Leszek Lisowski — Co-Founder

I build systems that power worlds - whether they are complex digital ecosystems or intricate alternative timelines. With 20 years in the game industry, I have navigated the full spectrum of creation: from solo indie development to scaling and leading teams of 70+ professionals. As the founder of Big Cheese Studio, I took "Cooking Simulator" from a raw concept to a global franchise. Today, I operate at the intersection of strategic production and narrative worldbuilding: Currently, I serve as an Advisor to the Management Board at Big Cheese Studio. My focus is on high-level production strategy, optimizing pipelines, and ensuring the long-term growth of our flagship IPs. I specialize in helping studios bridge the gap between "garage-style" creativity and professional operational excellence. My passion for systems extends into Science Fiction and Alternate History. I author books that explore geopolitics, warfare, and the future of space exploration. I apply the same structural rigor to my novels as I do to game design – ensuring every "what-if" scenario is deeply rooted, immersive, and logically consistent. I believe that great creation requires a great process. I’ve codified my approach to project management and creative architecture in my latest release: Gamedev Production and Design Workbook: Practical Companion for Producers, Designers & Leads A hands-on framework designed to help creators turn complex ideas into structured, executable project blueprints. Get it here: https://leszeklisowski.com/workbook I’m always happy to connect with fellow developers, writers, and strategists who are interested in building something impactful to talk about systems, stories, and the space between them.

Stackforce AI infers this person is a Video Game Production expert with strong narrative design and project management skills.

Location: Łódź, Łódzkie, Poland

Experience: 19 yrs 8 mos

Skills

Project Management
Game Development
Storytelling

Career Highlights

20 years of experience in the game industry.
Founder of the global franchise Cooking Simulator.
Expert in bridging creativity and operational excellence.

Work Experience

Big Cheese Studio

Advisor to the Management Board (4 mos)

Self-employed

Author | Worldbuilder (1 yr 3 mos)

Leszek Lisowski self-employed

Gamedev Consultant (Production/Design) (1 yr 5 mos)

Big Cheese Studio

CEO and Founder (2 yrs 11 mos)

Wastelands Interactive

Owner (17 yrs 8 mos)

Sonion

Finance Controller (1 yr 4 mos)

Education

Bechelor of Sociology at Unversity of Szczecin

at II Liceum

Leszek Lisowski

Co-Founder

Łódź, Łódzkie, Poland19 yrs 8 mos experience

Key Highlights

20 years of experience in the game industry.
Founder of the global franchise Cooking Simulator.
Expert in bridging creativity and operational excellence.

Stackforce AI infers this person is a Video Game Production expert with strong narrative design and project management skills.

Contact

Skills

Core Skills

Project ManagementGame DevelopmentStorytelling

Other Skills

Computer GamesProject PlanningGame ManagementworldbuildingExecutive ProductionGame DesignVideo Game ProductionOutsourcing ManagementTeam LeadershipBusiness DevelopmentBudget ManagementStrategic PlanningGame PublishingBudget ProcessProduction Processes

About

Experience

19 yrs 8 mos

Total Experience

7 yrs 3 mos

Average Tenure

4 mos

Current Experience

Big cheese studio

Advisor to the Management Board

Dec 2025 – Present · 4 mos · Łódź, Łódzkie, Poland · On-site

After founding the studio and serving as CEO during its most rapid growth phase, I now support the Management Board in a strategic advisory capacity. My focus is on ensuring the long-term success of original Cooking Simulator and optimizing production standards.
Key focus areas:
Strategic IP Maintenance: Overseeing the long-term roadmap and lifecycle of original Cooking Simulator, ensuring its continued performance and stability across all platforms.
Production Consultation: Providing expert guidance on production pipelines and project management to streamline development and maintain high-quality standards.
Board Advisory: Supporting the executive team in high-level decision-making regarding studio operations, growth strategy, and production risk management.

Computer GamesProject ManagementProject PlanningGame DevelopmentGame Management

Self-employed

Author | Worldbuilder

Jan 2025 – Present · 1 yr 3 mos · Poland · On-site

I bridge the gap between complex system design and immersive storytelling. My writing focuses on the "what-ifs" of history, military strategy, and the future of humanity in space.
Latest Release:
Gamedev Production and Design Workbook: Practical Companion for Producers, Designers & Leads – A comprehensive tool that distills 20 years of industry experience into a structured framework for building successful games and teams.
Selected Bibliography:
Alternate History of the World - The Space Race (3-book series) – A deep dive into a reimagined geopolitical struggle for the stars.
Dragon Riders of the 12th Battalion – Exploring the intersection of military tradition and extraordinary circumstances.
Wyoming Accord – A series of short stories focused on tactical tension and world-altering decisions.
Full catalog: https://leszeklisowski.com/fiction

worldbuildingStorytelling

Leszek lisowski self-employed

Gamedev Consultant (Production/Design)

Nov 2024 – Present · 1 yr 5 mos · Poland · Remote

I help game teams reduce production chaos by stabilizing decisions, scope, and milestones.
My work is focused on production leadership and design architecture: turning “busy” into proof, replacing meeting loops with clear trade-offs, and leaving teams with lightweight guardrails they can run without constant external support.
Typical situations I step into:
Decisions keep reopening and ownership is unclear
Scope expands faster than capacity
Milestones slip because “done” isn’t defined
Handoffs and triage create rework
The team is moving, but direction isn’t
What you can expect: a focused working format, concrete outputs (templates, rules, next-cycle plan), and a rhythm that makes progress visible.
If you want to compare notes or discuss a specific situation, message me with context.

Computer GamesGame DevelopmentProject ManagementExecutive ProductionGame DesignVideo Game Production

Big cheese studio

CEO and Founder

Jun 2018 – May 2021 · 2 yrs 11 mos · Lodz Metropolitan Area · On-site

I founded Big Cheese Studio in cooperation with PlayWay to fully utilize the potential behind Cooking Simulator.
Game design for the Cooking Simulator
Hiring and managing the team of 30+ people
Developing a plan of post release support for the Cooking Simulator with over 10 DLCs and seasonal content (up to Shelter).
Pre-IPO negotiations
Company development strategy for IPO

Game ManagementStrategic PlanningProject ManagementExecutive ProductionGame DesignGame Publishing+1

Wastelands interactive

Owner

Sep 2006 – May 2024 · 17 yrs 8 mos · Lodz Metropolitan Area

Wastelands Interactive was created out of pure love for video games. I always wanted to make video games, but until that moment, I didn’t know it was possible.
I’ve been doing (among other things):
Implementing game design and gameplay for several strategy games.
Transitioning from a few remote people to a studio of 50+.
Managing the team.
Cooperating with publishers.
Switching from internal projects to work for hire services.
Negotiating contracts for full development productions, ports, art outsourcing
Budget management