In this episode of The Talent Game Podcast, I chat with Amir Satvat, Business Development Director at Tencent Games and founder of a thriving community that has supported over 3,000 individuals in finding roles in the gaming industry. Amir shares his late-blooming journey into gaming at the age of 38, the transformative power of networking, and the critical role of empathy in both personal and professional interactions. We dive into his creation of a comprehensive job resource, fueled by community feedback and data analytics, that is shaping how job seekers navigate the hyper-competitive gaming job market. Amir also provides insights into the future of gaming talent hubs and the importance of building long-term, meaningful relationships in this dynamic industry.

Takeaways

• Community-Driven Success: Amir’s community has helped thousands of job seekers by combining empathy, data analytics, and collective insights to navigate career challenges in the gaming industry.
• Networking is Key: Building authentic, long-term relationships—not transactional ones—is vital for job seekers to succeed in the gaming world.
• The Power of Empathy: Empathy during interviews and interactions reveals deeper candidate values and fosters more meaningful professional relationships.
• Adaptability in a Competitive Market: The gaming job market is tough, especially for entry-level positions, but diversifying applications and leveraging data can improve outcomes.
• Global Talent Trends: Emerging markets are shifting the geographic landscape of gaming talent hubs, opening new opportunities worldwide.

In this episode of The Talent Game Podcast, I speak to Andy Ross, an experienced recruiter with over 13 years in the tech and gaming industries. Andy discusses his career journey, from working with tech startups to transitioning to leading a headhunting firm in the rapidly growing video games sector. The conversation dives into the nuances of hiring in tech versus games, the evolving traits of top talent, and the industry's future, highlighting trends like web gaming, AI, and the democratization of game development tools. Andy also shares his perspectives on fostering creativity, collaboration, and adapting to the changing landscape of recruitment and technology in gaming.

Key Takeaways

• Top talent values empowerment, ownership, and autonomy, with hiring practices differing significantly between tech startups and game studios.
• The games industry is shifting from a historically secretive culture towards greater collaboration and accessibility.
• Trends like web gaming, AI, and cloud technology are reshaping the future of gaming and game development.
• Andy focuses on strategic recruitment and advisory roles, using open-ended questions to uncover candidates’ career stories.

In this episode of The Talent Game, we hear from Emma Gomersall, Lead Talent Partner at Multiplayer Group (MPG) and member of their Diversity, Inclusion & Belonging Committee. Together, we explore practical steps companies can take to foster a diverse and inclusive culture in gaming, emphasising how even small actions can make a significant impact. Emma shares examples of both cost-effective and budgeted initiatives that help drive inclusion, like using gender decoders in job descriptions and establishing employee resource groups. The conversation underscores how MPG’s approach to diversity not only cultivates a more equitable environment but also supports higher productivity and profitability.

Takeaways

• Building a culture of diversity, inclusion, and belonging is essential in the gaming industry to drive innovation, creativity, and employee well-being.
• Simple and affordable initiatives, such as applying gender decoders in job descriptions and forming employee resource groups, can promote inclusivity.
• Data indicates that gaming companies with gender-diverse leadership are 21% more likely to see improved profitability and productivity compared to less diverse competitors.
• An inclusive culture significantly boosts employee retention, satisfaction, and productivity, ultimately benefiting the company’s financial performance.
• Diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging are increasingly valued by candidates, with 76% of job seekers prioritizing these factors when evaluating job offers.

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 of The Talent Game, Erla Gunnhildardóttir shares her inspiring journey into the gaming industry, starting with her love for board games and leading to her role at CCP Games. She opens up about her experience with layoffs at CCP, providing valuable insights into navigating financial planning and the emotional challenges during such times. Erla praises the leadership at CCP for their empathy, professionalism, and focus on maintaining a positive workplace culture despite difficult decisions.

The conversation dives deep into the importance of company culture, with Erla emphasizing the role of leadership in shaping it through clear communication and setting behavioral expectations. She highlights the power of trust, psychological safety, and coaching in building high-performing teams. Erla also discusses how finance teams can play a strategic role beyond traditional back-office functions by fostering collaboration across departments.

Toward the end of the episode, Erla reveals her favourite interview question, which provides insight into how candidates discuss their current or past employers, offering a glimpse into their attitudes and values.

Key Takeaways

• Finance teams should be integrated into broader company functions, fostering collaboration rather than being siloed as a back-office role.
• Empathy and care are essential when navigating difficult situations, such as layoffs, to maintain a positive workplace culture.
• Effective leadership shapes workplace culture through clear values, communication, and behavioral expectations, fostering resilience in challenging times.
• Building high-performing teams requires trust, psychological safety, and coaching to enable team members to bring their whole selves to work.
• How candidates discuss their current or past employers during interviews reveals key insights into their mindset and attitudes.

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.