Episodes
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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-panel debrief.
Hear directly from industry product leaders as they dissect the challenges and opportunities ahead.
Speakers:* Oren Debi. Generative AI Lead & VP Product at SciPlay.* David Duong. Sr. Director of Product Management at Respawn Entertainment (Apex Legends).* Tim Hong. Head of Live Service Games at AWS for Games.* Lee Horn. Fmr. VP of Product & Game Director at Mountaintop Studios.* Joseph Kim. CEO at Lila Games.* Solomon Lichter. Sr. Director, Global Gaming at CleverTap.
In this episode, you'll discover:
The macro trends fundamentally altering game development. AI's current and future impact: from efficiency tool to "agentic AI" and the "PM+1" concept. The cultural divide between mobile and PC/console PM practices and why adaptability is key. Actionable strategies for PMs to thrive, including Gartner's "3 Returns" framework and the importance of "product velocity." Candid reflections on what it takes to succeed in this new era of game creation and management.Whether you're a studio executive, product manager, marketer, or passionate about the future of gaming, this discussion offers invaluable insights.
EPISODE CHAPTERS:(Listen in order or jump to the sections most relevant to you)
0:00:00 Introduction: Setting the Stage for the Evolving PM
Part 1: Product x LiveOps Symposium Panel â The Product Manager in Flux0:04:24 Macro Trends Redefining Game Development (Attention Economy, Rise of China, LiveOps Resurgence) 0:11:19 AI in the Trenches: Separating Hype from Reality (Current Efficiency Gains in Art, Code, PM Tools) 0:14:31 The Evolving Product Manager: Mobile PM Agility vs. PC/Console Tradition (Solomon Lichter's initial thoughts) 0:16:59 The Evolving Product Manager: Resistance to PMs in PC/Console (Lee Horn's insights) 0:18:32 The Evolving Product Manager: Hiring for AAA â Fundamentals, Empathy, Communication (David Duong's insights) 0:21:01 The Evolving Product Manager: AI's Impact, Team Compression, and the "PM+1" Concept (Joseph Kim's insights) 0:26:36 Key Panelist Takeaways: Adapt or Die, AI Adoption, Design Thinking, the PM+1, and Live Ops Agents
Part 2: The After-Panel Huddle â Deeper Reflections & Future-Proofing0:29:14 Industry's Hunger for Tactical AI Knowledge & Embracing Uncertainty 0:34:03 AI: From Feature to Foundational Orchestration (PM's Evolving Value, Gartner's "3 Returns" Framework begins around 0:42:41, "Product Velocity" as a North Star Metric specifically at 0:47:53) 0:55:46 Agentic AI: The Next Frontier in Live Ops (Understanding Agentic AI, Practical Applications, Data Strategy Prerequisite) 1:00:40 The Culture Clash Revisited: Adaptability as the Ultimate Competitive Edge (Mobile vs. HD, Failure to Adapt) Conclusion & Final Actionable Advice1:05:16 Your Roadmap for the Future of Game Product Management (Final Advice Introduction)1:05:47 Get Hands-On & Be Curious (Tim Hong's advice) 1:06:54 Build in Public & Learn Out Loud (Solomon Lichter's advice) 1:08:46 Embrace Continuous, Urgent Learning (Joseph Kim's advice)
Follow us for more deep dives into game development, AI, and product management.
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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-based games can now rival native mobile experiences.
We dive deep into why Discord, Telegram, and every platform with a web browser are racing to add games, how developers can leverage this distribution revolution, and what it means for the future of mobile gaming. Dmitry shares candid insights on platform-specific design strategies, the challenges of retention without app store lock-in, and why he believes over 50% of new games will be HTML5-based within five years.
Whether you're a game developer, studio executive, or industry observer, this conversation reveals why the next chapter of gaming might not be in app storesâbut everywhere else.
Key topics covered:
The technology convergence enabling AAA-quality browser gamesHow to monetize without the 30% app store taxPlatform-specific strategies for Discord vs Telegram vs web portalsWhy viral mechanics are no longer optionalThe distribution-as-a-service model reshaping game publishingAbout the guest: Dmitry Kachmar is CEO of Playgama, former Yandex executive with multiple exits, Harvard grad, and adtech veteran now focused on democratizing game distribution.
