GDC 2025 Session Viewer
Game Studio Principles: A Case Study
Jesse Schell (CEO, Schell Games LLC)
Pass Type: All Access Pass, Core Pass - Get your pass now!
Track: Production & Team Leadership
Format: Lecture
Vault Recording: TBD
Audience Level: All
Every game studio is driven by core principles, but those principles are not always clearly stated, often because leaders are afraid they will seem like corporate doublespeak or inauthentic cheerleading. But clearly stated principles can strengthen a studio by creating clear communication about what is actually important. In this talk, Jesse Schell, the author of The Art of Game Design, will show the benefits you can gain by clearly defining your mission statement, core values, key principles, and top priority. As examples, the 18 principles that have helped Schell Games thrive for over twenty years will be revealed and discussed for the first time.
Takeaway
Attendees will learn the difference between mission statements, core values, principles, and priorities, and how these four important things all inter-relate. They will learn how and why Schell Games chose and evolved its set of 18 principles, and how they can best articulate and use principles at their own studio.
Intended Audience
Studio leaders, and those who aspire to be studio leaders are the primary audience for this talk. Anyone who cares about making excellent games, and fostering best practices through teamwork will also benefit.