**🎮 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.
**👥 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. **🎮 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. **🔑 Key Insights on Starting a Studio
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. 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. 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. **❌ 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. **🏢 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. **✨ 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. **📞 Contact Information
For more insights or to connect:
LinkedIn: Reach out via direct messages. 😊 Thank you for listening! 🎧
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. 😊
