The Impact of Poor Leadership on Game Development: A Deep Dive
The Slowdown of Game Development: A Leadership Issue?
In a recent article, we explored the reasons behind the increasing length of game development cycles. Surprisingly, many readers pointed out a crucial factor that was missing: the role of leadership. This oversight was not intentional, but rather a reflection of the interviews conducted, where leadership was not a primary focus.
Defining 'Bad Leadership': A Complex Task
The term 'bad leadership' is subjective and context-dependent. What might be considered a bad habit in one studio could be seen as healthy in another. This complexity was highlighted in our recent conversations with industry veterans, who shared their experiences of how poor leadership has impacted development timelines.
The Generative AI Myth: Technology vs. Human Factors
While technological advancements like generative AI may promise faster development, they fail to address the human element. It's akin to having the fastest car but lacking a skilled driver; the potential remains untapped. This analogy underscores the importance of effective leadership in game development.
Seven Traits of Poor Leadership That Slow Down Game Development
Failing to Understand Game Development Realities: Leaders who lack an understanding of the intricate details of game development can make decisions that lead to unnecessary rework.
Approving and Then Discarding Content: Some leaders approve content for production only to later discard it, often due to boredom or a lack of understanding of the development process.
Unclear Feature Requests: Asking for features without providing clear direction or understanding of implementation can lead to confusion and delays.
Needing to See Polished Material Early: The demand for expensive, polished material early in development can hinder progress and waste resources.
Poor Project Management: Unrealistic timelines, ignoring departmental dependencies, and a lack of understanding of project timelines can cause significant delays.
Lack of Trust in Employees: Requiring sign-offs from multiple leads, ignoring worker feedback, and retaliating against those who speak up can create a toxic environment and slow down decision-making.
Treating Developers as Interchangeable: Assuming that developers can easily adapt to new genres or that institutional knowledge is not lost when employees leave can lead to unrealistic expectations and delays.
The Impact of Slow Decision-Making and Poor Feedback
Slow Decision-Making: Requiring approval from multiple leads or leads focusing on specific points without offering direction can cause significant delays.
Providing Little to No Feedback: Vague or unclear feedback during reviews can lead to confusion and the need for additional work.
Demanding Sudden Changes: The 'Dark Souls phenomenon' highlights how creative leads can be influenced by popular games or media, leading to sudden, unplanned feature requests.
Crunch Policies and Team Culture
Vague Crunch Policies: The industry refrain, 'Crunch is a consequence of poor planning,' rings true. When leaders fail to manage overtime effectively, it can create a toxic team culture.
Company Policies and Hourly Workers: Capping work hours for hourly workers while setting unrealistic goals can lead to unpaid overtime and a sense of exploitation.
The Nature of Power and Leadership
The quote, 'Power reveals,' by writer Robert Caro, prompts a deeper reflection on leadership. It's not just about the actions of leaders but also the nature of the authority they hold. While some leaders can improve through education and early planning, others may abuse their power, creating a toxic work environment.
The Paradox of Leadership in the Game Industry
Structural reform is necessary to address leadership issues, but poor leaders can sometimes slip through the cracks, maintaining power due to personal relationships. This paradox highlights the complexity of the problem.
The Solution: Listening to Game Developers
AI and technology cannot fix these leadership issues. The key to speeding up game development lies in listening to the very people who make the games: the developers. Their insights and experiences are invaluable in creating a more efficient and positive development environment.
