In this conversation, Selim Ozturk hosts a roundtable with industry veterans Fatih, Onurhan, and Lisa about the nuances of hiring in the game development industry, focusing on the balance between integrity and skill. They explore how to build a cohesive company culture, especially when expanding into new regions, and the importance of trust, communication, and empowerment in fostering a positive work environment. The conversation delves into the complexities of company culture, emphasising the importance of understanding cultural nuances in task management, the evolution of company values, and the necessity of psychological safety in fostering collaboration. It highlights the significance of work-life balance, particularly in different cultural contexts, and discusses the dos and don’ts of project scope management, including the challenges of feature creep. Clear documentation and prioritisation are underscored as essential practices for effective project management, while authenticity and integrity are deemed crucial for team dynamics.
Chapters
00:00 – Introduction
07:48 – Integrity vs. Skill in Hiring
26:36 – Building Company Culture Across Borders
44:01 – Cultural Nuances in Task Management
46:54 – The Evolution of Company Values
49:33 – The Importance of Psychological Safety
50:03 – Work-Life Balance in Different Cultures
55:46 – Do’s and Don’ts of Project Scope Management
01:00:03 – Feature Creep: Navigating Challenges
01:04:25 – The Role of Clear Documentation
01:10:52 – Prioritization and Managing Expectations
01:17:20 – Authenticity in Team Dynamics
Links:
Lisa Kretschmer – Studio Head – IO Interactive https://www.linkedin.com/in/lisa-kretschmer-5b197b84/
Fatih Özbayram – Lead Producer – Crytek https://www.linkedin.com/in/fatihoezbayram/
Onurhan Karaagacli – Development Director https://www.linkedin.com/in/onurhank/
https://ioi.dk/
https://www.crytek.com/
