Best Benjamin Carcich Podcasts (2024)

1
E65: How To Do Game Design During Ideation with Greg Street 42:42

7d ago42:42

42:42

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 Disc…

1
E64: Why Estimation In Game Dev Is So Hard 44:52

22d ago44:52

44:52

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 cove…

1
E63: People, Products, And Playtests: Staying Connected To Your Players (Republish of Episode 1) 1:00:44

1M ago1:00:44

1:00:44

Episode 63: People, Products, Playtests (Republish of E1 of BBG) Welcome to Building Better Games! Due to Ben's recent knee surgery, we're revisiting one of our most popular episodes from season two. In this episode, originally titled "People, Products, Playtests," we dive deep into the importance of maintaining a strong relationship with the games…

1
E62: What Leadership Skills Matter Most in Game Development? 47:54

2M ago47:54

47:54

Are you leveraging the full potential of your leadership role in game development? Or are you stuck in the traditional tech-driven mindset? In this episode of the Building Better Games podcast, hosts Ben and Aaron dissect the common leadership missteps in game development and offer a fresh perspective on what effective leadership really looks like …

1
EP61: How to Get Promoted in Game Dev 48:04

2M ago48:04

48:04

Titles and seniority impact your ability to drive positive change. It’s worth knowing what promotion looks like so you can have the maximum impact possible. In this episode of the Building Better Games podcast, join hosts Ben and Aaron as they delve into strategies for climbing the career ladder in game development. They explore the often overlooke…

1
EP60: Breaking Down GDC 2024 - Upcoming Trends, Triumphs, and Tribulations 44:51

3M ago44:51

44:51

In this episode of the Building Better Games podcast, join hosts Ben and Aaron as they recap GDC 2024, diving deep into the heart of game development, user-generated content (UGC), and the role of AI. Ben and Aaron dissect the changing dynamics of game creation, pondering the sustainability and success of non-lifestyle games amidst a sea of thousan…

1
EP59: Should You Be a Servant Leader in Game Development? 47:16

3M ago47:16

47:16

Is true leadership about wielding power, or is it the art of empowering others? In this episode, Ben and Aaron tackle the often misunderstood concept of servant leadership within the game development arena. They dissect the myths surrounding the philosophy, highlighting the difference between being a mere servant to the team and truly leading by se…

1
EP58 Why Your Favorite Games Are Getting More Expensive to Make 42:16

4M ago42:16

42:16

Why are your favorite games getting more expensive to make? In this episode, Ben and Aaron dive into the escalating dynamics of game development costs and the transformative shift towards user-generated content and indie gaming success. They explore the astronomical budgets of AAA games, touching on examples like GTA 6's rumored $2 billion developm…

1
EP57 Addressing the Real Issues of Today's Games Industry 42:33

4M ago42:33

42:33

In this episode, Ben and Aaron navigate the intricate landscape of leadership within the gaming industry. They tackle the dichotomy between mobile and traditional gaming leadership, the economic shocks shaking the foundation of game studios, and the contentious monetization strategies dividing industry veterans. Delving deeper, the conversation ill…

1
E56 Solving Despair and Burnout in Game Development with Greg Street 46:13

4M ago46:13

46:13

Despair and burnout are commonplace in game development. As leaders, what can we do about that, both to prevent it and solve it when it’s present? In this episode, we're joined by Greg Street, a veteran in the game development industry, currently serving as the Studio Head and Game Director at Fantastic Pixel Castle Greg shares his valuable experie…

1
E55 How to fix the Friction Between Creative Directors & Producers 53:18

5M ago53:18

53:18

In this episode, Ben and Aaron delve into the complex interplay between creative direction and executive production in game development. They explore the challenges and pitfalls of aligning creative vision with operational efficiency, emphasizing the importance of collaboration between different leadership roles. The discussion includes real-world …

1
E54 How to Design for Live Service Games w/ Head of League of Legends Andrei Van Roon 44:02

5M ago44:02

44:02

In this episode, Andrei Van Roon, the Head of League Studio at Riot Games joined Ben and Aaron to discuss the emergence of live service and gameplay in the gaming industry and how it has become the default expectation for players. Andrei shares insights on the importance of regular updates and content expansion to keep players engaged. He emphasize…

1
E53 How Often Should You Release in Game Dev with Josh Thaler 44:24

6M ago44:24

44:24

In this episode, Josh Thaler discusses the mindset and skills required to build successful live service games. He emphasizes the importance of total ownership, where every team member takes responsibility for the features they develop. Josh also highlights the need for empathy and grit in the team, as well as the importance of building a strong tec…

1
E52 How to do User Research in Game Dev with Steve Bromley 44:27

6M ago44:27

44:27

Steve Bromley, a games user research consultant, joins Ben and Aaron to discuss the importance of user research in game development. He emphasizes the need for teams to understand their target players and their needs, and to integrate player insights throughout the development process. He also highlights the value of early playtesting and the benef…

