Building Global Teams Without Losing Heart:
As indie studios continue to evolve and expand, many are learning that growth doesn’t always mean opening another local office—it can mean going global. In a recent IndieGameBusiness® podcast, Jay Powell, CEO and Founder of The Powell Group and IndieGameBusiness®, sat down with Brad Hendricks, Founder and CEO of Blind Squirrel Games, to discuss how his studio built a sustainable, international development model. From managing hybrid teams to balancing creative and technical demands across continents, Hendricks shared hard-earned lessons on how indies can scale successfully in today’s volatile industry.
From Plastic Molds to Pixels – Brad Hendricks’ Unexpected Start:
Before leading one of the industry’s most trusted co-development studios, Hendricks’ career started in an unlikely place—plastics manufacturing. His journey into games began when his employer acquired Gravis, a company known for its iconic gamepads and joysticks.
That opportunity opened the door to his first role in gaming, working directly with developers and publishers to integrate peripherals into their titles. From there, Hendricks moved through roles at GameSpy, Gamebryo, and other companies that taught him every angle of the industry—from engineering and production to business development.
When he finally founded Blind Squirrel Games, Hendricks’ experience across multiple disciplines gave him the tools to lead a studio capable of tackling AAA remasters and original IP alike.
“We’ve been doing this since the mid-90s,” Hendricks shared. “I’ve seen the industry shift, crash, and rebuild itself. Every evolution brings new challenges—but also new opportunities for developers willing to adapt.”
Adapting to a Changing Industry:
The last few years have tested even the most stable studios. With publishers tightening budgets and becoming more risk-averse, Hendricks and his team at Blind Squirrel had to rethink how they operated.
Work-for-hire became their focus, with large co-development projects taking priority over original IP. As Hendricks put it, “There’s not a lot of appetite right now for new IP that doesn’t have an established audience.”
Their long-standing partnership with Microsoft on State of Decay 3 exemplifies this approach—high-value collaborations that leverage Blind Squirrel’s technical depth while maintaining stability in uncertain times.
Creating Global Teams – Why Blind Squirrel Expanded to Colombia and New Zealand:
When COVID-19 forced the world into remote work, Blind Squirrel didn’t scramble—they were ready. Hendricks’ leadership team had already planned for a hybrid environment, setting up tools and processes to keep production seamless.
But as publishers began demanding lower costs and on-site staff, the studio made a bold move: expanding internationally.
They acquired a studio in Colombia and opened a new branch in New Zealand, allowing them to maintain quality while lowering operational costs.
“We realized we couldn’t compete with global price pressures if we stayed domestic,” Hendricks said. “So we went where the talent was—and made sure our culture traveled with us.”
Today, Blind Squirrel operates out of Irvine (CA), Texas, Colombia, and New Zealand, blending physical offices with remote talent across the globe.
Culture Without Borders – Building a Connected Global Team:
For Hendricks, scaling globally isn’t just about logistics—it’s about preserving company culture. Blind Squirrel’s unique solution involves tracking employee wellbeing and morale through subtle, ongoing surveys that measure everything from job satisfaction to burnout risk.
Using internal tools that analyze responses on a 1-to-5 scale, leadership can spot issues before they affect project velocity or morale.
“We measure not just project health, but people’s health,” Hendricks explained. “When someone’s struggling, we want to know why. It’s not about punishment—it’s about understanding.”
This data-driven empathy has become a cornerstone of Blind Squirrel’s operations. Their HR and management teams step in early to resolve conflicts, prevent burnout, and maintain transparency across departments.
The Human Side of Remote Work:
Despite the data-driven systems, Hendricks recognizes the human challenges behind distributed teams. Cultural differences, time zones, and fear of “speaking up” are all hurdles that take time to overcome.
He stressed the importance of honesty and trust between leadership and staff—especially when feedback might be uncomfortable.
“We want blunt honesty,” Hendricks said. “We can’t fix what we don’t know. This only works if everyone feels safe to be transparent.”
