Press Start Leadership Podcast
Welcome to the Press Start Leadership Podcast, your ultimate guide to unlocking your leadership potential in the dynamic world of the video game industry. Join me, Christopher Mifsud, a seasoned industry professional with two decades of experience leading and nurturing teams for renowned digital creative companies worldwide. This podcast is your secret weapon in an industry that often promotes talented individuals without providing the necessary leadership training. Drawing from my personal experiences and dedicated investment in top-tier coaches and programs, I've successfully bridged the gap in leadership development. I'm excited to share these invaluable insights with a broader audience, empowering you in the video game industry. Whether you're a video game industry pro or aspiring to lead a creative product and development team, this show is designed to help you maximize your team's potential and embrace your role as a visionary leader. Together, we'll explore proven strategies, industry trends, and personal anecdotes that will give you the competitive edge you need. Are you ready to level up your leadership skills and excel in the vibrant world of video game development? Join us on the Press Start Leadership Podcast and let's begin this transformative journey. Just Press Start!
Episodes
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The games industry is booming on paper, yet the people who build and play the games feel the strain. We unpack why record revenues can coexist with layoffs, crunch, and predatory monetization—and make the case that empathy is not just moral, it’s an edge. This conversation is a candid roadmap for leaders who want sustainable studios, loyal communities...
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Fans don’t move in straight lines—they discover worlds through shows, comics, streams, and, yes, games. We dive into how creative IP ecosystems transform a single release into a living franchise by aligning story, timing, and partnerships across mediums without losing the heart of the original world. From Arcane re-energizing League of Legends to The ...
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The difference between thriving and burning out as a game industry entrepreneur often comes down to one critical factor that's rarely discussed: your support system. While creative talent and technical skills are essential, navigating the unpredictable waters of game development without a strong network of relationships is a recipe for isolation,...
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Ever feel like you're constantly fighting fires instead of leading with purpose? The relentless pace of game development creates a unique pressure cooker for leaders. Deadlines loom, market conditions shift overnight, creative visions clash, and somehow you're expected to navigate it all while keeping your team motivated and projects on trac...
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Transforming brilliant game ideas into pitches that secure deals requires mastering a specific art form. For developers navigating the business side of game production, creating compelling pitch materials isn't just helpful—it's essential for survival.
This episode unveils a practical roadmap that takes you from the foundation of yo...
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The chaotic world of video game development demands more than hope and talent—it requires strategic planning and robust backup strategies. Leadership coach Christopher Mifsud dives deep into why the adage "no plan survives contact with the enemy" is painfully relevant to production pipelines, marketing schedules, and funding milestones—yet p...
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Ever wonder why some new hires hit the ground running while others struggle for months? The difference often comes down to onboarding - that critical period where developers are transformed from outsiders to integrated team members.
The game development landscape has fundamentally changed. Remote work is now standard, studio structures are in...
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Creativity isn't just for the art department. In a rapidly evolving game industry landscape, your ability to think laterally—approaching problems from unexpected angles—might be your greatest leadership asset yet.
This episode dives deep into the power of lateral thinking for game development leaders. We explore how breaking free from li...
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The game industry has evolved beyond simply creating fun experiences. Today, success demands strategic alignment between creative vision and market realities. Whether you're an indie developer or AAA studio leader, understanding how to identify viable game opportunities through strategic market alignment can mean the difference between commercial...
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Hesitation and perfectionism are killing your game studio's creativity. In the high-stakes world of video game development, the pressure to deliver polished work can paradoxically lead to expensive failures and missed opportunities. This episode dives deep into how dirty prototyping—creating quick, rough, and ready versions of game ideas—has beco...
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Exceptional game design often boils down to mastering the basics – specifically the three Cs: Character, Camera, and Controls. These foundational elements create the framework upon which unforgettable player experiences are built, yet they're frequently overlooked amidst complex development processes.
The choices we make about these core...
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Strategic decision-making in game development demands more than creative intuition—it requires structured analysis and thorough planning. This deep dive explores how game studio leaders can create effective business cases that balance creative vision with financial sustainability.
Making decisions that shape your studio's future involves...
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Every game developer knows the brutal sting of excitement followed by crushing disappointment when funding disappears at the last moment. That promising investor call, the enthusiastic publisher meeting—all ending with radio silence or a polite "not at this time" email. It's the industry's version of Lucy yanking away Charlie Brown...
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Drowning in conflicting priorities? Juggling last-minute bug fixes with creative feature requests? Your intuition can only take you so far in the complex world of game development leadership.
When technical challenges, creative demands, and business realities collide, logical reasoning becomes your most powerful tool. This episode dives into...
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What if the quickest path to innovation wasn't avoiding failure, but embracing it? Game development thrives on creativity and calculated risk-taking, yet many studios still operate under a culture where mistakes are hidden rather than highlighted as growth opportunities.
The fail-fast learn-fast approach transforms how game teams operate...
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Navigating leadership in the video game industry demands a unique blend of creativity, technical expertise, and business acumen. Yet even the most experienced studio heads and senior producers face challenges that test their skills and resilience. The solution? A strategic partnership with a mentor who understands the industry's unique pressures ...
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Ever notice how the same questions keep popping up in your game studio? Why the wheel gets reinvented with each new project? The culprit is likely hiding in plain sight: your institutional knowledge is trapped in silos, scattered across tools, or worse—locked in the heads of veteran team members who could leave at any moment.
Knowledge reposi...
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What happens when game industry leaders pause to reflect? The answer might surprise you.
Reflective leadership stands as a transformative practice for video game industry professionals caught in the whirlwind of deadlines, development challenges, and high-pressure decision-making. Through intentional self-reflection, leaders gain powerful ins...
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Leadership in the video game industry demands far more than managing deadlines and resources – it requires creating an environment where creativity flourishes, burnout is prevented, and teams feel genuinely supported. Today we're diving deep into the strategies that separate good managers from exceptional leaders who transform their development t...
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Have you ever believed something so completely—only to discover it was entirely wrong? Christopher Mifsud shares a transformative childhood story about confidently misidentifying cows as kangaroos, thanks to his family's playful misinformation. This seemingly simple misunderstanding becomes a powerful metaphor for how easily we accept narratives ...
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