Small team - sharp focus
We’re a team of seven. At a time when large studios face layoffs and smaller teams, especially from Turkey (well done! FTW!), are finding success, it’s more important than ever to rethink how we (game studios) operate and build success.
NOTE: We’ll be discussing exactly this at the Nordic Game Conference Executive Summit: how to build the next chapter of game studios. Join us to explore why a small team isn’t a limitation but can be more of a strategy and what it really takes to get back in the game and win big. We’ll also cover other critical topics but consider this a teaser :D
A lot is happening in the market that’s shaping the next chapter and one obvious place to start is the team. Lately, we’ve seen a resurgence of success stories built on lean cores. Studios like Landfall Games are staying small on purpose, with tight-knit teams at the center and flexible networks around them whether contractors or fellow indie studios, brought in when needed. It’s a win-win: clear ownership, less overhead, and far less risk. If a project pivots (or resets entirely), you’re not dragging a massive organization with it.
That flexibility is even more powerful today. AI has become a true force multiplier. Algorithmic, rule-based systems like procedural generation still help small teams punch above their weight by building levels and content efficiently. Traditional scripted AI for bots and NPCs remains highly relevant. On top of that, newer tools go further: agents assist workflows, and GenAI speeds up tasks that once sat outside a team’s core skillset. Work that used to require hiring can now often be handled in-house.
Attendees will dive into presentations followed by intimate small-group discussions exploring critical shifts in studio operations, talent acquisition and hiring, the integration of AI, evolving business models, and more.
So how does a team of seven compete in a world of massive studios whether it’s huge productions from China or marketing-driven hits from Turkey? We don’t. Not on their terms. We’ll win by building our own battles.
That means leaning into originality, tight execution, and ideas that don’t require massive teams or UA-machines to shine. It’s about designing games that thrive because of focus, while adding a dash of innovation, streamlining production, and doubling down on what matters most: gameplay and mechanics.
What does this mean in practice? Let’s continue the discussion. I hope to see you at the Nordic Game Conference this May in Malmö!