Why Western Game Dev Is Breaking — What Leaders Do Next Building Better Games 2026-09-20 | Why Western Game Dev Is Breaking — What Leaders Do Next
Finding Amazing Game Directors: Dont Underestimate Talent! Building Better Games 2026-04-13 | Is your corporate strategy killing your "Golden Goose"? We’re breaking down Jeff Kaplan’s candid interview on the moment the "adults" entered the room and derailed Overwatch. From "miscommunication by PowerPoint" to a CFO leveraging 1,000 jobs against a revenue target, learn why efficiency-focused orgs often forget the player.Watch the full breakdown on our channel and subscribe to help build better games.#GameDevLeadership #Overwatch2 #JeffKaplan #GamingIndustry #CreativeAutonomy #BuildingBetterGames
Efficiency vs. Effectiveness: The Money Lens Trap Building Better Games 2026-04-13 | Is your corporate strategy killing your "Golden Goose"? We’re breaking down Jeff Kaplan’s candid interview on the moment the "adults" entered the room and derailed Overwatch. From "miscommunication by PowerPoint" to a CFO leveraging 1,000 jobs against a revenue target, learn why efficiency-focused orgs often forget the player.Watch the full breakdown on our channel and subscribe to help build better games.#GameDevLeadership #Overwatch2 #JeffKaplan #GamingIndustry #CreativeAutonomy #BuildingBetterGames
Invest to Earn: Game Flops vs. Wins Explained Building Better Games 2026-04-13 | Can "Middling Success" save a studio with a $200M+ burn rate? Marathon is out, and while it isn't a failure, the corporate math is terrifying. We’re breaking down the "Good Enough" trap and why running a 1,000-person studio means even a solid launch can put your autonomy at risk. Watch the full breakdown on our channel and subscribe to help build better games.#Bungie #MarathonGame #GameDevLeadership #ExtractionShooter #GameIndustry #BuildingBetterGames
Overwatch 2: PVE Plans & PVP Balance Challenges Building Better Games 2026-04-12 | Is your corporate strategy killing your "Golden Goose"? We’re breaking down Jeff Kaplan’s candid interview on the moment the "adults" entered the room and derailed Overwatch. From "miscommunication by PowerPoint" to a CFO leveraging 1,000 jobs against a revenue target, learn why efficiency-focused orgs often forget the player.Watch the full breakdown on our channel and subscribe to help build better games.#GameDevLeadership #Overwatch2 #JeffKaplan #GamingIndustry #CreativeAutonomy #BuildingBetterGames
Live Game Support Honored: Contract & Player Instincts Building Better Games 2026-04-12 | Is your corporate strategy killing your "Golden Goose"? We’re breaking down Jeff Kaplan’s candid interview on the moment the "adults" entered the room and derailed Overwatch. From "miscommunication by PowerPoint" to a CFO leveraging 1,000 jobs against a revenue target, learn why efficiency-focused orgs often forget the player.Watch the full breakdown on our channel and subscribe to help build better games.#GameDevLeadership #Overwatch2 #JeffKaplan #GamingIndustry #CreativeAutonomy #BuildingBetterGames
Marathon Game Dev: Pivoting to Success After Playtesting Building Better Games 2026-04-12 | Can "Middling Success" save a studio with a $200M+ burn rate? Marathon is out, and while it isn't a failure, the corporate math is terrifying. We’re breaking down the "Good Enough" trap and why running a 1,000-person studio means even a solid launch can put your autonomy at risk. Watch the full breakdown on our channel and subscribe to help build better games.#Bungie #MarathonGame #GameDevLeadership #ExtractionShooter #GameIndustry #BuildingBetterGames
Efficiency Trap: How Over-Focusing Kills Effectiveness Building Better Games 2026-04-11 | Is your corporate strategy killing your "Golden Goose"? We’re breaking down Jeff Kaplan’s candid interview on the moment the "adults" entered the room and derailed Overwatch. From "miscommunication by PowerPoint" to a CFO leveraging 1,000 jobs against a revenue target, learn why efficiency-focused orgs often forget the player.Watch the full breakdown on our channel and subscribe to help build better games.#GameDevLeadership #Overwatch2 #JeffKaplan #GamingIndustry #CreativeAutonomy #BuildingBetterGames
