Welcome to another episode of "Building Better Games." In this episode, Ben sits down with Patric Palm, CEO and founder of Favro, to delve into the intricacies of game development and how modern tools and practices can revolutionize the process. Patric shares his vast experience and provides insights on improving game production, enhancing collaboration, and achieving excellence in live operations.

Key Discussion Points:

• Transitioning from Startup to Scaling in Game Development
  - Avoiding the pitfalls of premature scaling and maintaining innovation.
  - Implementing lightweight processes early to support growth.

• Effective Live Operations Management
  - Importance of short feedback loops and cross-functional team collaboration.
  - Utilizing modern tools like Favro for streamlined operations and continuous improvement.

• Collaborative Estimation Practices
  - Benefits of involving the entire team in the estimation process.
  - Using throughput metrics to drive accuracy and capacity planning.

• Empowering Teams with the Right Tools
  - Ensuring tools support rather than hinder team autonomy and collaboration.
  - Moving away from micromanagement to a more trust-based approach.

• The Role of Community and Knowledge Sharing
  - Leveraging community-driven insights to optimize workflows and practices.
  - Favro’s initiatives to build a supportive game development community.

For more info about Favro and the “Learn from Leaders” podcast, including a section showing examples of how to use the tools effectively, check out the Learn from Leaders Podcast: https://www.favro.com/learnfromleaders

For more info about Favro, go to http://www.favro.com

And to learn more about Patric, check out his LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/today/author/patricpalm

Thanks for listening!

Our discord community is live! Join here to engage with leaders and producers in game dev looking to make our industry a better place that makes better games: https://discord.gg/ySCPS5aMcQ

If you’re interested in an online course on becoming a better game producer, head here: https://www.buildingbettergames.gg/succeeding-in-game-production

Subscribe to our newsletter for more game development tips and resources: https://www.buildingbettergames.gg/newsletter

Ben's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/benjamin-carcich/

YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@buildingbettergames

In this episode of "Building Better Games," Benjamin Carcich and Greg Street, also known as Ghostcrawler, delve into the intricacies of game design during the ideation phase. Greg shares his extensive experience from his time working on League of Legends, World of Warcraft, Age of Empires, and his current venture at Fantastic Pixel Castle.

Key Discussion Points:

• Early Stages of Game Development:
  • How to initiate a new game project and the unique challenges that come with it.
  • Differentiating game design during the ideation phase compared to later stages.
• State of the Gaming Industry:
  • The current landscape of the gaming industry, including the impact of layoffs and economic shifts.
  • Greg's perspective on the future of the industry and the potential for recovery.
• Innovations in Game Design:
  • The importance of focusing on specific areas for innovation while adhering to established industry standards in others.
  • Examples of innovative design elements planned for Greg's current project, "Ghost."
• Social Dynamics of MMOs:
  • The unique social fabric of MMOs and the challenges of designing for player interaction and community building.
  • Strategies to enhance social interaction and make it easier for players to play together.
• Player Feedback and Iteration:
  • The value of incorporating player feedback early in the development process.
  • Balancing the creative vision with player expectations and feedback.
• Leadership and Team Dynamics:
  • The role of leadership in guiding a team through the early stages of development.
  • Building a collaborative and productive team environment.
• Estimation and Planning:
  • The importance of estimation in managing early game development tasks.
  • Balancing estimation with the flexibility needed for creative exploration.
• Defining Vision and Audience:
  • The significance of having a clear vision and understanding the target audience.
  • Strategies for identifying and catering to the intended player base.
• Challenges and Risks:
  • Identifying and managing risks in the early stages of game development.
  • Strategies for mitigating potential issues and ensuring project stability.

Greg also shares personal anecdotes and insights from his career, emphasizing the importance of flexibility, adaptability, and maintaining a clear vision throughout the game development process. This episode provides valuable guidance for aspiring game developers and offers a deep dive into the complexities of game design in the ideation phase.

Our discord community is live! Join here to engage with leaders and producers in game dev looking to make our industry a better place that makes better games:

https://discord.gg/ySCPS5aMcQ

And if you're interested in more of our content, links below.

"Succeeding in Game Production: What You Aren't Taught" online course for game producers: https://www.buildingbettergames.gg/succeeding-in-game-production

Newsletter: https://www.buildingbettergames.gg/newsletter

Ben's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/benjamin-carcich/

Greg's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/greg-street-b356447/

Greg’s Website: https://fantasticpixelcastle.com/

Greg’s Twitter: https://x.com/Ghostcrawler

YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@buildingbettergames

In this episode of "Building Better Games," hosts Benjamin Carcich and Aaron Smith dive into the complex and often frustrating topic of estimation and planning in game development. They address the challenges, misconceptions, and emotional reactions surrounding estimation, drawing on their extensive experience in the industry. The episode also covers current trends in game development, including the ongoing issue of layoffs and economic pressures affecting studios.

1. Challenges of Estimation:

   • Estimation is a universal pain point in game development, often leading to frustration and cynicism.
   • The misconception that precise estimates can accurately predict future outcomes is widespread and problematic.

2. The Importance of Flexibility:

   • Effective estimation requires flexibility in scope, time, resources, and priorities.
   • Establishing clear levers that can be pulled to adjust plans as needed is crucial for successful project management.

3. Relative Estimation and Calibration:

   • Estimations should focus on accuracy rather than precision, using confidence intervals to provide a more realistic view of project timelines.
   • Techniques like throughput and relative estimation help teams make faster and more reliable predictions.

4. Prioritization and Learning:

   • Estimations are valuable for prioritizing tasks and understanding the relative importance of different features.
   • Tracking past performance and learning from previous estimates can improve future predictions and planning.

5. Balancing Creativity and Control:

   • Overly rigid plans can stifle creativity and lead to subpar games.
   • Creating systems that allow developers to exercise their judgment and creativity is essential for producing high-quality games.

6. Trust and Communication:

   • Building trust between managers and teams is vital for effective estimation and planning.
   • Clear communication about the realities of project timelines and the inherent uncertainties in game development is necessary.

7. Tools and Techniques:

   • Various estimation techniques, including ideal days, story points, and throughput, offer different benefits and can be tailored to specific project needs.
   • The hosts emphasize the importance of choosing the right method for the context and being willing to adapt as new information emerges.

By addressing these points, Ben and Aaron provide valuable insights into how to navigate the complexities of estimation and planning in game development, ultimately helping studios ship better games with less stress and frustration.

Our discord community is live! Join here to engage with leaders and producers in game dev looking to make our industry a better place that makes better games: https://discord.gg/ySCPS5aMcQ

And if you're interested in more of our content, links below.

"Succeeding in Game Production: What You Aren't Taught" online course for game producers: https://www.buildingbettergames.gg/succeeding-in-game-production

Newsletter: https://www.buildingbettergames.gg/newsletter

Ben's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/benjamin-carcich/

Aaron's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/doublearon00/

YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@buildingbettergames