From Tech Executive to Video Game Founder With Gaming Industry Veteran Bernard Yee

Bernard Yee is the Founder of Windup Minds, an unannounced game startup dedicated to building games that make players feel joy and surprise. He was an executive producer at Oculus VR and a TPM at Meta, where he created seminal virtual reality experiences. He's a gaming industry veteran, serving in development and publishing roles at Sony Online Entertainment, ESPN, Atari, Harmonix (Rock Band), and Disney Interactive. Bernard also taught game design as an Adjunct Professor at the Columbia University School of Engineering and Applied Sciences. In this episode… Let's face it! People play video games because they're fun. But, considering the many types of games available these days, fun is just one reason behind the gaming industry's soaring popularity. Virtual games create virtual worlds that allow people to explore. Additionally, consumers see gaming as competitive and sociable, and with esports, it can provide extra income. But what motivates enthusiasts to create their own video game company? According to Bernard Yee, a gaming industry veteran, he founded a gaming startup to fill a void he discovered in the industry. The reality, however, is that building a video game startup isn't for the faint of heart. Getting to the fun part, which is design, involves other crucial steps. Bernard cautions that before starting a project, the operational side first needs tending to, like obtaining licenses, hiring talent, and purchasing healthcare. Brainstorming and identifying a target audience are also crucial in enhancing a product's chances of success.  In this episode of the Here's Waldo Podcast, Lizzie chats with Bernard Yee, Founder of Windup Minds, to discuss his new game startup. Bernard shares his motivation for launching his own gaming company, the value in diverse leadership, surrounding yourself with brilliant talent, and the reasons why games succeed and fail.