1
E51 How to Spot a Great Product Manager with Paul Gebel 44:04

7M ago44:04

44:04

Paul Gebel, a product leader with over 20 years of experience, joins Aaron and Ben to discuss the importance of product management in game development. They explore the difference between good and bad product managers, the challenges of the role, and the impact a great product manager can have on a team. They also touch on the need for empathy, com…

1
E50 How to Launch a Live Service Game with Serge Knystautas 40:55

7M ago40:55

40:55

Join us in this enlightening episode where Serge Knystautas, a seasoned technologist with extensive experience in the gaming industry, dives into the art of crafting outstanding live services and assembling stellar technology teams. As a leader in game development, Serge brings a wealth of knowledge to the table, discussing the intricate challenges…

1
E49 How to Solve Communication Problems at Your Game Studio 42:55

8M ago42:55

42:55

Communication challenges are a common concern in game development studios, but are they the real root issue? In this episode, Aaron and Ben argue that the crux lies in collaboration and the intended outcomes of communication. It's not just about relaying information; it's about the response and actions it triggers. The hosts caution against an exce…

1
E48 Why Agility in Game Dev Is Failing Your Team 42:12

8M ago42:12

42:12

In this episode, Aaron and Ben address the prevailing frustration and cynicism within the game development industry concerning Agile methodologies. They stress the importance of acknowledging the evolving landscape, characterized by a shift from defined to empirical work methods. To facilitate this transition, they introduce the concept of the Six …

1
E47 The 3 Skills You Need to be a World-Class Game Producer 41:49

9M ago41:49

41:49

In this episode, Aaron and Ben delve into their winning model for exceptional game production, highlighting the skills that define successful production. Their perspective: leadership, influence, and systems building are the pivotal yet often overlooked skills to acquire for the “Game Producer” role. Discover the essence of production, which extend…

1
E46 The 3 Ways Game Producers Fail and How YOU can Avoid Them 43:03

9M ago43:03

43:03

In this episode, Ben and Aaron delve into the critical role of game production and shed light on common misconceptions and pitfalls often encountered by producers. The discussion uncovers three distinct categories of production traps: suboptimizers, unskilled supporters, and the actively dangerous. Ben and Aaron underscore the importance of steerin…

1
E45 How to Become an S-Tier Manager in Games 45:04

10M ago45:04

45:04

Aaron and Ben discuss the challenges of poor management practices in the gaming industry. They explore the lack of transparency, the flawed promotion system, and the need for managers to prioritize their role as people managers. They introduce four principles of being a good boss: growth, integrity, accountability, and advocacy. They emphasize the …

1
E44 How to Build Your Game Better in a Live Service World 40:56

10M ago40:56

40:56

Ben and Aaron discuss the importance of understanding where your game falls on the live service spectrum and how that impacts your development process. They emphasize the need to build live service stewardship into the culture of your teams and train new employees to think about the live service. They also stress the importance of setting clear exp…

1
E43 Why You're Struggling with Collaboration with Jim Benson 43:45

11M ago43:45

43:45

“Most of the failures in any project that I've ever been on have been due to lack of communication, lack of coordination, lack of respect for other people, overemphasis on procedure, as opposed to being able to react elegantly to changes in the situation that you're in.” - Jim Benson This quote is from our guest on today’s episode Jim Benson, who h…

1
E42 Why You Should (And Shouldn't) Use Unreal, Unity, or Something Else for Game Dev with Jean-Eric Khalife 41:26

11M ago41:26

41:26

When it comes to saving money, working efficiently or creating value for players, what should take priority in game dev? No matter what your opinion is, tools are a possible solution to all of these problems. In this episode, we’re joined by Jean-Eric Khalife, product manager at Hypixel Studios, to talk about what happens when tools are overlooked …

1
E41 How a Toxic Relationship Between Publishing and Game Dev is Hurting Us All with Joel McGinnis 40:22

11M ago40:22

40:22

There was an unusually high number of low-quality games released in 2022, and we think we know why. The disconnect between the money and development sides often lead to rushed deadlines and games that don’t live up to their promises, resulting in an oversaturated market and subpar products in competition with each other. That’s why we have Joel McG…

1
E40 How to Make Tough Decisions Fast in Game Dev with Linda Fane 38:14

12M ago38:14

38:14

Is your organization struggling with making decisions, from a lack of consensus or clarity on who the key decision makers are, or something else entirely? The RAPID decision-making framework might be your solution. Joining us on this episode to discuss the RAPID Decision-Making Matrix is Linda Fane, a consultant, coach and organizational expert in …

