Transforming Studio Culture with the 'Work a Hard Eight' Philosophy

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Ever wondered how to keep the creative energies of your gaming studio flowing without the notorious grind of crunch culture? We've got some game-changing insights for you in this episode of the Press Start Leadership Podcast. We tackle the 'Work a Hard Eight' philosophy, a radical approach to work culture that says no to relentless deadlines and unpaid overtime. We reveal how this simple yet effective philosophy, advocating for eight hours of work, eight hours of sleep, and eight hours of personal life, can drastically boost productivity and overall well-being in your studio.

This isn't just talk. We go beyond discussing the concept to help you implement the 'Work a Hard Eight' philosophy in your studio. We provide practical, step-by-step guidance on setting clear work expectations, promoting a healthy work environment, and leading by example. It's all about creating a balanced, productive, and fulfilling work culture that values the health, creativity, and productivity of your team. So gear up to challenge the status quo, transform your work culture, and level up your studio with this episode of the Press Start Leadership Podcast. Remember, it's a marathon, not a sprint. Your team's well-being is the real game-changer.

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Episode Transcript

Speaker 1 (00:20):
Hey there, press starters and welcome to the
Press Start Leadership podcast,the podcast about game changing
leadership, teaching you how toget the most out of your product
and development team and becomethe leader you were meant to be
leadership coaching andtraining for the international
game industry professional.

(00:40):
Now let me introduce you toyour host, the man, the myth,
the legend, christopher Mifsud.

Speaker 2 (00:49):
Hey there, press starters and welcome back to
another awesome edition of thepress start leadership podcast.
On this week's episode, we'llbe discussing work a heart eight
.
Leveling up your game studios,work culture, achieving balance
and boosting productivity thesecret power up for success in
the gaming industry.
If you're into gaming anddevelopment, chances are you've

(01:11):
come across the phrase work aheart eight.
But if the term sounds asmystifying as a hidden Easter
egg in a complex RPG, fear not.
This concept is the equivalentof understanding the respawn
points in a frantic FPS.
It's all about understandingthe rules of the game.
In the industry of gamedevelopment, work a heart eight
is a philosophy, a work ethosthat emphasizes balance,

(01:33):
specifically working eight hours, sleeping eight hours and
having eight hours for yourpersonal life.
It's a rebuff against theinfamous crunch culture that's
been plugging the industry withsuccessive overtime, relentless
deadlines and sheer burnout.
So what can we learn from awork a heart eight philosophy
and how can it help transformour studios and the havens of
productivity and well being?

(01:53):
Grab your controllers, folks,because we're about to take a
deep dive into the game of worklife balance in the industry,
the anti crunch crusade.
Understanding work a hearteight.
The work a heart.
Eight philosophy is more thanjust a catchy slogan.
It's a call to action againstan unhealthy work culture.
The principle promotes abalanced approach to work,

(02:14):
challenging the prevalent crunchculture, the practice of
working long hours, often unpaidovertime and the run-up to a
game's release.
But why is crunch such a bigdeal?
Imagine you're playing a gamewith a severe difficulty spike.
You're putting in more and morehours, but the progress seems
negligible.
You're not just losing in game,you're losing sleep, personal
time and, ultimately, yourhealth.
That's crunch in the gamedevelopment world and it's not

(02:36):
just about the loss of lifebalance.
It's about the toll it takes onpeople's mental and physical
health.
The high score of work-lifebalance, the benefits of work
are hard-eat.
Much like a well-balanced game,provides an engaging and
enjoyable experience for theplayer.
A well-balanced work-life cansignificantly enhance a team's
productivity and creativity.
Firstly, working a hard-eathours can lead to more focus and

(02:58):
productive work.
When your time in the studio islimited, you tend to prioritize
tasks, streamline your workprocess and cut down on
unnecessary meetings.
In short, you work smarter, notharder.
Secondly, the emphasis on agood eight hours of sleep cannot
be underestimated, as anydoctor or sleep deprived gamer
will tell you.
A good night's sleep canimprove cognitive functions,
enhance problem-solving skillsand increase alertness all

