Shows
Naavik Gaming PodcastTikTok: Gaming’s New Discovery PlatformTikTok is undeniably changing the game for game developers and creating a new marketing and distribution playbook across mobile, console, and PC. In this discussion, Alexandra Takei, Director at Ruckus Games, speaks with Assaf Sagy, Head of Global Gaming at TikTok, and Rema Vasan, Head of Global Gaming Marketing at TikTok, about the impact TikTok has on consumer behavior. We discuss why TikTok has set up a vertically integrated business focusing solely on gaming, and our discussion covers the essential elements of TikTok's value proposition, including discovery, cultural relevance, and performance, TikTok's position in the gaming distribution stack, and...
2024-04-1959 min
Naavik Gaming PodcastGuild of Guardians on Immutable + Web3 PulsecheckGuild of Guardians, Immutable’s second major game after Gods Unchained, is one of the most anticipated web3 games of 2024. The game recently pivoted from a real-time RPG to an auto-battler, and is set for a May 15th global release. Guild of Guardians is one of the first games on Immutable’s new ZK-EVM blockchain, which Naavik covered in the January 24, 2024 episode of the podcast with Immutable founder, Robbie Ferguson. In the second half of the episode your host, Niko Vuori, and Naavik’s own web3 analyst, Devin Becker, spend some time reflecting on the sta...
2024-04-0256 min
Naavik Gaming PodcastThe State of UGC Gaming in 2024User-generated content (UGC) in games continues to grow in scale and impact, and staying on top of this dynamic market has never been more important. In this episode, Naavik analyst and consultant David Taylor joins Aaron Bush to discuss the most important trends and developments on Roblox, UEFN, and beyond. We discuss emerging patterns that make successful UGC experiences, game-changing roadmap features, how studios should approach this market, the possible eventual scales on these platforms, and much more. Whether you are already creating UGC games or are interested in participating in the market in s...
2024-02-041h 03
Naavik Gaming PodcastThe Advent of AI AnalyticsTogether with Dive, one of our Open Gaming Research Initiative partners, we’re exploring the topic of data and games through a limited podcast series called “Data Corner.” This episode is the final segment of this mini-series, so we decided to focus it on a fascinating future-facing topic — AI Analytics.According to Gartner’s Analytics Ascendancy Model, there are four types of analytics that sharpen hindsight, reveal insight, and create foresight:1. Descriptive analytics, which explain what happened2. Diagnostic analytics, which explain why it happened3. Predictive analytics, which explain what will...
2023-12-2053 min
Naavik Gaming PodcastUnraveling Content Creator ProgramsTogether with Nexus, one of our Open Gaming Research Initiative partners, today we’re diving into the topic of content creator programs.Content creator programs are designed to incentivize and reward the creators in one’s community for driving attention towards a game. It isn’t the newest of growth strategies, but it's become increasingly popular in recent years. Companies like Ubisoft, Scopely, miHoYo, EA, Bandai Namco, MY.GAMES, and many more all host their own creator programs to drive growth across their product portfolios.At Naavik, we’ve looked i...
2023-12-1348 min
Naavik Gaming PodcastBuilding Hits with the Power of CommunityTogether with Windwalk, one of our Open Gaming Research Initiative partners, we’re diving into the topic of community building within game building.The reason for talking about all things community is simple: not only has community building always been important, but it has never been more important, especially when thinking about where the industry is moving from a discoverability, distribution, product roadmapping, UGC, Web3, or AI perspective. There are so many interesting angles to this topic, and we cover a lot of ground on this episode.To discuss al...
2023-11-141h 16
Naavik Gaming PodcastS-Tier Go-To-Market Insights for PC GamesTogether with Gamesight, one of our Open Gaming Research Initiative partners, we’re exploring various go-to-market (GTM) strategies and insights, specifically for PC games.Currently, there is a growing curiosity surrounding the topic, particularly as observed in the development of new mobile games designed for cross-platform compatibility and the introduction of PC versions of existing mobile games. For example, Supercell recently released PC versions of Clash of Clans and Clash Royale. In short, the need to understand how the PC platform behaves from a go-to-market perspective is becoming increasingly important for developers across gaming ve...
2023-10-311h 01
Naavik Gaming PodcastDriving ROI with Data Analysis – Part 2Together with Dive, one of our Open Gaming Research Initiative partners, we’re exploring the topic of data and games through a limited podcast series called the “Data Corner”.Today’s episode is Part 2 of Driving ROI with Data Analysis. It’s a broad topic that many understand has a lot of value, but not so many know how to engineer it in their gaming studios.In Part 1, we talked about how game teams should think about setting up their data pipelines, data teams, processes and relationships with other teams, and budgets. Today, we’re going a litt...
2023-10-1249 min
Naavik Gaming PodcastDriving ROI with Data Analysis – Part 1Together with Dive, one of Naavik's Open Gaming Research Initiative partners, we’re exploring the topic of data and games through a limited podcast series called the “Data Corner”.Today’s episode is about “Driving ROI with Data Analysis” — a broad topic that everyone understands is valuable but most don't know how to effectively engineer into their game studios. After all, ROI from data analysis goes beyond simply analyzing the data and also covers the entire activity funnel. For example, it's not ROI-effective when product teams don't know how to talk to data teams or when data t...
2023-09-1959 min
Naavik Gaming PodcastStarfield Launches / Actors Strike May Hit Games / Humble Bundle’s ExpansionIn this week's Roundtable, the squad highlights data.ai’s new 2023 Gaming Spotlight Report (link below) and adds more details around PlayStation’s decision to raise subscription prices. Then we cover Starfield’s launch, including its impact on Game Pass and the viability of its windowing strategy, followed by discussion on how the writers and actors strike could impact the games industry. Lastly, we wrap up by exploring Humble Bundle's quiet yet interesting expansion strategies. Join us for all the latest games business news with Aaron Bush, Dave Elton, and host Maria Gillies.Data.ai’s 2...
2023-09-0843 min
Naavik Gaming PodcastBuilding a Sustainable Web3 Game With SorareMost Web3 game economies, even the most successful ones from the earliest days of the genre, have struggled in recent quarters, in part due to fundamentally unsustainable economics / tokenomics. But in this episode, we’re discussing one of the more notable exceptions: the France-based fantasy sports game Sorare. Launched on Ethereum in 2019, the game generated nearly $350 million in secondary market volume in 2022, and almost $90 million for the first 5 months of 2023. In this episode, your host, Niko Vuori, talks to Sorare’s Head of Growth, Brian O’Hagan, about how Sorare maintains a “sustainable” economy, how they secured the crucial initial lic...
2023-07-041h 10
Naavik Gaming PodcastAmazon's New MMO / Google Shows Off AI / Cross Platform Gaming DataHow did Zelda outsell Harry Potter? Why is Amazon trying another Lord of the Rings MMO? Google shows off new AI tech, and cross-platform gaming shows some interesting trends. Join us for all the latest games business news with Maria Gillies, Dave Elton, Sebastian Park, and host Devin Becker.Also, a big thanks to data.ai for supporting all of Naavik's mobile data needs. If your team requires a market and competitive intelligence tool for tracking the mobile games industry, monitoring KPIs, and spotting opportunities across games, check out data.ai's robust platform.
2023-05-191h 05
Naavik Gaming Podcast5 Reflections Since Founding NaavikToday’s episode is a bit different. One of our interviews fell through, but instead of skipping an episode Naavik’s co-founder and podcast host, Aaron Bush, decided to pick up the mic and roll solo. Aaron discusses five reflections since founding Naavik – about leadership, learning from other industries, what makes the games industry special, and where we are going next. We also want to learn about what your major reflections have been since joining the games industry, no matter what your tenure is. Send us a note to podcast@naavik.co and we’d be thri...
