Naavik Gaming Podcast Sustainable Growth: Building Studios Without External Funding
Mar 21, 2025
Nick Popovich, CEO and Founder of Monomi Park, shares insights from his journey in indie game development, known for the hit Slime Rancher. He discusses the challenge of growing a studio without external funding, emphasizing strategic hiring and a strong studio culture. The conversation covers how to engage players effectively, innovative game design principles, and the balance between creative integrity and business fundamentals. Nick also addresses navigating luck in game success, making it a valuable listen for aspiring developers.
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Founding Monomi Park
- Nick Popovich started Monomi Park in 2014 after 10 years at Three Rings Design.
- He partnered with Mike Thomas, an engineer he knew for years, to create Slime Rancher.
Grow Studio at Pain Threshold
- Grow your studio only when pain from tasks is clear and sustainable hiring is possible.
- Avoid hiring to peak; grow to a manageable 'pain threshold' for delegation.
Everyone is a Developer
- At Monomi Park, everyone is treated as a developer because all roles support the product.
- This inclusive view fosters a strong, unified studio culture.