1 rich Libsyn https://www.libsyn.com 90 600 If you’re a leader in game dev who feels stuck, there is a path forward that levels up your leadership and accelerates your team, game, and career. Sign up here to learn more: https://forms.gle/nqRTUvgFrtdYuCbr6 30,000 Layoffs. Solid prototypes can’t get funding. Western Game Dev Is Breaking. In this episode, Rich Vogel explains why Western game development isn’t in a downturn, it’s in a reset. Fresh off fundraising conversations in 2025-2026, Rich breaks down why funding for large-budget games has nearly disappeared, why publishers and VCs are pulling back from North American teams, and how leadership decisions, not creativity, are sinking studios. Rich is a 30-year industry veteran who’s founded and led four major studios, including BioWare Austin and Sony Online Entertainment Austin, which have generated over $3B in revenue. As producer on Ultima Online, Star Wars Galaxies, and Star Wars: The Old Republic, he’s seen every cycle, and knows exactly why this one is different. We cover: Why investors see Western studios as high-risk How salary inflation and entitlement narratives are reshaping where games get made Why unproven big bets are no longer survivable How small, shippable wins are the new path to scale This episode is a wake-up call for studio heads, producers, and game leaders still playing by outdated rules. Learn more about our guest: 🔗LinkedIn:&amp;nbsp;https://www.linkedin.com/in/rich-vogel-093425/ 🔗T-Minus Zero Entertainment LinkedIn:&amp;nbsp;https://www.linkedin.com/company/t-minus-zero-entertainment/ 🔗Website: https://www.t-minuszero-relaunch.com/ If you want me to help producers or studios build better games through effective systems and leadership, you can reach me at: info@valarinconsulting.com Connect with us: 🔗Ben’s LinkedIn:&amp;nbsp;https://www.linkedin.com/in/benjamin-carcich/ 🔗BBG’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/building-better-games/ 🔗Newsletter Signup: The Building Better Games Newsletter 🔗YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCZpMT-dUwQR-R4Mb4uub6Sw 🔗Website: https://www.buildingbettergames.gg #GameDev #GameIndustry #Leadership #VideoGameDevelopment #BuildingBetterGames &amp;nbsp; Building Better Games https://buildingbettergames.gg/podcast <iframe title="Libsyn Player" style="border: none" src="//html5-player.libsyn.com/embed/episode/id/39627475/height/90/theme/custom/thumbnail/yes/direction/forward/render-playlist/no/custom-color/88AA3C/" height="90" width="600" scrolling="no" allowfullscreen webkitallowfullscreen mozallowfullscreen oallowfullscreen msallowfullscreen></iframe> https://assets.libsyn.com/secure/content/197198935