Merita is currently a producer at Double Fine Productions, and she was also a former producer at Riot Games! In her recent talk at the GDA, she spoke about her experiences being a producer and answered some questions from the audience. *ੈ✩‧₊˚
The slideshow presented at the meeting:
Some Insights from Merita!
Merita Lundstrom has built a solid career in game production after graduating from the Art & Design: Games + Playable Media program at the University of California: Santa Cruz, with her work spanning student projects, indie ventures, and professional roles in San Francisco. Her journey highlights what it takes to shepherd a game from concept to launch while juggling leadership expectations, market realities, and the inevitable surprises that come with creative work. Her experiences offer practical wisdom for aspiring producers who want to balance vision with practicality.
A core theme in Merita’s story is the imperfect nature of control in production. Producers often act as translators between what leadership wants and what the market responds to, a dynamic that demands clear, ongoing communication. She emphasizes the importance of setting expectations early and keeping channels open as projects evolve. A notable example in her notes is the sunsetting of a game, in which she underscores the need to handle player communications thoughtfully and shepherd the team through a graceful transition. In her view, updates that shift from broad announcements to targeted quality-of-life improvements can help preserve a sense of closure and respect within the community.
Merita also advocates for practical, accessible communication within teams. She suggests consolidating conversations across platforms so information is easy to find and understand, which minimizes confusion and keeps everyone aligned. Her guidance for students centers on building relationships in the industry through meetups, mentors, and cross-class friendships, all of which can open doors and provide real-world learning opportunities.
From a portfolio perspective, Merita highlights concrete artifacts that showcase value and problem-solving skills. She recommends including a style guide, organized spreadsheets, and documented examples of how challenges were addressed during development. While technical skills are valuable, she stresses that soft skills, like addressing issues head-on and fostering collaboration, often determine long-term success in production roles. Her notes also cover essential production practices, such as team sizing, risk assessment, and the importance of transparency in information sharing to keep projects moving smoothly.
Merita’s path illustrates a clear message: a successful producer blends curiosity, empathy, and organizational discipline with a willingness to learn and adapt. Her work demonstrates how strong communication, thoughtful project management, and genuine collaboration can sustain a career in game production even when projects face tough, uncertain moments.
You can access Lundstrom’s LinkedIn here.
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