Welcome to the 25th issue of Talent Play Zone!

I’m Matteo, gaming recruiter and the voice behind this newsletter. In Issue 24, I promised a two-part series: first, fast growth; next, a deep dive with a design leader. I have decided to postpone the design-leader story to the next issue so we can go deeper and do their journey justice. At the same time, I did not want to wait any longer to share another inspiring path, one that shows how you can build your own studio while working full-time.

Today we spotlight Nick (Nicole Barburne), a game programmer specialized in online programming who founded the indie studio Hush Fin Games. After shipping multiple projects independently while working in the industry, they are now joining Behaviour Interactive to continue building innovative gameplay experiences. (Nick uses they/them pronouns.)

Nick’s path shows how to blend technical mastery and creative leadership to sustain growth long after the first promotion.

• How to launch your own studio or personal projects while still working full-time• Why discipline and boundaries matter as much as creativity• How realistic expectations fuel momentum in indie development• What you can take from Nick’s approach to sustain your own growth

Nick’s route is patient and layered. After graduating from SCAD in Game and Interactive Media Design, they programmed at 1st Playable Productions, explored software engineering at Verizon Labs, then became Senior Software Engineer at Lost Boys Interactive. Along the way, they honed gameplay systems, engine work and online programming, building the foundation for the next step in their career.

In 2022 they launched Hush Fin Games, an indie studio focused on atmospheric horror experiences. Its most well-known title so far is Those Who Crawl, a dark, systems-driven game released on Steam that blends tension, exploration and unique mechanics. Today Nick is preparing to join Behaviour Interactive, where they will continue to build innovative gameplay experiences while bringing their expertise in online programming to larger productions.

The constant thread is mixing artistry with engineering. Nick does not just write code; they create frameworks for immersive play and shape environments where design and technology meet.

Question: What motivated you to start Hush Fin Games while still working in the industry, and how did you take the first steps?Answer (Nick): I always wanted to make my own games, and I thought that my unique programming background could make for unique systems-driven games. Being in the industry allows me to afford to make games that may not be the most commercially viable, and also work at my own pace.

Nick’s tip: Your job can fund your dream. Use it as a springboard, not a cage.

Question: What has been the biggest challenge of balancing your own projects with full-time work, and how have you handled it?Answer (Nick): It is definitely a challenge not to mix the two. Especially when ideas come while on the clock. Having a home office dedicated to full-time work, and another for gaming or Hush Fin Games work has helped a lot in separating those two modalities.

Nick’s tip: Boundaries are not boring. They are what make long-term creativity possible.

Question: For someone dreaming of starting their own indie studio or personal game project, what would you recommend they focus on first?Answer (Nick): I think the best thing to do is to set realistic expectations. Do not try to make your magnum opus as your first game. My game “Those Who Crawl” was made in roughly two months. It was really just throwing paint at the wall and getting something out there.

Nick’s tip: Shipping small projects teaches you more than planning a masterpiece you never finish.

Question: Looking back, what advice would you give anyone wanting to enter game programming and grow their skills to a professional level?Answer (Nick): We live in a time where growing your own skills is easier than ever. The main skill you need to practise is self-discipline. In college, I had a difficult discussion with a professor where I began to understand that my at-the-time exclusive Unity and C# knowledge would be limiting for me. That night, I began taking online courses in C++.

Nick’s tip: Self-discipline is the real engine of progress. Curiosity fuels it and action proves it.

Question: And finally, what excites you most about your next chapter at Behaviour?Answer (Nick): I am moving from what I would call a “stand still” in the USA to a place with much more opportunity. Not only will the new surroundings and work offer me new adventures, but also great inspiration for my personal projects. I am looking forward to meeting new people and learning new skills.

Nick’s tip: Change your environment, change your trajectory. New people and challenges spark new ideas.

Nick’s story proves that longevity in games is not about standing still. It is about learning across contexts and carrying your values with you.

• Design with others in mind. Growth accelerates when your choices consider every craft you touch.• Lead by enabling. Building systems and studios that last requires empathy and foresight.• Adapt constantly. Tools change. Studios change. Your ability to pivot is your greatest asset.

From Nick, we learn that passion starts the journey, but resilience, empathy and adaptability are what sustain it.

Hollow Knight: Silksong launched on 4 September 2025, built by the small indie studio Team Cherry, and instantly became one of the most talked-about releases of the year. Years of anticipation turned into a record-breaking debut that rivals big-budget titles.

Silksong proves what a small, dedicated team can do: build deep fan trust, deliver quality and scope that rival big studios, and achieve numbers once thought out of reach. With patience, craft and a strong connection to players, three people created a launch powerful enough to crash storefronts, rival AAA sales and redefine what an indie can achieve.

Based on data shared by Amir Satvat, one of the most important voices supporting our community, we can see just how concentrated recent job losses have been. Between 2022 and mid-2024, over 50% of all games-industry layoffs happened in California, with North America making up about 70–75% of cuts worldwide. Amir has been tracking this trend and offering mentoring, resume reviews and job leads to thousands of affected workers on LinkedIn and through his support site.

At the same time, the safety net of remote work is shrinking. “Remote” roles have dropped from 25–30% of job postings in 2021 to just 10–13% in 2024.

Key insight: when layoffs concentrate in one hub, the shockwaves hit everyone. Staying connected to community leaders like Amir, diversifying your skills, and building a network that spans multiple regions can make you more resilient.

When John Hight, the president of Wizards of the Coast, spoke about his dream of a new Dungeons & Dragons MMORPG, the D&D community leaned in. Known for his work on World of Warcraft, Hight described not a revival of the past but a bold vision to redefine what an MMO can be in 2025 and bring the world’s most famous tabletop RPG into a modern, living online world.

Hight’s comments have sparked excitement because they hint at more than a product. They hint at a new era for Dungeons & Dragons online.

Last time, Quentin showed us how ambition, adaptability and curiosity can speed up growth early in a career. In this issue we shared Nick’s journey instead, because we wanted to work more deeply with the design leader and give their story the space it deserves.

Next, we finally shift to the other side of that promise: the perspective of a design leader who has spent years inside ambitious studios, building systems, guiding teams and collaborating with influent people shaping the industry.

Expect stories that reveal:• What design leadership really means on major productions• How cross-discipline collaboration raises the quality of games• Why resilience and adaptability are the only true constants• What you can take from this journey to sustain your own growth

The first story proved how fast growth can happen. The next one will show what it takes to keep going when the stakes are higher and the spotlight is brighter.

👉 If Nick’s story inspired you, let me know what part resonated or what you are curious about for the next issue. Reply to this email or DM me on LinkedIn or Instagram. Talent Play Zone is a community built on real stories and your voice helps shape the next issues.

Keep showing up with intention.

See you in two weeks!

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