GameMakers

Steve Ganem (Unity VP of Product): Why Unity Made D2C Payments Free — and What It's Really After Jul 14, 2026 00:43:06 Unity just made direct-to-consumer payments free for every developer on its IAP SDK. No take rate, no fees. So what's the catch?I sat down with Steve Ganem, VP of Product at Unity, to unpack the real strategy — and it turns out the story isn't about payments at all. It's about data.Steve brings a rare vantage point: 19 years in games (EA, Activision's Tony Hawk franchise, 11 years

Own Your Players, Don't Rent Them — D2C, Creator Codes & the Shadow Server Economy | Liam Wiltshire, GM of Tebex Jun 16, 2026 01:57:53 Epic spent five years and over $100M breaking the platforms' 30% tax — then cut V-Bucks by 20% to "pay the bills." If the company that won the fee war still gets squeezed, what does that say about everyone else?The answer isn't about fees. When AI makes content infinite and attention stays finite, the only asset that appreciates is the direct relationship with your players — the

The Last 20% Is Worth $100 Million Mar 31, 2026 01:10:29 AI is making it cheaper to build games. It's doing nothing for the cost of building the right game. That distinction is about to crush more studios than any technology shift in the past decade. Ran Mo is the CEO of Proxima and creator of Suck Up — arguably the first commercially successful game to use AI at runtime. The game generated over 100 million YouTube

ThiGaming Trends for 2026 — And the One Nobody Wants to Talk AboutRT Feb 10, 2026 00:15:53 Last month, I sat on a panel about where the gaming industry is headed. The conversation was good — but there was one thing I didn't say out loud.In this episode, I break down the key trends I think will define gaming in 2026:The noise problem is about to get much, much worse — and it's hitting from both sidesSmall teams aren't an anomaly. They're the new default."Nobody codes

AppLovin Bull vs. Bear Case: What Operators Know That Investors Don't Dec 30, 2025 01:51:20 AppLovin just crossed $250 billion in market cap. Stock up 127% YTD. EBITDA margins at 82%. Is this the beginning—or the top?We assembled the most qualified panel possible to break it down: an operator running millions through AppLovin's platform, a gaming-focused financial analyst, and an institutional investor who's seen these cycles before.What emerged isn't your typical bull-bear d

Your validation passed. Your players hated it. Here’s why. | MAG #10 Nov 17, 2025 00:27:54 Most game studios either skip validation entirely or waste hundreds of thousands on academic testing that doesn't move the needle. Both approaches kill products.In this episode, we discuss why product validation is the difference between success and years of wasted development—and introduces two frameworks to fix your process.You'll discover:The Pyramid Decision Model: When to trust tastem

Your Analytics Stack Is Killing Your Studio (The New Meta: PostHog FTW) Oct 29, 2025 00:46:18 Most game studios waste weeks of runway on the wrong analytics decision—here's how to avoid that mistake.Traditional analytics SDK vendors like Amplitude, Mixpanel, and Braze promise plug-and-play simplicity but deliver silent failures, contract negotiations, and escalating costs that can destroy startup velocity. In this episode, we discuss why the old analytics playbook is obsolete in 2025—a

Why Game Studio Failures Are Structure Problems, Not Talent Problems | Chris Casanova (Microsoft, Mojang, Relic, Hypixel) Oct 24, 2025 00:55:21 Most game studios think they have a talent problem. They don't. They have a structure problem.Chris Casanova spent 15+ years as a producer across Microsoft Xbox, Mojang (Minecraft), Relic Entertainment, Offworld Industries, and Hypixel Studios. He's watched talented teams fail repeatedly—not from lack of skill, but from organizational friction.Traditional studios organize around craft silo

The Battlefield 6 Redemption, What UCLA Football Teaches About Leadership, & Structuring Teams to Win | MAG #7 Oct 20, 2025 00:59:16 Western AAA development is not dead. Battlefield 6's 7 million unit launch proves it. This episode deconstructs how EA and Vince Zampella reversed the "disaster" of Battlefield 2042 by focusing on leadership, community feedback , and a smarter studio structure.Then, we explore why leadership is the ultimate "alpha". Joseph Kim breaks down the stunning turnaround of the UCLA

Inside the $55B EA-Saudi Deal: Why It's Not a Typical LBO (with Chris Petrovic & Matthew Kanterman) Oct 13, 2025 00:59:56 Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund just closed the largest gaming acquisition in history—$55 billion for Electronic Arts. But this isn't the typical private equity playbook.In this episode, host Joseph Kim sits down with two M&A experts who break down what's really happening:- Chris Petrovic - Board Chairman & CBO at FunPlus, former President of Publishing at Zynga where he