2023-05-1428 min
Naavik Gaming PodcastSega + Rovio Plans / Stillfront + Playtika Earnings Reports / Sony vs Microsoft - RTWhat is Sega's strategy for Rovio? What do the earnings reports for Playtika and Stillfront say about their acquisition methods and growth? Can TreesPlease build a profitable game around planting real life trees? How can Microsoft compete with Sony's recent console success? Join us for all the latest games business news with Abhimanyu Kumar, Tammy Levy, David Kaye, and host Devin Becker.Also, a big thanks to data.ai for supporting all of Naavik's mobile data needs. If your team requires a market and competitive intelligence tool for tracking the mobile games industry, monitoring...
2023-05-121h 14
Naavik Gaming PodcastHow Yuga Labs is Defining the Future of Web3 Gaming Q: Where does an 800-pound ape get its game on? A: Anywhere it wants to. Having launched some of the biggest NFT collections (including of course Bored Ape Yacht Club), acquired some of the biggest NFT collections (including CryptoPunks and Meebits), raised $450 million from a16z and broken all kinds of web3 records since inception, Yuga is ready to get its game on. It now wants to show the world what web3 gaming can really be, having hired some of the biggest names from Epic Games, Activision Blizzard and Scopely, among others, to senior le...
2023-05-091h 10
Naavik Gaming PodcastMicrosoft Acquires Speedbumps / Apple’s Legal Victory / Ballooning Game CostsIn this episode, we discuss Microsoft's acquisition challenges, Apple's win against Epic, and the impact of record-breaking successes in the Mario Bros movie and MiHoYo's latest mobile game. We also explore how Mythical's latest mobile game is expanding the audience for web3 and the effect of ever-expanding game development costs on the industry. Join us for all the latest games business news with Aaron Bush, Anil Das-Gupta, Jonathan Anastas, and host Devin Becker.Also, a big thanks to data.ai for supporting all of Naavik's mobile data needs. If your team requires a market...
2023-05-051h 22
Naavik Gaming PodcastSega Acquires Rovio for $776M / Niantic’s New Games / New AI Upgrades - RoundtableSega swoops in to acquire Rovio, but are they the right buyer? Niantic announced more licensed games, but will these reach Pokemon Go levels? We dig into what Netflix’s latest hire says about its ambition, and what exactly is going on in web3 now that things are quieter. Dive into the latest games business news with Aaron Bush, Matt Dion, David Amor and your host Devin Becker.Also, a big thanks to data.ai for supporting all of Naavik's mobile data needs. If your team requires a market and competitive intelligence tool for tracking the mo...
2023-04-211h 09
Naavik Gaming PodcastMario Movie / Dream Games / Scopely Acquisition / Sony’s Cloud / AI - RoundtableWhat does the Mario movie mean for games? What is Dream Games follow-up to Royal Match? Where does Phillip La go after Sky Mavis? Was the Scopely acquisition a good deal? What does Sony’s cloud hires say about its strategy? What crazy thing has AI done now? Dive into the latest games business news with Aaron Bush, Anil Das-Gupta, Tammy Levy and your host Devin Becker.00:00 - Start01:43 - The Super Mario Bros Movie goes super09:05 - Dream Games has a new game22:42 - Phillip La leaves Sky Mavis28:36...
2023-04-141h 09
Naavik Gaming PodcasteSports Winter / E3 Cancelled / Mobile Markets / Ronin Games - RoundtableIs eSports winter a flywheel-breaking cycle? What’s next for E3? Is the mobile gaming market truly stabilising? We dive into the latest games business news with Aaron Bush, Mihai Vicol, Jonathan Anastas, and your host Maria Gillies.00:00 - Start03:25 - TSM and CLG eSports Winter14:40 - EA Layoffs25:25 - Diablo IV Beta Results30:40 - E3 Cancelled39:47 - Mobile Industry Stabilising… Or Not?45:00 - Sky Mavis Ronin Games01:03:53 - OutroAlso, a big thanks to data.ai for supporting all of Naavik's mobile data need...
2023-04-071h 04
Naavik Gaming PodcastGame Analytics: Tactics, Advice, and Lessons LearnedGame analytics may sound easy in theory, but it can be extremely complex in practice. Every game and genre is different, and every team works with different levels of talent and resources. So what tactics, advice, and lessons learned can help teams level up their use of data? To explore this topic, Elad Levy – founder and CEO of Dive – joins Naavik co-founder Aaron Bush to discuss his insights and share how Dive helps dozens of teams better master game analytics.To learn more, make sure to visit Dive’s website. You can also find Elad o...
2023-04-0256 min
Naavik Gaming PodcastGDC Shakeups - RoundtableWe finally got progress on Microsoft’s Activision/Blizzard/King acquisition. Unity joined the mandatory AI bandwagon at GDC. There’s yet another web3 organisation of companies bidding for influence. Dark & Darker went from early hype to major controversy. Rovio turned down Playtika’s proposal. Tencent shared its earnings report for digging into. The much rumoured Counter-Strike 2 was officially announced. Epic pushed deeper into UGC for Fortnite with big creator economy changes. Dive into the latest games business news with Aaron Bush, Matt Dion, Felipe Mata and your host Devin Becker.00:00 - Start02:28 - CMA...
2023-03-311h 09
Naavik Gaming PodcastExpansions and Partnerships - RoundtableHow are Netflix and other game studios expanding while Amazon and Twitch make layoffs? What does a partnership between the two heavyweights of web3, IMX and Polygon actually mean? Can MS and Epic compete with existing app stores? The mysteries of CCP raising money for a web3 game explored. We dive into the latest games business news with Anil Das-Gupta, Aaron Bush, Dave Elton, and your host Devin Becker.00:00 - Start02:00 - Netflix games growth09:25 - Multiple game devs expanding studios13:02 - Amazon and Twitch layoffs17:40 - Strategic Partnership between...
2023-03-241h 13
Naavik Gaming PodcastLucy Hoffman: Unleashing Africa’s Gaming OpportunityIn this episode, Lucy Hoffman – co-founder and COO of Carry1st – joins Naavik co-founder Aaron Bush to discuss:#1 Africa’s exciting gaming trajectory, including how the region’s extreme diversity poses unique challenges and opportunities#2 The state of Carry1st with breakdowns of the company’s publishing, game development, and technology strategies#3 Lessons learned about managing company culture with a fully remote and rapidly growing team#4 How obsessing over serving customer needs could lead to even bigger opportunities down the road
2023-03-1952 min
Naavik Gaming PodcastSVB Collapse / Applovin Spawns Redemption - RoundtableHow did the collapse of Silicon Valley Bank affect games? Why did Applovin spin out new studio Redemption? We dive into the latest games business news with Maria Gillies, Aaron Bush, David Kaye, and your host Devin Becker.00:00 - Start02:20 - Microsoft delays and cloud updates06:36 - Google shuts down cloud streaming services09:10 - CoD:M competing with Warzone mobile18:14 - SVB Collapse affects studios and VCs39:10 - Applovin spins out Redemption Studios53:52 - OutroIf you would like us to discuss any...
2023-03-1754 min
Naavik Gaming PodcastBeliever’s $55M Series A / Exits in Gaming / Gen AI Playtesting - RoundtableHow does raising venture capital affect studio operations and exit strategies? How has generative AI delivered playtesting workflow efficiencies? We dive into the latest games business news with Aaron Bush, Sebastian Park, and your host Maria Gillies.00:00 - Start03:03 - Generative AI - Playtesting Workflow21:57 - CS:GO Sequel Rumours27:23 - The Believer Company’s $55M Series A39:16 - Gaming Exits Are Harder to Land48:50 - OutroIf you would like us to discuss any other gaming-related topics, reach out at podcast@naavik.co. We...
2023-03-1049 min
Naavik Gaming PodcastJonathan Knight: The New York Times Games Strategy The New York Times is one of the world’s most recognized and respected newspapers, and has been in circulation since 1851. With almost 10 million subscribers (of which 8.6 million are digital-only), the Times has a huge audience and an even larger cultural impact. But the Gray Lady isn’t content to just rest on her laurels and focus on news - other verticals in which the Times operates are product reviews (The Wirecutter), sports (through their 2022 acquisition of The Athletic), cooking and, of course, games. In addition to their 7 home-grown casual titles, the Times of course famously acquired viral sensation Wordl...