Regular all-hands meetings, quarterly celebrations, and transparent financial updates keep everyone connected and invested in the company’s goals—no matter where they are.
Preventing Burnout – Lessons in Balance:
Like many studios, Blind Squirrel had to face its own shortcomings. Six years ago, burnout was common and work-life balance was nearly nonexistent. Hendricks admits the company had to overhaul its leadership structure to survive.
By hiring experienced executives such as COO Steve Sardegna and Chief Development Officer Matthew Fawcett, Blind Squirrel redefined how it managed people and projects.
Their new approach emphasizes planning, velocity tracking, and reasonable work hours—all aimed at preventing the endless crunch cycles that plague many studios.
“We’re not perfect,” Hendricks said candidly. “But we’ve made huge strides. You can’t ignore burnout—it kills creativity faster than anything.”
Adapting to Publisher Demands – Return to Office vs. Remote Reality:
While Blind Squirrel thrives in a distributed model, publishers increasingly pressure developers to bring staff back into physical offices.
Hendricks acknowledges that in-person collaboration can boost creativity during early development stages—but it’s not without drawbacks.
“We’re seeing some positive velocity from in-office work,” he said, “but also a negative impact on mental health. It’s a double-edged sword.”
Blind Squirrel’s hybrid strategy—maintaining both local offices and remote teams—allows them to accommodate client needs while protecting employee wellbeing.
Business Development in a Global Team Market:
On the business side, Hendricks says the industry has changed dramatically since 2020. Traditional trade shows like E3 have lost relevance, while events like Gamescom and regional developer conferences are now prime hunting grounds for partnerships.
“We’re finding the best opportunities at smaller, regional shows,” he said. “The people there are decision-makers, not just attendees.”
Blind Squirrel’s Business Development Director, Charles Milano, travels globally to expand partnerships and source projects. The goal isn’t just growth—it’s sustainable diversification across work-for-hire, co-development, and remastering.
The Art and Challenge of Remastering Classics:
Blind Squirrel’s reputation for high-quality remasters—like Bioshock: The Collection and Mass Effect Legendary Edition—wasn’t planned. The Bioshock remaster, for instance, started as a simple port until Hendricks’ team rebuilt a key scene to modern visual standards.
“When 2K saw it, they said, ‘What the hell did you do?’” Hendricks laughed. “Then they asked us to do the whole series.”
The process taught them invaluable lessons about technical precision, artistic respect, and managing publisher expectations—skills that now inform every project they take on.
Looking Ahead – Global Teams, Local Heart:
When asked where he sees the industry heading, Hendricks predicts a continued global expansion of development—especially as cost pressures and talent shortages persist.
“Studios that figure out how to balance cost, quality, and culture across borders will thrive,” he said. “The future isn’t about where your office is—it’s about where your people are.”
For Blind Squirrel Games, that philosophy has become a guiding principle: build smart, stay human, and let global talent drive creative success.
5 Key Takeaways:
Adaptability is survival: Shifting focus from original IP to co-development allowed Blind Squirrel to stay profitable through market downturns.
Global Teams growth requires cultural strategy: Expansion only works when communication, trust, and transparency are prioritized.
Employee health predicts project health: Tracking well-being is as essential as tracking milestones.
Hybrid models can work—if done intentionally: Flexibility must serve both client demands and team well-being.
Remasters teach more than tech: Revisiting classics like Bioshock and Mass Effect gave the studio the precision and discipline to handle complex new projects.
Anecdotes and Reflections:
Brad Hendricks’ story is proof that scaling a studio doesn’t have to mean sacrificing culture or creativity. From plastics manufacturing to leading a globally recognized development powerhouse, his journey reflects the adaptability that defines successful indie studios today.
For developers striving to grow beyond local borders, the message is clear: sustainable expansion starts with empathy, structure, and trust. The future of indie development isn’t about size — it’s about strength, connection, and the people behind every project.
Want more insights like this? :
Watch the full episode on YouTube or hop into the IndieGameBusiness® Discord to connect with Brad, and other industry pros.
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