Building Better Games

Benjamin Carcich
  • 5.0 (11)
  • VIDEO GAMES
  • UPDATED BIWEEKLY

Leadership in game dev is hard. I can't make it easy, but I can make it a heck of a lot better. My name is Benjamin Carcich, and this podcast helps leaders in game dev who feel stuck, ignored, and out of options find their path to success. I've spent the last several decades studying and leading in environments ranging from the U.S. Army through to game development. I want to share what I've learned. Better leadership is a huge opportunity in the games industry. Let's make it better together. Better leaders build better games.

  1. E120: The Hidden Pattern Behind 3 AAA Studio Collapses

    2D AGO

    E120: The Hidden Pattern Behind 3 AAA Studio Collapses

    If you're a leader in game dev who feels stuck, able to spot problems but struggling to make a real difference, there is a path forward that levels up your leadership and accelerates your team, game, and career. Sign up here to learn more: https://forms.gle/nqRTUvgFrtdYuCbr6 What is the hidden pattern behind why world-class AAA studios, with hundreds of millions in budget, suddenly collapse? In the last 12 months, the industry has watched high-profile projects from Mind's Eye, Ashes of Creation, and High Garden lead to layoffs, shutdowns, and lawsuits. While many blame "the market" or "toxic leadership," the reality is often found in five specific failure patterns that haunt studios of every size. In this episode, we strip away the headlines to look at the structural fragility that kills games and provide five essential questions every leader must ask to keep their project grounded in reality. What You Will Learn in This Episode: Why projecting confidence can actually blind you to a project's impending failure How to move past "theater" playtesting and get real signals from players What game visions should do for your organization Why treating launch as the finish line instead of a milestone is a $200 million mistake How to empower your team to prove you wrong before the market does If you're a leader in game dev who's ever protected the plan instead of facing reality, or felt pressure to project certainty when the game wasn't coming together, this episode is for you. Connect with us: 🔗Ben's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/benjamin-carcich/ 🔗BBG's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/building-better-games/ 🔗Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/buildingbettergames/# 🔗Website: https://www.buildingbettergames.gg 🔗YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCZpMT-dUwQR-R4Mb4uub6Sw If you want me to help producers or studios build better games through effective systems and leadership, you can reach me at: info@valarinconsulting.com #GameDevLeadership #AAAGaming #GameIndustry #StudioManagement #BuildingBetterGames

    42 min
  2. E119: 7 Questions That Expose What You've Missed

    MAR 3

    E119: 7 Questions That Expose What You've Missed

    If you're a leader in game dev who feels stuck, able to spot problems but struggling to make a real difference, there is a path forward that levels up your leadership and accelerates your team, game, and career. Sign up here to learn more: https://forms.gle/nqRTUvgFrtdYuCbr6 If your day is nothing but back-to-back meetings, you might be busy, but are you really helping your team and game succeed. Senior leaders often grind 10–12 hour days yet still miss the most critical questions, such as: Are we building the right thing? What is the biggest risk we face? In this episode, Ben breaks down why we treat thinking as a luxury we can't afford, and why that's exactly what's causing misalignment and waste in your studio. What you'll learn from this episode: Why "fast thinking" habits are dangerous in a constantly evolving environment like game dev. The difference between "scraps of thinking" and structured, effortful "slow thinking". Three practical ways to build thinking back into your week. A 60-minute challenge to help you think about what matters instead of rushing into another one on one If you're a senior leader buried in meetings, stuck in reaction mode, and worried your team is moving fast in the wrong direction, this episode is for you. Connect with us: 🔗Ben's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/benjamin-carcich/ 🔗BBG's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/building-better-games/ 🔗Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/buildingbettergames/# 🔗Website: https://www.buildingbettergames.gg 🔗YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCZpMT-dUwQR-R4Mb4uub6Sw If you want me to help producers or studios build better games through effective systems and leadership, you can reach me at: info@valarinconsulting.com #GameDevLeadership #GameProduction #StudioManagement #ThinkingFastAndSlow #BuildingBetterGames

