The GamesIndustry.biz Podcast

Latest Episodes:

How to deal with discrimination and harassment Aug 04, 2021

Show notes

This week's episode is a little different, as we delve deeper into an issue that continues to affect people across the games industry.

Splash Damage's Cinzia Musio and Limit Break founder Anisa Sanusi join us to discuss how to deal with discrimination and harassment, not just from a company point of view, but from the position of everyone in the industry.

We talk about how reporting processes can be improved, how leaders and managers can better support their staff, how low-level staff can speak up and stand against any misconduct they witness, and how victims can find the support they need - especially if they do not believe their employer will take their story seriously.

Content warning: While we do not discuss any specific examples of harassment or abuse, the general context of the conversation is one that may bring such experiences to mind.

We'll also be publishing an article collating links to resources and support for those who are suffering from harassment and discrimination in the games industry. If you have any suggestions you would like to see added to it, email news@gamesindustry.biz.

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The GamesIndustry.biz Academy Jobscast: Recruitment and Diversity Jul 30, 2021

Show notes

Throughout this month, we've been taking a deeper dive into the world of video games recruitment and the challenges facing both applicants wanting to enter the industry and companies wanting to secure the best talent.

For our fourth and final 'jobscast,' we take a look at the role recruitment plays in diversifying the industry workforce and supporting staff equally - a rather fitting topic given that we recorded on the day of the Activision Blizzard lawsuit.

Our panel this week includes Creative Assembly's Emma Smith, Iron Galaxy's Rejess Marshall, Phoenix Labs' Jeanne-Marie Owens and Schell Games' Lauren Reed.

We discuss how games companies can expand where they search for new recruits, improve their job listings and interview processes to appeal to a broader range of applicants, and the importance of fair compensation.

Please note: We had a few connectivity issues during the panel, so there are some brief glitches in the audio, for which we apologise.

This series is part of our Get A Job In Games Month.

Title music composed by Thomas Marchant.

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In the wake of the Activision Blizzard lawsuit Jul 27, 2021

Show notes

The GamesIndustry.biz editorial team gathers around their mics to discuss the biggest stories of the week.

This week, the conversation returns to reports of discrimination and harassment at AAA games firms - most notably Activision Blizzard, which is facing a lawsuit from the DFEH, but also Ubisoft following the latest report of toxic elements within one of its studios.

We discuss the need for more consequences for both those directly responsible for discrimination, harassment, abuse and more, but also the companies they work for, who continue to fail to protect the rest of their staff.

During the discussion, we recommend several resources for those in the industry who need a safe space or support, as well as information for companies and recruiters that may help resolve these issues in the long term. All of these can be found below:

https://www.rainn.org/articles/sexual-harassment

https://gameshotline.org/

https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/

https://www.takethis.org/mental-health-resources/

https://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/2021-03-08-creating-a-diverse-workforce-ukie-raisethegame-report

https://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/2020-09-14-level-up-on-diversity-three-changes-to-get-more-women-into-games

https://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/2020-02-04-how-to-identify-and-avoid-unconscious-bias

https://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/2020-07-02-how-to-patch-out-implicit-bias-from-your-hiring-process

https://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/2021-03-08-gamesindustry-biz-academy-resources-to-champion-women-in-games

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The GamesIndustry.biz Academy Jobscast: Improving your onboarding Jul 22, 2021

Show notes

Throughout this month, we'll be taking a deeper dive into the world of video games recruitment and the challenges facing both applicants wanting to enter the industry and companies wanting to secure the best talent.

For our third 'jobscast,' we take a look at the onboarding process and how studios can better prepare recruits for their new role. We discuss the challenges involved -- both before and during the pandemic -- as well as how the process differs depending on which stage of a project you're bringing in new team members.

Our panel this week includes Jagex's Jody Zarkos, Timbre Studios' Zoë Curnoe and Geoff Coates, and Rogue Games' Chris Archer.

This series is part of our Get A Job In Games Month.

Title music composed by Thomas Marchant.

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Can Steam Deck succeed where the Machines failed? Jul 19, 2021

Show notes

The GamesIndustry.biz team gathers behind their mics to discuss the biggest story of the week: the Steam Deck.

