Studio Management
Ongoing coverage on Studio Management.
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The five golden rules of external development
Code Wizards, an external development partner with 24 years of experience, outlines five golden rules for successful collaboration in game development. These include building trust from day one, maintaining flexibility to adapt to evolving game designs, prioritizing clear and over-communication, understanding and openly discussing team strengths and weaknesses, and prioritizing the well-being and happiness of people, as happy teams create better games.
How to run an indie game studio: Part 3, Dealing with issues
This guide provides strategies for indie game studios to address and resolve internal issues that go beyond typical development problems. It introduces methods like creating a studio backlog and using the IDS (Identify, Discuss, Solve) framework to foster constructive problem-solving and build essential team habits for long-term studio health.
How to run an indie game studio: Part 1, What is a studio?
This guide, the first in a five-part series by business coach Martijn van Zwieten, focuses on the fundamental aspects of running an indie game studio. It emphasizes the importance of building the studio itself alongside the game, defining what a studio is, and establishing a clear purpose based on passion, excellence, and economic drivers. The article introduces the FIRM framework (Future, Issues, Rocks, Meetings) as a tool for studio management.
Xbox is in the midst of a "reverse acquisition," analyst says, with Activision "best equipped to run the…
An industry analyst describes Microsoft's recent restructuring of Xbox Game Studios as a 'reverse acquisition,' suggesting that Activision Blizzard, acquired for $69 billion, is now better equipped to manage Microsoft's own studios. This shift involves significant layoffs and the merging of several studios, including placing the Halo franchise under Activision Blizzard's purview.
Former Avalanche Studios chief Natalie Francis joins Massive Entertainment as managing director
Natalie Francis, formerly of Avalanche Studios and DICE, has been appointed as the new managing director of Ubisoft's Massive Entertainment, effective October 1st. Francis expressed excitement about building on the studio's foundation, while Ubisoft's Christoph Hartmann highlighted her experience in leading teams and delivering ambitious player experiences. The article also touches upon Massive Entertainment's recent challenges, including voluntary buyouts and redundancies within Ubisoft.
Baldur's Gate 3 publishing lead worries for Fallout: New Vegas dev Obsidian as Bethesda takes over management of the studio, says he "can't imagine that feels great"
Baldur's Gate 3 publishing lead Michael Douse expressed concern over Bethesda taking over management of Obsidian Entertainment, suggesting it would be a difficult situation for the studio. This news comes amid significant layoffs at Xbox, impacting both Bethesda and Obsidian, and follows the unveiling of a new collaborative Fallout game and remasters of Fallout 3 and Fallout: New Vegas.
Rare & World's Edge will now report to Activision following Xbox layoffs
Following recent Xbox layoffs, developers Rare and World's Edge will now report to Activision. This change impacts the studios behind franchises like Sea of Thieves and Age of Empires, with Activision also overseeing the next Halo game. The future for these studios appears uncertain amidst ongoing restructuring.
Former GTA 5 lead's studio reportedly closing as MindsEye devs announce their departure from Build A Rocket Boy
Build A Rocket Boy, the studio founded by former Grand Theft Auto producer Leslie Benzies, is reportedly closing down. This follows the highly negative reception of their game MindsEye and allegations of poor management, including excessive overtime and layoffs. Several employees have announced their departures on LinkedIn, with HR lead Dan Hawkins indicating the studio is being wound down.
Inside Tencent's long-term strategy: live service, AI tools, and evergreen titles
Tencent's long-term strategy for its global games division centers on building sustainable communities through live service titles and evergreen IPs, alongside investing in high-quality talent and synergistic partnerships. The company is also embracing AI as a tool to enhance developer efficiency and iteration, rather than replace human roles, while navigating challenges in global integration and outsourcing.
Xbox’s growth plan lands after the layoffs — and the clock runs to 2027
Xbox CEO Asha Sharma outlined a plan to return the company to player and revenue growth by fiscal year 2027, following recent layoffs and studio spin-offs. The strategy focuses on strengthening the core platform, growing games into global franchises, transforming Minecraft into a creator platform, and expanding existing worlds. Sharma aims to double daily active users to over a billion by 2030, with a significant portion of growth expected from mobile titles like Candy Crush and expanded use of Minecraft.