Overwatch League: Losing Money to Build Value Building Better Games 2026-04-11 | Is your corporate strategy killing your "Golden Goose"? We’re breaking down Jeff Kaplan’s candid interview on the moment the "adults" entered the room and derailed Overwatch. From "miscommunication by PowerPoint" to a CFO leveraging 1,000 jobs against a revenue target, learn why efficiency-focused orgs often forget the player.Watch the full breakdown on our channel and subscribe to help build better games.#GameDevLeadership #Overwatch2 #JeffKaplan #GamingIndustry #CreativeAutonomy #BuildingBetterGames
Targeting Global Audiences: Selling Games Everywhere Building Better Games 2026-04-11 | Can "Middling Success" save a studio with a $200M+ burn rate? Marathon is out, and while it isn't a failure, the corporate math is terrifying. We’re breaking down the "Good Enough" trap and why running a 1,000-person studio means even a solid launch can put your autonomy at risk. Watch the full breakdown on our channel and subscribe to help build better games.#Bungie #MarathonGame #GameDevLeadership #ExtractionShooter #GameIndustry #BuildingBetterGames
Making Games Players LOVE: The Secret to True Success Building Better Games 2026-04-10 | Is your corporate strategy killing your "Golden Goose"? We’re breaking down Jeff Kaplan’s candid interview on the moment the "adults" entered the room and derailed Overwatch. From "miscommunication by PowerPoint" to a CFO leveraging 1,000 jobs against a revenue target, learn why efficiency-focused orgs often forget the player.Watch the full breakdown on our channel and subscribe to help build better games.#GameDevLeadership #Overwatch2 #JeffKaplan #GamingIndustry #CreativeAutonomy #BuildingBetterGames
Game Value Destroyed: Layoff Blame & CFOs Dilemma Building Better Games 2026-04-10 | Is your corporate strategy killing your "Golden Goose"? We’re breaking down Jeff Kaplan’s candid interview on the moment the "adults" entered the room and derailed Overwatch. From "miscommunication by PowerPoint" to a CFO leveraging 1,000 jobs against a revenue target, learn why efficiency-focused orgs often forget the player.Watch the full breakdown on our channel and subscribe to help build better games.#GameDevLeadership #Overwatch2 #JeffKaplan #GamingIndustry #CreativeAutonomy #BuildingBetterGames
Game Value: Why The Game Team Matters More Building Better Games 2026-04-10 | Can "Very Positive" reviews save a $250M game? Marathon is out, and the players love it—but the corporate math is terrifying. We’re breaking down the "efficiency vs. effectiveness" trap and why even a solid launch can be a "huge disappointment" for a studio as big as Bungie. Watch the full breakdown on our channel and subscribe to help build better games.#Bungie #MarathonGame #GameDevLeadership #ExtractionShooter #GameIndustryAnalysis #BuildingBetterGames
Esports: The Monetary Opportunity Trap for Games Building Better Games 2026-04-09 | Is your corporate strategy killing your "Golden Goose"? We’re breaking down Jeff Kaplan’s candid interview on the moment the "adults" entered the room and derailed Overwatch. From "miscommunication by PowerPoint" to a CFO leveraging 1,000 jobs against a revenue target, learn why efficiency-focused orgs often forget the player.Watch the full breakdown on our channel and subscribe to help build better games.#GameDevLeadership #Overwatch2 #JeffKaplan #GamingIndustry #CreativeAutonomy #BuildingBetterGames
Effectiveness vs. Efficiency: Mastering Player Experience Building Better Games 2026-04-09 | Is your corporate strategy killing your "Golden Goose"? We’re breaking down Jeff Kaplan’s candid interview on the moment the "adults" entered the room and derailed Overwatch. From "miscommunication by PowerPoint" to a CFO leveraging 1,000 jobs against a revenue target, learn why efficiency-focused orgs often forget the player.Watch the full breakdown on our channel and subscribe to help build better games.#GameDevLeadership #Overwatch2 #JeffKaplan #GamingIndustry #CreativeAutonomy #BuildingBetterGames
Game Success: Player Metrics & Company Investment Building Better Games 2026-04-09 | Can "Very Positive" reviews save a $250M game? Marathon is out, and the players love it—but the corporate math is terrifying. We’re breaking down the "efficiency vs. effectiveness" trap and why even a solid launch can be a "huge disappointment" for a studio as big as Bungie. Watch the full breakdown on our channel and subscribe to help build better games.#Bungie #MarathonGame #GameDevLeadership #ExtractionShooter #GameIndustryAnalysis #BuildingBetterGames