2023-03-0757 min
Naavik Gaming PodcastAlvaro Duarte: Voodoo’s Ongoing EvolutionIn this episode, Alvaro Duarte – VP of Casual Games at Voodoo – joins Naavik co-founder Aaron Bush to discuss:#1 Is hypercasual dead? We explore the changes Voodoo’s seen in its own business and dig into why the company is shifting its focus to (hybrid)casual.#2 Why Voodoo’s entrance into casual shouldn’t be underestimated and why the team is thinking about web3#3 How Voodoo’s culture is designed for it to move fast, try many things, and support several internal and external teams
2023-03-0552 min
Naavik Gaming PodcastKrafton Targets India / Hogwarts Legacy’s Success / Unity Earnings - RoundtableWhy is Krafton hyper-targeting India’s mobile market? What does Hogwarts Legacy’s massive success tell us about the future of the industry? Why is Playtika stopping new game development? We dive into the latest games business news with Aaron Bush, Anil Das-Gupta, Jonathan Anastas, and your host Maria Gillies.00:00 - Start02:15 - Naavik Pro new verticals05:20 - Call of Duty 2023 Release08:30 - Unity Earnings Analysis16:21 - Playtika Earnings Analysis25:51 - What’s Next After Hogwarts Legacy’s Success44:58 - Why Krafton Is Hyper-Targeting India’s Mobile Market01:01:4...
2023-03-031h 02
Naavik Gaming PodcastManish Agarwal: India x Web3 GamingIn this episode, Manish Agarwal – ex-CEO of Nazara Technologies and founder of IndiGG, a web3 gaming DAO focused on India – joins Naavik co-founder Aaron Bush to discuss:#1 What guilds initially got wrong, why he prefers to not use the term “guild,” and how India might become a digital asset factory#2 The size of the web3 gaming opportunity in India, and why India could be a uniquely effective market for web3 gaming#3 Learnings from working in a DAO - the underappreciated benefits and the ongoing challeng...
2023-02-2846 min
Naavik Gaming PodcastGrowth By Acquisition / Roblox Gen AI / 2020-22 Gaming Deals Highlights - RoundtableIs there further evidence whether a growth by acquisition model is sustainable? What are the consequences of Roblox leaning into generative AI? What can we learn by analysing 2020 to 2022’s gaming deals? We dive into the latest games business news with Aaron Bush, Felipe Mata, and your host Maria Gillies.00:00 - Start03:00 - InvestGame 2020-2022 Gaming Deals Report Highlights07:20 - What’s Next For Firaxis?24:15 - Blizzard’s Back to Office Mandate29:50 - Future of Growth By Acquisition Business Model (Embracer and Stillfront)50:44 - Roblox Generative AI & Earnings Analysis01...
2023-02-241h 08
Naavik Gaming PodcastCapcom & Netmarble Earnings / Supercell’s Letter / Game Acquisitions - RoundtableCan Supercell reignite their magic of developing new ways to play? What can we learn from Capcom and Netmarble earnings? Why is there a rise of game-only acquisitions? We dive into the latest games business news with Abhimanyu Kumar, Matt Dion, Dave Elton, and your host Maria Gillies.00:00 - Start03:00 - Supercell’s Annual Letter18:15 - DigiDaigaku’s Super Bowl Ad27:48 - Why Are Game-Only Acquisitions On The Rise?36:25 - Capcom’s Earnings Analysis47:08 - Netmarble Earnings Analysis58:57 - Stream Hatchet’s Video Game Streaming Annual Report01:08:30 - Outro
2023-02-171h 09
Naavik Gaming PodcastEarnings & Strategy Analysis for Sony, Take Two, Konami, Nintendo - RoundtableWhat is Konami building for their profitability to have sunk? Why is the strength of IPs more important than ever? We dive into the latest games business news with Aaron Bush, Anil Das-Gupta, Aaron Morley, and your host Maria Gillies.00:00 - Start02:22 - Meta Earnings06:00 - Nintendo Earnings07:12 - Hogwarts Legacy Sticks the Landing11:21 - Konami Earnings & Strategy20:51 - Sony Earnings & Strategy37:30 - Take Two Earnings - When GTA 6?52:25 - Kadokawa’s Next Steps58:20 - OutroAlso, a big thanks to data.ai for supporting all of...
2023-02-1059 min
Naavik Gaming PodcastLexi Sydow: The State of Mobile 2023In this episode, Lexi Sydow – Head of Insights at data.ai – joins Naavik co-founder Aaron Bush to discuss:#1 The launch of data.ai’s State of Mobile 2023 report#2 The performance of various mobile gaming genres and subgenres, including what to expect this year#3 What’s new with data.ai’s products and what the team is building nextTo learn more, make sure to visit data.ai’s website, you can read the report here, and you can find Lexi on Link...
2023-02-0550 min
Naavik Gaming PodcastMicrosoft, EA Earnings / Metacore x Everdale / Web3 Slotomania - RoundtableWhat are the highest priority challenges for Microsoft to drive further gaming growth? Why is Metacore well positioned to take on Everdale’s mantle? We dive into the latest game business news with Aaron Bush, Tammy Levy, David Kaye, and your host Maria Gillies.00:00 - Start04:52 - Metacore Takes On Everdale’s Mantle11:55 - PSVR2 Slashes Sales Expectations15:50 - EA Earnings & Game Sunsets20:29 - Microsoft Earnings Analysis35:36 - eSports Sustainable Business Model54:32 - Playtika's Web3 Slotomania01:00:46 - OutroAlso, a big thanks to data.ai f...
2023-02-031h 01
Naavik Gaming PodcastWhy Playtika Chose Rovio / Exit Jam City, Enter Plai Labs / Gorilla Tag - RoundtableWhat problems would Rovio’s acquisition solve for Playtika? Why did Champions Ascension spin into Plai Labs? We dive into the latest game business news with Abhimanyu Kumar, Matt Dion, and your host Maria Gillies.00:00 - Start02:09 - Blizzard Games Shutdown in China04:32 - Carry1st Raises $27M Investment10:45 - The Last of Us Serie Drives Game Sales12:30 - Jam City Exits, Plai Labs Raises $32M28:36 - Playtika’s Rovio Acquisition Proposal50:14 - Gorilla Tag, VR Market01:11:17 - OutroAlso, a big than...
2023-01-271h 11
Naavik Gaming PodcastVoodoo Blockchain & Hybrid Casual / Ubisoft’s Underperformance - RoundtableWhy is Voodoo uniquely positioned to pursue blockchain gaming and are they likely to succeed? What’s next for Ubisoft and why are they underperforming? We dive into the latest game business news with Aaron Bush, Anil Das-Gupta, and your host Maria Gillies.00:00 - Start00:50 - Latest Regulatory ATVI/MSFT Concerns05:06 - Amazon Game Services First-Party IPs11:20 - Last of Us Transmedia Success13:55 - Ubisoft’s Underperformance Analysis35:25 - Voodoo Enters Blockchain Gaming59:45 - OutroAlso, a big thanks to data.ai for supporting all of N...
2023-01-201h 00
Naavik Gaming PodcastMoritz Baier-Lentz: The State of Gaming VCIn this episode, Moritz Baier-Lentz – Partner and the Head of Gaming at Lightspeed Venture Partners (LSVP) – joins Naavik co-founder Aaron Bush to discuss:#1 His move to LSVP and the team’s revamped ambitions to invest across the games industry#2 Lessons learned as a VC, including how he’s grown as an investor #3 The current state of the venture market and his advice to founders on how to navigate tougher times#4 Insights on investing in web3, AI, game studios, and more!...
