The gaming industry is witnessing a significant shift as Tamsin O’Luanaigh, co-founder of the VR specialist, has embarked on a new journey with her latest venture, Wise Cat Strategy. This advisory firm aims to cultivate positive working environments for game studios and other businesses, drawing on O’Luanaigh’s two decades of experience as chief people officer at NDreams, a role she held until her departure in December 2024.
Championing People & Culture
Throughout her illustrious career, O’Luanaigh has been recognized for her contributions to the industry, receiving prestigious accolades such as a lifetime achievement award from Women in Games, the GamesIndustry.biz Best Places Talent Development Award, and the 2024 Talent Development award at Develop:Star. These honors underscore her commitment to fostering supportive workplace cultures.
“I’ve witnessed first-hand the positive impact that comes from a commitment to building supportive and transparent People & Culture strategies,” O’Luanaigh remarked. “Yet, there’s a significant portion of employers in the gaming industry who still lack clear frameworks.”
Her insights reveal a common challenge within the sector: while many recognize the importance of inclusivity, they often find themselves at a loss for how to initiate meaningful change. “Scaling a game studio is rarely linear,” she added. “People challenges don’t come with neat labels. You might be navigating team burnout, struggling to hire right, or wondering how to scale your culture before it slips away.”
Wise Cat Strategy aims to address these complexities head-on. “That’s where Wise Cat comes in. We don’t just drop in with off-the-shelf solutions. We partner with you to diagnose what’s really going on—then design the path forward and solve the real challenges most game studios face as they grow; with clarity, not chaos.”
With her extensive background and a passion for enhancing workplace culture, O’Luanaigh is poised to make a lasting impact on the gaming industry through Wise Cat Strategy, guiding businesses toward more effective and nurturing environments.