    21 min
  3. E118: The Truth About "Culture Fit" in Game Dev

    FEB 24

    E118: The Truth About "Culture Fit" in Game Dev

    If you're a leader in game dev who feels stuck, able to spot problems but struggling to make a real difference, there is a path forward that levels up your leadership and accelerates your team, game, and career. Sign up here to learn more: https://forms.gle/nqRTUvgFrtdYuCbr6 Is your "culture fit" interview actually just a trap for hiring clones? We tackle the paradox of culture in game development. While many studios are abandoning "culture fit" to avoid echo chambers and bias, ignoring it entirely can lead to toxic hires that destroy trust and decision-making. Ben breaks down the two distinct types of culture—Taste vs. Operating System—so you can hire for high-stakes collaboration without sacrificing diversity of thought. In this episode, you'll learn: Why hiring "clones" feels good short-term, but creates blind spots that stall real problem-solving How to separate Taste Culture (optional vibes) from Operating System Culture (non-negotiables that ship work) How different decision-making and feedback models work, and how to choose the right one for your studio If you're a lead or founder torn between team diversity and everyone "just getting it," this episode gives you a clear framework to balance both—protecting your team's operating system without creating an echo chamber. Connect with us:  🔗Ben's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/benjamin-carcich/  🔗BBG's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/building-better-games/  🔗Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/buildingbettergames/#  🔗Website: https://www.buildingbettergames.gg  🔗YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCZpMT-dUwQR-R4Mb4uub6Sw If you want me to help producers or studios build better games through effective systems and leadership, you can reach me at: info@valarinconsulting.com #GameDevLeadership #StudioCulture #GameIndustryHiring #TeamBuilding #BuildingBetterGames

    38 min
  4. E117: The Real Reason Estimates Fail In Game Dev

    FEB 17

    E117: The Real Reason Estimates Fail In Game Dev

    If you're a leader in game dev who feels stuck, able to spot problems but struggling to make a real difference, there is a path forward that levels up your leadership and accelerates your team, game, and career. Sign up here to learn more: https://forms.gle/nqRTUvgFrtdYuCbr6 Stop treating your game dev estimates like a prophecy; you aren't a prophet. If your estimates keep failing, it's not because your team is bad at math; it's because you're using estimation as a fortune-telling machine instead of a decision-making tool. In this episode, Ben breaks down why "perfect" plans are a trap in the high-uncertainty world of game dev. He introduces a four-level framework—from "Priorities First" to "Relative Sizing"—to help you gain predictability, set external expectations, and find shared understanding across disciplines without killing your team's soul in meetings. What you'll learn in this episode: Why estimation isn't really about being accurate — and why predictability and velocity are only part of the picture. Why estimating work without clear priorities can actually slow teams down and lead to worse decisions How simple throughput tracking can outperform detailed estimates for forecasting — with less friction from the team When fast "blink" estimates are more useful than detailed sizing, and how they help Design, QA, and Engineering spot risk early Why the Fibonacci sequence exists in estimation — and how to avoid wasting time debating tiny differences that don't matter How to recognize when estimation isn't worth the cost, and when time-boxing is the smarter move If you're a producer or lead tired of watching your team polish a "beautiful plan" while the actual game feels like it's missing the mark, this episode is for you. Connect with us: 🔗Ben's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/benjamin-carcich/ 🔗BBG's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/building-better-games/ 🔗Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/buildingbettergames/# 🔗Website: https://www.buildingbettergames.gg  🔗YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCZpMT-dUwQR-R4Mb4uub6Sw If you want me to help producers or studios build better games through effective systems and leadership, you can reach me at: info@valarinconsulting.com #GameDev #GameProduction #ProjectManagement #BuildingBetterGames #AgileDevelopment

    31 min
  5. E116: The Real Reason Your Game Isn't Fun (It's Not Effort)

    FEB 10

    E116: The Real Reason Your Game Isn't Fun (It's Not Effort)

