When games reach hundreds of millions - even billions - of people, they become more than entertainment. They become culture.
In the latest episode of Good Game Club, Maria Sayans reflects on what it means to hold that kind of influence, and why responsibility isn’t just personal, but something the entire games industry must reckon with. With over 160 million players, Monument Valley may be a small studio success compared to global franchises, but the principle remains the same: with power comes responsibility.
Chapters and Timestamps
00:00 – Welcome + why this episode matters An industry-focused conversation, and why Maria was a “most-anticipated” guest.
01:10 – Meet Maria Sayans From 14 years at EA to CCP (EVE Online)—and now leading ustwo games in London.
03:20 – “I was emotionally transported on a train” Maria’s 2014 commute moment playing Monument Valley while working on Battlefield.
05:05 – What Monument Valley feels like to play A “beautiful toy” of impossible puzzles—touch, sound, and art working as one.
07:15 – Escher, Penrose triangles, and the joy of “now I see it” Optical illusions, shifting perspectives, and the satisfaction loop of puzzle discovery.
09:10 – Monument Valley 2 and the theme of parenthood Protection vs letting go, pride, and the universal “dance” between parent and child.
11:05 – Why Maria joined ustwo Started as a board advisor: stayed for the team, the culture, and the obsession with accessibility.
13:10 – Craft over “art” (and protecting the core as teams scale) How ustwo tries to keep the personal essence intact inside real production constraints.
15:10 – Purpose, B Corp, and “game makers first” Impact as an outcome of thoughtful design—not “activism-first” game concepts.
18:15 – The myth of a single ‘games industry’ With billions of players, gaming is many layers—and mobile is a major gateway.
21:00 – Games as the most emotionally impactful modern medium Why agency + interaction makes games uniquely powerful in shaping beliefs and behaviour.
23:05 – With reach comes responsibility From cultural influence to player communities—what it means to take impact seriously.
30:10 – Parents, teachers, and meeting kids where they are Why non-gamers can feel intimidated—and the case for better guidance and “hand-holding”.
38:10 – Maria’s role at Ukie and the policy agenda How the UK industry is navigating transition—and what “Supercharged” prioritises.
46:05 – Golden Thread questions Favourite game: Journey. UK law she’d pass tomorrow: equal (and enhanced) parental rights.