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Episodes manquant?
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Why $200M games flop â and how LiveAwareâs âalways-onâ player insight flips the odds.⢠Echo-chamber dev culture & launch disasters⢠Quant vs qual data gap killing velocity⢠LiveAwareâs one-click capture â AI analyze â 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, S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2, Treehouse competitive intel⢠Indie-friendly pay-as-you-go pricing + roadmap to multi-channel feedback nirvanaOUTLINE:0:00 Underwhelming game launch failures4:00 Vision vs player expectation gap8:00 Quantitative vs qualitative data gap12:00 LiveAware capture analyze share workflow16:00 One-click streaming and transcription20:00 AI clusters themes and clips24:00 Tailored dashboards and auto Jira28:00 Multi-channel feedback aggregation explained32:00 Indie vs AAA use cases36:00 Dead as Disco success story40:00 S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2 QA integration44:00 Signal vs noise management48:00 Feedback philosophy continuum debate52:00 Future roadmap and pricing plansSUBSCRIBE TO GAMEMAKERS:- Newsletter: https://gamemakers.substack.com/đ âCONNECT WITH JK! â ⢠INSTAGRAM â @jokim1⢠TWITTER â @jokim1⢠LINKEDIN â https://www.linkedin.com/in/jokim/
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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 â AI vs. Legacy: âExtinction-level eventâ for slow studios02:45 â AlphaGoats & Agentic Play: How players train and deploy AI agents07:41 â History Repeat? Sports sims & idle games parallels10:08 â Why Telegram? 1B users starved for games (like early Facebook)18:12 â Telegram Strategy: Gaming as a priority on Telegram/TON19:33 â AI Dev Pipeline: 37 Fortnite maps in 37 weeks; 2â3-week game builds23:46 â Rethinking AAA: 50-person teams vs 500+ for similar quality25:25 â Team & AI: Organizational changes for AI adoption27:56 â Founderâs Origin: From King/Non Stop to Mighty Bear Games31:58 â Telegram Takeoff: Go Gamingâs 5.5M users and 100M+ events32:36 â Crypto & Ads: Token incentives and Telegramâs ad network33:40 â Crypto Gaming Today: Why success lives on Telegram35:15 â Viral Mechanics: Referrals, leaderboards, NFT âGiftsâ ($35M+)36:40 â Early-Stage Market: Telegram gaming ecosystem ~2010 mobile level38:02 â Singapore Startup: Betting on Asia trends (MPL influence)42:49 â Battle Stories: 150 VC rejections, Rocket Internet investor, persistenceSUBSCRIBE TO GAMEMAKERS:- Newsletter: https://gamemakers.com/đ âCONNECT WITH JK! â ⢠INSTAGRAM â @jokim1⢠TWITTER â @jokim1⢠LINKEDIN â https://www.linkedin.com/in/jokim/
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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 - Introduction
1:00 - Changes in UEFN since 2023
5:30 - Working with brands on UEFN
10:00 - Economic challenges for developers
14:00 - State of UEFN monetization
19:00 - Discovery and audience building
23:00 - Successful game types on UEFN
26:30 - Development process differences
32:00 - UEFN player demographics and personas
38:00 - Development surprises and challenges
43:00 - Future predictions for UEFN
51:00 - Advice for developers considering UEFN
56:00 - Final thoughts and podcast mention
SUBSCRIBE TO GAMEMAKERS:- Newsletter: https://gamemakers.substack.com/đ âCONNECT WITH JK! â ⢠INSTAGRAM â @jokim1⢠TWITTER â @jokim1⢠LINKEDIN â https://www.linkedin.com/in/jokim/