    If you're a leader in game dev who feels stuck, able to spot problems but struggling to make a real difference, there is a path forward that levels up your leadership and accelerates your team, game, and career. Sign up here to learn more: https://forms.gle/nqRTUvgFrtdYuCbr6 If your team keeps promising that the game will be "fun later," you aren't suffering from a lack of effort—you're suffering from a lack of prioritization. Shipping a mountain of features means nothing if you haven't validated the experience with real players. In this episode, we break down why hiding behind a massive backlog or a 100-page GDD is a "red flag" that allows teams to avoid reality for months, or even years. We explore the transition from "plan-based task work" to true "knowledge work," where the goal isn't just to finish a list, but to discover what actually makes your game great. In this episode, you'll learn: Why waiting for a "magical moment" is the fastest way to ship nothing How the L-V-N Framework (Learning, Value, Neither) helps you cut dead tasks fast Which game loops matter right now—and how to prioritize proof over polish How to balance learning in pre-production with delivering value later on Why a clear game vision is the best defense against team failure If you're a leader in game dev struggling with prioritization and watching your team build features that don't "click," this episode is for you. Connect with us: 🔗Ben's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/benjamin-carcich/ 🔗BBG's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/building-better-games/ 🔗Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/buildingbettergames/#  🔗Website: https://www.buildingbettergames.gg 🔗YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCZpMT-dUwQR-R4Mb4uub6Sw If you want me to help producers or studios build better games through effective systems and leadership, you can reach me at: info@valarinconsulting.com #GameDev #GameDesign #BuildingBetterGames #IndieDev #ProjectManagement

    30 min
  6. E115: The Culture Mistake Killing Game Development Teams - 4 Leadership Lessons

    FEB 3

    E115: The Culture Mistake Killing Game Development Teams - 4 Leadership Lessons

    If you're a leader in game dev who feels stuck, able to spot problems but struggling to make a real difference, there is a path forward that levels up your leadership and accelerates your team, game, and career. Sign up here to learn more: https://forms.gle/nqRTUvgFrtdYuCbr6 The game industry is undergoing a massive shift. Between the rise of "black hole games" that consume all player attention and the skyrocketing costs of AAA development, the old playbooks for leadership are breaking. In this episode, Ben is joined by Andrew Brownell, a veteran Game Director at Netflix Games. Andrew brings over 20 years of experience from industry titans like Blizzard (Warcraft III) and Riot Games (League of Legends). Together, they unpack why the "unicorn" development model is failing and why the next generation of leaders must master a new set of "soft" skills to build resilient, high-performing teams in a bleak market. What you'll learn in this episode: What Aggressive Gratitude really is and how to use it to build trust How to lead confidently when the direction isn't clear Why conflict can create clarity when handled one-on-one Why character often matters more than skill when hiring If you're a game dev leader trying to level up performance without burning people out, this episode is for you. Learn More About Our Guest: 🔗 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ahbrownell/ 🔗 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ahbrownell/ 🔗 Twitter: https://x.com/ahbrownell 🔗 ContactOut: https://contactout.com/Andrew-Brownell-3180561 🔗 Netflix LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/netflix/ 🔗 Netflix Games YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@NetflixGames Connect with us: 🔗Ben's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/benjamin-carcich/ 🔗BBG's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/building-better-games/ 🔗Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/buildingbettergames/# 🔗Website: https://www.buildingbettergames.gg  🔗YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCZpMT-dUwQR-R4Mb4uub6Sw If you want me to help producers or studios build better games through effective systems and leadership, you can reach me at: info@valarinconsulting.com #GameDev #Leadership #GameProduction #GameIndustry2026 #BuildingBetterGames

    55 min
  7. E114: What Employees Actually Hear When You Say "Raising Expectations"

    JAN 27

    E114: What Employees Actually Hear When You Say "Raising Expectations"

