Articulating Your Values Effectively

An effective core value is clear and actionable, embodying the principles and beliefs that drive your team’s actions. When articulated well, it should inspire a sense of purpose, cultivate a unified culture, and steer your team toward its goals.

Big takeaways

Effective core values provide clear guidance for decision-making. Avoid vague ideals and instead opt for specific, well-defined values that translate into actions.
Generic phrases that apply to any studio aren’t likely to resonate with your team. Values should reflect your distinct goals, history, and the experience you strive to create for both players and employees.
Involve your team in the value-creation process. When a team is involved in forming core values, they are more likely to understand, embody, and take ownership of those values.
Consistent reinforcement turns vague aspirations into an ingrained part of how your studio operates.

big idea Introduction to Values in Gaming

Values are the heart of game design. They influence how players experience your game and the kind of community it fosters.

What makes a core value effective?

A core value should be:

Specific — It should provide clear direction on decision-making and reduce misinterpretation. Instead of just “Innovation,” a good value might be “Embrace informed risk-taking to cultivate breakthrough ideas” (and separately offer definitions for any key terms like what you mean by “breakthrough”).
Memorable — It’s easy to understand and rolls off the tongue. This helps it stick in people’s minds and become part of your studio culture.
Measurable (in some way) — While abstract concepts can be important, values should guide behavior and decision-making. Can you tell if you’re living up to it? Can you see where there’s room for improvement? Are you making progress toward your goals?
Distinctive — Values shouldn’t be generic “corporate speak,” they should reflect your distinctive team, culture, and the kind of experience you want to create. Values should be authentic, not imposed.
Co-created — When people feel a sense of ownership over the values, they are more likely to embrace and act in accordance with them. Values developed with studio input that reflect the existing culture and practices of the organization will be more effective.
Realistic — While aspirations are important, if you’re too far from achieving your goals, you will be better served by identifying that upfront and committing to interim goals that are more immediately achievable.

Here are some examples of “proto-values” (values that are too vague to be effective yet) and their improved versions:

Proto value	Improved, actionable value	Reasoning
Inclusivity	Foster belonging by actively challenging biases and prioritizing accessibility in design	Provides clear direction rather than being an abstract concept open to interpretation
Teamwork	Champion collaboration by default, celebrating knowledge-sharing and cross-functional problem-solving	Defines how teamwork looks in practice and the expected behaviors
Impact	Deliver transformative entertainment experiences that empower players and leave a lasting impression	Gives context for “impact” in relation to games, setting clear expectations
Player-focused	Anticipate player needs and earn trust through transparency and consistent quality	Offers concrete areas of focus for building strong player relationships

example

From Values to Action: The Power of “How” Questions

Walk through an example of asking how questions to refine a team’s values.

Recognizing diminishing returns

Strive for effectiveness, not endless refinement. Aiming for perfection can hinder progress and breed resentment, undermining support for your values. Watch for these signs of diminishing returns:

Debating nuances between similar terms — Pick a term and add the nuance to a glossary instead.
Overly specific scenarios that complicate the core message — Can you simplify and refocus on the value’s intended spirit?
Endless clarifying examples — Consider these as part of any supplemental guidance rather than mandatory elements for every application of the value.

It can be helpful to expose these tips to your working group. Doing so will help everyone feel tasked with spotting the signs and engender a collective responsibility toward getting something effective out the door in a timely manner.

Core values need to be your values

Values aren’t just words on a wall. Authentic commitment to principles requires honest self-examination of your company’s core assumptions. To enact meaningful change, understand your potential, your obstacles, and where internal opinions might diverge. Otherwise, your values risk seeming hollow, rather than a genuine reflection of the studio’s character.

Confronting those barriers can feel overwhelming, but it’s important to keep in mind the goal is not perfection, but a commitment toward your principles. Clearly define your desired destination while acknowledging your starting point. This will help you focus on achievable early wins and create a step-by-step plan. Each successful step will build the confidence and momentum needed to reach your bigger goals.

guide

Finding and Developing Your Studio Values

A selection of key articles that will help you and your studio define your core values and transform them into action.

Bringing values to life

Beyond stating them, here’s how to ensure your core values are practical decision-making tools:

Play test — Test values by discussing fictional but realistic dilemmas based on company decisions. For example, ask yourself: “Would this approach fit with our value of X?”
Provide details — Expand on each value with a simple description and define key terms. This will reduce misinterpretation and keep your value statements focused.
Celebrate — Acknowledge moments where individuals acted exceptionally in line with a value. This reinforces the positive behaviors desired.
Model a growth mindset — Don’t be afraid to discuss when things didn’t go as planned. Use it as a learning opportunity to better apply values next time.

Remember, core values can’t cover everything — you will still have tough decisions requiring ethical reasoning. Clear values, however, will give you a strong foundation for sound judgment and demonstrate to your team that your values are authentic.