The Ad Monetization Playbook: Fixing Leaky Revenue, Boosting CPMs, and Scaling Your Team with Kelly Kang Oct 9, 2025 01:08:48 Why is your ad revenue flat even when your game's traffic is growing? Margins are getting squeezed by hidden fees, and old strategies of yelling at partners no longer move the needle. In this episode, we sit down with veteran ad monetization consultant Kelly Kang to get her modern playbook for building a resilient and profitable ad strategy from the ground up.Kelly Kang has optimized ad strate

MAG: Inside EA’s $55B LBO, Lessons from Grow A Garden, and the Intent→Action Gap ("Alien's Eye View") Oct 6, 2025 00:57:11 This week, we're breaking down the end of an era: the historic $55 billion acquisition of Electronic Arts. Go inside the deal to hear the likely banker's pitch that sold EA's board and what this massive leveraged buyout means for the future of the games industry.Then, we shift from titans to upstarts to uncover the secrets behind Grow a Garden, the Roblox game from a 16-year-old develo

Unlock 82% of the Global Gaming Market: The Ultimate Localization Guide Oct 2, 2025 01:41:41 Is your game only available in English? You could be ignoring over 80% of your potential players. In this deep dive, I sit down with Alexander Murauski, CEO of localization agency Alkonost, to unpack the entire game localization playbook from start to finish.We cover the critical strategies, ROI analysis, and common mistakes that can make or break your global launch. Learn why you should start loc

Can Delta Force Beat PUBG? Is the Take-Two Mafia a Myth & How to Fix Recruiting? | MAG #5 Sep 29, 2025 00:26:52 On this episode of Game Makers, we explore three critical topics: how Delta Force's mobile revenue soared past PUBG's by 75% , why the "Take-Two Mafia" thesis is a myth centered on the wrong company , and a powerful framework for fixing your recruiting process by treating candidates like customers.In this episode, you will learn:MACRO: How Delta Force's monetization and LiveOps strategy led to a 6

Arena Breakout: Infinite Breaks Out to PC!, Destiny: End of Western IP + China Dev, Secrets and Stupid Ideas | MAG #4 Sep 23, 2025 00:51:40 In this episode, we explore the major headwinds facing the games industry, from publisher-developer tensions to the viability of long-standing business models. We start with a raw look at industry layoffs before pivoting to a deep-dive analysis of Arena Breakout Infinite's turbulent PC launch, which reveals a massive culture clash in monetization strategy.This discussion offers critical insigh

MAG Monday #3: India's RMG Ban, Failure of GenAI, Amazon x Netflix Gaming+Streaming Bundle Sep 16, 2025 01:29:21 Alpha: Clash Royale 5x Revenue, Understanding the Illegible Margin GameDev: The Problem with Product ValidationHappy MAG-nificent Monday!3-Macro: 3 stories impacting the competitive environment in which we operateHike shuts down after India RMG banWhy GenAI is failingAmazon and Netflix announce Gaming+Streaming bundle2-Alpha: 2 potential sources of Finding AlphaClash Royale hits 3 year all-time hi

3-2-1 MAG #2: Dreamhaven Layoffs, Silksong Success, GamePass Worth Jack**** | Magic Tiles 3 - Piano Game, Rise of AA | On Decision Making Sep 9, 2025 01:03:49 3. MacroTop 3 Most Significant Gaming News From Last Week:Dreamhaven Games Hit by Layoffs (GamesIndustry.biz): Dreamhaven, the studio founded by former Blizzard Entertainment co-founder Mike Morhaime, confirmed it has undergone an unspecified number of layoffs. Despite the cuts, the CEO expressed optimism about the studio's future and the projects currently in development.Hollow Knight: Silkso

3. 2. 1. Retro #1: Netease Bails on Western Studios, IGN Restructuring, Ubisoft and King Showcase AI Sep 1, 2025 00:47:23 Top 3 Gaming News From Last Week:NetEase Shuts Down Another Western Studio (Game Developer): NetEase has closed T-Minus Zero Entertainment. This marks the third Western studio closure as part of a broader reassessment of business priorities and has raised concerns about the stability of Western studios under NetEase's ownership.IGN Publisher John Davison Exits Following Major Layoffs (Kotaku):

Finding Alpha: How to Find Your Company's Secret Advantage! Aug 28, 2025 00:26:39 In an era where “good” isn’t good enough, this talk breaks down how to generate alpha—company-specific excess returns—by choosing the right game to play and going all-in on the highest-leverage moves. We cover the macro forces reshaping competition, case studies of teams that found alpha, and where velocity and AI change the basis of competition. What's your unique advantage? This talk emphasi

