Co-Running a Game Studio with Iron Galaxy's Adam Boyes and Chelsea Blasko
Oct 3, 2022
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Adam Boyes and Chelsea Blasko, Co-CEOs of Iron Galaxy, discuss their roles, collaborating with founder Dave Lang, creating a safe work environment, and focusing on employee quality of life. They emphasize the importance of teamwork, selecting vendors, and unconventional career growth in the game industry.
Creating a safe and inclusive work environment is a top priority for Iron Galaxy's co-CEOs.
Continuous learning and growth are valued, with regular discussions and feedback channels.
Feeling supported by the company fosters a collaborative and loyal working environment.
Deep dives
Building a Strong Culture and Partnership
As co-CEOs of Iron Galaxy, Adam Boyes and Chelsea Blasco have been working together for several years to build a strong and inclusive culture in the game development industry. They emphasize the importance of teamwork, where every employee's contribution is valued and recognized. They've implemented initiatives like the alphabetical credits in Rumbleverse to celebrate the entire team's efforts. Adam and Chelsea prioritize creating a safe environment where employees feel supported and can voice their concerns. They continually evolve their leadership approach, engage in open communication, and invest in the personal and professional development of their employees.
Transforming Outdated Game Development Practices
Both Adam and Chelsea have firsthand experience with the harmful effects of outdated game development practices. They have witnessed and experienced long hours, toxic work environments, and insufficient work-life balance. To combat this, they have prioritized creating a healthier work culture at Iron Galaxy. They actively work towards eliminating unhealthy and discriminatory behaviors by staying vigilant, fostering open dialogue, and implementing policies to ensure a safe and inclusive workplace. They also recognize the importance of adapting their practices as the company grows, adopting new tools and strategies to maintain effective communication and address employee needs.
Continuous Learning and Growth
Adam and Chelsea believe in the continuous learning and growth of themselves and their team. They engage in regular discussions with their leadership team to explore opportunities for improvement and examine how the company's values align with their actions. They actively seek feedback from employees through various channels and use it to make informed decisions. They also invest in professional development, hosting a leadership book club and participating in programs like FIA to connect with young talent and shape the future of the industry. By prioritizing personal and professional growth, they aim to create an environment where everyone feels supported and motivated.
Importance of Feeling Supported
One of the main ideas discussed in the podcast episode is the importance of feeling supported by the company you work for. The speakers highlight how having their back and feeling safe is crucial, especially for a small independent company. They emphasize that stability is a core value of their company and that they value vendors who also have their back. This sense of support and trust creates a strong bond between the team members and fosters a collaborative and loyal working environment.
Decision-making and Values
Another key point discussed in the podcast is the decision-making process within the company and the importance of aligning with their core values. The speakers talk about the significant role of their company values, such as stability, continuous improvement, and supporting their people and partners. They mention that decisions within the company have to be unanimous and based on these values. If there is any disagreement, a prolonged discussion takes place to ensure a thorough evaluation of all perspectives. They also emphasize the need to balance individual desires with the overall stability and longevity of the company.
Chris Charla chats with Chelsea Blasko and Adam Boyes while at D.I.C.E. Barcelona. Fresh off their discussion on the D.I.C.E. stage, they discuss what being Co-CEOs of Iron Galaxy means; their history with Iron Galaxy and what led to their current roles; how their respective strengths compliment each other; working together with founder Dave Lang to make key studio decisions; the predatory nature of treating a workplace as a "family"; and their company values focused on improving employee quality of life while helping them evolve as a studio. Listen to the full episode now or watch this episode on our Youtube channel.
This episode is sponsored by FusionAuth. For more information, go to FusionAuth.io/game.
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