1
E39 How to Drive Real Change as a Game Producer with Leslee Sullivant 40:49

1y ago40:49

40:49

Having opposing views from your team or struggling to communicate with senior leaders and stakeholders are just a couple of common issues game producers have when trying to make changes to improve the game dev process. That’s why it’s crucial for leaders to understand what it takes to drive change in a positive direction, and to make sure everyone …

1
E38 How AI Can Help You Lead Game Dev with Bill Frischling 38:56

1y ago38:56

38:56

AI is on the tip of everyone’s tongue right now. You’ve probably seen headlines in the news, on social media, maybe even heard conversations in the workplace. So, what’s the big deal with AI, and how does it affect game dev? In this episode of Building Better Games, AI expert Bill Frischling defines AI and what it’s currently capable of doing. He a…

1
E37 How to Stop Cheaters in Video Games with Paul Chamberlain 35:42

1y ago35:42

35:42

What defines cheating in games? Is it exploiting existing bugs, using automation or macro tools? What about installing third-party mods that unlock special features in the game? Building Better Games is joined by game developer and anti-cheat expert, Paul Chamberlain, on this episode to discuss cheating and creating an anti-cheat strategy. Cheating…

1
E36 Work Systems: How to Build Process that Leads to Better Results 41:04

1y ago41:04

41:04

Things like meetings, reports and team structure are in place to help the game dev process go smoother, and create cohesion among team members. But are these work systems actually having a positive effect? If not, you probably have an alignment issue. In this episode, we dive into this topic and offer tips to build a system that inspires autonomy, …

1
E35 How to Create a Reliable Game Roadmap: Managing Uncertainty, Risk, and Team Readiness 40:56

1y ago40:56

40:56

The truth is, most people underestimate how long a task will take. This is especially true in game dev, where new developments and problems are inevitable even with the guidance of a roadmap. During this episode, the hosts of Building Better Games dive into the misuse of roadmaps and 5 key areas leaders should focus on more. We discuss prioritizati…

1
E34 Why You Need to Be Aware That Games Are Big Business (and What Can Go Wrong) with Susan Cummings and Ryan Scott 38:41

1y ago38:41

38:41

“It's cheap to have opinions. It's hard to have informed opinions. It's really, really hard to be an expert who's researched something.” This episode of Building Better Games concludes our two-part series on Web3, wrapping up our conversation with game dev leaders Susan Cummings and Ryan Scott. Along with hosts Ben and Aaron, they highlight the imp…

1
E33 How to be a Master of Web3 Gaming Debates: Susan Cummings & Ryan Scott Share Key Insights 34:40

1y ago34:40

34:40

Web3 is the next generation of the internet, and it’s already having an effect on the gaming industry. There’s a lot of opinions floating around, but one thing the hosts of Building Better Games and today’s guest can agree on is that player value needs to be leading the conversation. Joining Ben and Aaron on the show today to discuss Web3 is Susan …

1
E32 How to Convince The Leaders Above You to Support Your Change 37:54

1+ y ago37:54

37:54

What does it mean to really drive change? How do you effectively bring up problems with leadership? How do you say no when others want too much from you? What do you do when no one cares about the issues you bring up? Get answers to these questions and MORE in today’s episode! In addition, you’ll hear our advice on being an active leader, rather th…

1
E31 How to Keep an Open Mind During Difficult Times with Joseph Kim 40:30

1+ y ago40:30

40:30

Choose any issue, and you'll find people with differing perspectives. This is inevitable but yet, in the gaming industry, having an opinion that's not in line with current workplace trends is condemned. But why can there only be one way to do things? Discussing this topic with us today is Joseph Kim, a longtime gamemaker and leader with a resume th…

1
E30 How to Estimate Accurately Without Burning Trust or Your Team 39:21

1+ y ago39:21

39:21

Game development is defined by creative work, and for leaders, sometimes that means ditching the old framework and coming up with nuanced approaches to common issues. This is especially true when it comes to estimations. During this episode, we’ll answer these key questions on this topic: How do you explain estimation to your team, and give them co…

1
E29 Ideation, Pre-production, and Production: How to Lead During the Different Phases of Game Development 45:13

1+ y ago45:13

45:13

If you’ve listened to episode 21, How not to Lose Your Game Vision on the Altar of “Getting Shit Done,” then you’ve heard us talk about the pressure on teams to rush through the game development process. This is just one problem that arises when game dev leaders try to adopt the system development life cycle method without leaving room for the crea…

1
E28 How to Lead and Collaborate in a Remote World 40:23

1+ y ago40:23

40:23

Remote work has completely transformed the way we work on teams and communicate with each other. Leadership still has many of the same responsibilities, but the way they can successfully accomplish them has changed. During this final part of Building Better Games’s series on remote work, you’ll learn the necessary skills remote work leaders need to…