2023-01-1851 min
Naavik Gaming PodcastNetEase’s SkyBox Acquisition / Square Enix Analysis / Meta UA - RoundtableWhy are NetEase and Tencent diversifying into Western AAA game development? How could EU regulations affect Meta’s performance as a UA channel? We dive into the latest game business news with Aaron Bush, Matt Dion, and your host Maria Gillies00:00 - Start04:25 - China Issues Licences for International Games09:12 - YouTube Policies Demonetize Gaming Content15:10 - PSVR2 Soon!20:32 - NetEase’s SkyBox Acquisition: Why?33:44 - EU Personalised Ads Regulation (GDPR Fun)47:03 - Square-Enix President’s New Year’s Letter Analysis01:01:36 - OutroAlso, a big thanks to data...
2023-01-131h 03
Naavik Gaming PodcastChristian Facey: Building on the Cutting Edge of AdTechIn this episode, Christian Facey – co-founder and CEO of Audiomob – joins Naavik co-founder Aaron Bush to discuss:#1 The current state of audio ads, and how non-intrusive in-game audio ads can play a larger role in the future#2 Why Audiomob exists, how it’s scaled so far, and what it’s plans are for the future#3 Christian’s lessons learned as an entrepreneur, including how to plan for an IPO so early on, how to build a diverse recruiting pipeline, and how to prepare for the worst...
2023-01-0844 min
Naavik Gaming Podcast2022 Gaming Deals Review / Game of the Year & Unicorn Awards - RoundtableWhat are the trends when looking back at 2022’s gaming deals? What were our highlights of the year? We dive into the latest game business news with Abhimanyu Kumar, Anthony Pecorella, Matt Dion, Anton Gorodetsky, and your host Maria Gillies.00:00 - Start07:30 - 2022 Gaming Deals Trends Review17:40 - Highlights Awards: Game of the Year37:15 - Highlights Awards: The Good51:03 - Highlights Awards: The Bad01:01:02 - Highlights Awards: The Unicorn01:16:49 - OutroAlso, a big thanks to data.ai for supporting all of Naavik's mobile data ne...
2022-12-231h 17
Naavik Gaming PodcastEnd-of-Year Learnings & Predictions - RoundtableWhat’s the funding environment going into 2023? Can mobile be conquered by studios with short runways? We dive into the latest game business news with Aaron Bush, Anil Das-Gupta, Joakim Achrén, and your host Maria Gillies.00:00 - Start10:20 - Console Acceleration20:26 - Mobile Growth or Decline38:35 - Multi-Core-Gameplay Genre45:00 - Mainstream Blockchain Gaming59:24 - M&A and Funding Environment01:05:30 - Generative AI01:10:43 - OutroAlso, a big thanks to data.ai for supporting all of Naavik's mobile data needs. If your team requires a market and...
2022-12-161h 11
Naavik Gaming PodcastCross-Platform Strategy / Moore’s Law Revival / Gwent Sunset - RoundtableShould studios lean away from an all-in mobile strategy and pursue cross-platform? What is the impact of Intel’s vision to revive Moore’s Law? We dive into the latest game business news with Tammy Levy, David Amor, and your host Maria Gillies.00:00 - Start03:25 - Playmint’s Open Source Web3 Tech10:11 - Moore’s Law Revival17:05 - Limit Break’s Free Super Bowl NFT Mint25:00 - Gwent’s End of Development30:47 - Lean Away From Mobile, Lean Into Consoles & PC?55:05 - OutroAlso, a big thanks t...
2022-12-0955 min
Naavik Gaming PodcastChina’s Console Market / Web3 Investment / Cosy Games - RoundtableShould console studios target mainland China’s market? Is building a web3 gaming studio still an investment advantage? We dive into the latest game business news with Anthony Pecorella, Alex Takei, Joost van Dreunen, and your host Maria Gillies.00:00 - Start02:50 - What are cosy games?05:20 - Australia’s Loot Box Bill11:40 - Will Mobile Replace Consoles?18:20 - Mainland China’s Console Market Analysis35:40 - Is Web3 Still an Investment Advantage?49:53 - OutroAlso, a big thanks to data.ai for supporting all of Naavik's mobile...
2022-12-0251 min
Naavik Gaming PodcastBlizzard x NetEase / Google Play Competition / Gameloft Strategy - RoundtableWhy didn’t Blizzard renew its partnership with NetEase? How will they return to mainland China’s market? We dive into the latest game business news with Matt Dion, David Amor, Marie Mejerwall, and your host Maria Gillies.00:00 - Start05:20 - Gameloft’s Cross-Platform Strategy08:55 - Generative AI’s Valuable Disruption17:40 - Embracer Group Earnings Analysis19:20 - Sony Patent For NFT and Blockchain Technology23:52 - Blizzard Does Not Renew Contract with NetEase40:12 - Google Struck Deals to Prevent Play Store Competition56:46 - OutroAlso, a big th...
2022-11-2557 min
Naavik Gaming PodcastUnity, Krafton, Nintendo Earnings / Future of Community Play - RoundtableWhat can we learn from Unity, AppLovin, Roblox, Krafton and Nintendo earnings? What’s the next evolution of community play? We dive into the latest game business news with Aaron Bush, Tammy Levy, Elyssa Goldberg, and your host Maria Gillies.00:00 - Start03:12 - Unity Earnings Analysis05:27 - NewZoo Forecasts Market Decline13:41 - AppLovin Earnings Analysis15:26 - Roblox Earnings Analysis20:10 - Impacts of FTX on Gaming29:14 - Krafton Earnings Analysis35:46 - Nintendo Earnings & Strategy Analysis55:19 - Future of Community Play01:07:20 - OutroAlso, a...
2022-11-181h 07
Naavik Gaming PodcastAlexis Bonte: Stillfront’s Strategy, Synergies & FutureIn this episode, Alexis Bonte – COO of Stillfront Group – joins Naavik co-founder Aaron Bush to discuss:#1 His journey as an entrepreneur and executive, and how he ended up at Stillfront#2 How Stillfront operates, including how it provides autonomy to studios while still creating synergies across the entire organization#3 Stillfront’s M&A strategy, including lessons learned after 18 acquisitions#4 The future of Stillfront (and whether Stillfront is thinking about web3)To learn more, make sure to vis...
2022-11-1353 min
Naavik Gaming PodcastTake-Two, EA Earnings / Mobile Headwinds / Layoffs - RoundtableWhat can we learn from Take-Two and EA’s earnings? Are we observing an increase in VC capital deployment? We dive into the latest game business news with Aaron Bush, Seb Park, and your host Maria Gillies.00:00 - Start02:10 - What’s Next for eSports?05:40 - Japan’s PC Gaming Market07:03 - China’s Declining Mobile Gaming Market08:30 - Unity x ironSource Deal Closed11:12 - Embracer Closed Former Square Enix Montreal12:56 - Dapper Labs and Mythical Layoffs22:20 - Take-Two Earnings Analysis40:35 - EA Earnings Analysis50:18 - Increa...
2022-11-111h 01
Naavik Gaming PodcastCaro Krenzer: Building Studios, Navigating Change & Fostering InclusivityIn this episode, Caro Krenzer – co-founder and CEO of Trailmix, the company behind Love & Pies – joins Naavik co-founder Aaron Bush to discuss:#1 Caro’s games industry origin story and what led her to found Trailmix#2 How Love & Pies pivoted away from a failed game mechanic and turned into a hit#3 Lessons in inclusive game design, including how to build a great company culture that supports it#4 What Caro learned from working at King, how Supercell supports Trailmix as an invest...
2022-11-0645 min
Naavik Gaming PodcastMicrosoft, Meta, Sony, Rovio Earnings / VR Gaming Predictions - RoundtableWhat can we learn from Microsoft, Meta, Sony and Rovio’s earnings? What does Meta’s tanking stock mean for VR/AR Gaming? We dive into the latest game business news with David Amor, Matt Dion, and your host Maria Gillies.00:00 - Start03:33 - Sony/PlayStation Earnings06:50 - TikTok Playable Games Tab08:20 - Netflix Acquires Spry Fox11:30 - Rovio Earnings13:33 - Microsoft/Xbox Earnings31:17 - Meta Earnings & VR/AR MarketAlso, a big thanks to data.ai for supporting all of Naavik's mobile data needs. If y...