7 Leadership Mistakes That Wreck Games Building Better Games 2026-04-08 | 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/nqRTUvgFrtdYuCbr6Is your studio’s leadership a minor annoyance or a total project-killer? In this episode, we’re diving deep into a 2025 GameDeveloper.com article that identifies the seven sins of poor leadership. We’re putting these traits—and specific real-world examples—through the BBG Tier List treatment. We’re ranking everything from "ear flick" frustrations to "apocalyptic" failures to see what actually wrecks a game and what teams can (barely) survive.Link to the article: gamedeveloper.com/production/how-poor-leadership-slows-down-game-developmentWhat You’ll Learn In This Episode:• Why even the most talented dev teams can’t out-create a poor leader• How "swoop and poop" feedback and vague decision-making burn through your runway and destroy morale• What specific behaviors—like retaliating against truth-tellers—create a toxic culture that ensures long-term failureIf you’re a game dev leader or producer trying to level up your team’s performance, this episode is for you.Connect with us: 🔗Ben’s LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/benjamin-carcich 🔗BBG’s LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/building-better-games 🔗Instagram: instagram.com/buildingbettergames/# 🔗Website: buildingbettergames.gg 🔗YouTube: youtube.com/channel/UCZpMT-dUwQR-R4Mb4uub6SwIf you want me to help producers or studios build better games through effective systems and leadership, you can reach me at: info@valarinconsulting.com00:00 Article Sparks Tier List01:13 Ranking Scale Setup02:58 Trait One Reality Check04:44 Trait Two Trust Collapse06:26 Sudden Direction Demands08:50 People Are Not Plug Ins12:31 Vague Feedback In Reviews17:15 Slow Decisions Burn Money21:06 Vague Crunch Policies24:00 Switch To Specific Examples24:29 Approve Then Trash Work27:02 Feature Requests With No Plan28:18 Polished Early Proof Pressure32:14 Unrealistic Timelines Fallout35:20 Too Many Signoffs38:28 Ignoring Task Reality40:59 Punishing People Who Speak43:01 Ignoring QA Warnings45:24 Genre Switch Expectations47:56 Losing Institutional Knowledge49:43 Leads Hyperfocus Blindspots51:53 Decision Paralysis53:04 Publisher Milestone Rejections54:46 Vague Critique Feedback Loops57:06 Policies That Force Unpaid Work59:38 No Crunch But Deadlines01:03:46 Replaceable Worker Myth01:06:05 Final Tier List Wrap#GameProduction #GameDevAI #ProjectManagement #StudioLeadership #BuildingBetterGames
Dont Lose Talent: Value Your Employees Autonomy! Building Better Games 2026-04-08 | Is your corporate strategy killing your "Golden Goose"? We’re breaking down Jeff Kaplan’s candid interview on the moment the "adults" entered the room and derailed Overwatch. From "miscommunication by PowerPoint" to a CFO leveraging 1,000 jobs against a revenue target, learn why efficiency-focused orgs often forget the player.Watch the full breakdown on our channel and subscribe to help build better games.#GameDevLeadership #Overwatch2 #JeffKaplan #GamingIndustry #CreativeAutonomy #BuildingBetterGames
Live Service Games: Keeping Players Hooked with Endless Content Building Better Games 2026-04-08 | Is your corporate strategy killing your "Golden Goose"? We’re breaking down Jeff Kaplan’s candid interview on the moment the "adults" entered the room and derailed Overwatch. From "miscommunication by PowerPoint" to a CFO leveraging 1,000 jobs against a revenue target, learn why efficiency-focused orgs often forget the player.Watch the full breakdown on our channel and subscribe to help build better games.#GameDevLeadership #Overwatch2 #JeffKaplan #GamingIndustry #CreativeAutonomy #BuildingBetterGames
Build a Winning Game Team: The Secret Formula Building Better Games 2026-04-08 | Can "Very Positive" reviews save a $250M game? Marathon is out, and the players love it—but the corporate math is terrifying. We’re breaking down the "efficiency vs. effectiveness" trap and why even a solid launch can be a "huge disappointment" for a studio as big as Bungie. Watch the full breakdown on our channel and subscribe to help build better games.#Bungie #MarathonGame #GameDevLeadership #ExtractionShooter #GameIndustryAnalysis #BuildingBetterGames
