Rise and Play Podcast

Jamie Smith, a principal game designer at People Can Fly, discusses applying agile development to AAA game design. He shares insights on team autonomy, cross-discipline collaboration, decision-making structures, and the balance between creative direction and technical limitations. Reflecting on his 13 years in AAA game development, Jamie highlights the challenges of managing teams, defining quality, navigating conflicts, and adopting a holistic approach to game design.

Charmie Kim, Game lead at Space Ape Games, shares insights on growing Beatstar into a $125M hit. Topics include market research in game development, innovation in different genres, and the importance of diverse team adaptability. Key takeaways: player engagement, strategic genre selection, and team versatility in meeting gaming demands.

We interview Derk De Geus, co-CEO and Co-Founder of Paladin Studio to explore leadership lessons learned over two decades in the gaming industry. The episode covers the genesis of Paladin Studio, its transition from a service company to a game development studio, and how it navigated challenges and growth without external investment. Bootstrapping successfully a studio is a rare story we hear of these days!Derk shares insights on the importance of self-awareness, empathetic communication, and aligning one's core being with their professional roles. The discussion delves into the pitfalls of rapid scaling, the benefits of retreats for personal and leadership development, and the significance of creating a supportive and creative company culture. 01:37 The Genesis of Paladin Studio: A 20-Year Journey03:50 Navigating the Early Days and the Shift to Entertainment Games09:20 The Evolution of Leadership and Business Strategy16:14 The CEO's Dilemma: Balancing Creativity and Business and Finding Balance23:20 Embracing Creativity Beyond Work24:11 The Synergy of Creative and Business Minds26:13 The CEO Role Reimagined: Co-CEO for Creative Freedom26:25 Navigating Operational and Strategic Challenges28:33 The Transformative Power of Retreats35:26 Leadership as a Journey of Self-Discovery39:59 Cultivating a Culture of Shared Values💌 Don't forget to subscribe to Rise and Play for further news: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.riseandplay.io/blog⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ If you enjoyed today's episode make sure to rate it on Spotify, leave a review on Apple Podcasts, or simply share it with a friend. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit riseandplay.substack.com

Interview with Interior Night founders discussing their journey in creating innovative AAA narrative games for a mature audience. Emphasis on female-led game development, unique storytelling experiences, challenges in game development, and diversity in gaming industry leadership.

Follow Laura Carter's journey from a successful career to founding TreesPlease Games with an environmental mission. Learn about raising funds, creating eco-friendly games, and planting a million trees. Hear about the challenges of being a solo founder, balancing motherhood with entrepreneurship, and building a supportive team. Discover the commitment to purpose-driven gaming and social missions in the competitive market.

Analyzing startup successes and failures in the gaming industry, highlighting the importance of discipline and purpose in leadership roles. Insights on team composition, challenges in leadership, and the dynamics of co-founders. Exploring the phases of a company's development and the role of a CEO in different stages.

In 2023, there were 11.89% female CEOs and 8.95% co-founders (reported from 7 different funds) from approximately 400 companies and 1000 founders. It is progress but there is still a long way to go before we see more women accessing positions of CEOs, especially when they are not founding their own company. In this episode, we interview Veronica Rojas, who climbed the ranks in her career from product marketing at Gameloft to Head of Studio, ultimately becoming the co-CEO at Uken Games. How does someone become a co-CEO/CEO? What does this role imply, and what should one consider before taking on those responsibilities?The role of co-CEO has emerged more and more in the gaming industry as we recognize that the demands of a CEO role might become overwhelming as the company scales. 04:01 Veronica's Journey into the Gaming Industry07:34 The Challenges of Starting a Gaming Startup With No Funding and Experience15:32 Transitioning from Startup to Corporate24:03 The Role of Product Marketing in Gaming25:46 Joining UKEN and Rising to Co-CEO37:05 The Challenges of Being a Co-CEO💌 Don't forget to subscribe to Rise and Play for further news: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.riseandplay.io/blog⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ If you enjoyed today's episode make sure to rate it on Spotify, leave a review on Apple Podcasts, or simply share it with a friend. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit riseandplay.substack.com

Kelly Wallick, former founder of Indie Megabooth and now a partner at 1Up Ventures, discusses the importance of diversity in the gaming industry, the role of founders' community building in nurturing success, and the unique community-centered approach of 1Up Venture in venture capitalism.

Sophie interviews Miska Katkoff, founder of Deconstructor of Fun and former CEO of Savage Games, to discuss success, personal goals, and the role of therapy in mental health. They reflect on the trap of comparison, the importance of setting personal goals based on values, and the impact of money on defining success. Miska emphasizes the benefits of therapy for personal growth and navigating work dynamics effectively. They also explore the significance of living in the present moment and finding balance and meaning in life.

Matej Lancaric, prominent role in UA in Games, shares his journey as a solopreneur in the gaming industry. Topics include transition to solopreneurship, the power of authenticity, challenges of going solo, the importance of being yourself, evolution of content creation, and the role of happiness and authenticity in personal branding.