

The Gaming Playbook w/ Harry Phokou
Harry Phokou
On The Gaming Playbook, Harry Phokou sits down with experts in the games industry who have never been interviewed before. Through these in-depth conversations, Harry unpacks the "Playbook" that made them so successful. Skip the line on Tuesdays and download the real-life cheat codes every gaming industry pro needs to know.
LinkedIn: @hphokou
Instagram: @hphokou
Newsletter: gamingrally.net
Business and guest inquiries: playbook@phokou.com
LinkedIn: @hphokou
Instagram: @hphokou
Newsletter: gamingrally.net
Business and guest inquiries: playbook@phokou.com
Episodes
Mentioned books

Jun 18, 2024 • 1h 4min
#6 - Jeremy Stein: "The Product Leader Playbook" - Product Management, Team Empowerment, Gaming Studio Startup & more
Today’s guest is Jeremy Stein, the Co-Founder of TTFN Games and a mobile product leader with specialties in design and production.With nearly 18 years in the gaming industry alone, he's contributed to such well-known titles like Madden NFL, Subway Surfers, and Merge Dragons, transitioning from hands-on game development to strategic leadership and co-founding a gaming studio.In this episode, he shares valuable lessons on starting a gaming studio, product management, team empowerment, and much more.Whether you're a product manager, aspiring entrepreneur, or game development enthusiast, this podcast is for you.A talk with Glenn Brace about remote work ➜ https://open.spotify.com/episode/1oY5NZbY6NyxHYG2FvkXad?si=e1aea8be10034efb&nd=1&dlsi=319157fde87f4944Connect w/ Jeremy Stein (Guest):LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeremy-stein-81b1784/Connect with Harry:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hphokou/Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@UCtZBNcgtKJR2NtGct3-cFWgInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/hphokouChapters00:00 Introduction02:46 Jeremy's Nomadic Lifestyle and Career Reflections06:25 Exploring the Role of Product in Game Development10:30 Should CEOs Oversee Every Decision and Have the Final Say?14:21 How Jeremy Empowers Teams in Decision-Making18:40 Problem Solving Over Task Assigning21:04 Challenges in Implementing Autonomy in Larger Studios26:56 Jeremy's Hard-Won Lessons: Insights for New Product Managers33:34 The Joy of Seeing Ideas Come to Life and How a Leader Enables That37:20 Encouraging Introverts to Share Ideas44:02 Jeremy's Journey of Starting a Game Studio49:37 Building Confidence to Launch a Startup56:48 The Role of Resilience in Founding a Studio59:18 The Value of LinkedIn for Jeremy: Learning, Networking, and Connecting01:02:33 Ways to Follow and Keep an Eye on Jeremy’s Work

Jun 11, 2024 • 1h 6min
#5 - Yahsir Qureshi: "How do you build a successful gaming studio?" - Team-building, Gaming Studio Management & more
Today’s guest is Yahsir Qureshi, the VP and Head of Studio at Sandsoft Games, also an accomplished advisor and investor in the tech industry.He has more than 14 years of unique experience across both AAA Console and F2P mobile games building some of the most successful franchises ever released including Need for Speed, FIFA Ultimate Team, Dawn of Titans, and CSR Racing 2 in Production, Product, and Business Development Roles.In this episode, he shares his journey in the gaming industry, lessons learned at EA and Zynga, and his extraordinary strategies for team-building and studio management.Whether you're a CEO, Head of Studio, a senior or aspiring game developer, this podcast is for you.Connect w/ Yahsir Qureshi (Guest):LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/yahsir-qureshi/Connect with Harry:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hphokou/Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@UCtZBNcgtKJR2NtGct3-cFWgInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/hphokouChapters:00:00 Introduction00:37 Career Moves: EA, Zynga, and Return to EA04:48 Lessons from EA and Zynga That Shaped Yahsir’s Views07:48 Exceptional Philosophy in Team Building at Sandsoft11:44 Sandsoft 's scope of operations: Publishing, Investing, Developing18:27 Unique Approach to Building a Team from Scratch26:13 Reasons Behind In-Office Work Over Remote at Sandsoft28:58 What is the ‘Tribe Format’ and How Flat Hierarchy Works at Sandsoft35:44 Who in Their Team Kills Games and Why It’s Important41:37 Senior Developers and Alignment of Incentives49:31 What is Yahsir’s Role as an Advisor51:13 MENA Region as a Place to Be in Games58:16 Yahsir’s Way of Maintaining Network - LinkedIn1:00:07 Advice for Young People

