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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This episode is a wake-up call for studio heads, producers, and game leaders still playing by outdated rules.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: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rich-vogel-093425/

🔗T-Minus Zero Entertainment LinkedIn: 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: 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

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