Building a Game Studio That Lasts | Claude Bordeleau

The game industry is evolving quickly. AI, new studio models, and changing approaches to external development are forcing studios to rethink how games are built and who they build them with. In this episode of the Made Together podcast, Sam Carlisle and Carla Rylance discuss how AI is changing external development, what the latest XDS Insights Report reveals about AI adoption, and how studios and service providers are adapting to new ways of working. They are then joined by Claude Bordeleau , Founder of AMPERA and Chief Revenue Officer at *Winking Studios*, to discuss building and scaling game studios, leadership, company culture, acquisitions, and why the future of external development belongs to strong partnerships, specialist talent, and long-term thinking. Whether you’re a game developer, publisher, service provider, or studio founder, this episode offers practical insights into the future of game development and external development. 0:00 Welcome and episode introduction 0:27 Summer events and game industry catch-up 3:40 Microsoft layoffs and the changing game industry 5:15 AI in game development: net positive or net negative? 15:58 What the XDS Insights Report reveals about AI adoption 20:20 Are service providers leading AI adoption? 27:30 The future of AI in external development 32:03 Claude Bordeleau joins the podcast 34:25 Building AMPERA and joining Winking Studios 40:20 Why leadership and company culture matter 49:15 Lessons from building Volta 58:00 Leaving Keywords and building again 1:02:45 The future of game studio acquisitions 1:12:00 Smaller studios, specialist talent and the future of external development 1:25:15 Quickfire questions 1:36:46 Final thoughts 🎙️ Featuring: Claude Bordeleau Founder & CEO, AMPERA | CRO, Winking Studios   / claudebordeleau   https://www.amperastudios.com/ https://www.winkingworks.com/ About the Series: Supported by XDS Spark, Made Together looks at how games are made across studios, with a focus on external development. Hosted by: Carla Rylance, Head of XDS Spark Business Solutions   / carlarylance   Sam Carlisle, Co-Founder of XDS Spark   / samcarlisle   Follow along for future episodes exploring the people, partnerships, and realities shaping external development in games. Learn more: XDS Spark → https://www.xds-spark.com/ XDS Spark Business Solutions → https://www.xds-spark.com/business-so... External Development Summit → ​​https://xdsummit.com/