In this episode of "Building Better Games,"  Benjamin Carcich and Greg Street, also known as Ghostcrawler, delve into the intricacies of game design during the ideation phase. Greg shares his extensive experience from his time working on League of Legends, World of Warcraft, Age of Empires, and his current venture at Fantastic Pixel Castle. Key Discussion Points: Early Stages of Game Development: How to initiate a new game project and the unique challenges that come with it. Differentiating game design during the ideation phase compared to later stages. State of the Gaming Industry: The current landscape of the gaming industry, including the impact of layoffs and economic shifts. Greg's perspective on the future of the industry and the potential for recovery. Innovations in Game Design: The importance of focusing on specific areas for innovation while adhering to established industry standards in others. Examples of innovative design elements planned for Greg's current project, "Ghost." Social Dynamics of MMOs: The unique social fabric of MMOs and the challenges of designing for player interaction and community building. Strategies to enhance social interaction and make it easier for players to play together. Player Feedback and Iteration: The value of incorporating player feedback early in the development process. Balancing the creative vision with player expectations and feedback. Leadership and Team Dynamics: The role of leadership in guiding a team through the early stages of development. Building a collaborative and productive team environment. Estimation and Planning: The importance of estimation in managing early game development tasks. Balancing estimation with the flexibility needed for creative exploration. Defining Vision and Audience: The significance of having a clear vision and understanding the target audience. Strategies for identifying and catering to the intended player base. Challenges and Risks: Identifying and managing risks in the early stages of game development. Strategies for mitigating potential issues and ensuring project stability. Greg also shares personal anecdotes and insights from his career, emphasizing the importance of flexibility, adaptability, and maintaining a clear vision throughout the game development process. This episode provides valuable guidance for aspiring game developers and offers a deep dive into the complexities of game design in the ideation phase. Our discord community is live! Join here to engage with leaders and producers in game dev looking to make our industry a better place that makes better games: https://discord.gg/ySCPS5aMcQ And if you're interested in more of our content, links below. "Succeeding in Game Production: What You Aren't Taught" online course for game producers: https://www.buildingbettergames.gg/succeeding-in-game-production Newsletter: https://www.buildingbettergames.gg/newsletter Ben's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/benjamin-carcich/ Greg's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/greg-street-b356447/ Greg’s Website: https://fantasticpixelcastle.com/ Greg’s Twitter: https://x.com/Ghostcrawler YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@buildingbettergames