Call of Duty vs. Battlefield, Dreamhaven Struggles, AI - Tencent & Unity | Game Dev Review #1 Aug 25, 2025 01:07:59 GAME DEV REVIEW #1NEWS:Top 5 Gaming NewsCall of Duty: Black Ops 7 Officially Revealed (GameSpot): Activision has unveiled the next entry in its massive first-person shooter franchise, "Call of Duty: Black Ops 7." The reveal trailer, showcased at Gamescom, provided a first look at the game's near-future setting and hinted at a narrative connected to previous "Black Ops" titl

Navigating the Game Industry Reset: Layoffs, AI Hiring & Career Strategy with Keith Caswell (ex-EA, Microsoft) Aug 18, 2025 01:57:45 The games industry is in a state of flux. Layoffs are widespread, AI is disrupting hiring, and the future feels uncertain. To navigate this new landscape, we're joined by Keith Caswell, a 20-year HR veteran with leadership experience at Microsoft, Electronic Arts, and Wizards of the Coast, for a masterclass in career and talent strategy.Whether you've been recently laid off, you're a l

Why Data Is The New Superpower In Gaming! Jul 29, 2025 01:16:16 Four years after Apple's ATT shook the mobile gaming world, measurement remains complicated—but not impossible. Airbridge CEO Roi Nam joins us for an unfiltered technical discussion on what's actually working in iOS UA today.We explore SKAN 4.0, the power of CAPI, Web-to-App strategies, and why some studios see 54% LTV lifts while others struggle. From boosting ATT consent rates to underst

From Concept to Character: AI Animation Revolution in Gaming Jul 29, 2025 00:58:03 Join us for an eye-opening conversation about how AI is completely transforming the game animation industry. Viren Tellis, CEO of Uthana, shares how their technology is enabling developers to animate characters in seconds instead of days, democratizing game development for indie creators.What you'll discover:The three game-changing ways to create animations with AI (text, video, and smart librarie

The Hidden Cost of Building Games: Sacrifice, Success, and What Really Matters ft. Mishka Katkoff, Deconstructor of Fun Jul 21, 2025 01:15:59 What's the real cost of being a startup gaming founder? In this very off-topic conversation, my old friend Mishka Katkoff (Deconstructor of Fun) and I go deep on the topics nobody puts in their pitch deck. We share personal stories about the psychological and physical toll of the grind, and question the nature of ambition in the game industry.This isn't your typical industry talk. We discu

Web Shops: From 10% to 50% Revenue – The Playbook Top Games Don't Want You to Know Jul 13, 2025 01:21:14 Apple and Google are taking 43% more money from your game than you think – and your competitors are using web shops to capture that revenue instead. In this eye-opening discussion, Stash's Chief Growth Officer reveals how top mobile games generate 50%+ of revenue through direct-to-consumer channels while others leave millions on the table.Why you need to watch this:- Discover the hidden math b

Game PM Evolution: Insights on AI, Strategy & Survival Jun 13, 2025 01:10:39 The game development industry is in flux. From the intense pressure of the attention economy and global competition to the seismic shifts brought by Artificial Intelligence, how is the crucial role of the Product Manager evolving? Join us for an in-depth exploration of these critical questions, featuring a panel discussion, "The Evolution of the Product Manager," and an exclusive after

HTML5 Gaming is Back—But This Time It's Different" | Playgama CEO Reveals Why Jun 5, 2025 00:48:51 Is HTML5 gaming finally ready for prime time? After multiple failed attempts over the past decade, something fundamental has changed.In this episode, we sit down with Dmitry Kachmar, CEO of Playgama, who recently raised $3M betting that HTML5 gaming is about to explode. Thanks to GPU advances from the AI boom, 5G networks, and platforms desperate to break free from app store monopolies, browser-ba

Why Most New Games Still Face-Plant — and How Player Insight Can Flip the Script May 15, 2025 00:58:55 Why $200M games flop — and how LiveAware’s “always-on” player insight flips the odds.• Echo-chamber dev culture & launch disasters• Quant vs qual data gap killing velocity• LiveAware’s one-click capture → AI analyze → auto-Jira flow• Surfacing bugs & sentiment from Discord, YouTube, surveys• Dashboards that feed artists, designers, engineers the clips they need• Case studies: Dead as Disco

The BILLION User Goldmine: Gaming with AI + Telegram (DEEP DIVE) May 14, 2025 00:49:17 Simon from Goat Gaming shares how his team is leveraging AI and Telegram to build games in just 2-3 weeks, reaching 5.5 million users. Learn why he believes AI will be an "extinction-level event" for studios that don't adapt, and how Telegram offers a billion-user opportunity similar to early Facebook gaming.Content Outline:00:00 – AI vs. Legacy: “Extinction-level event” for slow stu

