158. Sacrifice and Reconnecting With Joy in Gaming With Maria Gillies

In this heartfelt conversation recorded in a relaxed setting in Berlin, Sophie Vo is joined by Maria Gillies, Product Director at Pixion Games, for an intimate exploration of career pivots, leadership rooted in values, and returning to one's authentic self.

Maria shares her unique journey from working in the fishing industry to becoming a leader in mobile free-to-play games. With openness and depth, she discusses the personal and professional transformations she's undergone through the Rise and Play coaching program ORIN, including moving back to Portugal, rediscovering joy, and reshaping her leadership style.

"I didn't want to be on the hamster wheel anymore—I just wanted to make great games with great people."

Sophie and Maria explore themes of alignment, creative leadership, feminine power in tech, and the importance of building humane studios and communities.

💡 Key Learnings & Takeaways

* Purposeful Career Planning: Maria’s entry into games wasn’t accidental—it was a deliberate, 10-year plan that involved leveraging transferable skills and continuously learning outside of work.

* The Cost of Success: Chasing career milestones can cause disconnection from one's values. Realigning with personal principles often requires pausing, reflecting, and sometimes rewriting the “playbook.”

* Creating Joyful Workspaces: A creative industry like gaming thrives when workplaces are safe, joyful, and aligned. Maria emphasizes that fun is essential not only in the games we create but in how we make them.

* Leadership Rooted in Humanity: Rather than copying leadership styles, Maria champions being guided by your morals and heart. Vulnerability and reflection are essential to lead well.

* The Power of Coaching & Community: Through the ORIN mastermind, Maria found clarity, balance, and deep friendships. Investing in personal growth led to professional transformation—and vice versa.

* Remote Work and Returning Home: Maria’s move back to Portugal wasn’t just geographic—it represented a personal full circle, reclaiming joy, language, and creative inspiration.

🌐 Resources & Mentions

* PlaytestCloud — Podcast sponsor and a powerful player research tool for game developers.

* Rise and Play — Leadership coaching, resources, and the ORIN mastermind program.

* Pixion Games — Studio behind Fableborn, where Maria leads product and creative direction.

🙌 Connect with Us

* Maria Gillies: LinkedIn

* Sophie Vo: LinkedIn | riseandplay.io

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