AI Can’t Replace Game Producers. So Why Are They Getting Cut? Building Better Games 2026-04-07 | 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/nqRTUvgFrtdYuCbr6Is your job being replaced by an LLM, or are you just doing the wrong job?The claim has been made that AI can handle 85% of management tasks. For game producers, this sounds like a death knell, but only if you believe your value lies in shuffling Jira tickets and taking meeting notes.In this episode, we break down the fundamental misunderstanding of "productivity" in game dev. We explore why LLMs are masters of the "passing high school grade" and why the most vital, indirect value a producer provides remains entirely out of reach for even the most sophisticated AI.What You’ll Learn in This Episode:• Why “being busy” can actually hurt your career• How to find the invisible value you uniquely bring• The risk of using AI without real expertise• Why producers must evolve beyond task trackingReference Links:🔗youtube.com/shorts/-cYzPZEh0dI From: @MINCHEN-QMIET 🔗youtube.com/shorts/rJbNmtjZDmwFrom: @developerrob7349 🔗The AI boom's latest job winners: OpenAI is paying nearly $400,000 for a content strategist: businessinsider.com/content-strategist-openai-meta-salary-job-posting-ai-generative-prompt-2025-9🔗OpenAI Hiring Content Strategist For Rs 3.4 Crore, Social Media Sees The Irony: ndtv.com/offbeat/openai-hiring-content-strategist-for-rs-3-4-crore-social-media-sees-the-irony-9200615🔗AI or human creativity? OpenAI hiring content strategist, offering salary of up to Rs 3.45 cr: https://www.businesstoday.in/technology/news/story/ai-or-human-creativity-openai-hiring-content-strategist-offering-salary-of-up-to-rs-345-cr-492039-2025-09-02🔗ChatGPT-maker OpenAI is hiring Content Strategist, offering salary of up to Rs 3.45 crore: Details inside: financialexpress.com/life/technology-chatgpt-maker-openai-is-hiring-content-strategist-offering-salary-of-up-to-rs-3-45-crore-details-inside-3964623Connect with us: 🔗Ben’s LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/benjamin-carcich 🔗BBG’s LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/building-better-games 🔗Instagram: instagram.com/buildingbettergames/# 🔗Website: buildingbettergames.gg 🔗YouTube: youtube.com/channel/UCZpMT-dUwQR-R4Mb4uub6SwIf you want me to help producers or studios build better games through effective systems and leadership, you can reach me at: info@valarinconsulting.com00:00 AI Replacing Producers00:20 The Fired Producer Story00:59 Tasks Versus Real Value01:58 Great Game Dev Judgment03:28 What Top Producers Do04:46 LLMs Make Stuff Fast06:04 Productivity Myth Explained08:40 Leadership Accelerator Pitch10:15 How LLMs Actually Work11:56 Average Output Trap14:56 Two Big AI Problems16:25 Why Producers Are At Risk21:13 Perception Beats Reality22:09 Use LLMs Carefully22:32 Wrap Up and Outro#GameProduction #GameDevAI #ProjectManagement #StudioLeadership #BuildingBetterGames
League of Legends: The Games Secret Money Machine Building Better Games 2026-04-07 | Is your corporate strategy killing your "Golden Goose"? We’re breaking down Jeff Kaplan’s candid interview on the moment the "adults" entered the room and derailed Overwatch. From "miscommunication by PowerPoint" to a CFO leveraging 1,000 jobs against a revenue target, learn why efficiency-focused orgs often forget the player.Watch the full breakdown on our channel and subscribe to help build better games.#GameDevLeadership #Overwatch2 #JeffKaplan #GamingIndustry #CreativeAutonomy #BuildingBetterGames
Live Service Games: Riding the Unexpected Wave! Building Better Games 2026-04-07 | Is your corporate strategy killing your "Golden Goose"? We’re breaking down Jeff Kaplan’s candid interview on the moment the "adults" entered the room and derailed Overwatch. From "miscommunication by PowerPoint" to a CFO leveraging 1,000 jobs against a revenue target, learn why efficiency-focused orgs often forget the player.Watch the full breakdown on our channel and subscribe to help build better games.#GameDevLeadership #Overwatch2 #JeffKaplan #GamingIndustry #CreativeAutonomy #BuildingBetterGames
Tencent’s Investment Strategy: ROI & Multiple Teams Building Better Games 2026-04-07 | The 2M player gamble just hit a wall.Shadow drops and hype can’t save weak retention. In this episode, we unpack why a big launch means nothing if Day 7 retention tanks—and how “indie” funding can turn into a rug pull when the math doesn’t add up.Watch the full breakdown on our channel and subscribe to help build better games.#GameDev #GameIndustry #HighGuard #GamingBusiness #StudioStrategy #Tencent
