The only way to build the next big thing is to stop trying to copy the last one.
In this episode of The Game Changing Attorney Podcast, Michael Mogill sits down with David Vonderhaar, studio lead at BulletFarm and former studio design director for the Call of Duty franchise, to unpack what it really takes to innovate in a world obsessed with replication. From navigating harsh feedback from passionate audiences to building a studio from the ground up after two decades inside a billion-dollar franchise, David shares the mindset, courage, and conviction required to do things on your own terms. This is a conversation about originality, resilience, and the cost of choosing the harder path.
Here's what you'll learn:
Why true breakthroughs come from being original, not from copying what's already working
How to keep teams engaged under pressure without burning them out
What it takes to bet on yourself when walking away from a sure thing
If you want to build something that lasts, you have to be willing to build it before anyone else believes in it.
(00:00:00) Introduction
(00:02:28) Two Decades at Treyarch
(00:03:56) Why He Didn't Retire
(00:05:49) Origins in the Arcade
(00:10:16) Joining the Call of Duty Machine
(00:12:07) The Yearly Release Pressure
(00:18:43) Navigating a Toxic Community
(00:21:12) The End of the Public-Facing Dev
(00:26:57) What Made Call of Duty Iconic
(00:28:54) When a Game Loses Its Soul
(00:30:27) The Business Broke the Industry
(00:36:59) Redefining What AAA Means
(00:38:45) What Success Looks Like Now
(00:41:59) Building the Right Team
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Links & Resources:
BulletFarm
NetEase Games
Activision
Treyarch
Infinity Ward
Sledgehammer Games
Raven Software
Call of Duty
X-Men Legends II: Rise of Apocalypse
Dungeons & Dragons
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Learn what sustainable growth can look like for your firm at crispcoach.com.
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Past guests on The Game Changing Attorney Podcast include David Goggins, John Morgan, Alex Hormozi, Randi McGinn, Kim Scott, Chris Voss, Kevin O’Leary, Laura Wasser, John Maxwell, Mark Lanier, Robert Greene, and many more.
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