Jun 4, 2024 • 1h 17min
#4 - Alexander Rehm: Career growth in Games - Transferable Skills, Layoffs, Mentorship, LinkedIn Algorithm & more
Today's guest is Alexander Rehm, a seasoned Live Ops Director and a mentor with over 16 years of experience in the gaming, banking, and B2B/B2C industries.In this episode, he shares his invaluable insights on transferable skills, navigating layoffs, mentorship, and the challenges posed by recent changes to the LinkedIn algorithm. Discover how he has supported the gaming community through job support and mentoring helping over 120 professionals find jobs.If you're a game developer, someone battling a layoff, or a project manager looking to enhance your career, this podcast is for you.Connect w/ Alexander Rehm (Guest):LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alexanderrehm/Twitter/𝕏: https://x.com/alexanderrehmInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/alexanderrehm/Connect with Harry:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hphokou/Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@hphokouInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/hphokou/Chapters:00:00 Introduction03:06 Alexander’s Breakthrough into Gaming and Engagement with Players07:30 How Transferable Skills Helped Him and Can Help You Enter the Industry11:27 Alexander's Mentorship and What You Can Learn From It17:36 Top Entry-Level Roles and Tips for Success21:22 Alexander’s Layoff Experience25:43 The Importance of Transferable Skills30:48 Career Growth and Alexander’s Managing Experience34:31 Effective Communication: Key to Alexander's Team Management Success39:50 Alexander's Strategies for Balance and Mental Well-Being49:46 The Role of LinkedIn in Alexander’s Job Searching and Networking54:57 Navigating the Changes to the LinkedIn Algorithm1:11:17 Alexander’s Thoughts on the Future of the Gaming Industry1:14:54 His Insights On Positive Job Market Trends

May 20, 2024 • 2h 21min
#3 - Alexis Gresoviac: "The Managing Director Playbook" - Growing Gameloft Japan as VP from 1-150, Negotiating w/ Giants, Coaching and more.
Today's guest is Alexis Gresoviac, a veteran of the gaming industry.He has been in the gaming industry for 25 years and served as Managing director of Blizzard Korea, VP of Gameloft, and General Manager of Huuuge Games. He leverages his executive leadership experience to advise C-Suite teams on expansion strategies, evaluation of M&A deals, effective internal operations, and organizational structure. If you aspire to be a managing director, C-level executive, or founder of a gaming startup, this podcast is for you.Alexis is available for Strategic Advising & Coaching.You can connect with him on LinkedIn to find out more: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alexisgresoviac/Connect with Harry:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hphokou/Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@hphokouInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/hphokou/Chapters:0:00 Introducing Alexis: A Journey Through Gaming and Beyond1:57 Market Research to VP: Alexis's Early Career Journey6:30 Lessons from SEGA Legends18:06 Remote Work Realities and Industry Immaturity24:19 From Managing a Few to 150 at Gameloft38:35 Negotiating Lessons from Gameloft's Licensing Deals54:51 Transitioning from Gameloft to Blizzard59:28 Managing Blizzard's Spectacle1:07:23 How to network at parties1:11:50 Celebrating Community: Lessons from Epic Live Events1:19:05 From Managing Director to Strategic Advisor at Bethesda1:26:56 What Does a Good Advisor Do?1:34:11 Function vs Franchise Focus Structure at Blizzard1:41:28 Challenges of Overwatch 2 and Free-to-Play Dilemma1:44:49 Accelerating Production at Huuuge Games.1:51:00 Maximising Impact with ACE Consulting Group1:55:00 3 Ways Alexis Helps People2:00:20 The Value of Coaching with Harry & Alexis2:06:00 Rapid fire: Key Aspects for a killer team2:15:00 How Companies Are Failing Because of Bad Management

May 8, 2024 • 1h 12min
#2 - Lara Acosta: How to get Unstuck using LinkedIn - Personal Branding, Networking, Storytelling and more.
Lara Acosta has helped 100s of people get unstuck using LinkedIn and personal branding. She grew from 0 to 140k+ followers in just 2 years and is now the #1 UK Female Creator. If you want to post more on LinkedIn, this podcast is for you.
Connect w/Lara Acosta (guest):LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/laraacostar/Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@LaraacostaTwitter/𝕏: https://x.com/LaraacostarInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/laraacostar/
Connect w/ Harry Phokou (Host)LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hphokou/Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@hphokouInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/hphokou/
Chapters:00:00 Introduction00:35 Understanding Your Purpose on LinkedIn02:19 Building Authority and Humanizing Yourself06:38 Overcoming the Fear of Posting on LinkedIn08:06 Starting with What You Have and Reducing Friction13:49 The Power of Storytelling on LinkedIn19:00 How CEOs can use LinkedIn25:39 The Role of Video on LinkedIn31:29 Collaboration Over Competition35:16 Engaging with Your Audience through LinkedIn Live and Webinars35:45 Understanding Leverage and Authenticity39:04 Building a Community vs. Building a Following48:02 Networking and Making Others Feel Important57:02 Presenting Yourself Professionally Online01:03:07 Dealing with the Ups and Downs of Content Creation01:08:20 Reframing Challenges and Maintaining a Positive Mindset

Apr 15, 2024 • 52min
#1 - Thomas Lemesle: From Producer to Recruiter - Lessons from 25 Years of Hiring, AI in Recruitment, Networking & Mentoring and more.
Thomas Lemesle is the Talent Acquisition manager at Gamehouse closing in on 20 years in the games industry. Having been a hiring manager for 25+ years starting at Nintendo in QA before moving on to product management/Production and then recruiting 10 years ago. This duo perspective of the recruiter and producer gives him a unique perspective of the industry which we dove into. We practically explored what recruiters and producers can learn from each other, improving the diversity of thought in your studio, AI's role in recruitment, networking and mentoring and much more.
Please enjoy!
Episode Links:
Thomas Lemesle's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thomaslemesle/
Harry Phokou's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hphokou/
Amir Satvat's Resources: https://amirsatvat.com/