From Halo to Fortnite: Alex Seropian's Unfiltered Take on UEFN's Future Apr 15, 2025 00:59:37 Alex Seropian (Bungie co-founder) shares his experience developing for Epic's UEFN platform in this exclusive interview. Discover insights on platform capabilities, economics, audience demographics, and future predictions for Fortnite's creator ecosystem.TIMESTAMPS:0:00 - Introduction1:00 - Changes in UEFN since 20235:30 - Working with brands on UEFN10:00 - Economic challenges for develope

Applovin vs Unity: How Applovin Destroyed the Competition! Apr 8, 2025 01:15:00 (0:00) Introduction (1:00) Overview of AppLovin vs Unity market situation since 2022(2:10) Discussion of current mobile UA market conditions(6:30) Introduction to AppLovin vs Unity topic(9:00) How AppLovin gained advantage through Max mediation platform(11:10) The data advantage of first-party data in AppLovin's ecosystem(13:20) The lock-in effect of AppLovin's mediation and UA offerings(1

Future of AI in Game Development: Revolution or Evolution? Apr 2, 2025 00:55:40 Dive into the future of AI in game development with this insightful panel from GDC featuring Aaron Farr (CTO at Jam and Tea Studios) and Liam Dean (Principal Analyst, Games at Omdia). They explore AI-native games, emergent gameplay, development acceleration, and how AI is transforming both game creation and player experiences. Essential viewing for game developers, executives, and anyone intereste

GDC 2025: What Happened? Mar 26, 2025 00:49:12 Join us for an in-depth discussion on the Game Developers Conference 2025 with industry veterans as they share their perspectives and what was learned during GDC on the current state of the gaming industry. This candid conversation explores attendance trends, market challenges, investment landscapes, and what's next for game developers in a changing economy.Our panel discusses:⭐ GDC attendance tre

The Biggest Fire Mar 11, 2025 00:26:58 This week I share thoughts from my years in game development about why teams often struggle with addressing their most critical problems. I discussed this with Ben Carcich in a pod I published a couple of weeks back: the "Building Better Games" episode.Some questions came up and I wanted to try something new, a bit of a rant on this topic.Is it lame? Is it useful? Let's try it and fi

Understanding Battle Pass Game Design from Overwatch 2 Mar 4, 2025 00:53:02 Dive deep into Battle Pass design with industry experts discussing Overwatch 2's approach, player psychology, and monetization strategies. Learn essential insights about progression systems, player choice, and value perception from game developer Ted Park and former Riot meta-systems expert Chris Cobb, hosted by Joseph Kim of Lila Games.Content Overview0:00 - Introduction and Battle Pass Overv

How to Build Better Games - Game Production Feb 18, 2025 02:06:36 In an industry where development costs have skyrocketed, and market success has become increasingly challenging, understanding the true drivers of successful game development has never been more crucial. In this discussion with Ben Carcich from Building Better Games, we highlight the counter-intuitive patterns of success and practical frameworks for modern game development leadership.Key Focus Are

The FUTURE of 4X Games: FirstFun's Surprising Billion-Dollar Strategy Feb 10, 2025 01:05:30 Join gaming industry veterans as they break down the unprecedented transformation of mobile 4X games. Featuring insights from Joseph Kim (Lila Games), Justin Yau (Wharton MBA), UA specialist Matej Lancaric (2.5 Gamers) and game design specialist Jakub Remiar (2.5 Gamers) on how Chinese gaming companies are achieving $8M+ daily revenue through innovative UA strategies and product design.Key Topics:

LiveOps Playbook: Critical Secrets from Gaming's Top Experts Feb 4, 2025 00:15:35 Learn the insider strategies from industry legends Frank Yan (Brawl Stars), Dafna Ben Onn (SciPlay), and Ivan Trancik (Superscale) on mastering mobile game operations! 📍 Timestamps: 0:00 - Introduction to LiveOps Fundamentals 2:15 - Frank Yan: Rapid Content Deployment Strategies 4:30 - The Art of Player Segmentation 7:00 - Dafna Ben Onn: Optimizing Rewards and Retention 10:45 - Balancing Monetizat

MMPs and Attribution: What Game Studios Need to Know to Grow Jan 30, 2025 01:04:58 Leading mobile gaming experts break down everything you need to know about Mobile Measurement Partners (MMPs) in 2025. Get insider perspectives from AppsFlyer, Wildcard Games, and industry veterans on when to use MMPs, how much they really cost, and where the industry is heading. Perfect for mobile game developers, UA managers, and studio executives looking to optimize their marketing strategy and

