The Game Developers' Library ep05 - Kim Nordström - UP DOWN UP: Why some game companies succeed, while others fail
Nov 9, 2025
Dive into the world of game development with insights from Kim Nordström's 'UP DOWN UP.' Explore why some companies thrive while others struggle, focusing on the importance of company culture and psychological safety. Discover the four stages of company lifecycle and how firms can revive from decline. Learn about the Hedgehog Concept and why clarity in principles matters. The conversation also contrasts bootstrapping with funding strategies and emphasizes real-world examples from industry successes.
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Broad Experience Reveals Common Patterns
- Kim Nordström's experience spans indie, free-to-play and AAA, giving him a broad lens on studio success.
- That breadth reveals patterns that apply across studio sizes rather than a single business model.
Decide And Write Down Your Company Purpose
- Decide what your company exists for and codify behaviors that support that purpose.
- Use principles to guide decisions instead of vague slogans or hoping people intuit them.
Ambition As A Studio North Star
- Successful game companies have high, specific ambitions that act as a north star.
- Games become vehicles to achieve those larger social or design goals, not ends in themselves.