Episode #26
EFWSOT with Nancy Fong
What was it like inside Electronic Arts when there were only 21 employees and game packaging was built like record albums? In this episode, we sit down with industry legend Nancy Fong. After an incredible 43-year career shaping the visual identity, packaging, and culture of EA—to launching E3—Nancy shares hilarious behind-the-scenes stories you’ve never heard before. Discover what it was really like working alongside Trip and Bing, surviving legendary executive freak-outs, shipping games on impossible deadlines, and how the video gaming industry has transformed over four decades. Timestamps: 0:00 – Welcoming EA video gaming legend Nancy Fong1:15 – Retiring after 43 years at Electronic Arts (and the "Don't F*** With Me" plaques)6:40 – How Nancy became EA’s 21st employee9:05 – Day one: Sitting on a garbage can to secure vendor credit14:00 – Managing creatives, film cameras, and impossible Christmas deadlines21:50 – Gary’s high-speed, illegal highway dash to save an EA release date27:15 – Helping launch E3 and setting industry decibel rules31:40 – Navigating five eras of EA CEOs (Trip, Larry, Riccitiello, and Andrew)42:20 – Timeless leadership advice: Know your product, know your customer, and listen before you speak59:40 – Favorite memories, Michael Jordan photo shoots, and the chaotic early days of Psychic Detective Subscribe to Everything's Fine We're Shipping on Time for more behind-the-scenes gaming history!
