Join me for an insightful conversation with Lee Kemp from Tea Imp Games as we delve into the world of game design.

Discover the nuances of a game designer's role, the challenges of balancing creative projects with consultancy and his journey of developing the indie game Thingamajigs.

Whether you're a studio leader or an aspiring designer, Lee's experiences and tips offer valuable lessons for anyone in the gaming industry.

Tune in for a blend of professional insights and personal stories that highlight the art and science of game design.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Game Design

02:31 The Impact of Location on Game Development

05:23 The Importance of Office Environments for Juniors

08:21 Design Reviews and the Role of a Game Designer

11:37 Understanding Game Mechanics and Player Experience

14:23 Analysing Game Design Processes

17:20 Common Pitfalls in Game Development

20:22 Balancing Freelance Work and Personal Projects

24:29 The Importance of Design in Game Development

25:44 When to Bring a Designer into the Team

26:30 The Role of Designers in Problem Solving

28:26 Challenges in VR Game Design

30:16 Introducing Thingamajigs: A Wholesome Game Experience

33:22 Navigating the Indie Game Development Landscape

33:48 How to Effectively Collaborate with Designers

37:30 The Importance of Open-Mindedness in Game Development

39:00 What's next for Lee

About Lee

Lee Kemp is a skilled design lead with a head for production and a focus on getting games to release. He’s led teams from 10 to 100 people, from tiny indie hits to platform launch titles.

In his current role as the head of an indie studio (Tea Imp Games), Lee leads the design on internal IPs. Externally, he's also freelance design lead who helping other studios find their creative footing around their own design issues.

You can find him on:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kemplee/

Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/designergoblin.bsky.social

Tea Imp Games: https://www.teaimpgames.com/

About Me

Hi, I’m Cat Burton! I've built studios, raised funding and shipped games to millions of players. Now I help you do the same with expert games consultancy and coaching. The Goth Boss Podcast is where I dive into the real challenges of making games and running studios.

You can connect with me on:

GothBoss (Games Consultancy & Coaching): https://www.GothBoss.co.uk

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/catburton

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gothbosscat

Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/gothbosscat.bsky.social

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@gothbosscat

P.S. We gave a little shoutout to our friend Dan Blatherwick who is an amazing sound designer for games. He also made the music for this podcast! You can find him at:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/danblatherwick/

Portfolio: https://danblatherwick.co.uk/

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Do you feel like you're “always on”? Are you constantly checking emails, LinkedIn and social media? Do you find yourself looking at work accounts or posting to Slack outside of office hours?

In this episode of The Goth Boss Podcast, I’ll share practical strategies to break the habit of constantly checking apps and emails, and help you set digital boundaries. Learn how to protect your focus and model healthy disconnection so your team feel empowered to do the same.

If you're looking for a way to avoid burnout, learning to switch off is the first step.

Got your own tips to add? Please share them with others in the comments!

Chapters:

00:00 The Pressure of Being Always On

08:03 Breaking the Cycle of Digital Addiction

14:01 Practical Steps to Disconnect

15:17 Action Points

16:28 Leading by Example

~~~~~

Hi! I’m Cat Burton, I've built studios, raised funding and shipped games to millions of players. Now I help you do the same with expert games consultancy and coaching.

The Goth Boss Podcast is where I dive into the real challenges of making games and running studios.

GothBoss (Games Consultancy & Coaching): https://www.GothBoss.co.uk

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/catburton

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gothbosscat

Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/gothbosscat.bsky.social

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@gothbosscat

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of The Goth Boss Podcast, I speak with marketing expert Haley Uyrus about how indie and AAA game developers can effectively market their games. We discuss strategies ranging from defining business objectives and understanding audiences, to making the most of social media, mailing lists, events, and store pages like Steam. Haley also shares insights on current trends and future predictions for game marketing.

If you have any questions or comments, you can send me a message at gothboss.co.uk/podcast.

00:00 Introduction

01:03 Marketing fundamentals in gaming

03:30 Understanding Your Audience

06:22 The Evolution of Social Media in Marketing

09:28 The Resurgence of Mailing Lists

12:38 Behind the Scenes: Humanising Game Development

15:37 Indie vs. AAA Marketing Strategies

18:31 The Role of In-Person Events in Marketing

24:32 Maximizing Steam Page Effectiveness

33:42 Understanding Fractional Roles in the Games Industry

39:58 Marketing Trends and Predictions for 2026

Haley Uyrus is an award winning brand marketing director and creative leader, having worked 12+ years in the industry on games like Fall Guys, LEGO Fortnite, and most recently Sonic Rumble.

You can connect with her on:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/haley-uyrus-a0059212/

Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/absintheuse.bsky.social

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@brand.sorceress

Hi, I’m Cat Burton! I've built studios, raised funding and shipped games to millions of players. Now I help you do the same with expert games consultancy and coaching. The Goth Boss Podcast is where I dive into the real challenges of making games and running studios.

GothBoss (Games Consultancy & Coaching): https://www.GothBoss.co.uk

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/catburton

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gothbosscat

Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/gothbosscat.bsky.social

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@gothbosscat

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.