Guest host Tim Schafer interviews Ted Price, the founder of Insomniac Games, discussing the early days of the company, its guiding principles, and its growth in the gaming industry. They talk about the challenges of developing their first game, the importance of collaboration and embracing new ideas, and how Insomniac Games creates a positive work culture. They also address the challenges of crunch mode and burnout in game development, the limitations of traditional management, and the importance of open industry discussions. Ted Price shares his personal growth in separating emotions from feedback and the significance of team well-being.
Insomniac Games prioritizes transparency, collaboration, and communication in their company culture, actively working to reduce burnout and increase well-being among their team members.
Insomniac Games joined Sony to leverage the resources and support of a larger company while maintaining their cultural independence, allowing them to reach a wider audience, collaborate with peer studios, and tackle industry challenges together.
The podcast emphasizes the importance of embracing change, being open to new ideas and feedback, and fostering a culture where people feel heard and valued for success in the gaming industry.
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A Special 100th Episode: Ted Price (Double Fine) Interviews Ted Price (Insomniac Games)
In honor of the 100th episode of the Game Maker's Notebook podcast, Tim Schafer of Double Fine Productions interviews Ted Price, the founder of Insomniac Games. They discuss Ted's early days in games, the founding of Insomniac Games, the values and principles that guide the company, and how the studio has become one of the most respected in the industry.
Cultivating a Positive and Impactful Game Studio Culture
Insomniac Games prioritizes transparency, collaboration, and communication in their company culture. They actively work to reduce burnout and increase well-being among their team members. This includes implementing processes like regular surveys to identify and address stressors, introducing dedicated people managers to support employee growth and workload balance, and maintaining an open and transparent environment through initiatives like Ask Me Anything sessions with the company's leaders.
Joining Sony and Balancing Independence with Support
Insomniac Games joined Sony to leverage the resources and support of a larger company while maintaining their cultural independence. The alignment of their philosophies and focus on quality made it a natural fit. The partnership allows them to reach a wider audience, collaborate with peer studios, and tackle industry challenges together while remaining true to their vision of creating games with a lasting and positive impact on people's lives.
Embracing Change and Evolving as a Company
The podcast episode explores the importance of embracing change and continuously evolving as a company. The speaker shares personal experiences of clashes with mentors and the initial struggle of not taking feedback personally. It is emphasized that the key to success lies in being open to new ideas and feedback, even if it challenges established ways of doing things. The importance of maintaining the passion for creativity and fostering a culture where people feel heard and valued is highlighted.
The Challenges and Rewards of the Gaming Industry
The podcast delves into the challenges and rewards of working in the gaming industry. Both speakers reflect on their experiences and discuss the demanding nature of the industry. They highlight how their companies prioritize the well-being and quality of life of their employees. The importance of patience, trust, and teamwork in navigating the ups and downs of the industry is emphasized. Despite the challenges, they express gratitude for the opportunity to create games and the joy it brings to their teams and players.
In this special 100th episode of the Game Maker's Notebook, we turn the tables on longtime host Ted Price. Guest host Tim Schafer (Founder, Double Fine Productions) chats with Ted about life before game development, starting Insomniac Games and the challenges of developing their first game, the values and principles that have guided his company along the way, joining the PlayStation family of studios, learning to accept feedback, and how embracing new ideas and change can help studios evolve into more welcoming places to work. Ted Price is the President and Founder of Insomniac Games, best known for several successful franchises including Ratchet & Clank, Resistance, Spyro the Dragon, Sunset Overdrive, and Marvel's Spider-Man.
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