1st Edition
Risk Management for Video Game Professionals Navigating Uncertainty in Game Development
Preface
Chapter 1 – Overview
Part I - Foundations of Risk in Game Development
Chapter 2 – What Risk Looks Like in Game Development
Chapter 3 – Foundations of Risk Management
Chapter 4 – Risk Landscape: Trends Reshaping the Games Industry
Part II - The Six Stages of Implementing Risk Management
Chapter 5 – Step One: Identify Risks
Chapter 6 – Step Two: Analyse and Assess Risks
Chapter 7 – Step Three: Mitigation Strategies
Chapter 8 – Step Four: Implement and Track Actions
Chapter 9 – Step Five: Monitor and Review Risks
Chapter 10 – Step Six: Communicate and Report Risks
Chapter 11 – Risk Registers in Practice
Chapter 12 – Fostering a Proactive Risk Culture
Chapter 13 – Implementing Crisis Management Strategies
Chapter 14 – Three Levels – Project, Program & Portfolio
Part III - Game Development Risks
Chapter 15 – Technical Risks
Chapter 16 – Design and Art Risks in Game Development
Chapter 17 – Operational Risks
Chapter 18 – Financial, Legal, Regulatory & Compliance Risks
Chapter 19 – Marketing & Audience Risks
Chapter 20 – Strategic Risks
Chapter 21 – Reputational and Public Trust Risks
Chapter 22 – Collaboration & Partnership Risks in Game Development
Chapter 23 – Communication Gaps Risks
Chapter 24 – Staffing Risks
Chapter 25 – Agile, Lean, and Kanban Risk Management
Chapter 26 – Governance Risks and Organisational Debt
Part IV - Major Risks in the Common Stages of Game Development
Chapter 27 – Concept Stage Risks in Game Development
Chapter 28 – Major Risks in the Pre-Production Stage of Game Development
Chapter 29 – Major Risks in the Production Stage of Game Development
Chapter 30 – Alpha Stage Risks in Game Development
Chapter 31 – Major Risks in the Beta Stage of Game Development
Chapter 32 – Major Risks in the Release Stage of Game Development
Chapter 33 – Major Risks in the Post-Release Stage of Game Development
Part V - Special Topics and Emerging Risk Frontiers
Chapter 34 – Live Ops & Content Pipeline Risks
Chapter 35 – Unique Risks in Mobile Game Development
Chapter 36 – The Missing Discipline: Product Management for Risk Reduction
Chapter 37 – Risk Reduction Through User Testing & Embedded QA
Chapter 38 – Player Community & Social Media Risks
Chapter 39 – Security and Data Privacy in Games
Chapter 40 – Risk Realities Across Studio Models
Part VI - Tools & Resources
Chapter 41 – Evidence-Based Tools for Risk Management in Games
Chapter 42 – Premortem Workshop Kit – Risk Management Template
Chapter 43 – Anti-Pattern Risk Deck
Chapter 44 – Prototype Kill-Gate Funnel – Risk Management Template
Chapter 45 – LiveOps Exit Tree – Risk Management Template
Chapter 46 – Technical Debt Tracker – Risk Management Template
Chapter 47 – Wrapping Up the Risk Management Journey
Biography
Liam Wickham is an experienced leader, teacher and game development executive with over 30 years of cross-industry expertise. He has held senior roles at Sony PlayStation, Sumo Digital, Wargaming and beyond. Passionate about mentoring, he founded Game Production Academy and created the top-rated Udemy course Risk Management for Video Game Professionals. He holds multiple accreditations in Agile, Kanban and programme management and continues to champion learning through podcasts, videos and writing.
