Lesson 4: How Hazelight's COO manages the studio to make award winning games

Julien Wera on the Rise & Fall of his studio PART 2

What happens when your dream studio has to shut down? Here’s the honest truth from Julien Wera in a unique Part 2 follow-up of the Rise & Fall of Moon Rover.In our latest chat, Julien shares the raw realities of running Moon Rover and the challenges faced from market dynamics. After three years of passion and creativity, the studio halted operations due to funding struggles, leaving behind what could have been an incredible studio.Julien reflects on the importance of having a supportive environment for creators and how the industry needs to evolve to ensure stability for developers. Listen & Watch the full conversation and learn about the future of game development!

Julien Wera on DICE, Ubisoft and the Rise & Fall of his studio PART 1

In this season premiere two-parter, Julien Wera shares his extensive journey through the gaming industry at companies like DICE, Paradox Interactive and Ubisoft. From marketing to studio leadership, emphasizing the importance of team size, creative pillars, research, and navigating industry challenges. Discover insights on building a studio culture, balancing innovation with risk, and leadership lessons learned along the way including his very own studio challenges. This part 1 was recorded November 2025. This interview is suited for people wanting to better understand game development, marketing, live service, starting and running your own studio and more!

Dreamhack - Shahin's story on running the biggest game festivals in the world

Events are coming back and with games now part of everyday life, one person is a big part of that change. Today we’re tapping into Shahin Zarrabi’s story how he got to work with the biggest gaming event brand in the world and will learn what the future holds for Dreamhack and how your game can connect with the players. Let’s dive in!

Lesson 4: How Hazelight's COO manages the studio to make award winning games

In this lesson, Hazelight COO Oskar Wolontis reveals how he ended up joining and climbed the ranks in a startup that would become the award winning studio it is today. Developers of Split Fiction, It Takes Two and A Way Out, all directed by Josef Fares who's first game Brothers: A tale of two sons set the foundation for a studio that keeps delivering on its promise. How do they do it? Oskar gives us the insights!

Lesson 3: How PlayStation's marketing made gaming cool

In this lesson, Geoff Glendenning shares his journey from struggling in school to becoming a pivotal figure in the marketing world, particularly with the launch of PlayStation in Europe. He discusses the importance of connecting with youth culture, the evolution of marketing strategies, and the impact of AI on the industry. Geoff reflects on his experiences, the challenges faced in the marketing landscape, and offers valuable advice for the next generation of marketers. Chapters00:00 The Journey Begins: From Education to Marketing02:51 The world before PlayStation07:30 It began with Ridge Racer13:00 The Edgy Marketing Strategy: Targeting the 18-30 Demographic15:54 Cultural Influences: The Intersection of Music and Gaming18:50 The Evolution of PlayStation Marketing: From Underground to Mainstream21:41 Creating a Movement: The Role of Influencers in Brand Success29:34 The Evolution of PlayStation Marketing36:48 Navigating Corporate Culture and Autonomy42:45 The Nostalgia of the 90s and Brand Legacy52:14 The Shift to Data-Driven Marketing59:33 Lessons Learned from Marketing Risks01:03:28 Navigating Controversy in Gaming Marketing01:05:11 The State of the Gaming Industry01:11:15 Advice for Aspiring Marketers