Games already teach systems, problem-solving, and creativity. What if we made some that do it on purpose—for the world we’re heading into? Over the past two decades, I’ve worked on games played by millions. Large projects, built by small/medium and large teams who cared about the right things—mechanics, feedback, pacing, and above all, the experience […]
Learning needs a New Game Read Post »
Forget zero to one. Before the big leap, there’s a scrappy phase: zero to some. No rules, no manuals—just figuring it out as you go. Imagine a small, thin metal dome, no bigger than your thumbnail. You place it on the counter, press it, and it makes a gentle pop – not loud, just a
In the Right Conditions, Small Things Matter Read Post »
Best practices guide steady teams—but in a shifting games industry, they can limit growth. Explore how to adapt when change is the only constant. The games industry is no stranger to change. Whether it’s new platforms, new funding realities, or sudden shifts in team structures, we often find ourselves navigating uncertainty as we do now.
Trusting Instinct: Why Best Practice Won’t Save You Read Post »
Discover why playful rituals, humour, and shared beliefs—like believing planes fly on gin and tonic—are essential ingredients for thriving, efficient teams. I have a belief—and admittedly, it’s not one that would pass muster in aerospace engineering circles—that planes only fly if someone on board orders a gin and tonic. This started years ago when travelling
Planes fly on Gin : The hidden ingredient of great teams Read Post »
Featured image link A story of how a forgotten Soviet craft became a team’s quiet rallying point—exploring identity, culture, and the small things that make teams truly cohesive. I don’t remember exactly how it started. At the time, I was leading a team building vehicle middleware for a AAA games company. We were a small, newly formed
The team Ekranoplan. Like a normal plan, but better. Read Post »
How to navigate uncertainty with confidence: lessons from Terry Pratchett, Indiana Jones, and a career in games. Find clarity, purpose, and growth. The first proper book I remember finishing was Terry Pratchett’s The Colour of Magic, the start of his brilliant Discworld series. Reading didn’t come easily to me as a child, so when I finished the book in a
Granny Weatherwax, Indiana Jones: Wisdom for Facing the Unknown Read Post »
Michael Rosen’s “We’re Going on a Bear Hunt” reveals powerful lessons about resilience, job hunting, and storytelling’s role in shaping our lives. When I was little, my Mum would read me stories. Not just any stories – she’s an early years specialist, she is specific and targeted, and she knows how to bring a children’s
The Surprising Career Advice Hidden in a Children’s Book Read Post »
What Does “Best” Mean in Video Games? This morning, I read The Economist’s article on the best video games of 2024. It was a timely reminder of just how subjective such lists have to be to remain both concise and engaging—a truth that’s easy to forget. But it also reignited a question I’ve pondered over the years:
The Year’s Best Games: A Perspective Read Post »
Lately, I’ve been pondering the concepts of efficiency and productivity, prompted first by a blown headlight bulb and later by my favourite pen. Increased efficiency is different to increased productivity. The things that make machines efficient are not the same things that make people productive. This morning, I discovered that the dipped beam bulb on
Inefficiency in the pursuit of productivity Read Post »
It’s a subject that’s been on my mind recently, because there’s a lot to think about. Years ago, when trying to figure out a challenging problem I had been asked about a couple of days previously, I replied, “I’ve been thinking about it”. The response I got was, “Have you really, though?”. The reply was
