In this episode, we hear from Ido Naim (currently Senior Director of Monetization at Zynga/Gram Games) and explore his strategies for building high-performing teams. Ido reflects on his time in the Israeli military and his transition into the gaming industry, drawing parallels between both fields. He highlights the need to balance data-driven decisions with creative vision in game development and underscores the value of continuous learning. Emphasising the importance of surrounding oneself with a diverse team united by shared values, Ido also advocates for openness and humility as essential qualities in the gaming industry. The episode wraps up with Ido's go-to interview question, aimed at uncovering a candidate’s critical thinking and problem-solving abilities.

Key Takeaways

• Balancing data with creativity is vital to innovative game development.
• A commitment to lifelong learning propels individual and team growth.
• High-performing teams are built with diverse individuals who share core values.
• Open-mindedness and humility foster effective collaboration and drive innovation.
• Critical thinking and problem-solving skills are fundamental for success in the gaming industry.

In this episode we hear from Kate Booth, COO of Cooperative Innovations, exploring her journey into the gaming industry, her insights on company culture and the role of a COO in game development. Kate shares her experiences with indie games, the importance of aligning business models with creative ambitions and her approach to hiring and team building. The discussion highlights the significance of transparency in business practices and the need for a supportive environment for creative professionals.

Key Takeaways

• The COO role varies greatly, with a focus on shaping culture through hiring and aligning business models with creative goals.
• Financial transparency and support are essential for trust and creativity in teams.
• Hiring is a mutual value exchange, where both company and employee contribute to a thriving culture.
• Teams thrive when they embrace the business side of gaming and celebrate individual successes, like a well-coordinated sports team.

In this episode of The Talent Game Podcast, we hear from John Clark who brings over 27 years of experience in the games industry to the discussion. We delve into John’s career path and the transformative shifts within the gaming industry. John shares his experiences managing imposter syndrome, navigating the rise of indie games, and adapting to the digital transformation of gaming. The conversation covers key insights into the importance of intentional recruitment, building a resilient company culture, and the unique challenges and opportunities that come with remote work. John also reflects on lessons learned from scaling teams, emphasizing the need to balance growth with quality to ensure sustainable success.

Key Takeaways

• The gaming landscape is rapidly changing, demanding ongoing adaptability.
• Indie games continue to grow in popularity, underscoring their industry significance.
• The shift from retail to digital gaming redefined market dynamics.
• A positive company culture is crucial for long-term success.
• Rapid team scaling can lead to quality and cohesion issues, making balanced growth essential.

In this episode, Nic Walker, former COO of Space Ape Games, shares his extensive experience in the games industry and his deep commitment to sustainability. He delves into the environmental impact of the gaming sector and highlights the urgent need for sustainability initiatives. The conversation spans diverse topics, including neurodiversity in the workplace, the critical role of culture in building successful teams, and the responsibilities of a COO.

Nic discusses how autonomy, mastery, and purpose are key drivers of a positive, high-performance culture. The episode explores the intricacies of remote work, how to maintain psychological safety, and the challenges of building trust in distributed teams. Nic also shares his thoughts on the importance of transparent leadership, the role of founders in shaping company culture, and how hiring the right people contributes to long-term success.

Through this thoughtful discussion, Nic underscores the vital role empathy, communication, and purpose play in creating a thriving and resilient company culture, especially in today’s evolving work environments.

Key Takeaways:

• The games industry has a significant environmental impact, highlighting the need for sustainability initiatives.
• Neurodiversity is common in the industry, and fostering an inclusive, purpose-driven culture is essential.
• A COO’s role is flexible, adapting to the specific needs of the company, but always central to shaping culture alongside leadership.
• Autonomy, mastery, and purpose are vital for building a positive, productive culture, with leadership setting the tone for values and behaviors.
• Hiring people who align with company values and bring diverse perspectives naturally strengthens culture.
• Remote work requires intentional efforts to maintain trust, psychological safety, and open communication.
• Fostering psychological safety enables teams to take risks, learn from mistakes, and achieve their best work.
• A sense of purpose and autonomy boosts motivation and productivity, while continuous feedback and open dialogue drive long-term success.

Mary takes us on her inspiring career journey, from her time at JPMorgan to breaking into the gaming industry. She opens up about the challenges she faced along the way—navigating a job market lacking salary transparency and grappling with concerns around cultural fit. At Lightforge Games, Mary made it her mission to improve the candidate experience, and in our conversation, she shares practical insights on how to attract and retain top talent by prioritising transparency, competitive benefits, and a healthy work-life balance. She also reveals the key traits she values in candidates—adaptability, innovation, and collaboration—essential qualities that drive success in today's fast-paced industry.

Key Takeaways

✅ Transitioning from one industry to another requires identifying transferable skills and finding a company that values those skills.

✅ Salary transparency is crucial during the job search process to ensure alignment between candidates and companies.

✅ Candidate experience plays a significant role in attracting talent. Transparency, work-life balance, and employee recognition are important for retaining talent.

✅ Personality traits like adaptability, innovation, and collaboration are highly valued in the gaming industry.

"Don't hire brilliant assholes. No matter how good their skill set."

In this episode, I speak to Pep Perez, former Global Group Creative Director (VALORANT) at Riot Games. Pep shares his journey into the gaming industry, his role as a creative director, and the importance of building high-performing creative teams. He discusses the process of developing a brand for a new game and the challenges of aligning creative decisions with business goals.

✅ Building high-performing creative teams requires hiring individuals who are hungry, humble, and smart, and who thrive in collaboration.

✅Successful teams are purpose-built, with a makeup that aligns with the specific needs of the project or game.

✅ Creative decisions should be aligned with business goals, and creatives should strive to solve business challenges through their work. Building purpose-built teams in the gaming industry is crucial for success

✅ Asking candidates about what they are not currently doing but want to do can reveal their aspirations and growth opportunities

"Bring your whole self to work"

In this episode of the Talent Game Podcast, we hear from Sam Ebelthite, Global Commercial Director for Super Faction, about her career in the video game industry and her insights on talent and culture. Sam shares her journey from working in consumer goods to joining Electronic Arts (EA) and eventually moving into leadership positions. She emphasizes the importance of culture in creating high-performance teams and highlights the qualities of top talent, including energy, self-belief, and a willingness to say yes to opportunities. Sam also discusses the impact of remote work on relationships and the need to set people up for success.

Takeaways

• The video game industry is known for its friendly and collaborative culture, where networking and building relationships are highly valued.
• Top talent in the industry possesses qualities such as energy, self-belief, and a willingness to say yes to opportunities.
• Creating a positive culture involves fostering a welcoming and inclusive environment, where individuals can bring their whole selves to work.
• Remote work has both advantages and disadvantages, including the loss of deep connections but the gain of increased quantity and global reach of relationships.
• Setting people up for success is crucial in nurturing talent, whether it involves providing training, diverse experiences, or creating a supportive environment.