2022-11-0453 min
Naavik Gaming PodcastJason Chapman: How Konvoy Ventures Invests in GamingIn this episode, Jason Chapman – co-founder and managing partner of Konvoy Ventures – joins Naavik co-founder Aaron Bush to discuss:#1 The origins, present state, and core theses of Konvoy Ventures#2 What technology and platform trends Jason is excited about#3 What attributes the Konvoy team looks for in the teams and founders it backs#4 The current state of the venture market, including where we are in the latest web3 cycle#5 Lessons learned in scaling an investment firm...
2022-10-3050 min
Naavik Gaming PodcastApple vs Microsoft and NFTs / Netflix Cloud Gaming / Silent Hill - RoundtableIn this Metacast episode, Anil Das-Gupta and Aaron Bush join your host Maria Gillies to discuss: #1 Microsoft’s Xbox Mobile Storefront: Could Microsoft succeed where Epic Games didn’t?#2 Apple’s NFTs Guidelines: Will the guidelines kill blockchain mobile games?#3 Netflix Cloud Gaming: What’s behind Netflix’s cloud gaming strategy?#4 Silent Hill Announcements: Why revive the Silent Hill franchise now?#5 Marvel Snap Mobile Launch: What are the early indicators of Marvel Snap’s launch?Also, a big thanks to data.ai for supporting all of Naavik...
2022-10-281h 13
Naavik Gaming PodcastBjörn Jeffery: How to Conquer the Kids MarketIn this episode, Björn Jeffery – serial entrepreneur (including Toca Boca), board member, technology columnist, and advisor – joins Naavik co-founder Aaron Bush to discuss:#1 Lessons learned and effective strategies on how to serve the kids market#2 His experiences from founding, scaling, and selling Toca Boca#3 What he’s thinking about today including “AI vs art,” breaking common conventions, and advice for successful boardsTo learn more, make sure to follow Björn on Twitter. You can also view Toca Boca’s websi...
2022-10-2354 min
Naavik Gaming PodcastRiot Acquires Wargaming Sydney / NFT Royalties / VR Games - RoundtableIn this Metacast episode, Anthony Pecorella, Tim Mannveille and Tom Kinniburgh join your host Maria Gillies to discuss: #1 Why Riot Acquired Wargaming Sydney: What are the strategic goals behind the acquisition?#2 Magic Eden’s Optional Royalties: Why did the marketplace make creator royalties optional?#3 Xbox Game Pass on Meta Quest: Is Xbox Game Pass on Meta Quest a major step in VR games?#4 Voice Acting & AI: What role could AI play in the games voice acting business?Also, a big thanks to data.ai for supporting all...
2022-10-211h 11
Naavik Gaming PodcastEmily Greer: Lessons in Entrepreneurship, Scaling, and CultureIn this episode, Emily Greer – co-founder and CEO of Double Loop Games (previously Kongregate) – joins Naavik co-founder Aaron Bush to discuss:#1 What Double Loop Games is building and how it aims to redefine the “casual” genre #2 How the games industry’s venture ecosystem has changed since Kongragate raised capital in 2006-2010#3 How Emily has improved as an entrepreneur when it comes to kickstarting, scaling, and setting an exit strategy for a business#4 Tactics and advise when it comes to cultural an...
2022-10-1657 min
Naavik Gaming PodcastScaling iOS UA / Channel Diversification / Web3 Mobile - RoundtableIn this Metacast episode, David Amor and Matej Lancaric join your host Maria Gillies to discuss: #1 How to Scale iOS User Acquisition: What’s the latest strategy to scale UA on iOS?#2 Marketing Channel Diversification: How can small and big teams approach marketing channel diversification?#3 Crypto Mobile Gaming & UA: Do crypto games open new user acquisition strategies?Also, a big thanks to data.ai for supporting all of Naavik's mobile data needs. If your team requires a market and competitive intelligence tool for tracking the mobile games industry, mon...
2022-10-1459 min
Naavik Gaming PodcastRyan Wyatt: Polygon’s Quest for ScaleIn this episode, Ryan Wyatt – CEO of Polygon Studios – joins Naavik co-founder Aaron Bush to discuss:#1 How Polygon Studios works, its grand ambitions, and why teams should consider using it as their layer 2 of choice#2 What Ryan learned about “excellence in scaling” at YouTube, and how running a web3 business presents unique challenges#3 What will unlock the next phase of growth for blockchain games, advice to teams during “crypto winter,” and why he doesn’t worry about educating gamers#4 As a venture p...
2022-10-0943 min
Naavik Gaming PodcastRise of Mega-Investors / Stadia Shutdown / Apple x NFTs - RoundtableIn this Metacast episode, Aaron Bush, Anil Das-Gupta and Lars Doucet join your host Maria Gillies to discuss: #1 Rise of The Mega-Investors: What are Tencent and Savvy Gaming Group’s investment strategies?#2 Supercell and their Brutal Sunset of Games: Why has Supercell sunset yet another game?#3 Goodbye Stadia: Why did Stadia fail and what can tech giants learn from it?#4 Apple’s 30% Cut for In-App NFT Sales: How does this affect blockchain game design and its revenue potential?Al...
2022-10-071h 14
Naavik Gaming PodcastIdentity in the Metaverse, ft. Disco.xyz - Crypto CornerOn this week’s Crypto Corner, Disco.xyz CEO and Cofounder Evin McMullen joins BITKRAFT Partner Carlos Pereira and host Nico Vereecke for a conversation aboutIdentity in the MetaverseDecentralized Identifiers & Verified CredentialsThe limitations of NFTs and Soulbound Tokens& More!If you would like us to discuss any other blockchain gaming-related topics, do reach out at nicolas@naavik.co or metacast@naavik.co. We’d love to hear your general thoughts and feedback too! And as always, if you like the episode, you can help others find us by le...
2022-10-0455 min
Naavik Gaming PodcastJacob Navok: How MILEs Will Transform EntertainmentIn this episode, Jacob Navok – the co-founder and CEO of Genvid – joins Naavik co-founder Aaron Bush to discuss:#1 What are Massively Interactive Live Events (MILEs), and why is this new form-factor of entertainment so promising?#2 What the team has learned from pioneering innovative projects like Rival Peak and The Walking Dead: Last Mile#3 Jacob’s vision of the future of MILEs, how the team will level up leveraging more great IPs, and what his dream MILE is#4 What exactly Genvid...
2022-10-0249 min
Naavik Gaming PodcastIs X-Hero Mobile’s Latest Top Grossing Anti-Hero? - RoundtableIn this Metacast episode, Joost van Dreunen, Tammy Levy and Abhimanyu Kumar join your host Maria Gillies to discuss: #1 X-Hero: Scam or Anti-Hero: What’s behind X-Hero’s success and is it sustainable?#2 Meta Mechanics in Casual Games: Is the hybrid-casual genre still relevant today?#3 Power Dynamics Between Platforms and Publishers: How have platforms and publishers changed in the past decade?Also, a big thanks to data.ai for supporting all of Naavik's mobile data needs. If your team requires a market and c...
2022-09-301h 22
Naavik Gaming PodcastReimagining NFT's - Crypto CornerOn this week’s Crypto Corner, Luda CEO and Cofounder Vijay Sundaram joins your host Nico Vereecke for a conversation aboutCommunity-driven IP creationThe current state of Web3 GamesHow NFTs can be so much more than just ‘collections of 10.000’What he’s building at Luda& More!Neo Fairies: https://world.neofairies.com/If you would like us to discuss any other blockchain gaming-related topics, do reach out at nicolas@naavik.co or metacast@naavik.co. We’d love to hear your general thoughts and feedback t...
2022-09-271h 02
Naavik Gaming PodcastRisks of Sequels, Leaks and Permanent Loss Game Design Mechanics - RoundtableIn this Metacast episode, Anthony Pecorella and Matt Dion join your host Maria Gillies to discuss: #1 Overwatch 2 - Sequel or Restructuring: Why is Overwatch 2 replacing the original game instead of maintaining both?#2 GTA VI Game Leak: Can game leaks be avoided?#3 Permanent Loss as a Game Design Tool: Is there a trend of increasingly using permanent loss in game design?Also, a big thanks to data.ai for supporting all of Naavik's mobile data needs. If your team requires a market and c...
