{"version":1,"type":"rich","provider_name":"Libsyn","provider_url":"https:\/\/www.libsyn.com","height":90,"width":600,"title":"E117: The Real Reason Estimates Fail In Game Dev","description":"If you\u2019re a leader in game dev who feels stuck, able to spot problems but struggling to make a real difference, 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 Stop treating your game dev estimates like a prophecy; you aren't a prophet. If your estimates keep failing, it\u2019s not because your team is bad at math; it\u2019s because you\u2019re using estimation as a fortune-telling machine instead of a decision-making tool. In this episode, Ben breaks down why &quot;perfect&quot; plans are a trap in the high-uncertainty world of game dev. He introduces a four-level framework\u2014from &quot;Priorities First&quot; to &quot;Relative Sizing&quot;\u2014to help you gain predictability, set external expectations, and find shared understanding across disciplines without killing your team's soul in meetings. What you\u2019ll learn in this episode:  Why estimation isn\u2019t really about being accurate \u2014 and why predictability and velocity are only part of the picture. Why estimating work without clear priorities can actually slow teams down and lead to worse decisions How simple throughput tracking can outperform detailed estimates for forecasting \u2014 with less friction from the team When fast \u201cblink\u201d estimates are more useful than detailed sizing, and how they help Design, QA, and Engineering spot risk early Why the Fibonacci sequence exists in estimation \u2014 and how to avoid wasting time debating tiny differences that don\u2019t matter How to recognize when estimation isn\u2019t worth the cost, and when time-boxing is the smarter move  If you\u2019re a producer or lead tired of watching your team polish a &quot;beautiful plan&quot; while the actual game feels like it's missing the mark, this episode is for you. Connect with us: \ud83d\udd17Ben\u2019s LinkedIn: https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/in\/benjamin-carcich\/ \ud83d\udd17BBG\u2019s LinkedIn: https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/company\/building-better-games\/ \ud83d\udd17Instagram: https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/buildingbettergames\/# \ud83d\udd17Website: https:\/\/www.buildingbettergames.gg&amp;nbsp; \ud83d\udd17YouTube:&amp;nbsp;https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/channel\/UCZpMT-dUwQR-R4Mb4uub6Sw If you want me to help producers or studios build better games through effective systems and leadership, you can reach me at:&amp;nbsp;info@valarinconsulting.com #GameDev #GameProduction #ProjectManagement #BuildingBetterGames #AgileDevelopment ","author_name":"Building Better Games","author_url":"https:\/\/buildingbettergames.gg\/podcast","html":"<iframe title=\"Libsyn Player\" style=\"border: none\" src=\"\/\/html5-player.libsyn.com\/embed\/episode\/id\/40138265\/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>","thumbnail_url":"https:\/\/assets.libsyn.com\/secure\/content\/198651260"}