Episode Summary How do you break into the games industry later in your career? And once you're in, how do you build a meaningful life and community without burning out? In this episode, Greg is joined by Amir Satvat, a Business Development leader at Tencent and the winner of the "Game Changers" award. Amir is one of the industry's most important connectors, having built a community that has helped thousands find jobs and opportunities. Amir shares his incredible journey from finance at Goldman Sachs to gaming in his late 30s, offering a practical playbook for career pivots. He breaks down his disciplined, non-negotiable approach to balancing a high-stakes job with being a present father and husband, and reveals why true networking is a 12-month game of building relationships, not a last-minute job hunt. This conversation is packed with wisdom for anyone looking to build a sustainable and impactful career in games. Timestamps * (01:55) The Pivot: Amir details his unconventional path from banking and healthcare into the games industry. * (11:00) The Non-Negotiable Framework: How Amir uses rigorous time-blocking to protect family time and avoid burnout. * (25:49) Confronting Ageism: Amir discusses the industry's challenge with retaining and valuing older talent. * (32:25) The #1 Networking Mistake: Why you need to build relationships long before you need them. * (39:40) The Financial Modeling Trap: How a finance-first mindset can be both a powerful tool and a creativity killer in game development. Guest Bio Amir Satvat is a leader in Business Development and Strategy at Tencent and the founder of a professional gaming community that has helped thousands of people. Known as one of the industry's most important connectors, his work is driven by a deep passion for helping others succeed. * LinkedIn: Amir Satvat [https://www.linkedin.com/in/amirsatvat/] * Community Hub: amirsatvat.com [https://www.amirsatvat.com/] Key Topics * Breaking into the games industry mid-career * Effective networking strategies for long-term success * Balancing a demanding career with fatherhood and family life * Transferable skills from other industries (finance, tech, healthcare) * Community building and the power of trust * Continuing education and staying relevant * Industry challenges: ageism, the future of consoles, and business models Relevant Links * Amir's Community Website [https://www.amirsatvat.com/] * Tencent [https://www.tencent.com/en-us/]