About Game Production Academy

Game Production Academy exists to support better decision-making, delivery discipline, and risk management in game development.

 

The Academy develops teaching materials, tools, and training focused on the realities of modern game production: complex pipelines, cross-disciplinary teams, commercial pressure, and uncertainty throughout the lifecycle.

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Its work spans:

• Higher education teaching systems and academic resources

• Professional training for studios and production teams

• Public resources for producers and leaders seeking practical guidance

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At the centre of this work is a focus on structured, sustainable production, rather than crisis-driven delivery and burnout-led practices.

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The Academic and Professional Focus

The Academy’s current work is centred on:

• Risk Management for Video Game Professionals (CRC Press, 2026)

• A structured, licensable teaching system for higher education

• Applied training and advisory support for studios and production leaders

 

These strands are deliberately connected. Academic materials are informed by real production experience, and professional training draws on structured frameworks suitable for teaching and repeatable use.

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Founder Background

Game Production Academy was founded by Liam Wickham.

 

Liam brings more than 25 years of experience across game production, leadership, and studio operations, alongside earlier work in teaching, training, and large-scale organisational change.

 

His career includes senior roles at studios and organisations such as Sony PlayStation, Sumo Digital, Wargaming, nDreams, and others, as well as transformation and programme work in non-games environments including AstraZeneca, BT, and the UK Foreign Office.

 

This cross-sector experience informs the Academy’s emphasis on clarity, governance, and resilience in creative environments.

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Relationship to Consulting and Advisory Work

Alongside its academic work, the Academy supports studios and production leaders through training, workshops, and advisory engagements.

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This professional work is not separate from the Academy’s mission. It serves as a practical testing ground for the systems, tools, and approaches developed for teaching and education.

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Consulting and mentoring services are offered selectively and are described in detail elsewhere on the site.

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A Note on Approach

The Academy’s work is grounded in the belief that better planning, clearer decision-making, and explicit risk management lead to healthier teams and more predictable outcomes.

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It does not promote heroics, crunch culture, or opaque delivery practices.

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Next Steps

If you are:

• an educator exploring academic adoption

• a studio considering training or advisory support

• or a producer looking for structured, practical guidance

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the relevant sections of the site provide further detail.