Thriving Together: Cultivating a Healthy Indie Game Studio

Presentation on Thriving Together: Cultivating a Healthy Indie Game Studio Points:

• Fostering Inclusivity: Encouraging diverse perspectives and ensuring every team member feels valued and heard.
• Cultivating a Positive Culture: Building an environment where creativity thrives through trust, support, and open communication.
• Supporting Mental Wellness: Implementing policies and practices that prioritize employee well-being and work-life balance.
• Effective Team Management: Strategies for leading small indie teams with empathy and flexibility while maintaining productivity.
• Long-Term Success: How nurturing a healthy studio culture leads to sustainable growth and stronger game development outcomes.
• Proactive Diversity: The importance of diverse hiring, mentorship, and leadership to enrich team dynamics and creativity.

Renee leads Stumbling Cat, an indie studio based in Seattle, and is a multi-disciplinary leader with expertise in business operations, software engineering, and creative direction. Previously, she was the General Manager of Phoenix Lab - Vancouver and the Executive Director of the IGDA. She is a passionate advocate and connector for developers and diversity in the game industry. She is also the Chair of the IGDA Alumni Board, consults for numerous organizations, and is outspoken about initiatives to increase diversity both within the game industry and gaming overall to help the game industry grow and improve for everyone.

Host or Publisher New Media Manitoba