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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!
225 Episodes
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Tell us what you thought of the episode and any topics you would like us to cover! If leadership is a game, the winning mechanic is clarity. We take you back to the basics that never age in a fast, volatile industry: communicate with purpose, lead with empathy, model accountability, state expectations clearly, and adapt without losing the thread. Whether you’re stepping into your first lead role or recalibrating after your tenth milestone, these principles help you steer through shifting prio...
Tell us what you thought of the episode and any topics you would like us to cover! Curiosity is the only edge that doesn’t age. We open the hood on how learning shapes leadership in the games industry, tracing the journey from junior enthusiasm to mid-level complacency to senior humility—and how each stage can either stall or supercharge a team. Along the way, we dig into the habits that keep leaders relevant when engines update, monetization models flip, and player expectations sprint ahead....
Tell us what you thought of the episode and any topics you would like us to cover! Ready to grow your game world into something bigger without losing what makes it special? We explore how studio leaders expand an IP into film, TV, comics, books, and live experiences while keeping creative integrity, fan trust, and team health front and center. From first principles to advanced governance, this is a practical field guide for builders who want a franchise, not a flash in the pan. We start by d...
Tell us what you thought of the episode and any topics you would like us to cover! Creativity does not vanish when teams spread across time zones; it needs a smarter operating system. We dive deep into how modern game leaders turn remote and distributed work into a durable advantage, from crisp communication frameworks to human-centered practices that keep teams aligned, motivated, and shipping. Drawing on real-world patterns across indie and AAA, we map the leadership moves that matter most ...
Tell us what you thought of the episode and any topics you would like us to cover! Imagine walking into a pitch room knowing exactly how to connect hearts, satisfy minds, and earn trust—all in a few decisive minutes. That’s the edge we explore as we break down how debate and public speaking transform game leaders from competent to compelling, whether you’re asking for funding, rallying a team mid-production, or speaking to a skeptical community after a setback. We share the skill tree of mod...
Tell us what you thought of the episode and any topics you would like us to cover! The game industry doesn’t reward the loudest pitch; it rewards the clearest edge. We dig into what truly sets a studio apart and how to turn that into momentum players feel, investors back, and teams rally behind. If you’ve ever said “our game is fun” or “we’re passionate,” this is your friendly wake‑up call to get specific, testable, and defensible. We start by mapping the competitive landscape so you see whe...
Tell us what you thought of the episode and any topics you would like us to cover! Volatility is the rule in game development, not the exception—so why do so many studios still lead by firefighting? We dig into the mindset and mechanics of proactive leadership and show how foresight, transparency, and disciplined planning protect people and projects when the market whiplashes. Drawing on real industry patterns like crunch culture, reactive layoffs, and rushed launches, we map out a practical ...
Tell us what you thought of the episode and any topics you would like us to cover! Growth without restraint breaks studios. Scarcity without vision shrinks them. We dig into a practical way forward: carry the hard-won lessons of lean times into the rush of good times, and treat balance as a leadership operating system rather than a nice idea. Using a yin and yang lens, we map how reflection, discipline, and conservation can live alongside expansion, ambition, and speed—so teams create better ...
Tell us what you thought of the episode and any topics you would like us to cover! 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, and creative work they’re proud to ship. We start by namin...
Tell us what you thought of the episode and any topics you would like us to cover! 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 Witcher’s journey from novels to games to streaming, we unpac...
Tell us what you thought of the episode and any topics you would like us to cover! 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, missed opportunities, and eventual collapse. Entrepreneurship in...
Tell us what you thought of the episode and any topics you would like us to cover! 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 track. What if there was a better way? Not by doing more, but by being mor...
Tell us what you thought of the episode and any topics you would like us to cover! 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 your pitch ecosystem—the one-sheet—to comprehensive materials that align teams an...
Tell us what you thought of the episode and any topics you would like us to cover! 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 planning remains essential for success. Discover why effective plans se...
Tell us what you thought of the episode and any topics you would like us to cover! 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 increasingly hybrid, and talented developers move between projects at u...
Tell us what you thought of the episode and any topics you would like us to cover! 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 linear problem-solving unlocks innovation, resolves cross-functional challen...
Tell us what you thought of the episode and any topics you would like us to cover! 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 success and obscurity. Strategic market alignment isn't about ab...
Tell us what you thought of the episode and any topics you would like us to cover! 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 become a critical competitive advantage for forward-thinking studios. ...
Tell us what you thought of the episode and any topics you would like us to cover! 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 elements significantly impact player satisfaction and game success. Chara...
Tell us what you thought of the episode and any topics you would like us to cover! 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 navigating complex terrain where the stakes couldn't be higher. Poor choi...
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