The Business of Video Games Podcast

Episode 48 - Shams and Fernandos Holiday Wrap Up 2025

It's Fri... Monday!
In this end-of-year episode, Shams and Fernando look back on 2025. From personal wins to the industry-wide turbulence that affects everyone. They both reflect on a surprisingly strong year for their work while acknowledging how tough it’s been for many studios, with layoffs, consolidation and cautious decision-making shaping the landscape.
Topics iniclude the major deals almost known more for what they signal about power and money, than for the games themselves, as well as the ongoing conversation around the tension between creative risk and AAA budgets. How does franchises who get stuck trying to “stay fresh” without alienating fans, and why could “franchise fatigue” actually be more of a quality problem?
And what would a wrap up in 2025 be without the AI conversation, the VR conversation, the new hardware (Switch 2) conversation and of course some hot 2026 industry predictions..? ;)
Til next time, Happy Holidays!

Episode 47 - Let them Cook - Adam Boyes Part 2

It's Friday!
In the second half of their conversation with Adam Boyes, Shams and Fernando go far beyond career anecdotes and dig into what truly drives fulfillment in the games industry. Adam reflects on the pivotal moment he chose happiness and creative energy over traditional career momentum - an insight that later shaped Iron Galaxy’s unusually transparent, collaborative leadership structure. The discussion also widens into a sharp look at how co-development evolved from a misunderstood niche into a central force in modern game production, and how Iron Galaxy found itself years ahead of that curve.
From there, the trio explores deeper industry currents: where new capital is coming from, how money from inside and outside gaming reshapes studios, and whether AAA development is drifting toward a Hollywood-like system of compact creative cores supported by waves of specialist partners. Adam’s perspective blends optimism with realism, emphasizing stamina, courage, and the willingness to keep taking risks even when big bets fail.
But the episode never loses its warmth or humor - culminating in Adam revisiting the now-iconic photo of him wearing a VR headset next to a charging Tesla(!), a snapshot of tech culture at its most unselfconscious. It’s an episode that mixes heart, industry insight, and genuine silliness in equal measure.
Find Vivrato here
VR in the parking lot

Episode 46 - The man from the memes - Adam Boyes Part 1

Do we got another great conversation for you here friends? Yes we do!
In this episode, Shams and Fernando sit down with industry veteran Adam Boyes to explore his remarkable journey through the industry over the last decades. Adam shares stories from his early years, continuing to look at his time at Midway and Capcom, and his transition into business development and executive leadership.
The conversation leads over to Adams experience with navigating Japanese corporate culture, digital distribution with titles like Bionic Commando Rearmed and an unexpected stint consulting for major non-gaming IPs like Kraft Foods(!).
But what is a conversation with Adam Boyes without diving into his years at PlayStation during the PS4 generation, including the backstory behind one of the most iconic industry memes: the legendary “How to Share a Game on PlayStation” video..
But before we jump into the interview, Shams and Fernando also sheds some light on Sweden’s outsized footprint in the global games industry, from its unusually strong export numbers to the cultural and economic aspects that have helped Swedish studios punch far above their weight for decades (and continue to do so).
The "How to share your game on PlayStation"-meme
VR in the parking lot
Vivrato.com

Episode 45 - The Emotional Battle - Chris Bourassa and Tyler Sigman

It's time to continue our conversation with Chris and Tyler som Red Hook Studios!
In this second half of our interview with Red Hook Studios founders Chris and Tyler, we focus on what happened after Darkest Dungeon 1. Wrapping up Kickstarter commitments, the surprising intensity of Early Access, and how the game’s success never really gave the team a chance to slow down.
Among other things, we also touch on their DLC approach, some of the business decisions behind Darkest Dungeon 2 and why they ultimately accepted an Epic Games Store deal that fully funded the sequel despite community pushback.
Beyond the interview, Shams and Fernando also get into the state of industry events like GDC, plus what they’ve been playing and thinking about lately - because even in a packed episode, there’s always room for a little extra.
Find Red Hook Studios on Steam here

Episode 44 - Releasing Darkest Dungeon - Chris Bourassa and Tyler Sigman

We are back!
And what a time to be alive when we start of Season 4 with two real bangers.
Chris Bourassa and Tyler Sigman are the creative minds behind Darkest Dungeon and co-founders of Red Hook Studios. Chris - who still believes he’s not really an artist, despite shaping one of the most iconic visual styles in gaming - joins forces with Tyler, the design wizard and production mastermind.
In this episode (the first of two), we dive into their backstory, unpack their Kickstarter ride, and explore how they turned stress, madness, and misery into one of the most unforgettable indie darlings out there.
Find Red Hook Studios on Steam

Episode 43 - Games industry myths - Season 3 finale

In our final episode of the season, Shams and Fernando drop the guest format to tackle a few persistent myths and misconceptions that have been quietly annoying us all year.
We dig into things like:
How a game can be a bestseller and still be considered a disappointment
What minority investments really mean — and what they don’t
No shouting, no hot takes (okay, maybe one), just two people who’ve seen a few things, trying to make sense of a business that often doesn't.
Thanks for listening this season — see you soon.
 
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Episode 42 - Should You Be Shadow Dropping Your Games? - Rebecca Lautner and Kirsten Lee Naidoo

Nobody does shadow drops (the act of releasing a game with no advance marketing) quite like Landfall Games, who've done it many times; most recently moving 2 million units of PEAK in less than 2 weeks after shadow dropping it in June.
Fernando talks to Landfall's Chief Business Officer Rebecca Lautner and Head of Publishing Kirsten-Lee Naidoo to get the inside story of how they've become the masters of this unusual tactic.

Episode 41 - Business War Stories - Jake Solomon

XCOM designer and Sid Meier protege Jake Solomon is embarking on a new mission: CEO of his own studio. Jake gives Shams and Fernando a window into his extraordinary career, telling stories from his days at Firaxis and talking about his journey to found Midsummer Studios.
Follow Jake's progress at https://www.midsummerstudios.com/

Episode 40 - Forty Two immutable Laws of Games Business - Paul Kilduff Taylor

Fourty two is the answer to life - but it's also the number of points of wisdom justly dispensed by games industry veteran Paul Kilduff-Taylor - mastermind behind Developer/Publisher/Operator - Mode 7 Games. Paul wrote the list of "42 Essential Game Dev Tips That Are Immutably Correct and Must Never Be Disputed by Anyone Ever At Any Time!"  and we unpack some of these and try to figure out why Paul is a very wise man. Because he is.
(sorry about Shams audio - its fixed in the next episode!)
Check out the original blog post here
https://modecollapse.substack.com/p/42-essential-game-dev-tips-that-are
And more info on Mode 7 Games: https://www.mode7.games/

Episode 39 - The Indie Business Auteur - Xalavier Nelson Jr

Season 3 finally continues with a truly unique indie business auteur!
Xalavier Nelson Jr. runs Strange Scaffold, a game studio that defies convention—achieving repeated success while staying boldly artistic. Listen in to hear Xalavier and Strange Scaffold manage what so few others do. 
 
👉 Visit Strange Scaffold and explore their games here. https://www.strangescaffold.com/