With Valve's long-rumoured Switch-like handheld gaming PC finally unveiled, we discuss our reactions to the reveal and who the audience for this device might be.

We also explore the possibilities for indie developers -- or indeed any developers -- and the potential for Steam Deck to introduce a new route into the PC games market in a way that has not been seen in years.

In the last segment of this week's show, Brendan offers a breakdown of this year's report on the use of conflict minerals in the games industry. You can find the full report here.

Title music by Thomas Marchant. Episode mastered by Thomas Quillfeldt.

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GamesIndustry.biz Academy Jobscast: Recruiting the next generation Jul 15, 2021

Show notes

For our second 'jobscast,' we take a look at the role of academia in preparing aspiring developers for a role in the industry, and how those who seek a career in games can secure the role they want.

Our panel this week includes University of Southern California's Tracy Fullerton, Carnegie Mellon University's Thomas Corbett, Staffordshire University's Nia Wearn, and Falmouth University's Nick Dixon.

This series is part of our Get A Job In Games Month.

Title music composed by Thomas Marchant.

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Out with the new, in with the OLED Jul 12, 2021

Show notes

The GamesIndustry.biz team gather to discuss the biggest news of the week: A new Nintendo Switch.

Not the the Switch Pro, New Nintendo Switch or Super Switch that had been rumoured and reported on for so long, but the OLED Model with a larger screen, wider kickstand and LAN port.

We discuss the root of the disappointment around its reveal, the implications of this handheld-centric update, who the new console appeals to and the consumer mentality around hardware upgrades.

As always you can get more news, insight and analysis at www.gamesindustry.biz.

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GamesIndustry.biz Academy Jobscast: The State of Recruitment Jul 08, 2021

Show notes

Over the next four weeks, we'll be taking a deeper dive into the world of video games recruitment and the challenges facing both applicants wanting to enter the industry and companies wanting to secure the best talent.

For our first 'jobscast,' we're joined by Square Enix Montreal recruiter Agathe Fallet, NDreams' chief people officer Tamsin O'Luanaigh and Marvelous Europe's head of production and operations Sarah Burns.

This episode looks at the biggest challenges developers and publishers encounter when recruiting, how they can stand out from the competition in appealing to potential new hires, and how the recruitment process differs across different markets and disciplines.

This series is part of our Get A Job In Games Month.

Title music composed by Thomas Marchant.

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The Five Games Of... Warren Spector Jul 05, 2021

Show notes

The Five Games Of is a special series of The GamesIndustry.biz Podcast that explores the evolution of the video games business through the career of prominent developers, executives and more.

This time, we explore five games from the career of Warren Spector, industry veteran and one of the key figures crediting with defining the immersive sim.

We explore the breadth of Spector's career, starting with his time on classic Ultima RPGs and the groundbreaking Ultima Underworld.

We also exploring the origins of the acclaimed Deus Ex and the biggest commercial hit of Spector's career: Epic Mickey.

Title music by Juilan Villareal.

As always, you can get more news, insight and analysis at www.gamesindustry.biz.

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How do AAA publishers justify overpaying execs? With CtW's Michael Varner Jun 29, 2021

Show notes

This week, Brendan and James are joined by Michael Varner, director of executive compensation research at CtW Investment Group, to discuss recent developments in the world of AAA publishing.

Earlier this month, Activision delayed its say-on-pay vote at the request of shareholders amid an ongoing campaign by CtW and other parties to persuade shareholders to vote against compensation proposals for its biggest execs, including CEO Bobby Kotick.

That vote was later passed with 54% approval -- an all-time company low -- meaning Kotick and co will continue to receive what CtW describes as "outsized equity pay"

Meanwhile, Electronic Arts recently unveiled several changes to its executive compensation program -- although CEO Andrew Wilson still stands to receive $39.2 million, an increase of 83% year-on-year.

Our guest helps us dive into all this and more as we try to better understand these companies' justification for executives' more than generous compensation.

Title music by Thomas Marchant. Episode mastered by Thomas Quillfeldt.

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