Is Marathon Too Niche to Save Bungie? Building Better Games 2026-04-06 | In this episode, Ben reacts to Bellular News’ take on Marathon, Bungie’s highly anticipated (and high-pressure) extraction shooter. While the game has avoided a "Concord-level" disaster, it hasn't reached the heights of Helldivers 2. We dive into the spiky reality of AAA development, the hidden costs of an 800-person headcount, and what happens to a studio’s autonomy when the C-suite starts needing breakout success money.What you’ll learn in this episode:● How a $200+ million dollar dev cycle changes the definition of "success"● The impact of losing a Game Director late in the cycle and how Bungie responded to negative alpha feedback● Analyzing the shift in Bungie’s leadership structure and what it reveals● Why the way PlayStation supports a "middling" success like Marathon could impact their reputation with core playersWatch the original video: youtube.com/watch?v=hz5n2MDLSNABellular’s YouTube Channel: youtube.com/@BellularNewsConnect with us: 🔗Ben’s LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/benjamin-carcich 🔗BBG’s LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/building-better-games 🔗Instagram: instagram.com/buildingbettergames/# 🔗Website: buildingbettergames.gg 🔗YouTube: youtube.com/channel/UCZpMT-dUwQR-R4Mb4uub6SwIf you want me to help producers or studios build better games through effective systems and leadership, you can reach me at: info@valarinconsulting.com00:00 Reacting to the Take01:14 Stakes for Bungie and Sony01:48 Delays and Course Corrections03:37 Layoffs and Leadership Shakeup05:46 Plagiarism Controversy Fallout06:57 Arc Raiders Comparison09:35 Hostile Design and Onboarding12:12 Chaos Objectives and Solo Pain15:26 Leadership Accelerator Ad Break16:53 Bold Art Style and Niche Risk19:01 Does Marathon Know Itself21:05 Reviews and Commercial Questions23:43 Player Counts and Global Reach24:35 Global Launch Reality25:24 Targeting Regions Wisely27:47 Sales Data Blind Spots28:14 Six Years In Dev29:09 Destiny Drains Bandwidth31:28 Bungie Burn Rate Math34:12 Sony Calls The Shots36:20 What To Do With Mid36:41 Live Service Pipeline Stakes41:21 Trust And Player Perception45:07 Marathon Not A Sprint45:21 Final Thoughts And Outro#GameDev #Bungie #MarathonGame #PlayStation #GameLeadership
Halo Esports: Why Understanding is Key to Enjoyment Building Better Games 2026-04-06 | Is your corporate strategy killing your "Golden Goose"? We’re breaking down Jeff Kaplan’s candid interview on the moment the "adults" entered the room and derailed Overwatch. From "miscommunication by PowerPoint" to a CFO leveraging 1,000 jobs against a revenue target, learn why efficiency-focused orgs often forget the player.Watch the full breakdown on our channel and subscribe to help build better games.#GameDevLeadership #Overwatch2 #JeffKaplan #GamingIndustry #CreativeAutonomy #BuildingBetterGames
League of Legends Esports: From Loss to Legendary Building Better Games 2026-04-06 | Is your corporate strategy killing your "Golden Goose"? We’re breaking down Jeff Kaplan’s candid interview on the moment the "adults" entered the room and derailed Overwatch. From "miscommunication by PowerPoint" to a CFO leveraging 1,000 jobs against a revenue target, learn why efficiency-focused orgs often forget the player.Watch the full breakdown on our channel and subscribe to help build better games.#GameDevLeadership #Overwatch2 #JeffKaplan #GamingIndustry #CreativeAutonomy #BuildingBetterGames
Game Publishing: Profit vs. Passion Explained Building Better Games 2026-04-06 | The 2M player gamble just hit a wall.Shadow drops and hype can’t save weak retention. In this episode, we unpack why a big launch means nothing if Day 7 retention tanks—and how “indie” funding can turn into a rug pull when the math doesn’t add up.Watch the full breakdown on our channel and subscribe to help build better games.#GameDev #GameIndustry #HighGuard #GamingBusiness #StudioStrategy #Tencent
Hubris, Power, and Pressure: Why Leaders Break Down Building Better Games 2026-04-05 | Is your corporate strategy killing your "Golden Goose"? We’re breaking down Jeff Kaplan’s candid interview on the moment the "adults" entered the room and derailed Overwatch. From "miscommunication by PowerPoint" to a CFO leveraging 1,000 jobs against a revenue target, learn why efficiency-focused orgs often forget the player.Watch the full breakdown on our channel and subscribe to help build better games.#GameDevLeadership #Overwatch2 #JeffKaplan #GamingIndustry #CreativeAutonomy #BuildingBetterGames
