Building Better Games

Do you need game publishing to ship your game successfully? What does a leader in a publishing organization truly do? Join us for a conversation with Elizabeth Howard, an industry veteran with over 20 years of experience across Aspyr, 2K, and Bungie, where she led publishing and production. Elizabeth views game development and publishing as two parts working together to ship games, defining publishing as everything outside of dev. This episode explores the nature of game publishing, the historical dev-pub divide, and the need for greater integration and shared goals in today's complex market. What You’ll Learn in This Episode: * Why publishing is about selling the game, not building it * How shared goals between devs and publishers drive success * The mistake most indie devs make * Why every indie game needs a real publishing strategy * What publishers really look for: risk, culture fit, and audience * Why dev and publishing should be seen as one connected system Learn more about Elizabeth Howard: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/elizabethhoward [https://www.linkedin.com/in/elizabethhoward/] Resources mentioned:: * Aspyr: https://www.aspyr.com/ [https://www.aspyr.com/] * 2K Games: https://www.2k.com/ [https://www.2k.com/] * Bungie: https://www.bungie.net/ [https://www.bungie.net/] * Digital Bandidos: https://www.digitalbandidos.com/ [https://www.google.com/search?q=https://www.digitalbandidos.com/] In today's complex and costly industry, strategic planning and effective estimation can help you succeed. Unfortunately, most studios don’t know how to estimate in a way that makes the time spent worthwhile. If you want to spend less time and get more value out of estimation, check out our Advanced Estimation Course: https://www.buildingbettergames.gg/advanced-estimation-course [https://www.buildingbettergames.gg/advanced-estimation-course] Connect with us: Ben’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/benjamin-carcich/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/benjamin-carcich/]  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/building-better-games/ [https://www.linkedin.com/company/building-better-games/]  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/buildingbettergames/# [https://www.instagram.com/buildingbettergames/]  Website: https://www.buildingbettergames.gg [https://www.buildingbettergames.gg]  YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCZpMT-dUwQR-R4Mb4uub6Sw [https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCZpMT-dUwQR-R4Mb4uub6Sw] #GameDev #GamingIndustry #GamePublishing #BusinessOfGames #GameMarketing

How will the game industry adapt? Are we hurtling towards a gig economy? In this powerful conversation, we sit down with Trent Kusters, co-founder and studio head of League of Geeks, to talk about the future of our industry. Trent takes us on a deep, honest exploration of the game industry’s current state, from platform power struggles and algorithmic curation to the erosion of full-time game dev careers.  This vital conversation goes beyond just metrics, delving into the human element, sustainability, and the legacy we're creating for the next generation of talent. Here's what we'll learn in this episode: - The emergence of a game dev gig economy - Full-time game dev jobs are becoming more rare - How power is consolidating with platform distributors - Indie success is now a scary prospect, with a lot less clarity - Why Leaders need sound financial foresight and tight governance - How algorithm-driven curation misses humanity and judgment - Why it takes 10 years to make a game studio Resources mentioned: Doughnut Economics by Kate Raworth: https://www.amazon.com/Doughnut-Economics-Seven-21st-Century-Economist/dp/1603586741 [https://www.amazon.com/Doughnut-Economics-Seven-21st-Century-Economist/dp/1603586741]Insomniac Games Founder, Ted Price | The AIAS Game Maker's Notebook Podcast: https://youtu.be/5NaHG3T35vs?feature=shared [https://youtu.be/5NaHG3T35vs?feature=shared] Creating a Rhythm-Action Game with Hi-Fi Rush Director John Johanas | AIAS Game Maker's Notebook: https://youtu.be/eFtGxFnOwtY?feature=shared [https://youtu.be/eFtGxFnOwtY?feature=shared] Matthew Ball's Presentation: The State of Video Gaming in 2025: https://www.matthewball.co/all/stateofvideogaming2025 [https://www.matthewball.co/all/stateofvideogaming2025] Shams Jorjani's "The Business of Video Games" featuring Xalavier Nelson Jr.: https://www.podbean.com/ew/pb-jyh9a-18333d4 [https://www.podbean.com/ew/pb-jyh9a-18333d4] Learn more about Trent Kusters: League of Geeks Website: https://leagueofgeeks.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/trentkusters/ X (Twitter): https://twitter.com/trentkusters [https://twitter.com/trentkusters] Recommended games to check out! I Am Your Beast: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A4RHkNCLtIU&ab_channel=IGN [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A4RHkNCLtIU&ab_channel=IGN] Town To City: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XRY-RgWh6hg&ab_channel=IGN [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XRY-RgWh6hg&ab_channel=IGN] Caves of Qud: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2c6burNvtsU&ab_channel=KitfoxGames [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2c6burNvtsU&ab_channel=KitfoxGames] Want to know when you’ll be done? Master game and software estimation so you can make better decisions sooner. Learn more in our Advanced Estimation Course: https://www.buildingbettergames.gg/advanced-estimation-course [https://www.buildingbettergames.gg/advanced-estimation-course] Connect with us: Ben’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/benjamin-carcich/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/benjamin-carcich/]  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/building-better-games/ [https://www.linkedin.com/company/building-better-games/]  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/buildingbettergames/# [https://www.instagram.com/buildingbettergames/]  Website: https://www.buildingbettergames.gg [https://www.buildingbettergames.gg]  YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCZpMT-dUwQR-R4Mb4uub6Sw [https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCZpMT-dUwQR-R4Mb4uub6Sw]   #GameDev #GamingIndustry #GameDevelopment #GameStudio #GameIndustryInsights