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(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(17:30) The snowball effect of AppLovin's market dominance(19:40) How AppLovin captured MoPub market share(22:20) Unity's execution issues after Iron Source merger(25:00) Cultural conflicts within Unity and algorithm problems(29:00) Discussion of Unity's "Vector" AI initiative(32:40) Unity's disappearing account managers and weak sales culture(35:20) AppLovin's focus on high-value customers and resource allocation(38:20) Increasing margin for AppLovin as market share grows(40:40) Unity's potential comeback strategy with Vector(45:10) The challenge for any network to compete with AppLovin(48:40) The "must use" nature of AppLovin for ad-monetized games(52:00) The risks of having 70-80% of UA budget on AppLovin(54:30) Potential industry alternatives to AppLovin(57:00) Discussion of emerging competitors like Moloco and Integral(1:01:30) The possible path forward for Unity to compete(1:05:40) Predictions for the future of mobile UA in two years(1:10:00) Speculation about AppLovin's TikTok acquisition bid(1:14:20) Wrap-up and conclusionSUBSCRIBE TO GAMEMAKERS:- Newsletter: https://gamemakers.substack.com/đ âCONNECT WITH JK! â ⢠INSTAGRAM â @jokim1⢠TWITTER â @jokim1⢠LINKEDIN â https://www.linkedin.com/in/jokim/
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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 interested in how AI will reshape the gaming landscape.Timestamps0:00 - Introduction and panel overview1:50 - How revolutionary will AI be for gaming?3:30 - Current limitations of AI in game development5:10 - The concept of "AI native games" explained8:00 - Retail Mage: A real example of an AI native game11:10 - Emergent gameplay with AI - The painting IOU story14:20 - AI games vs. multiplayer games comparison17:40 - The controversy around AI in the games industry18:50 - Ethics of AI in game development22:20 - Who wins and loses with AI in game development?24:40 - The "organizational meta" and how AI will reshape studio structure27:40 - AI's impact on product development velocity30:20 - How traditional game studios will adapt (or fail)34:00 - Behind the scenes of an AI-native studio36:10 - How AI dramatically reduces development time (8 weeks vs 4 years)38:10 - The AI Dungeon Master example43:30 - Practical AI applications available right now47:10 - Q&A: Examples of AI-native games in the market49:30 - Q&A: Impact on staffing and team sizes52:40 - The future of game development organizationsSUBSCRIBE TO GAMEMAKERS:- Newsletter: https://gamemakers.substack.com/đ âCONNECT WITH ME! â ⢠MY INSTAGRAM â @jokim1⢠TWITTER â @jokim1⢠LINKEDIN â https://www.linkedin.com/in/jokim/
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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:
â GDC attendance trends and the shift to more exclusive, executive-focused events
â The "age of efficiency" and austerity measures affecting game studios
â Investment challenges and the evolving VC landscape for gaming
â Platform dynamics between developers and companies like Apple and Google
â AI's current and potential impact on game development
â Unity's latest developments and challenges
â The changing nature of GDC itself and its future prospects
Featured Speakers:
đŁď¸ Eric Kress, Principal at Gosser Consulting and host on the Deconstructive of Fun podcast
đŁď¸ Brett Novak, CEO from Liquid and Grit
đŁď¸ Solomon Lichter Ruiz, Senior Director Global Gaming at CleverTap
đŁď¸ Joseph Kim (Host), GameMakers & CEO of Lila Games
Recorded March 2025 following the Game Developers Conference in San Francisco.
#GameDevelopment #GDC2025 #GamingIndustry #GameDev #GameDesign #AI #MobileGames #GameInvesting
Timestamps:
00:00 - Intro and GDC attendance discussion
04:00 - San Francisco city impressions
06:30 - Event format changes and networking dynamics
12:40 - Industry challenges and the "age of efficiency"
20:00 - Platform dynamics (Apple/Google)
30:00 - AI in gaming discussion
36:00 - Event highlights and notable gatherings
42:00 - Bing Gordon's insights
47:00 - Final thoughts on GDC's future
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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 find out.