Game Development: Player Vote is Crucial for Success Building Better Games 2026-04-05 | Is your corporate strategy killing your "Golden Goose"? We’re breaking down Jeff Kaplan’s candid interview on the moment the "adults" entered the room and derailed Overwatch. From "miscommunication by PowerPoint" to a CFO leveraging 1,000 jobs against a revenue target, learn why efficiency-focused orgs often forget the player.Watch the full breakdown on our channel and subscribe to help build better games.#GameDevLeadership #Overwatch2 #JeffKaplan #GamingIndustry #CreativeAutonomy #BuildingBetterGames
Split Fiction: Did We Make The Right Refund Decision? Building Better Games 2026-04-05 | The 2M player gamble just hit a wall.Shadow drops and hype can’t save weak retention. In this episode, we unpack why a big launch means nothing if Day 7 retention tanks—and how “indie” funding can turn into a rug pull when the math doesn’t add up.Watch the full breakdown on our channel and subscribe to help build better games.#GameDev #GameIndustry #HighGuard #GamingBusiness #StudioStrategy #Tencent
Product Design: The Art of Simplification for Success Building Better Games 2026-04-04 | The $83M "everything game" that never was. Brilliant teams and massive budgets can’t save a project without a cohesive vision . We deconstruct the "multifaceted failure" of Blizzard’s Project Titan—and why scaling to 70+ artists before a prototype is just an expensive way to walk into the abyss.Watch the full breakdown on our channel and subscribe to help build better games.#GameDev #Blizzard #ProjectTitan #Overwatch #LexFridman #GameLeadership
Scaling Too Fast: The Startup’s Biggest Mistake Building Better Games 2026-04-04 | The $83M "everything game" that never was. Brilliant teams and massive budgets can’t save a project without a cohesive vision . We deconstruct the "multifaceted failure" of Blizzard’s Project Titan—and why scaling to 70+ artists before a prototype is just an expensive way to walk into the abyss.Watch the full breakdown on our channel and subscribe to help build better games.#GameDev #Blizzard #ProjectTitan #Overwatch #LexFridman #GameLeadership
Is the Games Industry BROKEN? Unpacking Highguards Failure Building Better Games 2026-04-04 | 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/nqRTUvgFrtdYuCbr6Connect with us: 🔗Ben’s LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/benjamin-carcich 🔗BBG’s LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/building-better-games 🔗Instagram: instagram.com/buildingbettergames/# 🔗Website: buildingbettergames.gg 🔗YouTube: youtube.com/channel/UCZpMT-dUwQR-R4Mb4uub6SwIf you believe in building better games (and better leaders), smash that like button, share it, and subscribe for more!
Leadership Push-Pull: Master Team Motivation & Vision Building Better Games 2026-04-03 | The $83M "everything game" that never was. Brilliant teams and massive budgets can’t save a project without a cohesive vision . We deconstruct the "multifaceted failure" of Blizzard’s Project Titan—and why scaling to 70+ artists before a prototype is just an expensive way to walk into the abyss.Watch the full breakdown on our channel and subscribe to help build better games.#GameDev #Blizzard #ProjectTitan #Overwatch #LexFridman #GameLeadership
Gaming Longevity: How Games Last a Decade Building Better Games 2026-04-03 | The $83M "everything game" that never was. Brilliant teams and massive budgets can’t save a project without a cohesive vision . We deconstruct the "multifaceted failure" of Blizzard’s Project Titan—and why scaling to 70+ artists before a prototype is just an expensive way to walk into the abyss.Watch the full breakdown on our channel and subscribe to help build better games.#GameDev #Blizzard #ProjectTitan #Overwatch #LexFridman #GameLeadership
Cyberpunk 2077:Investment, CCU, and Premium Product Success Building Better Games 2026-04-03 | The 2M player gamble just hit a wall.Shadow drops and hype can’t save weak retention. In this episode, we unpack why a big launch means nothing if Day 7 retention tanks—and how “indie” funding can turn into a rug pull when the math doesn’t add up.Watch the full breakdown on our channel and subscribe to help build better games.#GameDev #GameIndustry #HighGuard #GamingBusiness #StudioStrategy #Tencent
Courageous Leadership: Saving Businesses from Money Pits Building Better Games 2026-04-02 | The $83M "everything game" that never was. Brilliant teams and massive budgets can’t save a project without a cohesive vision . We deconstruct the "multifaceted failure" of Blizzard’s Project Titan—and why scaling to 70+ artists before a prototype is just an expensive way to walk into the abyss.Watch the full breakdown on our channel and subscribe to help build better games.#GameDev #Blizzard #ProjectTitan #Overwatch #LexFridman #GameLeadership
