Agenda
The Risks and Potential Rewards of Starting a Game Studio in 2027
Michael Futter (Director of Operations and Publishing, Causeway Studios)
Amanda Farough (Director of Production, Causeway Studios)
Pass Type:
Academic Pass, Festival Pass, Game Changer Pass, Indie Pass, Start-Up Pass -
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Track:
Production & Team Leadership
Audience Level:
Advanced
Format:
Lecture
Vault Recording: TBD
Audience Level: Advanced
The economics of the video game industry have changed drastically in the last five years, and more seasoned developers are in the job market than ever before. It's natural to consider starting your own studio to finally make the games *you* want to make. But there's more to owning your own business than the fun, creative work. In this talk, you'll learn about the hidden challenges of founding your own studio, get practical and actionable knowledge about how to keep your production moving forward healthily and sustainably, and learn a framework for making decisions you're less likely to second-guess.
Takeaway
You'll learn how to make decisions that encourage collaboration while being rooted in confidence, how a culture of "yes, and…" both inspires morale and yields exceptionally creative results, and what resources you should have in place to start a successful business (and limit the stress that the "business" part of the "video game business" can create).
Intended Audience
This talk is designed for mid-career professionals and beyond (though those starting in their careers are certainly welcome and encouraged). The transition from being a AAA specialist to "living that indie life" has the tendency to catch even the most experienced developers off-guard. We'll give you foundational tools to help you not just survive, but thrive, in this challenging moment.