E112: The Game Producer Trap: Busy, Helpful, Useless

If you're 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

If you disappeared for a week, would your team lose their momentum—or just their note-taker?

Most game producers are stuck in a "checklist trap"—spending their days managing tickets, booking meetings, and taking notes without ever understanding the actual goal.

In this episode, Ben breaks down why production is fundamentally a leadership role based on influence, not just project management software. If you feel like your team is "drifting" despite hitting every milestone, you might be failing at the one thing that actually matters: moving the organization towards a valuable goal.

What You'll Learn:

• The importance of shifting from a "task-doer" to a big-picture leader who influences the entire studio
• Why specific tools like Jira and sticky notes aren't the "point" of your job
• Why shipping a "good enough" game to pass a milestone is a dangerous trap that can break your team
• How prioritizing towards the goal outperforms doing what worked last time

Connect with us:

🔗Ben's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/benjamin-carcich/

🔗BBG's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/building-better-games/

🔗Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/buildingbettergames/#

🔗Website: https://www.buildingbettergames.gg

🔗YouTube: 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: [e-mail]

#GameDev #GameProduction #GameLeadership #BuildingBetter Games #ProjectManagement