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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 Overview3:35 - Hero-Based Games: The Main Character Problem7:20 - Battle Pass Progression and Grindiness13:15 - Value Perception and Premium Options18:40 - Customization vs Production Realities24:10 - Battle Pass Currency and Mythic Rewards System31:25 - Loot Boxes: Their Surprise Return38:15 - IP Integration and Themed Content43:50 - Ideal Battle Pass Design: Expert Recommendations52:15 - Conclusion and Key TakeawaysSUBSCRIBE TO GAMEMAKERS:- Newsletter: https://gamemakers.substack.com/
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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 Areas:
đ Why the most successful games often emerge from the most visibly challenging development processes
đ How premature scaling and uncertainty avoidance doom projects before launch
đ Critical success patterns observed across AAA and indie studios
đ Practical approaches to balancing creative vision, technical execution, and business reality
Listen to this episode for actionable insights that challenge conventional wisdom about building successful games in 2024.OUTLINE:0:00 Intro1:45 How costs impact game success6:05 Other major problems with game success10:30 Zero sum time problem and the rise of live operated games11:40 Success from China and small devs12:30 Importance of delivering on a player experience14:35 The Alignment problem15:24 Fighting to expand the percentage of new game time18:25 How bigger production cost impacts decision making20:15 Major production problems - comfort with uncertainty24:35 Fear and pride25:55 Game projects with big problems succeed more often29:40 Pride and Insecurity31:52 The rush to production39:45 Obsession with planning42:20 Importance of development speed44:25 What derails planning: the wrong person and bad decisions47:09 The problem with the creative auteur49:52 Decision analysis vs. prioritization54:15 Scope creep: The ooh ooh ooh idea problem1:00:50 Taking lessons from the military and football1:04:52 Why do great lessons come from military and sports1:13:42 The problem with big plans1:14:37 Why you shouldnât âalways have an answerâ1:19:00 The #1 rule: common sense rules1:22:34 How to find time to think deeply1:24:43 You donât need to solve every problem1:30:02 How to think about long-term issues1:37:12 What are characteristics from successful game studios1:58:12 You should push when youâre young2:01:01 More about Building Better Games consultancyđ EPISODE LINKS: - Building Better Games: https://www.buildingbettergames.gg/- Ben Carcich: https://www.linkedin.com/in/benjamin-carcich/SUBSCRIBE TO GAMEMAKERS:- Spotify Podcast: https://spoti.fi/3Cpyq7i- Newsletter: https://gamemakers.com/đ âCONNECT WITH ME! â ⢠MY INSTAGRAM â @jokim1⢠TWITTER â @jokim1⢠LINKEDIN â https://www.linkedin.com/in/jokim/
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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:
đ Evolution of 4X game design
đ UA innovation and AI creative production
đ Server economics and monetization strategies
đ Future industry predictions
â° Timestamps:
0:00 Introduction and Speaker Backgrounds
3:09 First Fun/River Game Partnership History
8:05 Modern 4X Game Economics
15:20 UA Strategy Evolution
23:45 Creative Production at Scale
31:30 AI's Role in UA Innovation
38:15 Product Design Integration
45:40 Server Management Strategies
52:30 Future of 4X Gaming
57:15 Non-Consensus Predictions
đ Featured Experts:
Joseph Kim (CEO, Lila Games)
Justin Yau (Industry Analyst, Wharton)
Matej Lancaric (UA Specialist)
Jakub Remiar (Game Design Consultant)
đĄ Additional Resources:
Previous Matej +: JK Collaboration Podcast on 4X UA Strategy: https://youtu.be/IvRjmGvWhdQ
Dissecting Best-Selling Mobile 4X Game Metrics by Ning Wang: https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/dissecting-best-selling-mobile-4x-game-metrics-ning-wang-vk1pc/
Join the GameMakers newsletter for more industry insights and discussions: Newsletter: www.gamemakers.com
#MobileGaming #GameDev #UserAcquisition #4XGames #GameStrategy
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Learn the insider strategies from industry legends Frank Yan (Brawl Stars), Dafna Ben Onn (SciPlay), and Ivan Trancik (Superscale) on mastering mobile game operations!