Why UGC Cosmetics Could be the Future of Gaming Jan 30, 2025 00:46:07 Join us as we explore the future of user-generated content (UGC) in gaming with Playmakers, diving into why community-created content converts 30% better than studio content and how AI fits into the UGC ecosystem. Essential insights for game developers looking to scale content creation through community engagement. #GameDev #UGC #gaming Co-hosted with Anton Bernstein, CEO at Pocket Worlds. OUTLINE

Pixels & Profits | Gaming Industry 2024-2025 - Crisis, Transformation, and Opportunity Jan 7, 2025 01:17:40 The gaming industry experienced seismic shifts in 2024, from record-breaking layoffs to China's rising dominance. In this comprehensive analysis, we break down the five key developments that shaped gaming in 2024 and what they mean for 2025. We'll explore: 🔑 The true impact of the gaming recession 🔑 Why live service games are harder than ever to compete with 🔑 How China became a global gaming po

Economics & Advantages of Mobile Web Stores ft. Gil Tov-ly from AppCharge Nov 1, 2024 00:43:07 We discuss the impact, economics, and advantages of mobile web stores in a deep discussion with Gil Tov-ly, the CMO of AppCharge, a company that partners with game studios to build optimized web stores. OUTLINE: 0:00 Intro 1:13 Motivation and economics of mobile web stores: Huge 20-30% total revenue lift 3:42 Amount of transactions through web stores vs. direct IAP, what impacts more web store tr

Game Industry Hot Takes: Ubisoft's Struggles, Unity's Revival, and Microsoft's Game Pass Gambit Oct 30, 2024 01:06:12 A deep dive into the most pressing topics in gaming with industry veterans discussing recent developments, challenges, and future outlooks. ⏱️ Timeline/Chapters: 00:00 - Introduction 01:05 - Ubisoft's Current State & Challenges 14:35 - Unity's Turnaround Story 31:20 - AppLovin Deep Dive 39:15 - China Gaming Market Update 49:40 - Microsoft-Activision Deal Impact 56:10 - Roblox & Hindenburg

EXPOSING Mobile Performance Marketing Secrets! UA in 2024 and Beyond with Warren Woodward Oct 24, 2024 00:57:37 Warren Woodward, co-founder and CMO at Upptic, provides real, no-nonsense advice about the current state of mobile performance marketing. What are the current problems and issues in the market and how can studios grow their player base through mobile user acquisition today? OUTLINE: 0:00 Intro 0:47 Why Warren is great to talk to about UA 2:00 Current state of mobile marketing & UA: What’s w

Chinese Gaming Giants: Tencent vs. Netease | Pixels & Profits Aug 18, 2024 01:00:55 We dive deep into the fierce competition between Tencent and NetEase—two titans shaping the global gaming landscape. Discover how these companies are navigating the challenges of the Chinese market and their strategies for international expansion. We also share our personal experiences about Tencent and provide insider insights you can't find anywhere else. Don't forget to like, comme

Mastering F2P Cosmetics Monetization in Games Aug 16, 2024 00:59:12 Anton Bernstein, CEO of Pocket Worlds, discusses the intricacies of cosmetics monetization in free-to-play games. Learn about player motivations, game design considerations, primary vs. secondary markets, and cultural differences in monetization strategies. Gain valuable insights on key metrics and best practices for successful cosmetic-based revenue in games like Fortnite, CS:GO, and High Rise.

Brawl Stars Godzilla Event Product Roundtable Discussion | Liquid & Grit x Gamemakers Jul 21, 2024 00:53:37 We partnered with Liquid & Grit to discuss the Brawl Stars Godzilla event, which had a massive impact on Brawl Stars' revenue and downloads. - Highest weekly revenue ever - 59% revenue increase and 107% downloads increase 3Wo3W We review the event and discuss the implications and lessons learned. Discussion Outline: 00:00 - Introduction of the roundtable, Joseph Kim, and the participants.

Rise and Fall of Embracer Group | Implications for the Future of Games M&A May 31, 2024 00:54:43 0:00 Intro 1:42 Background on FunPlus 2:35 Embracer Group - Historical context and current status, including breakup 6:06 Why did Embracer break up? What form of game industry consolidation makes sense? 7:40 When do company synergies make sense for game studio consolidation? 9:40 Comparison of Zynga vs. Embracer M&A strategy, Zynga’s historical M&A context 14:00 Could Embracer’s consolidat

The Frontier of AI NPCs with Convai's CEO | Purnendu Mukherjee May 11, 2024 01:06:02 Purnendu Mukherjee, CEO of Convai, shares insights into innovative approaches to developing human-like AI characters that can intelligently interact with users, perform actions, and engage in natural and responsive conversations. This discussion sheds light on the future of interactive gaming, educational tools, and real-world applications of AI NPCs, from Mukherjee's personal journey, which

