#71 - Chris Bain: Why Making Great Games Is Only Half the Job

How do you build a great game company, not just a great game?

Today, I'm joined by a former Xbox executive and Player One Consulting CEO, Chris Bain, who shares lessons from working with 100+ game studios, major publishers, and Microsoft.

We discuss game pricing, localization, publishing deals, funding, studio growth, leadership, vision, and why so many developers focus on making games but overlook building sustainable businesses.

If you're an indie developer, studio founder, publisher, or anyone interested in the business of games, this conversation offers practical insights on turning creative projects into long-term, successful companies.

Connect with Chris:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chbain/
Website: https://www.playeroneconsulting.com/

Connect with Harry:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hphokou/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@hphokou
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hphokou/

Join our industry events: https://hivemind.world/

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Chapters:
00:00 Intro
02:11 From scientist to consultant to Xbox strategist
08:08 Inside the Xbox vs PlayStation console wars
11:45 How game pricing really works
15:30 Cost control and budgeting for game studios
18:17 Finding your game's unique selling point (USP)
19:54 Market research and understanding player demand
21:35 Localization and reaching global audiences
27:31 Building games for specific audiences
28:33 Common mistakes indie studios make
31:09 Why every studio needs a clear vision
36:32 The danger of loving development more than business
38:49 Making games investable and commercially viable
41:23 Funding options, investors, and publisher relationships
43:23 What publishers actually do today
46:17 Choosing the right publisher for your game
48:24 Lessons learned from coaching hundreds of studios
52:28 Why the games industry became much harder after 2022
54:40 Opportunities in VR and emerging markets
1:00:02 Studio growth, leadership, and scaling challenges
1:10:11 Building sustainable companies in a changing industry
1:15:40 Game IP, transmedia opportunities, and future growth