E82: The Art & Science of Game Prototyping with Leif Johansen

Building Better Games

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What if everything you thought about prototyping was wrong? Many teams rush to validate an idea too soon, but what if the real secret to success is building a studio that learns better? In this episode, Leif Johansen breaks down the myths of prototyping and how studios can create a structured approach to experimenting with game ideas.

Key Takeaways:

- Stop Searching for the “Perfect Prototype” – The best teams prioritize many small, fast failures over one high-stakes prototype.

- Prototyping Is a Science and an Art – The most successful studios create intentional experiments that map out their design space before committing to a vision.

- Build a Learning Machine, Not Just a Game – A strong studio isn’t just about good ideas—it’s about a team that knows how to test and refine them.

- Innovation Comes from Small Fixes, Not Big Ideas – World of Warcraft and Apex Legends didn’t just win by reinventing the wheel; they won by refining existing formulas with micro-improvements.

- Hiring Too Fast Can Kill Your Game – Too many studios hire for downstream roles (art, animation) before locking in core mechanics, creating inefficiencies and wasted resources.

👉 Connect with Leif Johansen

- Leif Johansen LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/leif-johansen-52139141

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