1
E27 Remote Work Exposed: A Deep Dive into the Pros, Cons, and Controversies 37:31

1+ y ago37:31

37:31

If you’re like the hosts of Building Better Games, then you thought the proliferation of remote work was temporary. The world has moved into a new era post-pandemic, and it looks like remote work is here to stay. During this episode, a few questions about remote work are discussed, including: Is remote work a right, or a privilege that might need t…

1
E26 How to Build Trust as a Leader with Zach Blitz 44:21

1+ y ago44:21

44:21

Does likeability have a lot of value in leadership? How much does setting and enforcing boundaries help you and the organization succeed? What skills are important for leaders to exhibit? Answering all these questions and more is Zach Blitz, a senior director of production at Epic Games and friend of the hosts of Building Better Games. He has exper…

1
E25 How to Build a Games Studio That Delivers the Promise of the "Dream Job" with Josiah Kiehl 43:02

1+ y ago43:02

43:02

“I believe that we will make better games by treating game developers better. Game development should be a dream job, but it's not.” This quote comes from today’s episode with Josiah Kiehl, co-founder and CEO of Sprocket Games. After experiencing his own disappointment with the “myth of the dream job,” he teamed with like-minded creators to found a…

1
E24 How to Get a Job in Game Development 46:02

1+ y ago46:02

46:02

Dreaming of a career in game development? In the gaming industry, relevant skills and real experience delivering outcomes matter more than a college degree. If you’re highly creative and technical, and can work well on a team, you’ll do well in this industry, but keep in mind that working in game dev is not all fun and games. On today’s episode, Bu…

1
E23 How to Handle Layoffs as a Leader with Sophie Vo Part 2: The Breakdown 43:01

1+ y ago43:01

43:01

During Part 1 of our conversation, our leader in game dev shared the tough layoff decision she was unexpectedly forced to make as a leader at her former employer. We learned the basics of what happened and how it impacted her, and now we dive into a deeper discussion of the choice she made in part 2. Building Better Games plays devil’s advocate in …

1
E22 How to Handle Layoffs as a Leader with Sophie Vo Part 1: The Story 41:24

1+ y ago41:24

41:24

If you’ve been on LinkedIn lately, you may have noticed a rise in layoffs. The interesting part about this news is not the fact that more layoffs are happening, but that more people and companies are being open about it. Layoffs have always been common, but where companies go wrong in the process is their lack of transparency, which can result in e…

1
E21 How not to Lose Your Game Vision on the Altar of "Getting Shit Done" 47:51

1+ y ago47:51

47:51

Time and time again, we see game teams struggle with the feeling that they're not moving fast enough. Something isn't right with the game, but they don't have time to think about it because there's “so much work to do.” These kinds of issues arise when we're focused on building stuff, rather than creating compelling experiences that resonate with p…

1
E20 How to Get People on Board with Your Ideas: with Jeff Hackert 44:31

1+ y ago44:31

44:31

Knowing how to communicate and listen effectively is right up there with knowing how to write code, design characters, or compose a musical score. Taking what you have constructed in your mind and being able to materialize it, in whatever form, is like a muscle that can become strengthened over time with enough practice. Today, we're going to show …

1
E19 BBG Extras: Tabletop RPGs vs Video Games with Tyler Kamstra of RPGBOT.net 31:23

2y ago31:23

31:23

Far from losing steam in the digital age, tabletop games are booming thanks to their collaborative and tactile nature. In fact, today’s guest believes that video games can learn a lot from tabletop RPGs – and vice versa! Today, we’re joined by Tyler Kamstra, a software developer by trade who plays a whole lot of Dungeons and Dragons and other table…

1
E18 How to be a AAA Art Director in Game Dev with Tomáš Jech 46:46

2y ago46:46

46:46

The visuals and feel of a video game are a lot more complex than even most artists think. It is imperative that your team is on the same page when it comes to communicating with the player through the game’s visuals, especially during long and complex game development cycles. This is why you should make the art direction clear from the start, then …

1
E17 Should You Create a Video Game Startup? What Founders Need To Know with Joakim Achren 38:58

2y ago38:58

38:58

Every creator of a new video game or founder of a video game startup loves gaming. No one in this industry is unique in that fact. If you’re trying to get VC funding, loving games will not differentiate you from everyone else. Investors are looking for more from founders. To be taken seriously, there has to be something more, something with clear p…

1
E16 How to Staff Up For A Successful Game 47:11

2y ago47:11

47:11

It seems intuitive that adding additional people will increase your speed in making a great game. However, staffing up is more nuanced than that. If you add people to a system where there are underlying operational and/or cultural issues all you’re doing is adding weight to a cart that’s already in the mud. So how do you staff video game developmen…

Podcasts Worth a Listen

Benjamin Carcich Podcasts

Podcasts Worth a Listen

Quick Reference Guide