Lessons from KO_OP: Surviving on the Fringes

In this 2018 GDC session, KO_OP's Saleem Dabbous explains the reasons behind the structure of KO_OP and how that structure lays out a different vision for game development, one that is more ethical and survivable.
Register for GDC: ubm.io/2gk5KTU
Join the GDC mailing list: www.gdconf.com/subscribe
Follow GDC on Twitter: / official_gdc
GDC talks cover a range of developmental topics including game design, programming, audio, visual arts, business management, production, online games, and much more. We post a fresh GDC video every day. Subscribe to the channel to stay on top of regular updates, and check out GDC Vault for thousands of more in-depth talks from our archives.

[@jonathanravenhilllloyd2070]

talking of cooperatives and growth, should take a look at SUMA. A UK Vegan/Veggie food company that's been steadily growing wince the 70s.

[@POOKISTAN]

I have a PSVR, so the only title I've played of yours is GNOG. I'm definitely interested in what you release in the future, and I'd be happy to see a release of that Oculous title on PSVR if you are able to do that. Also, if you haven't checked it out yet, consider trying Hohokum - That is a very-much expirimental title that kind of reminds me of GNOG and vice-versa...

[@oleksandrshvets]

What about subtitles?

[@tiemx2039]

yep. Despite being aware of government funding propping up their company, he lumps it in alongside privilege as intrinsic bias instead of facing facts. Cash injection and savings from previous work makes it pretty swell as a startup, regardless of your company/management style.

[@Karakai117]

"When growth becomes your goal, you're optimising for money... ...and it creates exploitation, even against best interests, that's just how capitalism works"
Not at all, no one gets exploited because you have created more jobs, or because your company is creating content for gamers to consume. It is in the best interests of the company and its employees to be run in a healthy way, healthy companies are normally growing.
Yes, you can get bad companies that do not value their employees, but you can always find another company that will treat you better or give you more freedom, or you can start your own. The previous company will be left with the worst of their staff and will eventually decline. Have you looked at how well top tier game companies treat their employees? Look at Blizzard for example. A company is nothing without its employees.
Equally, to successfully get a large amount of people to collaborate together in an efficient way, you will need a solid management structure (to support their work) and inspiring leadership (to direct them), to help them through the tough times that will come and to steer the company towards a better future.
With your proposed leadership structure, anyone can join and have an equal say? Even if they are brand new and have no idea what hey are talking about? Scary, I would keep those people away from any important decision making. Also, its doesn't matter how much you invest in the company? People are more productive when they have skin in the game.
With regards to capping at 8 people, go up to 10, adopt an agile framework, and you'll soon realise you can have multiple teams of 10. Hello industry standard development practices.
Also, I know sustainability is a buzz word that people like to throw around, but for you to lecture people about it, whilst running a company that could not be sustained without government support, is simply, laughable.

[@Cozma1]

This.

[@Tchomify]

I think you have a very idealized (though it is the mainstream) view of how a capitalistic structure works. The jobs market isn't so plentiful that you can just up and leave if you aren't happy at your job, so there's always a power imbalance between employer and employee.
Dogmatic pursuit of growth has lead to the economic inequality and many other societal problems we have to deal with today and co-ops are a useful way to address the issue

[@EPICGameGuy493]

It's in the best interest of companies to pay the smallest wage possible, have workers do long hours/crunch time, and to cut out as many jobs as possible to maximize profit and growth. With our current system you can definitely grow an unhealthy company and treat your employees like shit. As mentioned in the talk, pretty much every game company out there is guilty of this to some extent, more so the big name publishers/companies (EA, Activision, etc...)

[@BlackDragonBE]

"I think making games really sucks and is not an enjoyable process." was the moment I stopped watching. I'm not taking advice from someone about something that he hates doing. I love making games dammit.

[@koalabrownie]

Yeah I checked out at that point too

[@gameworkerty]

I took it as a hyperbolic statement that acknowledges that making games is often stressful and not fun. Nearly all GDC talks do not acknowledge this and it is sorely needed.