    If you're a leader in game dev who feels stuck, able to spot problems but struggling to make a real difference, there is a path forward that levels up your leadership and accelerates your team, game, and career. Sign up here to learn more: https://forms.gle/nqRTUvgFrtdYuCbr6 When leaders say they're "raising expectations," teams often hear one thing: work more. That gap between intent and impact is why so many game dev organizations feel terrible to work at—and why "raise the bar" messages often land as threat, not motivation. In this solo episode, Ben unpacks the tragedy of perspective between senior leaders who believe they're inspiring change and developers who feel cynical, burned out, or unheard. He explains why experienced seniors are the first to push back on buzzwords, how leadership unintentionally passes pressure downward, and what it actually takes to challenge a team without breaking trust. In this episode, you'll learn: How to earn the right to challenge your organization What teams really hear when leaders use vague language like "excellence" Why people matter more than tools, systems, or AI when trust is on the line How to sanity-check your messaging If you're a game dev leader trying to level up performance without burning people out, this episode is for you. Connect with us:  🔗Ben's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/benjamin-carcich/  🔗BBG's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/building-better-games/  🔗Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/buildingbettergames/#  🔗Website: https://www.buildingbettergames.gg  🔗YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCZpMT-dUwQR-R4Mb4uub6Sw If you want me to help producers or studios build better games through effective systems and leadership, you can reach me at: info@valarinconsulting.com #GameDevLeadership #StudioCulture #BuildingBetterGames #GameIndustry #WorkplaceTrust

    24 min
  8. E113: Why More Meetings Won't Fix Your Game Team

    JAN 22

    E113: Why More Meetings Won't Fix Your Game Team

    If you're a leader in game dev who feels stuck, able to spot problems but struggling to make a real difference, there is a path forward that levels up your leadership and accelerates your team, game, and career. Sign up here to learn more: https://forms.gle/nqRTUvgFrtdYuCbr6 Stop adding meetings to fix your game. In this episode, Ben Carcich sits down with Glenn Paul Gray, Production Director at PeopleFun, to dismantle the "more syncs = more alignment" myth. They explore how piling on well-attended meetings often creates overhead rather than clarity and why your work system must adapt to the specific stage of development your team is actually in. Glenn Paul brings a unique "hardware-to-software" perspective to game production. Starting his career in the Silicon Valley semiconductor industry, he transitioned into gaming in 2017, holding pivotal roles at Wargaming, Wooga, and AppLovin before joining PeopleFun. His background in complex systems engineering informs his pragmatic approach to "de-risking" games through aggressive prototyping and early-funnel testing. What You'll Learn in this Episode: How to treat meetings as a "cost to align" What it means to shift from a discipline-centric matrix to a high-agency, general manager-led team structure Why testing for D1 retention can be inefficient for weeding out bad ideas How to build a "startup within a studio" environment Why your work system (from spreadsheets to Jira) must "mode shift" as your project moves from R&D to production Learn more about Glenn & his company: 🔗 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/glennpaulgray/ 🔗 PeopleFun Website: https://www.peoplefun.com/ 🔗 PeopleFun Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/peoplefungames/?hl=en Connect with us: 🔗Ben's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/benjamin-carcich/ 🔗BBG's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/building-better-games/ 🔗Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/buildingbettergames/# 🔗Website: https://www.buildingbettergames.gg 🔗YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCZpMT-dUwQR-R4Mb4uub6Sw If you want me to help producers or studios build better games through effective systems and leadership, you can reach me at: info@valarinconsulting.com #GameDev #MobileGaming #GameProduction #BuildingBetterGames #GameLeadership

    46 min
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5
out of 5
11 Ratings

About

Leadership in game dev is hard. I can't make it easy, but I can make it a heck of a lot better. My name is Benjamin Carcich, and this podcast helps leaders in game dev who feel stuck, ignored, and out of options find their path to success. I've spent the last several decades studying and leading in environments ranging from the U.S. Army through to game development. I want to share what I've learned. Better leadership is a huge opportunity in the games industry. Let's make it better together. Better leaders build better games.

Information

  • Creator
    Benjamin Carcich
  • Years Active
    2021 - 2026
  • Episodes
    140
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    Building Better Games ©2024
  • Show Website
    Building Better Games

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