THE GAMING PLAYBOOK
Harry Phokou sits down with experts in the games industry who have never been interviewed before. Through these in-depth conversations, Harry unpacks the “Playbook” that made them so successful.
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For guest or sponsorship inquiries reach out to playbook@phokou.com
Latest Episode
Discover how The Baby in Yellow, an indie horror game born from a game jam, exploded to over 300 million downloads — without any marketing budget or VC funding. In this episode, Greg Lee, co-founder of Team Terrible, shares how content creators, viral design strategies, and long-term thinking helped them turn a side project into a global hit. From leaving Rockstar to building a 12-person indie studio, Greg dives deep into:
- The early days of viral traction
- Designing for shareability and YouTube
- Monetization without selling out
- Building a passionate fanbase
- Advice for aspiring indie developers
If you’re a game dev, indie founder, or creative entrepreneur, this is your blueprint for building something that markets itself. Learn how to go viral, build a studio, and create lasting IP in the age of short attention spans.
Connect with Greg:
LinkedIn: 
/ greg-lee-40aa1276
X: https://x.com/heyimgreg
The Baby in Yellow:
Android: https://play.google.com/store/apps/de…
iOS: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/the-bab…
Steam: https://store.steampowered.com/app/22…
Discord: 
/ discord
Connect with Harry:
LinkedIn: / hphokou
YouTube: 
/ @hphokou
Instagram: 
/ hphokou
Get exclusive podcast recaps & industry insights: → Subscribe to the Gaming Rally Newsletter www.gamingrally.net
Featured Episodes
Recent Episodes
Today’s guest is Lara Acosta, a personal branding expert, content strategist, and founder of Literally Academy. Lara went from being unemployed in 2022 to becoming the #1 female creator on LinkedIn, amassing over 300,000 followers and generating millions through her personal brand. She now teaches others how to build a standout online presence, create engaging content, and turn their audience into a thriving business. In this episode, Lara shares her journey of building a personal brand as a woman in business and the strategies that helped her grow to over 200,000 followers on LinkedIn. She dives into the power of self-promotion, why most people struggle with content creation, and how to talk with your audience, not at them, using her SLAY framework. If you’re a content creator, business owner, or someone looking to build an authentic personal brand, this episode is for you!
Connect with Lara:
LinkedIn: / laraacostar
Youtube: / @laraacosta
𝕏: 
/ laraacostar
Instagram: / laraacostar
Connect with
Harry:
LinkedIn: / hphokou
Youtube: / @hphokou
Instagram: / hphokou
Get exclusive podcast recaps & industry tips – Sign up for the Gaming Rally Newsletter! gamingrally.net
Today’s guest is Hendrik Lesser, president of the European Game Developer Federation and CEO of Remote Control Productions (RCP).
Hendrik started out selling and writing about games before spending nearly five years at Take-Two Interactive. In 2005, he founded Remote Control Productions (RCP), which has grown from a small startup into a global network of 16 studios, shipping over 400 projects. Through RCP, he helps developers focus on making great games while handling business operations, and he continues to advocate for the industry through policy, education, and mentorship.
In this episode, he breaks down the real challenges facing the gaming industry in 2025, from cash flow struggles to why bad business, not bad games, is what really kills studios. He shares hard-earned lessons on studio leadership, competing with old games, and the biggest risks developers need to watch out for. Hendrik also talks about the power of partnerships, how to make remote teams work, and why strong leadership matters more than ever.
Whether you’re running a studio, breaking into the industry, or just want a behind-the-scenes look at the business of games, this episode is for you!
Connect with Hendrik:
LinkedIn:/hendriklesser
Website: https://rcp.family/
Connect with Harry:
LinkedIn: /hphokou
YouTube: / @hphokou
Instagram: / hphokou
Get exclusive podcast recaps & industry tips – Sign up for the Gaming Rally Newsletter! www.gamingrally.net
Today’s guest is Ali Farha, a Senior Technical Producer at Star Stable Entertainment. Ali has helped studios build scalable technology, optimize tools, and even port a 12+-year-old game to platforms like Metal, iOS, and Android. With a background in QA and a passion for tech leadership, he’s all about creating high-performing teams and future-proofing game development. In this episode, Ali breaks down what it truly means to be a producer in the gaming industry, sharing how the role adapts to different teams and challenges. He discusses the art of simplifying complexity, balancing long-term vision with immediate priorities, and the difference between coaching and mentoring to empower teams. Ali also shares his personal journey, from breaking into the industry without connections to building skills that set him apart. This episode is perfect for producers, aspiring game developers, or anyone curious about leadership and succeeding in the world of game production.
Today’s guest is Alexander Brazie, a veteran game designer with over 20 years of experience and co-founder of Game Design Skills. Alexander has worked on some of the biggest titles in gaming, including World of Warcraft at Blizzard, League of Legends at Riot, and Ori and the Will of the Wisps at Moon Studios. With a track record of building and mentoring design teams, he’s helped ship over 32 projects and is passionate about teaching the craft of game design to the next generation. In this episode, he breaks down how to land your first game design job, what recruiters look for in portfolios, and the mistakes new designers should avoid. Alexander also explains how reverse engineering games can sharpen your design skills and why a strong portfolio matters more than a degree. If you’re an aspiring game designer, a student, or someone looking to transition into the industry, this podcast is for you!
Today’s guest is Jacob Pegs, a solopreneur, mentor, friend, and founder of Modern Maker, a coaching community. After years of web development and running a marketing agency, Jacob went solo and built a business that’s served 250+ clients, 2000+ customers, and $3.4M in client sales. He helps people craft offers that sell and create content that actually works. In this episode, Jacob shares how he built a thriving solo business by crafting simple offers and using power writing to connect with his audience. He explains his “Teach, Share, Show, Invite” method for creating engaging content, tips for crafting your first offer, and how to scale a business without stress. This episode is perfect for solopreneurs, anyone starting a solo business, those looking to improve their LinkedIn content, or anyone struggling to create their first offer.
The Gaming Playbook’s first-ever studio panel discussion features three LinkedIn powerhouses: Lara Acosta, Jacob Pegs, and Matt Barker.
Episode Sponsor: Aware
The LinkedIn Engagement & Analytics Tool
Use code “HARRY” for 20% off at: https://useaware.co/?fpr=harry
Lara Acosta – #1 UK Female Creator, runs Literally Academy Jacob Pegs – Founder of Modern Maker, a coaching community. Matt Barker – Author of The Digital Writer – Copywriting Course. Collectively, with over 400k followers, they’ve made $1,000,000s of dollars using LinkedIn. In this episode, the panel and host dive deep into the art of content creation and building a business you truly enjoy. Topics include using AI to simplify writing, creating connections through in-jokes, and strategies for making your videos stand out in the LinkedIn feed. They also explore managing time effectively, achieving balance, and crafting high-ticket offers, all while avoiding burnout. Whether you’re a creator, entrepreneur, or someone looking to level up your LinkedIn content game, this episode is packed with actionable insights for you.
Want to be guest?
Have a story or strategy that gaming professionals need to hear? Apply here to be a guest on The Gaming Playbook. We’re always looking for leaders, innovators, and experts to share their wisdom with our audience.
For business inquiries or sponsorship opportunities, reach out to playbook@phokou.com
