In this episode of The Talent Game podcast, I speak with Nick Button-Brown, a gaming industry veteran with nearly 30 years of experience. We explore Nick’s journey from accounting to gaming, his role as an angel investor, and what makes a startup investable. The conversation covers balancing creativity with delivery in game development, the impact of leadership on team culture, and the evolving role of AI in games. Nick also shares insights on hiring, team dynamics, and the importance of authenticity and self-reflection in building strong teams.

🎮 Balancing Creativity & Execution – Great game development isn’t just about big ideas; it’s about delivering them effectively. Startups often fail by prioritizing creativity without considering execution. The best teams iterate rapidly, refining their vision while staying grounded in production realities.

🚀 What Makes a Team Investable – Investors look for teams with a mix of experience, adaptability, and the ability to learn from failure. Passion is important, but startups need leaders who understand both the commercial and creative sides of gaming, ensuring long-term sustainability.

🤝 Leadership & Team Culture Shape Success – Strong leadership isn’t just about honesty; it’s about knowing when and how to deliver tough messages while maintaining morale. Hiring should focus on team fit and diverse skill sets, with self-awareness and emotional intelligence playing a key role in building and scaling great teams.

In this episode of The Talent Game Podcast, I speak with Olivia Yu about her transition from the entertainment industry to gaming and tech. We explore the role of partnerships in business, shifting workplace cultures, and the impact of leadership and mentorship. Olivia highlights the importance of inclusivity, particularly for women in the industry, and shares insights on how technology can drive positive change. The conversation wraps up with advice for aspiring professionals and a look at what the future holds.

Key Takeaways

• Partnerships and inclusivity drive business success – Strong collaborations enhance growth, and diverse workplaces lead to better decision-making.
• Women in tech face unique challenges – Amplifying women's voices in meetings and fostering mentorship can create more equitable opportunities.
• Adaptability is key to career success – Embracing continuous learning and understanding cultural differences help navigate evolving industries.

In this episode, I speak with Bruce Grove, CTO of Avantis Education, about his journey from gaming to EdTech. Bruce shares his experience working at Sun Microsystems, Dell, OnLive, and Polystream, highlighting the evolution of cloud gaming and how VR and gamification are transforming education. He discusses the challenges of building startups, the importance of trust and co-founder chemistry, and why curiosity and adaptability are essential for leadership. The episode also covers effective hiring and interviewing techniques, fostering genuine connections, and creating a strong company culture that drives success.

• Gaming & EdTech Innovation: Bruce shares his career path from building his own games to working at Sun Microsystems, Dell, OnLive, and Polystream, highlighting the evolution of cloud gaming and its impact on VR in education.
• Leadership & Startups: He emphasizes the importance of trust, chemistry with co-founders, and psychological safety in building successful teams, along with how curiosity and adaptability drive great leadership.
• Hiring & Culture: Bruce discusses effective interview techniques, fostering genuine connections, and creating a culture of openness that enables teams to grow and succeed.