves around starting a game studio, emphasizing that people come first. Without a dedicated team to develop, prototype, or co-found, establishing a studio is challenging.

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**👥 Introductions of Experts

Sophie: Leader of Vodou’s Berlin studio, building a team of 14 over two years, focusing on hyper-casual games.

Peter: Co-founder of Super Huge Studios in Bangalore, with 12 years in game development, leading a team of 8-10 globally.

Mike: CEO of Tailwind Studios on Roblox, bringing 15 years of game design experience, managing a remote team of 10 in the UK.

Tom Hammond: Co-founder and CEO of Userwise, sharing insights on leadership and team management.

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**🎮 Current Games & Insights

Each founder shares the games they’re currently playing and what they’re learning:

Sophie: Enjoys puzzle-oriented games like Project Makeover and Match 3D, learning about monetization and user engagement.

Peter: Plays strategy games like Civilization VI and simulation games like WRC, appreciating the core thrill of gameplay.

Mike: Focuses on Roblox games like Pet Simulator X, leveraging social elements and progression mechanics.

Tom: Engages with immersive simulation games, valuing the intrinsic motivation of gameplay over monetization layers.

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**🔑 Key Insights on Starting a Studio

People First 😊

Building the right team is crucial. Without staff to create and develop games, a studio cannot thrive.

Sophie emphasizes hiring the right people before solidifying the game vision.

Flexibility and Adaptability 🔄

Peter discusses the importance of being agile and ready to pivot based on player feedback and market data.

Company Culture 🌟

Establishing core values from day one helps shape the studio’s culture.

Mike highlights the significance of trust and a four-day workweek to maintain a happy, productive team.

Sophie focuses on passion for learning and intellectual humility, fostering a diverse and collaborative environment.

Leadership and Co-founders 🧑‍🤝‍🧑

Having co-founders provides essential support and diverse perspectives.

Tom shares his experience of being a hands-on leader, balancing involvement without micromanaging.

Funding Strategies 💰

Sophie recommends bootstrapping initially and raising funds once there’s traction.

Mike shares his transparent approach to fundraising, leveraging accelerators and angel investors to secure $800k and aiming for $3M to scale further.

Hiring First Team Members 👥

Focus on key roles like tech, art, design, and operations.

Offering equity can attract talent when funds are limited, fostering long-term commitment.

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**❌ Common Mistakes & Lessons Learned

Sophie: Initially tried to handle stress alone, realizing the importance of sharing challenges with the team.

Peter: Learned to adapt hiring expectations based on real-world team dynamics.

Mike: Emphasizes prioritizing vision and core values over rapid growth to avoid long-term technical debts.

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**🏢 Company Culture Descriptions

Mike: Values trust and an environment where the best ideas win without ego.

Sophie: Promotes a passion for learning and intellectual humility, encouraging diverse opinions and continuous growth.

Peter: Focuses on an inclusive culture and a four-day workweek to ensure team well-being.

Tom: Advocates for a collaborative and supportive culture, inspired by philosophies like Ubuntu, emphasizing that the team succeeds together.

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**✨ Final Thoughts

Vision and Core Values 🎯: Essential for guiding the studio’s direction and attracting the right talent.

Team Collaboration 🤝: Encourages open communication and collective problem-solving.

Continuous Learning 📚: Embracing a growth mindset to adapt and thrive in the dynamic gaming industry.

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**📞 Contact Information

For more insights or to connect:

LinkedIn: Reach out via direct messages.

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😊 Thank you for listening! 🎧

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This summary captures the essence of the podcast, highlighting the importance of team building, company culture, leadership, and strategic funding in starting and growing a successful game studio. 😊

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