đ Timestamps:0:00 - Introduction to LiveOps Fundamentals2:15 - Frank Yan: Rapid Content Deployment Strategies4:30 - The Art of Player Segmentation7:00 - Dafna Ben Onn: Optimizing Rewards and Retention10:45 - Balancing Monetization and Player Experience14:20 - Ivan Trancik: Analytics and Experimentation Stages18:30 - Building a Data-Driven Game Development Machine22:00 - Key Takeaways and Future of LiveOps
đ Key Insights:
How to update games instantly without client updates Personalization techniques that keep players engaged Building a robust analytics infrastructure Experimental strategies for game growthđĄ Perfect for:
Mobile game developers Product managers Game studios looking to optimize performance Entrepreneurs in the gaming industry -
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 understand the evolving role of MMPs in today's privacy-first environment.OUTLINE:00:00 - Introduction & Overview03:43 - What is an MMP? Core Functions Explained05:28 - SDK Integration Benefits08:02 - Attribution & Performance Tracking12:24 - Impact of IDFA Deprecation16:32 - When Do Studios Need an MMP?24:42 - Cost Breakdown for Studios27:54 - Self-Attributing Networks (SANs)32:45 - Working with Multiple Ad Networks38:59 - Creative Optimization & AI Tools43:08 - Data Clean Rooms & Privacy51:09 - Open Source MMP Projects53:52 - Future Trends in Mobile Marketing57:47 - Industry Changes & Consolidation1:01:02 - Final Thoughts & RecommendationsSPEAKERS:â Josh Chandley. Co-founder and COO at WildCard Games.â Joseph Kim. CEO at Lila Games.â Brian Murphy. Head of Gaming and New Product Strategy at AppsFlyer.â James OâClaire. Former COO at Bubbleye. Founder Open Attribution.For links and additional info go to Gamemakers.com
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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:0:00 Intro0:40 Best game examples of UGC cosmetics1:20 How cosmetics work in Counterstrike3:05 The Playmakers UGC platform business6:52 Dealing with the biggest UGC problem: Time To Penis (TTP)9:10 Other problems: Trademarks and duplicates 10:18 Economics of enabling a UGC cosmetics platform12:06 Balancing professional content vs. UGC content in a game13:52 The kinds of games better adapted for UGC content16:10 AI as a complement or competition to UGC: UGC vs. AGC vs. UGAC20:37 In a world of infinite free content, how to give UGC items value22:40 Biggest concerns to integrating UGC content in their games24:40 Integration issues for integrating UGC in games26:16 The functions required for a UGC platform27:48 Getting over the cold-start problem getting creators to start making UGC32:40 Can UGC content be cross-game content?34:00 Big upcoming UGC macro trends37:15 Depth vs. shallowness of UGC support Roblox vs. Minecraft39:20 The trend of UGC remixing41:35 Future Playmakers roadmapđ EPISODE LINKS: - Playmakers: https://www.playmakers.co/SUBSCRIBE TO GAMEMAKERS:- Spotify Podcast: https://spoti.fi/3Cpyq7i- Newsletter: https://gamemakers.substack.com/đ âCONNECT WITH ME! â ⢠MY INSTAGRAM â @jokim1⢠TWITTER â @jokim1⢠LINKEDIN â https://www.linkedin.com/in/jokim/ â POPULAR CONTENT âđ¤ Economy of the Metaverse with Tim Sweeney https://youtu.be/h6ClJxjuRvwâšď¸ How to Build the Amazon of Game Companies https://youtu.be/bkd2TOpKt4IđŽ Gaming Trends | A Look Ahead at 2021 https://youtu.be/NejFzHtpiZIđĽď¸ The Future of PC Gaming https://youtu.be/_QT7O3Wxi2sđ´ Games Industry M&A https://youtu.be/65nyPk6WNrsđ´ Netcode for Multiplayer Games https://youtu.be/tHq3PzmjhLwđ´ IDFA Deprecation Product Impact https://youtu.be/Ojec4wGKpsođ´ Trip Hawkins on the New High Score https://youtu.be/5egTSQ6AiRAđ´ LiveOps F2P Best Practices https://youtu.be/tmzqqnYbjNY
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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:đ The true impact of the gaming recessionđ Why live service games are harder than ever to compete withđ How China became a global gaming powerhouseđ The surprising comeback of live operationsđ Why UGC platforms struggled to monetizePlus, we'll dive into our predictions for 2025, including:đ The evolution of game development modelsđ AI's growing role in gamingđ Market recovery catalystsđ Companies to watchđ Industry transformation aheadWhether you're a developer, investor, or gaming enthusiast, this analysis will help you understand where the industry is headed and why it matters. Join us for an in-depth