Systems Thinking, Shark Tank, and AI in Gaming with Chris Harden

Chris Harden, Director of Production Verification and AI Liaison at Unity, shares how a career spanning theme parks, embedded software, EA Sports, and a startup that was featured on Shark Tank shaped his approach to building the systems around software. He breaks down the AI debate in gaming, how he used agents to write his latest book, and why communication is the most underrated leadership skill.

Main Topics Covered:

• A career built on systems thinking, from programming Epcot control systems to shipping NBA Live at EA Sports to co-founding a Shark Tank startup
• Why the hardest part of shipping a triple-A game isn't the code, it's coordination and integration across hundreds of people
• How Chris uses AI agents at Unity, including a jargon remover, a Scrum Master agent, and a multi-agent workflow for writing his latest book
• The AI and gaming debate: where rapid prototyping wins, where human taste still matters, and why engineers are the orchestrators and verifiers
• Communication as the most common leadership gap, from IC to executive, and why everyone should work in sales at least once

Links & Resources

• Connect with Chris Harden: LinkedIn | Website
• Connect with Stephen Koza: LinkedIn
• Connect with EverOps: Website | LinkedIn

Books Referenced:

• Scale by Geoffrey Moore (systems thinking)
• Crossing the Chasm by Geoffrey Moore
• Little Robot, Big Dreams by Chris Harden (Shark Tank memoir)
• Mastering Commitment by Chris Harden (building trust in teams)
• The 4 Piece Operating Plan by Chris Harden (operating plans framework)