2022-09-231h 03
Naavik Gaming PodcastLoot : One Year Later - Crypto CornerWas Loot a flash in the pan, or has it created a new way of human collaboration and IP development?Background on Loot: https://twitter.com/TimshelXYZ/status/1553072711529730049On this week’s Crypto Corner, Loot builders Timshel, Threepwave and Loaf join your host Nico Vereecke for a conversation aboutRecap on LootDecentralized IP CreationDecentralized Game BuildingWhat’s next for Loot& More!If you would like us to discuss any other blockchain gaming-related topics, do reach out at nicolas@naavik.co or metacast@naavik.co. We’d love...
2022-09-2057 min
Naavik Gaming PodcastStrategy Case Studies: Mobile Clones, IP Ecosystem, UGC - RoundtableIn this Metacast episode, Aaron Bush, Anil Das-Gupta and Sebastian Park join your host Maria Gillies to discuss: #1 Scopely acquires Stumble Guys: What is behind the success of a Fall Guys clone?#2 Ubisoft’s Growth Strategy: How can a AAA behemoth unlock long-term growth?#3 Roblox & User-Generated Platforms: Is Roblox pursuing the most valuable bets?Also, a big thanks to data.ai for supporting all of Naavik's mobile data needs. If your team requires a market and competitive intelligence tool for tracking the mob...
2022-09-161h 13
Naavik Gaming PodcastA Deep Dive into Liquidity Pools (ft. Crypto Unicorns) - Crypto CornerOn this week’s Crypto Corner, we take a deep dive into one of the core DeFi primitives - liquidity pools. Laguna Games’ Cofounder and CEO Aron Beierschmitt and Games Researcher/Angel Kiet Fong join your host Nico Vereecke for a conversation aboutWhat are Liquidity Pools?Why are they relevant to Web3 games like Crypto Unicorns?What do game devs need to consider when setting them up?What are Liquidity Bootstrapping Pools?& More!If you would like us to discuss any other blockchain gaming-related topics, do reach out at nicolas@naavik.co o...
2022-09-1358 min
Naavik Gaming PodcastLearnings From Downsized Social Media Games - RoundtableIn this Metacast episode, Abhimanyu Kumar, Tammy Levy and Tim Mannveille join your host Maria Gillies to discuss: #1 Social Media Apps Downsize Games: Why is there a history of failed social app games?#2 Creativity Within IAPs: Why is creative exploration of IAPs still important in free-to-play games?#3 Xbox Game Pass Friends & Family: How does the new subscription tier influence Xbox’s market position?Also, a big thanks to data.ai for supporting all of Naavik's mobile data needs. If your team requires a m...
2022-09-091h 05
Naavik Gaming PodcastThe State of Play-to-Earn - Crypto CornerOn this week’s Crypto Corner, Yield Guild Games’ Gabby Dizon and Jeff Holmberg join your host Nico Vereecke for a follow-up conversation about Play-to-Earn Gaming Guilds. We discussThe state of Play-To-EarnThe role of guilds in Web3 GamingHow Web3 Games should position themselvesWhat makes guilds like Yield Guild stand outIf you would like us to discuss any other blockchain gaming-related topics, do reach out at nicolas@naavik.co or metacast@naavik.co. We’d love to hear your general thoughts and feedback too! And as always...
2022-09-0655 min
Naavik Gaming PodcastAI Art: DALL-Eks or High-value Disruptive Innovation? - RoundtableIn this Metacast episode, Matt Dion and David Amor join your host Maria Gillies to discuss: #1 AI Art Applied to Games: How will innovation disrupt game art pipelines?#2 Sony Acquires Savage Game Studios: What’s next for Sony’s mobile games?#3 AAA Crypto Games - gamescom: Is it meaningful for AAA games to integrate blockchain elements?Also, a big thanks to data.ai for supporting all of Naavik's mobile data needs. If your team requires a market and competitive intelligence tool for track...
2022-09-0258 min
Naavik Gaming PodcastWhat's Next For Play-To-Earn Gaming Guilds? - Crypto CornerOn this week’s Crypto Corner, Animoca Brands’ Jesper Lundquest and MMA Gaming’s Casper join your host Nico Vereecke for a conversation about Play-to-Earn Gaming Guilds. There seems to be a high chance that Play-to-Earn won’t work over the next years. What does this mean for the guilds whose existence depends on that business model? How can they reinvent themselves?If you would like us to discuss any other blockchain gaming-related topics, do reach out at nicolas@naavik.co or metacast@naavik.co. We’d love to hear your general thoughts and feedback t...
2022-08-2350 min
Naavik Gaming PodcastA New Theory for Game Design Psychology - RoundtableIn this Metacast episode, Anthony Pecorella and Tammy Levy join your host Abhimanyu Kumar to discuss: #1 Space Ape Games and Beatstar: How Beatstar survived 24 killed prototypes in five years. Link#2 Mastering Uncertainty and Predictive Processing in Game Design: Exploring a new game design psychology study that was recently published. Link #3 The Slow Games Movement: What they are and why it’s significant?Also, a big thanks to data.ai for supporting all of Naavik's mobile data needs. If your team requires a mark...
2022-08-191h 20
Naavik Gaming PodcastA Deep Dive into Web3 Publishing, Growth & UA - Crypto CornerOn this week’s Crypto Corner, we take a deep dive into Web3 Publishing and Growth. Quinn Campbell, VP of Growth at Sky Mavis, and Jon Hook, CMO at PlayEmber, join your host Nico Vereecke for a conversation about:- Differences between Web2 and Web3 Game Publishing- How Web3 will change the Publishing Model- Growth for Blockchain Games- Lessons learned from getting millions of players into the Axie EcosystemIf you would like us to discuss any other blockchain gaming-related to...
2022-08-161h 05
Naavik Gaming PodcastUnity’s Love Triangle & Blizzard’s Breakup - RoundtableIn this Metacast episode, Matt Dion, Joost van Dreunen, and David Amor, join your host Maria Gillies to discuss: #1 Blizzard & NetEase Cancel WoW Mobile Game: Why was the World of Warcraft mobile game canceled?#2 AppLovin x Unity Merger Proposal: Will Unity swap ironSource for a merger with AppLovin?#3 Gaming Accessories Market: Will the gaming accessories market survive in a post-pandemic world?#4 Microsoft x Unity Partnership: Why aren’t there more game engine competitors?Also, a big thanks to...
2022-08-121h 01
Naavik Gaming PodcastStriderDAO : Community-Driven IP Creation - Crypto Corner(Apologies for Mic Quality issues in the last 2 minutes!) On this week’s Crypto Corner, StriderDAO cofounder and CEO Andrew Green joins your host Nico Vereecke for a deep dive into Strider - a web3 platform and toolset that helps harness the creative power of communities to build new game and entertainment IP.If you would like us to discuss any other blockchain gaming-related topics, do reach out at nicolas@naavik.co or metacast@naavik.co. We’d love to hear your general thoughts and feedback too! An...
2022-08-0943 min
Naavik Gaming PodcastSophie Vo: Lessons in Conscious Leadership - InterviewIn this episode, Sophie Vo – founder of Rise and Play, as well as a game / studio lead – joins Naavik co-founder Aaron Bush to discuss:#1 What is conscious leadership and why does it matter#2 How to best lead teams among change – remote work, studio restructuring, layoffs, and more – as well as how to make teams antifragile#3 How she assesses conscious leadership in founders as an early stage investor#4 Book recommendations! Antifragile; The 15 Commitments of Conscious Leadership; Reinventing Organization; The Daily Stoic; F...
