Indie Insider
Indie Insider
Indie Insider #44 - John Master Lee, Product & Brand Executive
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This week’s guest: John Master Lee, a veteran product and brand executive in the video game industry.

Topics discussed:

  1. How the Lean Startup Methodology can help optimize your life and work
  2. Whether or not your geographical location impacts your ability to succeed
  3. Why it is that success comes to those who pursue their passions
  4. The pros and cons of founding your own startup or studio
  5. How companies such as Bethesda have grown over the last two decades
  6. Thoughts on honest and comedic marketing strategies
  7. …and much more! ​

Hey Insiders,

After my interview with John Master Lee, I immediately went and purchased The Lean Startup by Eric Reis. John warns that the book itself is padded with some “fluff,” but that the core information is actually quite beneficial and applicable to the video game industry. I’d have to agree. There are a lot of concepts in the methodology that apply directly to this industry (and to life in general), but John’s main takeaway was something like this: Prioritize the things that will make the most difference, and focus your energies there.

In the journey to becoming a successful video game developer, it’s easy to become overwhelmed or lost in the flood of information. If you’re a fan of this show, then you know that every guest has different advice, different insight, and different lessons to share. How would you ever figure out where to start? How do you keep yourself from worrying about the little details? How do you keep from getting too far ahead of yourself?

The answer is likely simpler than you fear – focus on the things that will make the most difference. If that’s just downloading some software and making something, then focus on that. If it’s reaching out to others and answering some emails because that will get you the farthest, then focus on that. Eliminate the other outside distractors that you don’t need to deal with until later. John took it a step farther and actually eliminated excess material possessions that he no longer needed. Find what works for you, and focus your energies there.

And if you’re feeling stuck, reach out.

My email: [email protected]

– Logan Schultz, Indie Insider Host


Have thoughts or questions? Want to be on the show? Email us: [email protected].

Indie Insider, presented by Black Shell M​edia, is the podcast that dives into the independent video game scene by speaking with indie developers, publishers, and industry professionals about their projects, stories, and thoughts on the hottest current topics! Indie Insider airs every Monday on BlackShellMedia.com and podcast hosting sites everywhere.

Black Shell Media is a publishing​ and marketing firm dedicated to helping independent video game developers reach massive audiences, publish financially successful titles, and turn game development into a career. It’s our mission to help game developers get more of what they want out of a rewarding opportunity in the game industry: more fans and sustainable revenue to keep them moving forward.