look at gaming's past year and future prospects.Outline0:00 - Introduction & Overview2:15 - 2024 Year in Review Overview3:30 - Gaming Recession Deep Dive (Industry layoffs, Shift in cost-cutting approaches)7:45 - Live Service Games Dominance (Steam engagement statistics, Why established games maintain power)12:30 - China's Gaming Success Story (Mobile market dominance, HD gaming breakthrough, Strategic advantages)18:15 - Live Operations Excellence (Brawl Stars case study, Impact on game performance)22:45 - UGC Platform Challenges (Monetization struggles, Platform economics)26:30 - 2025 Predictions Overview27:45 - New Development Models (Shift from traditional approaches, Efficiency focus)32:15 - AI Integration in Gaming (Three levels of integration, Future possibilities)37:30 - Market Recovery Catalysts (Key upcoming releases, Market conditions)42:15 - Companies to Watch (Detailed analysis of key players, Growth opportunities)48:30 - Industry Transformation (Workforce changes, Operational shifts)53:15 - Conclusion & Key Takeaways55:00 - Final Thoughts
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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 Intro1:13 Motivation and economics of mobile web stores: Huge 20-30% total revenue lift3:42 Amount of transactions through web stores vs. direct IAP, what impacts more web store transactions?9:34 How web stores can support VIP spenders10:40 Typical web store support provided by companies like AppCharge11:40 impact of web stores 13:48 The player experience with web stores18:32 breakdown of support services to help developers roll out a web store25:25 How to evaluate webstore partners28:25 Current legal and regulatory environment around web stores - what are the limitations?31:18 Rise of alternative app stores and side-loading 32:30 Building direct relationships with customers by having your own web store36:25 What does the future look like for player monetization channels in 5-10 years39:30 More info about AppCharge - what is their promotional pitch?đ EPISODE LINKS: - AppCharge: https://appcharge.com/- Gil Tov-ly: https://www.linkedin.com/in/giltovly/SUBSCRIBE TO GAMEMAKERS:- Spotify Podcast: https://spoti.fi/3Cpyq7i- Newsletter: https://gamemakers.substack.com/đ âCONNECT WITH ME! â ⢠MY INSTAGRAM â @jokim1⢠TWITTER â @jokim1⢠LINKEDIN â https://www.linkedin.com/in/jokim/ â POPULAR CONTENT âđ¤ Economy of the Metaverse with Tim Sweeney https://youtu.be/h6ClJxjuRvwâšď¸ How to Build the Amazon of Game Companies https://youtu.be/bkd2TOpKt4IđŽ Gaming Trends | A Look Ahead at 2021 https://youtu.be/NejFzHtpiZIđĽď¸ The Future of PC Gaming https://youtu.be/_QT7O3Wxi2sđ´ Games Industry M&A https://youtu.be/65nyPk6WNrsđ´ Netcode for Multiplayer Games https://youtu.be/tHq3PzmjhLwđ´ IDFA Deprecation Product Impact https://youtu.be/Ojec4wGKpsođ´ Trip Hawkins on the New High Score https://youtu.be/5egTSQ6AiRAđ´ LiveOps F2P Best Practices https://youtu.be/tmzqqnYbjNY
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A deep dive into the most pressing topics in gaming with industry veterans discussing recent developments, challenges, and future outlooks.âąď¸ Timeline/Chapters:00:00 - Introduction01:05 - Ubisoft's Current State & Challenges14:35 - Unity's Turnaround Story31:20 - AppLovin Deep Dive39:15 - China Gaming Market Update49:40 - Microsoft-Activision Deal Impact56:10 - Roblox & Hindenburg Report Discussionđ Description:Join us for an in-depth discussion of the hottest topics in gaming! Industry veterans break down recent developments at major gaming companies and what they mean for the future of the industry.We analyze Ubisoft's ongoing struggles, Unity's attempted turnaround under new leadership, AppLovin's rising dominance in mobile advertising, China's gaming market dynamics, and the implications of Microsoft's Activision acquisition. Plus, a quick take on the recent Roblox controversy.Topics include:⢠Why Western AAA game development is struggling⢠Unity's technical improvements and business challenges⢠AppLovin's market dominance in mobile advertising⢠China gaming market outlook and geopolitical risks⢠Microsoft's Game Pass strategy and the future of gaming subscriptions⢠Latest industry M&A activity and valuationsWhether you're a game developer, industry executive, or just interested in the business of gaming, this discussion provides valuable insights into where the industry is headed in 2024 and beyond.