2022-08-0754 min
Naavik Gaming PodcastTikTok’s Sticky Algorithm Plus Games Equals Success? - RoundtableIn this Metacast episode, Aaron Bush, Anil Das-Gupta and Lars Doucet, join your host Maria Gillies to discuss: #1 Earnings Update: What’s next for Activision Blizzard and Ubisoft?#2 Google’s Interstitial Ads Rules: Do the new rules spell doom for the hyper-casual mobile genre?#3 TikTok’s Mini-games: How do games help deliver TikTok’s strategy?Also, a big thanks to data.ai for supporting all of Naavik's mobile data needs. If your team requires a market and competitive intelligence tool for tracking the mobil...
2022-08-0542 min
Naavik Gaming PodcastWhat VCs Look For in Web3 Games - Crypto CornerOn this week’s Crypto Corner, Play Ventures’ Anton Backman and Konvoy Ventures’ Philip Collins join your host Nico Vereecke for discussion about how we see the Web3 Gaming space evolve over the next 2 years. We go into:Building Games vs building Tooling/InfrastructureInnovation on Gameplay Design vs TokenomicsWhat types of Games will be most successfulAnd more!If you would like us to discuss any other blockchain gaming-related topics, do reach out at nicolas@naavik.co or metacast@naavik.co. We’d love to hear your general thoughts and feedback too!
2022-08-0250 min
Naavik Gaming PodcastMatthew Ball: Gaming x The Metaverse - InterviewIn this episode, Matthew Ball – brilliant thinker, prolific essayist, active investor, founder of Ball Metaverse Research Partners, a producer of media, and now a published author – joins Naavik co-founder Aaron Bush to discuss:#1 His new book, The Metaverse: And How It Will Revolutionize Everything, which can be purchased here: https://www.amazon.com/Metaverse-How-Will-Revolutionize-Everything/dp/1324092033/ #2 How virtual worlds and virtual world platforms could take their first steps to connect and interoperate#3 Why he’s excited about Massive Interactive Live Events (MILEs), and what he’s learned...
2022-07-3127 min
Naavik Gaming PodcastDrawing the Ethical Line for Misleading Ads - RoundtableIn this Metacast episode, Anthony Pecorella, David Amor and Tim Mannveille, join your host Maria Gillies to discuss: #1 Web Forums vs Discord Social Hubs: Are web forums a thing of the past?#2 Misleading Ads - Innovation or Scourge: Should misleading UA ads be incentivized?#3 Polygon Announce zkEVM: What does the new tech bring to blockchain game development?#4 UK Government Loot Boxes Self-Regulation: Can the games industry self-regulate?If you would like us to discuss any other gaming-related topics, d...
2022-07-291h 13
Naavik Gaming PodcastBreederDAO: The Factory of the Metaverse - Crypto CornerOn this week’s Crypto Corner, BreederDAO Cofounder and CEO Renz Chong joins your host Nico Vereecke for a no-nonsense discussion about Play-to-Earn/Play-and-earn, inter-game arbitrage, NFT-based Breeding Ponzi’s and the future of the Web3 Metaverse.If you would like us to discuss any other blockchain gaming-related topics, do reach out at nicolas@naavik.co or metacast@naavik.co. We’d love to hear your general thoughts and feedback too! And as always, if you like the episode, you can help others find us by leaving a rating or review...
2022-07-2645 min
Naavik Gaming PodcastNational Game Engines Could Shape The World - RoundtableIn this Metacast episode, Matt Dion and Tammy Levy, join your host Maria Gillies to discuss: #1 Benefits and Challenges of Player Polls: How does player polling affect Old School RuneScape? Based on NME’s article.#2 Russia’s National Game Engine: How could national game engines shape the world?#3 Unity x ironSource Merger: How does the merger benefit both companies?If you would like us to discuss any other gaming-related topics, do reach out at maria@naavik.co or metacast@naavik.co. We’d love to...
2022-07-221h 01
Naavik Gaming PodcastMagicave: Building the Next Generation of Digital Toys - Crypto CornerOn this week’s Crypto Corner, Magicave cofounders Harry Holmwood and Ste Curran your host Nico Vereecke for a conversation about the future of Digital Toys. Magicave is crafting digital hobbies centred around beautiful, playful, tactile virtual items, which sit at the heart of an ecosystem of games, apps, players and creators. The company's first project, dNo (short for ‘d-Number’), marries collectible virtual dice with figures, tiles, stories and worlds, making innovative use of game and blockchain technology to nurture a truly unique digital hobby.If you would like us to discuss any other blockc...
2022-07-1942 min
Naavik Gaming PodcastRaph Koster: Playable Worlds and the Metaverse - InterviewIn this episode, Raph Koster – legendary game designer, author of Theory of Fun for Game Design, and CEO of Playable Worlds – joins Naavik co-founder Aaron Bush to discuss:#1 How to evolve and grow as a game designer#2 The mission of Playable Worlds, what it means to build a “metaverse platform,” and the future of MMORPGs#3 His advice about metaverse standards, player-owned economies, and digital landTo learn more, visit Raph’s blog and Twitter account, as well as Playable World’s we...
2022-07-171h 05
Naavik Gaming PodcastHalf-Year Analysis: Big Beats and Predictions - RoundtableIn this Metacast episode, Abhimanyu Kumar and Aaron Bush, join your host Maria Gillies to discuss: #1 M&A and Growth by Acquisition: Who could still make billion-dollar acquisitions during a market downturn? What future awaits companies that rely on growth by acquisition strategies?#2 Market Cycle in Full Swing: What consequences are we seeing from the market downturn?#3 Crypto Gaming’s Second Wave: Will the crypto winter kill blockchain games or will they come back stronger than before?#4 Studios Founded by Div...
2022-07-151h 19
Naavik Gaming PodcastOpen Economies, Social Connectivity & Play - Crypto CornerOn this week’s Crypto Corner, Anton Bernstein, CEO and co-founder of Pocket Worlds, joins your host Nico Vereecke for a conversation about the future of social connectivity and play. Pocket Worlds is the creator of Highrise and Everskies, two leading mobile Metaverses with a combined userbase of more than 15 million players. We discuss his entrepreneurial journey, learnings from creating highly successful Metaverse Economies, and what role Web3 technology will play in the virtual worlds of the future.If you would like us to discuss any other blockchain gaming-related topics, do reach out at ni...
2022-07-1254 min
Naavik Gaming PodcastCollect Stepping Stones and Honor Interestingness - RoundtableIn this Metacast episode, Anthony Pecorella, Anil Das-Gupta and Matt Dion, join your host Maria Gillies to discuss: #1 Investing in Interestingness: Could setting goals actually be counterproductive when creating innovative games?#2 Fully On-Chain Games: Is this a direction the industry should go towards, or is it just an academic curiosity?#3 Traditional Console Developers and Mobile: Considering the success of Fire Emblem Heroes, why are traditional console developers not maximizing their mobile market potential?If you would like us to discuss any other gaming-related t...
2022-07-081h 03
Naavik Gaming PodcastWeb3 Game Fundraising in a Crypto Winter - Crypto CornerWinter is here.On this week’s Crypto Corner, BITKRAFT Crypto Team members Carlos Pereira and Jamie Wallace join your host (and their colleague) Nico Vereecke to discuss the current state of Web3 fundraising. Now that expectations have come back to earth, what’s the best way forward for Studio Founders? What do you do when the price of your token is unfairly low? How should you approach fundraising today? What lessons are to be learned from the previous bull cycle?Want to get in touch with BITKRAFT? Send an email to p...
2022-07-0552 min
Naavik Gaming PodcastEric Kress: Dissecting the Video Game Market - InterviewsIn this episode, Eric Kress, principal of Gossamer Consulting Group and co-host of the Deconstructor of Fun podcast, joins Naavik co-founder Aaron Bush to discuss:#1 What’s driving negative games industry growth rates and where there’s underlying strength#2 How this recession may play out differently from previous ones for gaming companies#3 His analysis on companies including Microsoft, Embracer, Take-Two Interactive, Electronic Arts, Roblox, and more As always, if you like the episode, you can help others find us by leavi...
