Innersloth Communications Director Victoria Tran Discusses Community Management and Game Development

Innersloth communications director Victoria Tran recently discussed her career in the games industry, community management, and the massive growth of Among Us during an interview for GamesBeat. Tran, who wrote the book Mastering Community Management: Chaos, Compassion, and Connections in Games, has worked on multiple indie titles throughout her career including Boyfriend Dungeon, Dwarf Fortress, and Unpacking during her time at Kitfox Games.

Reflecting on the explosion of Among Us during the 2020 pandemic years, Tran described the experience as a mixture of emotions. She noted that while it was a lot of fun, being on the ground floor felt like building a plane while trying to fly it. Tran highlighted the lasting impact of the game, mentioning community stories such as wedding invitations from people who met while playing together, alongside ongoing projects like the upcoming game, television show, and work with Outersloth.

Discussing her approach to leadership and representation, Tran emphasized that community management is never a solo project. She explained that she represents her entire team rather than just herself, helping make their lives better and easier. Tran also noted that games are fundamentally shared experiences, which remains an important factor for leadership.

When asked what other industries might learn from gaming, Tran pointed to the human element found in indie games and triple-A titles. She observed that creators often make choices designed to bring joy and build connections rather than strictly maximizing bottom line profit. According to Tran, defining a win in her role involves both team successes, such as seeing an update land well with messaging she helped craft, and personal milestones like completing her book.