Susan Cummings, Co-Founder of 2K Games turned CEO of Tiny Rebel Games, shares insights on closing big deals in the videogame industry. Topics include the Petaverse, Rockstar vibes, checkbook fun, and experiences with Patrick Stewart. Reflecting on intense working conditions, toxic culture, gaming industry strategies, IP acquisitions, and AR experimentation. Discusses building trust, remote work dynamics, and the evolution of the gaming industry towards improved treatment of employees and diverse game offerings.
Advocates remote-first culture for cohesive team collaboration.
Shares insights on creative dynamics in gaming industry deals.
Narrates career progression from gaming milestones to AR pet experience venture.
Deep dives
Transition to Remote Work Philosophy
Embracing a strict approach to remote work, the podcast features Susan Cummings advocating for a remote-first company culture. She highlights the challenge of hybrid working, emphasizing the importance of creating a cohesive team through a full commitment to remote collaboration. Cummings underscores the value of building a core team of individuals who genuinely like and trust each other, fostering a strong sense of unity.
Challenges and Insights from Gaming Industry
Reflecting on her journey in the gaming industry, Susan Cummings shares anecdotes about significant deals, such as signing successful games like Bioshock and Borderlands. She discusses the creative dynamics between Take Two and Rockstar, highlighting the distinction in their approaches to creativity and deal-making. Additionally, Cummings delves into the process of investing in original creative visions and building relationships with developers.
The Path to Success and Creative Achievements
From her experiences working on notable projects like a War of the Worlds game with Patrick Stewart to setting up Tiny Rebel Games, Susan Cummings narrates her career's progression. She outlines her ventures into licensed IP, recounting milestones such as collaborating with Paramount and the inception of Petiverse. The podcast explores Cummings' multifaceted journey, encompassing significant achievements and impactful collaborations across the gaming and entertainment industries.
Creating an Interoperable Virtual Pet with AR and Spatial Computing
The podcast episode delves into the journey of creating an interoperable pet experience using AR technology and spatial computing. Starting as an AR project, the team expanded its vision to develop a pet with an animation system that could be integrated into various experiences. This innovative concept allows users to engage with the pet across platforms like virtual reality, wearable glasses, and video calls, creating a seamless and interactive virtual pet experience.
Founding a Studio and Fostering a Supportive Work Environment
The discussion shifts towards the evolution of the speaker's career, highlighting the transition from recruiting to founding a studio with a focus on team dynamics and a supportive work environment. Emphasizing the importance of hiring individuals who excel in their respective areas, the speaker underscores the significance of trust and delegation in running a successful studio. The podcast explores the speaker's shift towards valuing the well-being of the team and the studio's long-term growth over short-term project demands, reflecting a maturation in industry practices and management styles.
Co-Founder of 2K Games, Susan Cummings has closed some of the biggest deals in videogames – Bioshock, Borderlands, she got XCOM for free! Now the CEO of Tiny Rebel Games she’s making a Petaverse which is cooler than the metaverse. Rockstar vibes, checkbook fun and our second brush with Patrick Stewart, this week!
Thank you for listening to our podcast all about videogames and the amazing people who bring them to life! Hosted by Alexander Seropian and Aaron Marroquin Find us at www.thefourthcurtain.com
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Audio Editor: Bryen Hensley Video Editor: Sarkis Grigorian Producer: Shanglan (May) Li Art: Paul Russel Community Manager: Doug Zartman Featuring Liberation by 505
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