What does it truly take to deliver a great game consistently in an industry known for its challenges and complexities? Join us for a conversation with Steve Sargent, Head of Production at Blind Squirrel Games, a veteran with over 35 years of experience in the game industry, including work on iconic titles like BioShock: The Collection and Mass Effect Legendary Edition. Steve dives deep into the art and science of game production, sharing the things to do, and also what to avoid, from his extensive career. You'll learn: * The core role of production * Why reporting can actually add value - if it’s done right! * The five key behaviors that drive trust and success in game development * Why pursuing "efficiency at all costs" can actually be detrimental to creating a great game * The importance of understanding "the why" behind your processes, rather than just following rituals * How to foster an environment where team members feel empowered to take ownership and solve problems * Why planning is essential for alignment, even when the details change Whether you're an aspiring producer, an indie developer, or a seasoned leader, Steve's hard-earned wisdom offers actionable takeaways to help you build better games and stronger teams.  Learn more about Steven Sargent: * LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/steve-sargent-00ba59/ * Blind Squirrel Entertainment: https://blindsquirrelentertainment.com/ [https://blindsquirrelentertainment.com/] * MobyGames Profile: https://www.mobygames.com/person/26147/steven-b-sargent/ [https://www.mobygames.com/person/26147/steven-b-sargent/] Resources: * Agile Game Development with Scrum by Clinton Keith:  https://www.amazon.com/Agile-Game-Development-Scrum-Clint/dp/0321617415 [https://www.google.com/search?q=https://www.amazon.com/Agile-Game-Development-Scrum-Clint/dp/0321617415] * Mike Cohn's Books on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/stores/Mike-Cohn/author/B001JRX4F4 [https://www.amazon.com/stores/author/B001H6MN56/allbooks] Connect with us:  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/building-better-games/ [https://www.linkedin.com/company/building-better-games/]  Twitter: https://x.com/BBG_Podcast [https://x.com/BBG_Podcast]  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/buildingbettergames/# [https://www.instagram.com/buildingbettergames/]  Website: https://www.buildingbettergames.gg [https://www.buildingbettergames.gg]  YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCZpMT-dUwQR-R4Mb4uub6Sw [https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCZpMT-dUwQR-R4Mb4uub6Sw]   #GameProduction #GameDev #AgileDevelopment #TeamLeadership #BlindSquirrelGames

