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.
Listen or watch on your favorite platforms
Want to be featured?
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 Raphael Colantonio, President and Creative Director at Wolf Eye Studios. Raphael Colantonio has been a prominent figure in the game industry since 1993. He founded Arkane Studios in 1999 and brought us classics like Arx Fatalis, Dark Messiah, Bioshock 2 (co-development), and the Dishonored series. With hundreds of awards to his name, Raphael co-founded WolfEye Studios in 2019, releasing Weird West in 2022. Besides his expertise in creative direction and game mechanics, Raphael is also a talented musician, having composed music for Dishonored, Prey, and Weird West. In this podcast, he shares his journey from Arkane Studios to founding WolfEye, diving into his passion for game development, the challenges of creating games, the importance of long-term teams, and managing a remote studio. This podcast is for anyone interested in game development, from aspiring developers and studio founders to gaming enthusiasts looking for behind-the-scenes insights.
Today’s guest is Kshiraj Telang, a seasoned artist and Art Director at Moon Active. With over 20 years in the entertainment industry, including over a decade in mobile games, Kshiraj has worked at 11 gaming studios worldwide, gaining a unique perspective on diverse environments. He began his career as a cartoonist, evolving into roles as an animator, web artist, and flash game designer. Now, Kshiraj leads a talented team at Moon Active, providing vision for the company and its products. He also launched the ‘Doodles to Downloads’ podcast to give back to the industry and share insights on game art. In this podcast, he shares insights into the differences in work culture between various countries and the impact of these experiences on his professional development. Kshiraj also discusses the challenges and strategies of managing a globally distributed remote team. Additionally, he touches on how to become a better leader and the critical role of decision-making. This episode offers valuable inspiration and practical advice for aspiring or senior artists and leaders in the gaming industry.
Today’s guest is Selim Ozturk, Founder and Director of The Pixel Movement, a global gaming recruitment agency. With over 12 years of experience, Selim has been instrumental in connecting top talent with leading gaming companies worldwide.
In this episode, Selim shares his journey into gaming recruitment, insights into the industry’s hiring trends, and advice for both job seekers and employers in the gaming sector.
If you’re looking to break into the gaming industry or seeking top talent for your gaming company, this episode offers valuable perspectives.
In this episode, we sit down with John Smith, a veteran game developer known for his work on several AAA titles.
John shares his experiences working in large development teams, the importance of storytelling in games, and his perspective on the current state of the gaming industry.
Whether you’re a gamer or aspiring developer, John’s insights are invaluable.
Today’s guest is Jane Doe, a renowned game designer with over 20 years of experience in the industry.
In this episode, Jane discusses her journey, the challenges she faced, and her insights into the future of gaming.
If you’re passionate about game design or looking to break into the industry, this episode is a must-watch.
Today’s guest is Yahsir Qureshi, the VP and Head of Studio at Sandsoft Games, and an accomplished advisor and investor in the tech industry.
In this episode, Yahsir shares his journey in the gaming industry, insights on building a successful gaming studio, and advice for aspiring game developers and entrepreneurs.
If you’re interested in the gaming industry or looking to start your own studio, this podcast is 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