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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 Intro0:47 Why Warren is great to talk to about UA2:00 Current state of mobile marketing & UA: Whatâs working and not working12:50 What IDFA really did to mobile marketing15:30 What happens if fingerprinting goes away21:50 The problem with imprecise data25:10 What are the channels and tactics that are currently successfulApplovin vs. Unity31:37 Modern-day performance marketing team structure and staffing40:19 The importance of unifying teams and data for success - avoiding the âblame gameâ45:30 Advantages of UA at massive scale 52:37 Is the future of UA all about âbrutal efficiencyâ?đ EPISODE LINKS: - Warren Woodward: https://www.linkedin.com/in/warrendwoodward/- Upptic: https://upptic.com/SUBSCRIBE TO GAMEMAKERS:- Spotify Podcast: https://spoti.fi/3Cpyq7i- Newsletter: https://gamemakers.substack.com/đ âCONNECT WITH ME! â ⢠MY INSTAGRAM â @jokim1⢠TWITTER â @jokim1⢠LINKEDIN â https://www.linkedin.com/in/jokim/
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We dive deep into the fierce competition between Tencent and NetEaseâtwo 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, comment, and subscribe for more industry insights! đ #Gaming #Tencent #NetEase #GameIndustry #PixelsAndProfitsOUTLINE:0:00 Intro1:50 Tencent business overview4:50 Tencent margins & operational efficiency8:06 Tencent internal studios 10:30 How Tencent worked with Glu - Brian and JK personal stories18:15 The Tencent game dev model21:08 Potential IP conflicts - Apex Legends Mobile case study23:40 Tencent as bully25:22 Tencent game company holdings27:16 Tencent key growth opportunities33:50 Tencent key challenges 40:55 Geo-political factors involved with Tencent47:07 Tencent valuation51:51 Netease business overview54:21 Brianâs take on new Netease survival game56:00 Netease internal studios57:34 Netease growth opportunities1:01:55 Netease valuation1:02:55 Netease challenges1:04:03 Tencent vs. Netease future outlookSUBSCRIBE TO GAMEMAKERS:- Spotify Podcast: https://spoti.fi/3Cpyq7i- Newsletter: https://gamemakers.substack.com/đ âCONNECT WITH ME! â ⢠MY INSTAGRAM â @jokim1⢠TWITTER â @jokim1⢠LINKEDIN â https://www.linkedin.com/in/jokim/ â POPULAR CONTENT âđ¤ Economy of the Metaverse with Tim Sweeney https://youtu.be/h6ClJxjuRvwâšď¸ How to Build the Amazon of Game Companies https://youtu.be/bkd2TOpKt4IđŽ Gaming Trends | A Look Ahead at 2021 https://youtu.be/NejFzHtpiZIđĽď¸ The Future of PC Gaming https://youtu.be/_QT7O3Wxi2sđ´ Games Industry M&A https://youtu.be/65nyPk6WNrsđ´ Netcode for Multiplayer Games https://youtu.be/tHq3PzmjhLwđ´ IDFA Deprecation Product Impact https://youtu.be/Ojec4wGKpsođ´ Trip Hawkins on the New High Score https://youtu.be/5egTSQ6AiRAđ´ LiveOps F2P Best Practices https://youtu.be/tmzqqnYbjNY
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