Game production lives and dies on planning—but most teams are still building like it’s 2010. In this episode, Ben is joined by Jeanne-Marie Owens and Jesse Houston of Critical Path to reveal better ways a studio can function based on decades of experience. From the myth of the “critical path” to the illusion that things will magically come together in the final stretch, they explain why “figure it out later” kills projects, how lack of real commitment cripples teams, and what it actually takes to build a dependable studio culture. Hint: It’s not a short list of “values.” This is a wake-up call for any studio still relying on outdated ideas about how work gets done, and a practical guide to doing better. 🔍 You’ll Hear: - Why “fix it later” is the most expensive lie in game development - What the critical path really means—and how most studios misuse it - Why real planning requires saying no - The deadly effect of partial commitment on team morale and outcomes - Why you have to be willing to make choices that limit your own options - How senior leaders create or destroy the culture by what they tolerate If you’re a studio leader, producer, or creative tired of chaos and ready to build games with clarity, intention, and momentum, check it out! Connect with Critical Path Games: Critical Path Games – https://critpath.com/ [https://critpath.com/] 🎮 Join the Building Better Games Community: - BBG Discord – Connect with devs, producers, and leaders building better studios:  https://discord.gg/ySCPS5aMcQ [https://discord.gg/ySCPS5aMcQ] - Level Up Your Production Skills – Take our flagship course:  https://www.buildingbettergames.gg/succeeding-in-game-production [https://www.buildingbettergames.gg/succeeding-in-game-production] - Get Leadership Insights Weekly – Subscribe to the BBG newsletter:  https://www.buildingbettergames.gg/newsletter 🌐 Connect with Us: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/benjamin-carcich [https://www.linkedin.com/in/benjamin-carcich] Website: https://www.buildingbettergames.gg [https://www.buildingbettergames.gg] Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bbg.valarininc [https://www.facebook.com/bbg.valarininc] YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@BuildingBetterGames [https://www.youtube.com/@BuildingBetterGames] 👉 Subscribe for weekly episodes on game dev leadership, production, and culture. #GameProduction #GameLeadership #CriticalPath #StudioCulture #BuildingBetterGames

Hiring only senior engineers might feel like a smart move, but is it breaking game development? In this episode, Ben sits down with Carly Taylor (an engineer and data scientist formerly on Call of Duty, now at Databricks) to tackle one of the most pressing and misunderstood issues in game development today: the crumbling pipeline of engineering talent. They dive deep into the tragedy of the commons happening across studios, where short-term thinking and overreliance on senior talent are putting the future of game engineering at risk. Carly sheds light on the danger of under-investing in junior talent, the mentorship void left behind by remote work, and the role AI is really playing (hint: it's not what vendors are promising). Whether you're leading a studio, managing engineers, or trying to break into games yourself, this episode is a wake-up call. You’ll Hear: -Why the next generation of engineers is not being mentored -How studios are draining the senior talent pool -The real technical challenges of using AI in games -Why hiring only senior devs doesn’t produce better games -What juniors bring to the table (and why companies should listen) -How remote work disrupted knowledge transfer and how to rebuild it -Why game dev is still one of the most passionate industries in tech Connect with Carly Taylor: - Website: https://www.rebeldatascience.com/ - Substack: https://carlytaylor.substack.com/ - LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/carly-taylor - Databricks: https://www.databricks.com/dataaisummit/speaker/carly-taylor Join the Building Better Games Community: - BBG Discord: https://discord.gg/ySCPS5aMcQ - Level Up Your Production Skills: https://www.buildingbettergames.gg/succeeding-in-game-production - Subscribe to the BBG newsletter: https://www.buildingbettergames.gg/newsletter Connect with Us: - LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/benjamin-carcich - Website: https://www.buildingbettergames.gg - Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bbg.valarininc - YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@BuildingBetterGames 👉 Subscribe for weekly episodes on game dev leadership, production, and culture.