Embracer vs. Ubisoft: A Deep Dive into Two Struggling Gaming Giants (Pixels & Profits) Apr 20, 2024 01:18:49 We compare two major gaming companies, Embracer and Ubisoft, on this episode of Pixels and Profits. ✅ Business performance ✅ Valuation ✅ Future outlook of both companies We analyze their strategies, financials, and potential for growth. Timeline Summary: 00:00 - Introduction to the topic and overview of Embracer's business 03:00 - Discussion of Embracer's financials and debt situation 10

Game Developer Conference (GDC) 2024 Recap: Themes, GDC Talks, Takeaways, and Rumors Mar 30, 2024 01:16:32 We discuss key themes & trends, critical takeaways, GDC panels/talks, and rumors from GDC 2024. OUTLINE: 0:00 Intro 2:35 VC, publisher investment in gaming is down 3:50 Moving to tighter efficiency in game development 7:05 More pain coming, 3-6 more months of industry rationalization 15:30 UA deterioriation since beginning of year 17:17 AI & Liveops key areas of focus 21:40 Importance of

Atomic Scaling with Ludovic Bodin | Lessons From the Games Industry to the World! Mar 21, 2024 00:48:09 Ludovic Bodin is an entrepreneur, investor, and now author of the book Atomic Scaling. Ludovic has learned lessons from the titans of the games industry and created a framework he believes can be applied to any other industry. Learn more about the lessons from Supercell, Valve, Zynga, and others and how they can apply to your games studio or company outside of games. OUTLINE: 0:00 Intro 1:20 How

Liveops Lessons from Temple Run & Bejeweled Blitz ft. Eve Chang Mar 20, 2024 00:27:12 Eve Chang shares her invaluable experiences and lessons from working on iconic mobile games like Temple Run and Bejeweled Blitz. Get ready for a session full of actionable insights and strategies that could redefine your approach to game development and live operations. Outline: [00:00] Introduction to Eve Chang and Overview [01:10] Eve Chang's Journey in Game Development [02:10] Eve's A

Nvidia - On the way to becoming the world's most valuable company | Pixels & Profits #9 Mar 15, 2024 00:52:57 Matthew Kanterman, Joseph Kim, and Brian Peganoff discuss Nvidia as well as gaming related offerings from the company: Nvidia business overview Future growth drivers Valuation Competitive landscape Future outlook

The Measurement Crisis (in mobile UA) | #1 of 5 in State of Measurement Series Mar 5, 2024 00:50:16 We are seeing severe impacts around privacy and the ability to measure any post-device ID kind of fingerprinting world. So, we wanted to put together a five-part series helping advertisers understand the measurement crisis and the different tools and measurement signals available. #1. The first podcast in the series will be the overview of the measurement crisis. #2. The second podcast will be t

Philosophy: Escaping the doom loop Feb 27, 2024 00:15:08 Doom loops are a cycle of self reinforcing negative decisions and behaviors that lead to bad outcomes. In this episode I talk about my own experience trying to break my doom loop impacting both my professional and personal life.

Philosophy: Doing the hard thing Feb 20, 2024 00:22:07 At most companies doing the hard thing is uncomfortable and we avoid addressing some of the most critical issues that can mean the difference between success and failure. This is an audio read of my Philosophy Monday newsletter post. If you want to hear an audio version of those posts, let me know! Go to gamemakers.substack.com and comment there and I'll do more of these in the future.

Gaming x AI: How Atlas makes models for 3D worlds 200X faster! (ft. CEO Ben James) Feb 12, 2024 00:34:52 Dive into the future of game development with Joseph Kim as he interviews Ben James, CEO of Atlas, a groundbreaking company at the forefront of integrating AI into the creative process of game design. In this exclusive interview, discover how Atlas's cutting-edge technology is transforming 2D reference images into fully-realized 3D models, propelling the development of immersive 3D MMO worlds

How Brawl Stars 6X'ed daily revenue ft. 2.5 Gamers + Ken Landen Feb 6, 2024 01:06:49 Supercell's Brawl Stars recently had a huge surge in downloads and daily revenue. How did they do it? We discuss with Matej Lancaric and Jakub Reimar from 2.5 Gamers and Ken Landen (former Kongregate, Scopely, Blizzard, and Hit Factor PM).

Job losses everywhere except AI - Don't fight it, embrace AI! Jan 29, 2024 00:04:48 We explore AI's significant impact in tech, especially game development. Let's discuss adapting to AI as a major technological shift, a technological change potentially as big as the impact of the Internet.