(03:22):
crucial aspects of the poor gamedeveloper.
Lastly, the importance ofhaving eight hours for personal
life, hobbies, relaxation andsocializing adds to crucial
third dimension to thisphilosophy A well-rested,
well-rounded individual who hastime for personal pursuits can
bring fresh perspectives,creativity and renewed energy to
the workplace.
Respawn Points ImplementingWork a Hard Eight in your studio

(03:43):
.
Implementing the Work a HardEight philosophy in your game
development studio is much likeintroducing a new gameplay
mechanic.
It requires careful planning,supportive environment and
constant monitoring.
To begin with, it's importantto communicate to change to your
team.
Clearly explain the philosophy,its benefits and how it will be
implemented in the studio.
Encourage your team members tovoice their concerns and

(04:04):
suggestions.
After all, implementing a newwork policy is a team effort.
Next, set clear expectationsfor work hours and productivity.
Infantize the importance ofworking smart and focused during
the eight hour work period.
Discourage after hour work andemails.
This is the time for rest andpersonal life.
Make sure your team understandsthat while the studio values

(04:24):
productivity, it doesn't come atthe cost of their well-being.
Shifting the Meta, challengingthe Status Quo, establishing a
Work Hard Eight culture oftenmeans challenging the ingrained
crunch culture in your studio,like altering the meta in a
competitive game.
This process can be tough.
It's important to remember thechange doesn't happen overnight

(04:44):
and it's okay to face resistance.
Initially, you'll need to focuson changing perceptions about
working long hours, breaking theovertime equals commitment myth
.
Empower your team members tospeak up if they're feeling
overworked and make it clearthat burnout is in a badge of
honor.
Reinforce the idea that takingcare of one's health and
well-being is equally importantas meeting deadlines.

(05:06):
The Co-op Mode Leaving byexample.
As a leader, it's yourresponsibility to set the right
example.
Just like in co-op gaming, whenteam members rely on each other
, your team is likely to followyour lead when it comes to work
habits.
If you're sending emails atmidnight or skipping lunch
breaks, your team might feelpressured to do the same.
Try to adhere to the work ofhard-aid philosophy as much as
possible.

(05:26):
Make it clear when you're offthe clock and encourage your
team members to do the same.
The aim is to create a workenvironment where everyone feels
comfortable enough todisconnect after the eight hours
of work without the fear offalling behind or seeming
uncombited.
Health Packs Providing Support.
A supportive work environmentis crucial for the successful
implementation of the work ofhard-aid philosophy.

(05:47):
Think of it like health packsin a video game they are
essential for a player tosurvive and thrive.
The same goes for your teammembers.
Consider providing resourcesthat support this balanced
lifestyle.
For example, consider offeringflexible work hours, encourage
breaks during the workday oreven provide resources for
mental health support.
Make it clear that the studiovalues and supports the personal

(06:08):
time End Game.
The Long-Term Impact of Work ofHard-Aid.
The work of hard-aid philosophyis in a quick fix for all
studios' problems.
It's a long-term investment fora healthier, more productive
work environment.
It's like reaching the end gamecontent in an MMO.
It requires time and commitment, but the rewards are worth it.
By promoting a balancedwork-life culture, you're likely

(06:29):
to see improvements in teammorale and productivity.
You can also expect lowerturnover rates, as your team
members feel valued and caredfor.
Plus, your studio will be anattractive place for potential
talent who value work-lifebalance.
In the hyper-competitive gamingindustry, these factors can
give your studio a considerableadvantage.
Final Thoughts In theever-evolving game development

(06:50):
industry, the work of hard-aidphilosophy stands as a testament
to the importance of balance.
It challenges the status quo andprovides a way to create a
healthier, more productive workenvironment.
Much like gaming, we'reunderstanding and using game
mechanics effectively to make adifference between winning or
losing In the game developmentworld.
Understanding and implementingthe work of hard-aid philosophy
can determine whether yourstudio thrives or merely

(07:12):
survives.
Remember, at the end of the day, the health and well-being of
your team members are just asimportant, if not more, than the
game they create.
After all, game might betemporary, but the people who
create them, their creativity,their talent and their
well-being those are your realassets.
Alright, and that's this week'sepisode of Press Start
Leadership Podcast.
Thanks for listening and, asalways, thanks for being awesome

(07:34):
.