2022-07-0357 min
Naavik Gaming PodcastCutting Through the Game Recession Fluff - RoundtableIn this Metacast episode, Brett Nowak, Anil Das-Gupta and Matt Dion, join your host Maria Gillies to discuss: #1 Solana’s Web3 Mobile Phone: What problems is Solana solving by developing a web3 phone?#2 Miniclip Acquires Sybo: How does the acquisition benefit both Miniclip and Sybo?#3 Are Games Recession Proof: Could the impacts vary depending on game platform and monetisation models?#4 Fortnite Tests Play Style Tags: Should all game studios have at least one data scientist?If you would lik...
2022-07-0156 min
Naavik Gaming PodcastAutonomous Worlds and Digital Physics with 0xPARC - Crypto CornerThe Future of Gaming is fully decentralized and is built on Autonomous Worlds and Digital Physics. On this week’s Crypto Corner, tech pioneer Justin Glibert shares his vision with your host Nico Vereecke. Justin heads up the ‘Autonomous Worlds’ division at 0xPARC, a foundation promoting R&D and Infrastructure around Decentralized Platform. 0xPARC is currently best known for its significant contributions to games like Dark Forest. During our conversation, we go deep into why we need Autonomos Worlds, what Digital Physics are, and what the Metaverse will look like.If you wou...
2022-06-2841 min
Naavik Gaming PodcastMeta’s Evolved VR and Gaming Strategy - RoundtableIn this Metacast episode, Joost van Dreunen, and Aaron Bush, join your host Maria Gillies to discuss: #1 Diablo Immortal Game Launch Results: Did the P2W uproar affect the game’s launch results?#2 Offroad Unchained Launch: What’s this fun new racing game and why could it struggle with performance?#3 Meta Doubles Down on VR and Gaming: What has changed with Meta’s Reality Labs over the past few months?#4 Can the Digital Age Truly Bring New Ideas?If you...
2022-06-241h 02
Naavik Gaming PodcastBuilding a Sustainable Blockchain Game ft. Gods Unchained - Crypto CornerChris Clay has been working on games for over two decades. He has spent the last 3 years building and operating one of the most popular and sustainable Blockchain Games in the world, Gods Unchained. Together with Alex Takei, he joins your host Nico Vereecke for a deep dive into Gods Unchained, learnings from 3 years of Web3 game building, advantages and disadvantages of using Blockchain technology, & more.If you would like us to discuss any other blockchain gaming-related topics, do reach out at nicolas@naavik.co or metacast@naavik.co. We’d love to hear yo...
2022-06-211h 04
Naavik Gaming PodcastRoundtable - The Snowball Changing the Games We DevelopIn this Metacast episode, Abhimanyu Kumar, Lars Doucet and Tim Mannveille, join your host Maria Gillies to discuss: #1 Riot x Game Pass: What’s in it for Riot and will it affect their monetisation strategy?#2 Who Is Savvy Gaming Group: Why did they invest in Embracer Group?#3 Dark Forest Research Sneak Peak: How did Dark Forest develop a game fully on-chain?#4 Apple Says “Fingerprinting is Never Allowed”: How are privacy changes affecting the games we develop?If you would l...
2022-06-171h 05
Naavik Gaming PodcastCrypto Corner - 1 vs 2 Token Economies for GamesWhat are the differences between 1 and 2 token models for games? How can you leverage them to make a sustainable economy? Tokenomics experts Nat Eliason and Defi Vader join your host Nico Vereecke for a deep dive.If you would like us to discuss any other blockchain gaming-related topics, do reach out at nicolas@naavik.co or metacast@naavik.co. We’d love to hear your general thoughts and feedback too! And as always, if you like the episode, you can help others find us by leaving a rating or review!TLD...
2022-06-1458 min
Naavik Gaming PodcastRoundtable - Is Diablo Immortal Fun for Mortal Wallets?In this Metacast episode, David Amor, Yon Raz-Fridman and Aaron Bush, join your host Maria Gillies to discuss: #1 Axie Infinity’s First UGC Games: How does the Sky Mavis UGC programme benefit Axie Infinity? Could the revenue share model sustain builders’ costs of development?#2 Diablo Immortal’s $100k+ to Max a Character: What is the game mechanic with enough spend depth for $100k+ per character? Does this power progression affect players who don’t spend as much?#3 Apex Legends’ Mobile Launch Results: How did the launch comp...
2022-06-101h 08
Naavik Gaming PodcastCrypto Corner - Token Economy Design for GamesWhat do fungible tokens bring to video games? What do you need to keep in mind when designing a game economy with tokens? How will tokens & games evolve over time? Tokenomics expert Jeremy Parris and everyone’s favorite crypto-skeptic Lars Doucet join your host Nico Vereecke for a deep dive.If you would like us to discuss any other blockchain gaming-related topics, do reach out at nicolas@naavik.co or metacast@naavik.co. We’d love to hear your general thoughts and feedback too! And as always, if you like the e...
2022-06-071h 04
Naavik Gaming PodcastRoundtable - Matchmaking Retention Through Emotional VariabilityIn this Metacast episode, Anil Das-Gupta and Matt Dion, join your host Maria Gillies to discuss: #1 Sony’s Transmedia Announcements: Are we in the golden age for successful big screen adaptations of games?#2 When Does Consolidation Mania End: Why are game giants interested in being acquired? What does consolidation mean to the creativity of game development?#3 Some Players Don’t Want Fair Matchmaking: Popular FPS players and content creators are asking for easy PvP lobbies so they can entertain with crushing wins. Should games optimize their...
2022-06-0358 min
Naavik Gaming PodcastCrypto Corner - Blocklords Deep Dive with CEO David JohanssonBlocklords is a Web3 Medieval Strategy MMO with asymmetric gameplay facilitating a (potentially) sustainable Play-and-Earn economy. Their CEO, David Johansson joins your host Nico Vereecke for a deep dive.If you would like us to discuss any other blockchain gaming-related topics, do reach out at nicolas@naavik.co or metacast@naavik.co. We’d love to hear your general thoughts and feedback too! And as always, if you like the episode, you can help others find us by leaving a rating or review!TLDListen?: Episode summaryWat...
2022-05-3142 min
Naavik Gaming PodcastRoundtable - Game Design Innovation Requires Growing PainsIn this Metacast episode, Nicolas Vereecke, David Amor and Abhimanyu Kumar, join your host Maria Gillies to discuss: #1 EA’s Rumored Sale or Merger: How would NBCUniversal, Disney, Apple or Amazon benefit from acquiring EA? Why are none of these game companies?#2 Merit Circle DAO Proposal to Remove YGG Seed Investor: What instigated the proposal and is it fair? Are we witnessing how DAOs could change investment partnerships? YGG issued an official statement.#3 Is Crypto Gaming Broken? We Don’t Think So: We dive into Nat E...
2022-05-271h 09
Naavik Gaming PodcastCrypto Corner - Blockchain Gaming in a Crypto Bear MarketWhat does Blockchain Gaming look like on the other side of a crypto bear market?That is the question we are discussing on this week’s Crypto Corner. Sebastian Park and Ryan Foo join your host Nico Vereecke to go into#1 Blockchain Gaming in a Crypto Bear Market#2 We Expect too Much out of Blockchain Games (more reading here)#3 Common Errors in Assessing Probabilities for Success in EntrepreneurshipIf you would like us to discuss any other blockchain gaming-related topics, do reach out at nicolas@na...
2022-05-2453 min
Naavik Gaming PodcastRoundtable - Luna Crashed and the Bear Woke UpIn this Metacast episode, Anton Gorodetsky, Nicolas Vereecke and Aaron Bush, join your host Maria Gillies to discuss: #1 Luna/UST Crash: Why did Luna and UST crash? What are the impacts on currency owners, crypto markets and blockchain games? Nico recommended this source for all the Luna crash details. Naavik shared this blog resource for an in-depth analysis of pros/cons for the most popular blockchain solutions.#2 Bear Markets: Is there a generalized bear market? What were the triggers? Have we seen impacts in our day-to-days?
2022-05-201h 01