Courageous Leadership: Honesty with CEOs Building Better Games 2026-04-02 | The $83M "everything game" that never was. Brilliant teams and massive budgets can’t save a project without a cohesive vision . We deconstruct the "multifaceted failure" of Blizzard’s Project Titan—and why scaling to 70+ artists before a prototype is just an expensive way to walk into the abyss.Watch the full breakdown on our channel and subscribe to help build better games.#GameDev #Blizzard #ProjectTitan #Overwatch #LexFridman #GameLeadership
4 Years of Work Wasted: Game Launch Fails Building Better Games 2026-04-02 | The 2M player gamble just hit a wall.Shadow drops and hype can’t save weak retention. In this episode, we unpack why a big launch means nothing if Day 7 retention tanks—and how “indie” funding can turn into a rug pull when the math doesn’t add up.Watch the full breakdown on our channel and subscribe to help build better games.#GameDev #GameIndustry #HighGuard #GamingBusiness #StudioStrategy #Tencent
The Truth About Bungies Marathon Building Better Games 2026-04-01 | 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/nqRTUvgFrtdYuCbr6Is a "Solid Game" enough to save a AAA studio from its own overhead?It is March 2026, and Bungie’s first new IP in over a decade has finally hit the shelves. While players are praising the smooth movement and fantastic gunplay, the industry is whispering a different story about the brutal math behind the scenes. In this episode, Ben reacts to Laura Fryer’s deep dive into Marathon, analyzing the friction between high-quality creative output and the crushing weight of a potentially $400 million break-even target.What we cover:• Why it now takes legendary studios a decade to release a single new title• The danger of treating an extraction shooter like a Destiny-sized mass-market hit• Breaking down the "napkin math" of Steam cuts, development costs, and why a million copies sold might still be a disappointment• A philosophical look at whether the game team or the game itself is a studio's most valuable assetOriginal Video: youtube.com/watch?v=z6mJfpERH0sIf you are a game leader trying to balance "grit and determination" with realistic market scoping and if you've ever felt the pressure of a "bold bet" that might never hit enough concurrent players, this episode is for you.Connect with us: 🔗Ben’s LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/benjamin-carcich 🔗BBG’s LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/building-better-games 🔗Instagram: instagram.com/buildingbettergames/# 🔗Website: buildingbettergames.gg 🔗YouTube: youtube.com/channel/UCZpMT-dUwQR-R4Mb4uub6SwIf you want me to help producers or studios build better games through effective systems and leadership, you can reach me at: info@valarinconsulting.com00:00 Is Marathon A Success00:55 Laura Friar Breakdown01:48 AAA Development Reality03:10 Player Counts And Retention05:51 Patches Sustain Not Spike07:53 Console Drop And Sales09:19 Budget Break Even Math13:58 Leadership Accelerator Ad15:25 Destiny Decline And Impairment16:42 Players Win Business Loss17:33 Big Bet And Cannibalization18:42 Extraction Genre And Arc Raiders20:20 Marathon Launch Fallout20:52 GDC Talks Pulled21:40 Reactive Studio Mode23:06 Jeff Kaplan Ultimatum24:39 Indie Contrast Slay Spire25:38 Apples to Oranges Debate28:49 Is Marathon Successful30:41 Who Deserves Credit33:24 Not a Total Failure34:41 Team Over Game38:21 Hits Driven Reality40:45 Wrap Up and Next Steps41:40 Subscribe and Community#Bungie #MarathonGame #GameDevLeadership #ExtractionShooter #GameIndustryAnalysis #BuildingBetterGames
Riot Games: Next Big Hit – The Struggle for Game 2 Building Better Games 2026-04-01 | The $83M "everything game" that never was. Brilliant teams and massive budgets can’t save a project without a cohesive vision . We deconstruct the "multifaceted failure" of Blizzard’s Project Titan—and why scaling to 70+ artists before a prototype is just an expensive way to walk into the abyss.Watch the full breakdown on our channel and subscribe to help build better games.#GameDev #Blizzard #ProjectTitan #Overwatch #LexFridman #GameLeadership
