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<\/h2>\n<\/h2>\nAt Lo-Fi Games, our ethos is built on the premise that professional success needn’t come at the cost of sanity. Not just because we like our staff (we do, mostly), but because we know that making good games isn\u2019t sustainable if the people behind them are burnt out, overstretched, or quietly spiralling.<\/p>\n
Our value Wellbeing First<\/em> isn\u2019t about compulsory yoga sessions in the basement or hiring a vibes consultant and calling it a day \u2013 not that we\u2019ve got anything against yoga, or vibes<\/em> per se. It\u2019s about how we make decisions, how we plan work, and how we support each other across the company in every direction.<\/p>\n Over the past few months, we\u2019ve been ferociously digging into what wellbeing really means. Initially, we’d earmarked a quarter for focusing on the topic. But with a jump in recent marketing workload (see Kenshi: Meet the Makers<\/a>, plug plug plug) and this value\u2019s vital importance, we decided this topic needs to be discussed for as long as it takes \u2013 because the irony of crunching on a ‘no-crunch’ initiative wasn’t lost on us.<\/p>\n On a day-to-day level, this commitment profoundly shapes how we approach our workloads. It means making a conscious decision to plan work realistically, ensuring ample time is allocated for tasks rather than resorting to last-minute rushes. There\u2019s a clear understanding that quality takes care and attention, and we actively empower our team to take the time they need to deliver rather than pushing for arbitrary speed. This proactive approach allows us to consistently resist the urge to crunch, meaning the Lo-Fi crew can maintain a healthier, more sustainable pace.<\/p>\n This year we\u2019ve disseminated resources in a veritable smorgasbord of formats and opened up space for that most elusive of workplace phenomena: honest conversation. That\u2019s included everything from self-compassion and boundaries, to stress reduction and why it\u2019s okay to fess up when you mess up.<\/p>\n We brought the oxygen mask metaphor into discussion; a simple reminder that you\u2019ve got to take care of yourself before you can really support anyone else. Beyond that, we\u2019ve also pointed our team to this brutally honest video on avoiding burnout in game dev<\/a> (honestly, give it a watch).<\/p>\n We\u2019ve also looked at the logistical side: This time management guide<\/a> from Impact Factory outlines how practical habits can cut through the chaos and keep things relatively<\/em> calm. We shared Simon Sinek\u2019s talk on psychological safety<\/a> which reminds us why people need to feel safe to speak up, take risks, and admit failure without fear of being demoted or fired.<\/p>\n And for anyone teetering on the brink of overt overwhelm, this anxiety-busting journaling guide<\/a> is well worth a look. Honestly, even if you hate the idea of journaling, sometimes dumping your brain on a page can really help.<\/p>\n If sailing straight into the seas of self-compassion sounds suspiciously saccharine, it\u2019s worth starting with Kristin Neff\u2019s excellent talk<\/a> on the science behind it to help muster some motivation: the TL;DR is that constantly beating yourself up isn\u2019t the productivity hack society once thought it was, but we\u2019d recommend watching the whole thing.<\/p>\n Finally, to keep things grounded in reality, check out this piece on the physiological effects of crunch<\/a>, because ignoring the toll this stuff can have doesn\u2019t do anyone any favours.<\/p>\n While sharing videos and swapping links is useful stuff, we\u2019re also backing this value up with practical support tools and staff benefits:<\/p>\n As with all our values, this is a work in progress. We don\u2019t think you ever really \u201cfinish\u201d looking after people, that\u2019s kind of the point. But we\u2019re committing to keep it up, to keep listening and improving, and to keep making Lo-Fi Games a place where people can create excellent work without quietly breaking apart in the background.<\/p>\nWhat that looks like in practice<\/h2>\n
Useful links & resources<\/h2>\n
Practical tools and benefits<\/h2>\n
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What\u2019s next?<\/h2>\n