What if everything you thought about prototyping was wrong? Many teams rush to validate an idea too soon, but what if the real secret to success is building a studio that learns better? In this episode, Leif Johansen breaks down the myths of prototyping and how studios can create a structured approach to experimenting with game ideas. Key Takeaways: Stop Searching for the “Perfect Prototype” – The best teams prioritize many small, fast failures over one high-stakes prototype. Prototyping Is a Science and an Art – The most successful studios create intentional experiments that map out their design space before committing to a vision. Build a Learning Machine, Not Just a Game – A strong studio isn’t just about good ideas—it’s about a team that knows how to test and refine them. Innovation Comes from Small Fixes, Not Big Ideas – World of Warcraft and Apex Legends didn’t just win by reinventing the wheel; they won by refining existing formulas with micro-improvements. Hiring Too Fast Can Kill Your Game – Too many studios hire for downstream roles (art, animation) before locking in core mechanics, creating inefficiencies and wasted resources. 00:00 The Importance of Homework in Game Development 00:42 Understanding Player Engagement 01:06 Insights from Leif Johansson 02:52 Common Mistakes in Game Development 05:30 The Role of Prototyping 09:44 Building a Strong Development Team 14:43 The Value of Rapid Experimentation 26:06 Creating a Learning Machine Studio 41:02 The Importance of Innovation in Game Design 41:12 Understanding Your Game's Core Mechanics 42:36 Prototyping and Refining Game Mechanics 44:01 The Role of Playtesting and Team Feedback 44:30 Case Study: Halo's Design Philosophy 48:24 Balancing Prototyping and Production 59:21 The Value of Micro Innovations 01:05:40 Managing Team Size and Resources 01:10:44 Effective Prototyping Strategies 01:18:05 Key Takeaways and Final Thoughts 👉 Connect with Leif Johansen • Leif Johansen LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/leif-johansen-52139141 Our Discord community is live! Join here to engage with leaders and producers in game dev looking to make our industry a better place: https://discord.gg/ySCPS5aMcQ Interested in an online course on becoming a better game producer? Check it out here: https://www.buildingbettergames.gg/succeeding-in-game-production Subscribe to our newsletter for game development insights: https://www.buildingbettergames.gg/newsletter Follow & Subscribe: Ben’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/benjamin-carcich/ YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@buildingbettergames Spotify Podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/6QD5yIbFdJXvccO8Z5aXpm 🚀 Support the Show! Help us create more amazing content by joining us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/BBGOfficial #podcast #gaming #gamedev