Game Vision vs. Ideas: The Meaning Behind Your Work Building Better Games 2026-04-01 | The $83M "everything game" that never was. Brilliant teams and massive budgets can’t save a project without a cohesive vision . We deconstruct the "multifaceted failure" of Blizzard’s Project Titan—and why scaling to 70+ artists before a prototype is just an expensive way to walk into the abyss.Watch the full breakdown on our channel and subscribe to help build better games.#GameDev #Blizzard #ProjectTitan #Overwatch #LexFridman #GameLeadership
Publisher Success: What 7 Failed Studios Taught Us Building Better Games 2026-04-01 | The 2M player gamble just hit a wall.Shadow drops and hype can’t save weak retention. In this episode, we unpack why a big launch means nothing if Day 7 retention tanks—and how “indie” funding can turn into a rug pull when the math doesn’t add up.Watch the full breakdown on our channel and subscribe to help build better games.#GameDev #GameIndustry #HighGuard #GamingBusiness #StudioStrategy #Tencent
Game Art Cohesion: The $83M Vision Problem Solved Building Better Games 2026-03-31 | The $83M "everything game" that never was. Brilliant teams and massive budgets can’t save a project without a cohesive vision . We deconstruct the "multifaceted failure" of Blizzard’s Project Titan—and why scaling to 70+ artists before a prototype is just an expensive way to walk into the abyss.Watch the full breakdown on our channel and subscribe to help build better games.#GameDev #Blizzard #ProjectTitan #Overwatch #LexFridman #GameLeadership
Project Titan: Blizzard’s Risky, High-Stakes Gamble Building Better Games 2026-03-31 | The $83M "everything game" that never was. Brilliant teams and massive budgets can’t save a project without a cohesive vision . We deconstruct the "multifaceted failure" of Blizzard’s Project Titan—and why scaling to 70+ artists before a prototype is just an expensive way to walk into the abyss.Watch the full breakdown on our channel and subscribe to help build better games.#GameDev #Blizzard #ProjectTitan #Overwatch #LexFridman #GameLeadership
Hooded Horse: Indie Dev Marketing Genius Strategy Building Better Games 2026-03-31 | The 2M player gamble just hit a wall.Shadow drops and hype can’t save weak retention. In this episode, we unpack why a big launch means nothing if Day 7 retention tanks—and how “indie” funding can turn into a rug pull when the math doesn’t add up.Watch the full breakdown on our channel and subscribe to help build better games.#GameDev #GameIndustry #HighGuard #GamingBusiness #StudioStrategy #Tencent
Game Development Failure: Art, Design, or Tech? Building Better Games 2026-03-30 | The $83M "everything game" that never was. Brilliant teams and massive budgets can’t save a project without a cohesive vision . We deconstruct the "multifaceted failure" of Blizzard’s Project Titan—and why scaling to 70+ artists before a prototype is just an expensive way to walk into the abyss.Watch the full breakdown on our channel and subscribe to help build better games.#GameDev #Blizzard #ProjectTitan #Overwatch #LexFridman #GameLeadership
Game Dev Intuition: When to Quit a Broken Project Building Better Games 2026-03-30 | The $83M "everything game" that never was. Brilliant teams and massive budgets can’t save a project without a cohesive vision . We deconstruct the "multifaceted failure" of Blizzard’s Project Titan—and why scaling to 70+ artists before a prototype is just an expensive way to walk into the abyss.Watch the full breakdown on our channel and subscribe to help build better games.#GameDev #Blizzard #ProjectTitan #Overwatch #LexFridman #GameLeadership
AAA Game Economics: Why Hits Are Failing Building Better Games 2026-03-30 | The 2M player gamble just hit a wall.Shadow drops and hype can’t save weak retention. In this episode, we unpack why a big launch means nothing if Day 7 retention tanks—and how “indie” funding can turn into a rug pull when the math doesn’t add up.Watch the full breakdown on our channel and subscribe to help build better games.#GameDev #GameIndustry #HighGuard #GamingBusiness #StudioStrategy #Tencent
Game Dev’s Raw Truth: Big Hits & Tough Decisions Building Better Games 2026-03-29 | The $83M "everything game" that never was. Brilliant teams and massive budgets can’t save a project without a cohesive vision . We deconstruct the "multifaceted failure" of Blizzard’s Project Titan—and why scaling to 70+ artists before a prototype is just an expensive way to walk into the abyss.Watch the full breakdown on our channel and subscribe to help build better games.#GameDev #Blizzard #ProjectTitan #Overwatch #LexFridman #GameLeadership
