On The Gaming Playbook, Harry Phokou sits down with experts in the games industry who have never been interviewed before. Through these in-depth conversations, ...
#26 - Ali Farha: "The Producer Playbook” - The Secrets to Becoming a Game Producer Everyone Wants on Their Team
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.
Connect with Ali:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alifarha/
Connect with Harry:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hphokou/
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@hphokou
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hphokou
Chapters:
00:00 Introduction
00:30 Understanding the Role of a Game Producer
02:52 Mentoring vs. Coaching: How Producers Boost Productivity
07:32 What Makes a Great Game Producer
15:10 Balancing Short-Term Tasks with Long-Term Vision
32:33 Tough Decisions Producers Face: Saying No and Prioritizing
41:01 Breaking into the Gaming Industry: Ali’s Journey
44:21 Tips for Aspiring Game Developers
49:12 Microlearning, Building a Portfolio, and Networking Tips
53:02 Enriching Your Portfolio and Networking
59:11 How to Improve as a Producer
01:03:04 Rapid-Fire Q&A with Ali
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#25 - Alexander Brazie: “How To Get a Job In Gaming Playbook” - Building Portfolio, Nailing Interviews, Practical Tips & more
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!
Connect with Alexander:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alexander-brazie/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/xelnath/Twitter/X: https://x.com/xelnath?mx=2
Connect with Harry:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hphokou/Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@hphokouInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/hphokou
Chapters:00:00 Introduction01:37 Alexander’s Journey Into Game Design05:14 How to Land Your First Game Design Job08:10 What Recruiters Look for in Game Designers10:10 Mistakes New Designers Must Avoid15:14 Useful Resources for Game Designers16:37 Reverse Engineering Games to Learn Design22:14 Common Mistakes In Game Design Interviews32:25 How To Prepare For Design Tests And Interviews41:12 Q&A: Action Game Design43:41 Creating an Efficient Website Portfolio44:33 Smarter Ways to Reapply After Rejection46:49 Transferring Skills Into Game Design47:13 Closing Thoughts and How to Connect
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#24 - Jacob Pegs: "The Solopreneur Playbook" - The $1,000,000 Solopreneur Formula Using LinkedIn Without Burnout
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.
Connect with Jacob:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jacob-pegs/
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@most_mojo
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mostmojo/
Free Offer Doc Template: https://swipemymojo.com/
Connect with Harry:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hphokou/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hphokou
Chapters:00:00 Introduction02:00 Jacob’s Unique Way of Writing04:21 The Journey to Solopreneurship09:16 Biggest Mistakes Solopreneurs Make13:10 The “Teach, Share, Show, Invite” Content14:54 How to Create Your First Offer19:00 Presenting Your Offer Effectively23:35 The Role of Energy in Content Creation30:05 Understanding the Mind Reader Effect35:18 Turning Leads Into Customers Before Clients40:14 How to Start Monetizing Your Audience45:12 Scaling a Solo Business Without Burnout47:47 Recognizing When You’ve Hit Your Capacity50:42 The Mindset Shift That Shaped Jacob’s Success52:59 How to Connect With Jacob
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#23 - How they made $100,000s writing on LinkedIn | Lara Acosta, Matt Barker, Jacob Pegs
The Gaming Playbook's first-ever studio panel discussion features three LinkedIn powerhouses: Lara Acosta, Jacob Pegs, and Matt Barker.
Episode Sponsor: Aware
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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.
Connect with the guests:Jacob: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jacob-pegs/Lara: https://www.linkedin.com/in/laraacostar/Matt: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mattjbarker1/
Connect with Harry:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hphokou/Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@hphokouInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/hphokou
Chapters:
00:00 Introductions
04:08 How We Use AI to Make Writing Easier
11:07 Why Celebrating Wins Can Be So Challenging
17:52 Building Connection Through In-Jokes and Comments
26:43 Battling Boredom in Content Creation
30:12 The Unexpected Power of Beginner Content
34:55 The Mind Reader Effect For Writing
40:31 What We Learned Selling High-Ticket Offers
47:46 Balancing And Optimizing Business - Matt Barker Example
56:51 Leveraging Time and Sticking to Your Boundaries
01:04:02 Rapid Q&A
01:07:24 How to win using LinkedIn Video
01:11:01 Closing Lessons
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#22 - "The Content Strategy Playbook" - Content Creation, Lead Management, The Role of AI & more
Today’s guests are Lara Acosta, Luke Matthews, Matt Barker, Sam G. Winsbury, and Jacob Pegs.
Lara is a personal branding expert and founder of Literally Academy, boasting 20M+ impressions and a #1 LinkedIn creator title. Luke is an AI-driven ghostwriter with 175,000 followers, known for teaching how to craft posts with precision in just 7 days. Matt is a solopreneur copywriter who left a corporate job to build a thriving business teaching others to attract dream clients through organic content. Sam is the founder of a personal branding agency that has built over 150 brands, achieving millions in inbound leads for clients. Jacob is a former agency owner turned business coach who scaled his consulting business to $500K+ annually, specializing in content-led growth strategies.
And I'm your host, Harry Phokou, I ghostwrite and get LinkedIn done for you.
In this episode, we talk about our approaches to writing, managing leads, and using AI in content creation. We also share tips on building connections, making the most of video content, and deciding what really matters on LinkedIn.
Whether you're new to LinkedIn or looking to refine your strategy, this episode has practical advice to help you grow your presence and get results.
Connect with the guests:Lara: https://www.linkedin.com/in/laraacostar/Luke: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lukematthws/Matt: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mattjbarker1/Sam: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sam-g-winsbury/Jacob: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jacob-pegs/
Connect with Harry:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hphokou/Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@hphokouInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/hphokou
Sign up to Gaming Rally Newsletter (Harry Phokou & Ali Farha's weekly newsletter): gamingrally.net
Chapters:00:00 Introduction to LinkedIn Live and Mastermind Session04:25 Discussion on Writing Processes28:11 Managing Leads and Contacts with CRMs37:04 The Significance of Vanity Metrics48:35 The Role of AI in Copywriting and Content Creation52:56 The Power of Video Content on LinkedIn54:54 Finding the Right Balance Between AI and Human Creativity57:17 Unique Services and Expertise Offered by Each Participant01:33:57 Writing with AI and Editing01:35:47 Dealing with Difficult Clients01:40:48 Figuring Out Your Offering01:45:07 Understanding the LinkedIn Algorithm01:50:28 Staying Motivated: Long-Term Vision and Outreach01:56:38 Responding to Comments and Community Building02:06:36 Monetizing Content on LinkedIn02:09:36 Building a Niche Community
On 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. Skip the line on Tuesdays and download the real-life cheat codes every gaming industry pro needs to know.
LinkedIn: @hphokou
Instagram: @hphokou
Newsletter: gamingrally.net
Business and guest inquiries: [email protected]
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