The Difficulty of Managing a Team in an Indie Studio

Being an independent (indie) game studio is a constant challenge. With generally lean resources and teams, indie developers face various difficulties, including the complex task of managing their own team.

One of the main problems faced by indie studios is the tendency of their members to feel like "owners" of the project. After all, these developers are often working on their dreams, on ideas that are extremely dear to them. This ends up generating a sense of ownership and responsibility that, if not well managed, can turn into an obstacle.

When all team members feel equally responsible for the project, it is common for decisions to be made based on emotion and passion, rather than on rigorous feedback and testing. Everyone wants to see their "vision" prevail, which can lead to conflicts, delays, and even a final product that does not meet the real needs of the target audience.

This dynamic is particularly challenging in indie studios, where the hierarchy is often more fluid and the organizational structure less rigid. Without a clear chain of command, the team can get lost in endless discussions without reaching a consensus.

To overcome this difficulty, indie studio leaders need to establish solid decision-making processes, involving the team, but maintaining a clear focus on the end-user. This includes:

Defining roles and responsibilities clearly, avoiding the feeling of individual "ownership" of the project.
Implementing a system of constant feedback and iteration, based on data and tests, and not just on personal preferences.
Creating a culture of collaboration and mutual respect, where ideas are discussed constructively, without emotional judgments.
Establishing objective success metrics, aligned with the needs of the target audience, and using these metrics to guide decisions.
Delegating authority and responsibility, so that the team feels empowered to make decisions within their areas of expertise.

Managing a team in an indie studio is, undoubtedly, a great challenge. But with well-defined processes, open communication, and a user-oriented mindset, it is possible to overcome this difficulty and deliver memorable gaming experiences, even with limited resources.