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PODCAST

Press Start Leadership Podcast

Press Start Leadership

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

leisure video games

All Episodes

16:52

Balancing Freedom And Accountability In Game...

Press Start Leadership Podcast ·

2026/01/19

Tell us what you thought of the episode and any topics you would like us to cover! Creative teams need room to breathe, but games do not ship on good intentions alone. We dig into “trust but verify” as a practical leadership philosophy for game development, showing how to grant real autonomy while building clear, respectful systems that keep projects aligned, morale strong, and quality rising. From studios in transition to new projects spinning up, we break down what trust truly means—delegat...

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15:49

How To Start Strong As A New Video Game Leader

Press Start Leadership Podcast ·

2026/01/04

Tell us what you thought of the episode and any topics you would like us to cover! New role, new studio, real stakes. We explore how to make your first 90 days as a game leader count, drawing on Michael Watkins’ proven framework and years of hard-won lessons from creative, technical, and production floors. From the first one-on-ones to the first visible win, we walk through a practical playbook for earning trust, reducing risk, and setting a durable pace. We start with the discovery mindset:...

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16:33

From Chaos To Clarity: Monthly, Weekly, Daily For...

Press Start Leadership Podcast ·

2025/12/29

Tell us what you thought of the episode and any topics you would like us to cover! Creative work thrives when leaders build space for it. We dive into a practical planning system for studio leads and producers that transforms constant reacting into calm, focused progress—without smothering spontaneity. Across a fast-moving production cycle, we map out how monthly direction, weekly momentum, and daily clarity help you protect your team’s attention, sustain your energy, and ship better work. W...

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16:58

Back To Basics Leadership

Press Start Leadership Podcast ·

2025/12/21

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...

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17:36

Why Great Leaders Never Stop Learning In A...

Press Start Leadership Podcast ·

2025/12/15

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....

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28:03

From Game Worlds To Global Franchises: How Leaders...

Press Start Leadership Podcast ·

2025/11/30

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...

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19:20

Remote Leadership That Actually Works

Press Start Leadership Podcast ·

2025/11/23

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 ...

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18:46

From Pitch Rooms To Panels: Mastering Debate And...

Press Start Leadership Podcast ·

2025/11/16

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...

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18:35

How Game Studios Find, Prove, And Protect Competitive...

Press Start Leadership Podcast ·

2025/11/09

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...

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17:36

Why Reactive Leaders Burn Out Studios And How...

Press Start Leadership Podcast ·

2025/11/02

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 ...

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18:28

Balancing Scarcity And Growth In The Games Industry

Press Start Leadership Podcast ·

2025/10/26

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 ...

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17:26

Why The Games Industry Must Choose Empathy And Ditch...

Press Start Leadership Podcast ·

2025/10/19

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...

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18:06

Building Creative IP Ecosystems for Sustainable...

Press Start Leadership Podcast ·

2025/10/05

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...

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16:20

Network or Burnout: The Entrepreneur's Choice

Press Start Leadership Podcast ·

2025/09/28

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...

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15:19

Finding Your Zen in Game Dev Chaos

Press Start Leadership Podcast ·

2025/09/21

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...

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16:04

The Art of Game Pitching: One Sheet to Deal

Press Start Leadership Podcast ·

2025/09/14

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...

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18:28

Beyond Hope: Strategic Planning as Your Studio's...

Press Start Leadership Podcast ·

2025/09/07

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...

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20:29

From Lost to Aligned: Transforming Game Developer...

Press Start Leadership Podcast ·

2025/08/25

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...

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16:40

Lateral Thinking: The Game Developer's Secret Weapon...

Press Start Leadership Podcast ·

2025/08/17

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...

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19:05

Aligning Your Game with Market Demand: How to...

Press Start Leadership Podcast ·

2025/08/10

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...

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228 results

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