Is yet another Microsoft studio, Obsidian, negotiating with Xbox to avoid closure? Conflicting reports emerge
Conflicting reports suggest that Obsidian Entertainment is negotiating with Microsoft to avoid closure, amidst a wave of layoffs affecting other Xbox studios like Arkane, Double Fine, Compulsion Games, Ninja Theory, and Undead Labs. While one report indicates internal sentiment blames poor Call of Duty performance for these decisions, another source denies Obsidian is in negotiations to shut down, stating the studio will be kept by Xbox.
"The goal isn't to build something that burns brightly for a few years and disappears" – Cosmic Division CEO on launching a "responsibly ambitious" studio
Harry Krueger, former game director at Housemarque, has launched Cosmic Division, a new studio focused on sustainable growth and long-term endurance. He emphasizes a 'responsibly ambitious' approach, prioritizing talent, scope management, and a healthy runway over aggressive expansion. Krueger aims to build a studio that lasts, drawing lessons from AAA development to avoid common pitfalls of over-ambition and compromise.
Bungie Studio Head Is Reportedly Stepping Down
Bungie studio head Justin Truman is reportedly stepping down, less than a year after taking the role. This news follows significant layoffs at the company, impacting the Destiny 2 team and some members of the Marathon and Sony Interactive Entertainment support teams. Sony Interactive Entertainment CEO Herman Hulst stated the reduction was necessary to align resources with current priorities.
Returnal director will be 'responsibly ambitious' to ensure his new studio prospers
Returnal director Harry Krueger has founded a new indie studio, Cosmic Division, with a philosophy of being 'responsibly ambitious' to ensure long-term success. He emphasizes prioritizing gameplay-first experiences, fostering good team chemistry, and maintaining a lean, sustainable operation, drawing lessons from his 15 years at Housemarque. Krueger views AI as a tool rather than a savior, focusing on iterative development and creative vision.
Daniel Vávra criticizes Ubisoft: “They could have made 10 Kingdom Come-sized games by now”
Daniel Vávra, creator of Kingdom Come: Deliverance, criticized Ubisoft's large workforce and perceived inefficiency, suggesting they could develop multiple games the size of Kingdom Come: Deliverance II simultaneously. His comments sparked debate about AAA game development practices, bureaucracy, and the creative freedom of smaller studios compared to larger publishers.
Tekken veteran Katsuhiro Harada to lead new SNK subsidiary
Tekken veteran Katsuhiro Harada has been appointed CEO of SNK's newly established subsidiary, VS Studio SNK. The studio aims to leverage combined technology and knowledge to deliver top-tier gaming experiences. SNK, now largely owned by Saudi Arabia's Electronic Gaming Development Company, is also expanding its global reach with new studios.
'It nearly killed me': Why studio head James Ohlen left sci-fi RPG Exodus mid-development—and why EA crushing his Star Wars: The Old Republic reboot was the 'beginning of the end' at BioWare
James Ohlen, a veteran designer behind Baldur's Gate 2 and Knights of the Old Republic, discusses his departure from Archetype Entertainment's RPG Exodus, citing the immense pressure of studio leadership. He also reflects on his time at BioWare, detailing how EA's rejection of his Star Wars: The New Republic reboot plan marked the 'beginning of the end' for his career there.
SNK announces new studio lead by Tekken veteran Katsuhiro Harada
SNK has announced an investment in a new studio, VS Studio, founded by veteran Tekken producer Katsuhiro Harada. VS Studio will become a subsidiary of SNK and collaborate on game development. Harada, who previously spent his career at Bandai Namco, aims to combine technology and expertise to deliver top-tier gaming experiences.
Dinosaur Polo Club Interview – CEO Amie Wolken on Mini Metro, Mini Motorways, the Team, Free DLC, Working With Apple, Ports, and More – TouchArcade
Amie Wolken, the new CEO of Dinosaur Polo Club, discusses her role in setting the studio's strategy and vision, focusing on fostering a strong culture and supporting their live games, Mini Metro and Mini Motorways. She also touches on the studio's relationship with Apple, past canceled projects like Magic School, and their ambition to remain a small, focused team.