Addressing that specifically, much of the problem in games is that we DON’T use trained managers. Yes, I know there are problems with trained managers, but we’re not even that far, generally.
The best producer I ever had? Was a trained manager, and only played games with his kids. He didn’t undercut the lead designer, but worked with him.
Which makes the constant tirade – see Jim Sterling – against people from the “packaged goods industry” all the more strange to read. Maybe they’re only good for making clones of other popular games, but then gamers bought those games, didn’t they? The whole Romantic myth of the misunderstood artist might work out for something putting together from home, but it’s singularly useless when you have an entire studio’s fate running on it.
No…try the same sort of managers used in general IT, rather than people from literal packed goods industries who are afraid of the power button.
I had one of those as a producer one…he quit pretty quickly, though.