Palworld's Takuro Mizobe on Lesson's Learned (from Pocket Pair Blog) Jan 28, 2024 00:09:14 3 days before launching Palworld, Takuro Mizobe from Pocket Pair, published a blog post with the riveting story behind Palworld. Mistakes, lessons learned, and much more. Check it out: https://note.com/pocketpair/n/n54f674cccc40#2251bc9e-24bc-4539-8c0c-df500654bf43

Stream Hatchet's Livestreaming & Esports report - Key trends! Jan 22, 2024 00:04:08 Livestreaming trends: 1. Which genres are the best? 2. Nostalgia for Baldur's Gate and Fortnite "OG" 3. Indies benefit 4. Multi-platform simulcasting e.g., Ninja Esports: 1. Esports rising again in 2023 2. 5 most watched titles: League of Legends, Mobile Legends: Bang Bang, CS:GO, Dota 2, and Valorant Get the report here: Gaming, Esports, & Social Trends Report | 2024: https://

Ubisoft exec views future of games is subscription not ownership Jan 22, 2024 00:03:39 Will games become more like movies and music with focus on subscription rather than ownership? An Ubisoft director thinks so.

The latest in the Epic vs. Apple wars Jan 22, 2024 00:04:34 Epic vs. Apple articles: The house always wins Apple to collect fees from Epic Games Supreme Court denied both sides' appeals of Epic v. Apple antitrust case. iOS will not have competing stores or payments. Apple releases new policy making 27% from external payments regardless. JK + Tim Sweeney Interview: https://youtu.be/h6ClJxjuRvw?si=21bGX3Qv2LAgDc5U

Key findings from GDC State of the Industry Report 2024 Jan 22, 2024 00:03:59 Pocketgamer reported on GDC's State of the Industry report held every year before GDC. 3,000 game devs input about various topics. We cover: Concerns about AI Where AI is being used Game engine usage

Supercell's Brawl Stars goes Nuclear - After years revenue goes over 4X from Dec 5, '23 to Jan 6, '24 Jan 22, 2024 00:01:38 What happened? Brawlstars after years of doing well, grew massively from December to January!

More layoffs - Pixelberry, Google AI threat, Behavior Interactive, YouTube Games Jan 22, 2024 00:10:11 More Layoffs: Layoffs confirmed at Choices: Stories You Play maker, Pixelberry Studios Google lays off 1,000+ employees in stealth as AI takes on the workload Report: Behaviour Interactive lays off 45 employees Youtube Chief Gaming Guy Laid Off

GameOver #7: '24 Layoffs!, "Too many games," New Halo, Epic #1 on Console, State of UGC, AI, China, Steam Breaks Records Jan 15, 2024 01:03:26 Arthur Trusov and Joseph Kim discuss the latest gaming news from the past week. Layoffs: Unity to lay off 1,800 staff as it continues company reset Twitch is cutting one-third of its staff Playtika to cut 300 - 400 more jobs in latest rounds of layoffs Discord is laying off 17 percent of employees 11 Days Into 2024 And 2700+ Video Game Layoffs Have Been Announced Nacon exec says i

How Profitable is Monopoly Go? (Is #1 really #1?) Jan 12, 2024 00:53:43 In this podcast episode, Joseph Kim, Matej Lancaric, and Summer Liu discuss the profitability of the game Monopoly Go. They explore the controversy surrounding the game and the lack of a widely accepted definition of profitability in the industry. The conversation covers data analysis, marketing strategies, and the use of different creatives. The hosts also discuss the importance of understand

Roblox (RBLX): Business Overview and Future (What you need to know!) Jan 11, 2024 00:53:31 Recorded mid December 2023. We discuss the current and future outlook of Roblox with a focus on financials. OUTLINE: 0:00 Intro 1:11 Overview of the business 5:00 Being a social network vs. gaming platform 5:43 Financial overview 7:06 How does Roblox turn around their profitability? Biggest expense buckets 11:51 Structure and components of Roblox business, 3 primary parts: client, studio, and clo

AI NPCs in Gaming with Inworld AI ft. Travis Boatman, Carbonated Jan 9, 2024 01:08:58 Discussion with Kylan Gibbs, Chief Product Officer at Inworld AI and Travis Boatman, CEO at Carbonated. We discuss Inworld's AI services around AI NPCs / conversational AI for games. OUTLINE: 0:00 Intro 2:00 Inworld AI origin story and application areas of relationships and progression 9:27 Roleplaying is biggest application area for social simulation and emergent storytelling 13:47 How Tra

Savvy Games $30B?, iPhone gaming in trouble, Game Industry Job Hunting, Netflix, Predictions | GO #6 Jan 9, 2024 00:59:37 Joseph Kim and Arthur Trusov talk top game charts, game industry news, and games we're playing. Savvy Games Group: “Approximately 75 percent of our capital allotment has not yet been invested” The future of iPhone gaming is in trouble My personal rollercoaster of job hunting and growth in the games industry Kim Kardashian: Hollywood mobile game to shut down Netflix considers ways to make mone

