Creative Collaboration Podcast

Ep08: Michael Schade

In this episode, Michael Schade (CEO, Rockfish Games) shares the raw story behind Everspace — from bankruptcy and publisher betrayal to Steam Platinum success and 800,000 Game Pass players. We cover: • Surviving insolvency • Killing features mid-development • Building trust through radical transparency • Why alignment beats ego leadership • Founder-led marketing strategy • Community as a growth engine

Ep 07: Martin Annander

In this episode, veteran game designer Martin Annander reflects on nearly 20 years in the industry and breaks down what creative collaboration really looks like in game development. We discuss: * Why constraints can make games better * How collaboration breaks down in silos * Task forces, decision-making, and leadership * Healthy conflict and killing your darlings * Remote work, trust, and creative ownership * Why systemic design invites players into the process * The future of smaller teams and freelance collaboration A candid, experience-driven conversation about making better games—and working better together.

Ep06: Adam Boyes

In this episode, Adam Boyes shares lessons from decades in the games industry—from QA at EA to leadership roles at Capcom, PlayStation, and Iron Galaxy. We explore why defining “what a game is not” matter, and how trust-driven collaboration leads to stronger teams and better games. Topics include: - Building clear creative vision - Empowering teams vs. director-led development - Handling conflict and ego - Involving marketing early - Remote vs. in-person collaboration - Leadership frameworks that scale Chapters: 00:00 Intro – Gamescom, Creativity & Collaboration in Game Development   01:20 Adam Boyes’ Journey into the Games Industry   03:45 Breaking In Through QA at Electronic Arts   07:10 From QA to Production & Startup Studio Life   09:50 Blitz: The League – Creative Vision Under Constraints   13:30 Defining a Game: What It Is vs What It Isn’t   16:05 Rumbleverse Origins – From Bar Talk to Real Pitch   19:40 Team Alignment, Values & Creative Boundaries   22:55 Publisher Cancellation & Rebuilding the Vision   26:15 Director-Driven vs Collective Game Development   29:40 Trust vs Speed – The Fall Damage Design Lesson   32:50 What Creative Collaboration Really Means   35:30 When to Involve Marketing & Commercial Voices   38:00 Managing Conflict, Ego & Team Disagreements   41:20 Killing Your Darlings – The Pitch Cemetery   44:15 Leadership Rituals: Dailies & the 1-3-1 Framework   47:10 Remote Work vs In-Person Collaboration   50:00 Conflict Resolution & Emotional Intelligence   53:30 Cultural Differences in Global Game Teams   56:20 Advice for New Game Developers & Collaborators   59:00 Final Thoughts, Community & Where to Find Adam #GameDevelopment #Leadership #CreativeLeadership #CreativeTeams #Collaboration

Episode 05: Jules Proux

In this episode, I speak with game-industry veteran Jules Proux about a number of things, including creating environments where artists, engineers, designers, and producers can communicate through a shared creative vocabulary, extracting “tribal knowledge” when joining established projects and balancing creative and commercial voices early in development. #GameDevelopment #Leadership #CreativeLeadership #CreativeTeams #Collaboration

Episode 04: Björn Jankes

Star Stable’s Art Director Björn Jankes shares what it takes to lead creative teams — with empathy, not ego. Discover how diverse perspectives, trust, and tough calls (“kill your darlings”) shape great games. 💡 Insights on creative teamwork, leadership, and growing your craft. #GameDevelopment #Leadership #CreativeTeams