8 Ball Pool. Sony MIcrosoft Riposte mobile M&A in '24?, Owen Mahoney, Top 5 FPS Games, Starfield "Mostly Negative", Top Steam and Nintendo Games of '23, Layoffs in '23 | GO #5 Jan 2, 2024 01:11:41 We discuss game industry news for the past week: Joseph Kim and Arthur Trusov. 0:00 Intro - New Years Eve 2:52 Top Steam charts - Baldur’s Gate 3, Lethal Company, Elden Ring and Cyberpunk 2077 big jumps 6:27 Top mobile charts - Ice Scream 8, 8 Ball Pool, Royal Match vs. Monopoly GO 9:40 8 Ball Pool Keeps Trucking from Gamemakers Newsletter, innovations and early history, opportunity in runner ga

China regulations tank Netease and Tencent, Take-Two's $12B Zynga bet tumbles, Valorant Mobile, Insomniac Games leak, More layoffs, Winter sale and gaming deals | GO #4 Dec 28, 2023 00:41:12 Joseph Kim (Oldie but Goodie) and Arthur Trusov (Young Blood) discuss top charts and gaming news. 0:00 Intro 2:22 Top Steam charts 5:05 Top mobile charts 7:45 China to curb gaming spend: Netease and Tencent plunge 10:13 China regulator to study concerns about the new gaming curbs 12:45 Take-Two Bet $12B Just as mobile games tumbled 19:33 Valorant Mobile Game 25:30 Insomniac Games major hacking le

Netflix game strategy, Fortnite breaks records, Tiktok breaks $10B, Epic vs. Google, and more! | Go #3 Dec 19, 2023 00:44:16 Game over podcast Episode #3. Joseph Kim and Arthur Trusov talk top game charts, gaming news, and games we're playing. Overview: 0:00 Intro 2:19 Top Steam charts 4:32 Top Mobile charts 6:10 Netflix future games strategy 10:30 Epic Games hits all time records with Fortnite 13:12 TikTok hits over $10B in mobile IAP revenue 15:45 Epic Games wins verdict against Google for monopolistic behavior

"Unity, I'm done," Stormgate RTS Kickstarter, Sega's $800M Super Game, GTA 6, Game Awards | GO #2 Dec 12, 2023 00:50:33 From Game Over podcast. Dual publishing here until we get a bigger audience. Joseph Kim and Arthur Trusov talk top games by market charts, gaming news, and games we're playing. Agenda: 0:00 Intro 2:11 Top Steam charts 3:25 Top Mobile charts 6:53 “Unity, I’m Done” - Fundamentally Games CEO quits Unity 13:56 Frost Giant’s Stormgate RTS fully funds Kickstarter 21:22 Sega’s new Super Game with an

Gardens: Building a Startup Games Studio for success (makers of Journey, Spider-Man, Skyrim) Oct 21, 2023 00:58:05 If you were going to start a new games studio, how would you design the organization, the work environment, and work culture and values for the company? We speak with the co-founders of Gardens, who are building a shared fantasy adventure game from a veteran team that has worked on games such as Journey, Spider-Man, Skyrim, and many others. Gardens has recently announced an over $30M series A r

Unity Software (U): Huge Problems, Negative Outlook, Big Changes Required Oct 3, 2023 01:09:07 There's a lot of context behind Unity's recent run-time fees and the big changes they rolled out on pricing. Find out more about Unity's business, issues & problems, and future outlook. OUTLINE: 0:00 Intro 0:52 High-level overview of Unity’s business: 1. Create and 2. Grow 5:40 Financials overview: Create vs. Grow, revenue growth, impact from Ironsource 12:04 The new world require

Why legendary developers are jumping onto Unreal Editor for Fortnite (UEFN)! Aug 30, 2023 00:53:47 Epic's Unreal Editor for Fortnite (UEFN) potentially presents a huge new platform rivaling Roblox. Why are some of the most experienced developers in the world like Alex Seropian (founder of Bungie and Industrial Toys/EA) and Pete Hawley (100 Thieves) so excited by UEFN? What does a former Roblox developer, Arthur Trusov, think about the platform especially in comparison to Roblox? Find out n

Mobile UA Landscape Impact on Gaming Companies (Pixels & Profits #7) ft. Matej Lancaric Aug 22, 2023 00:41:20 IDFA deprecation and the end of fingerprinting *in theory* would end targeting and the ability to do user acquisition as well as in the past. What is the current state of the market and what will the impact of new changes - meaning the end of fingerprinting - have on mobile game companies?We talk to Matej Lancaric, mobile user acquisition specialist and podcast host on 2 and a half gamers for his

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