Investing in Gaming: Navigating Opportunities and Challenges

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This chapter explores the critical dynamics of investing in the gaming industry, emphasizing the need for a personalized approach when selecting extraordinary founders and early-stage ventures. It discusses a significant investment in a gaming platform aimed at creating age-appropriate experiences, while addressing legal issues faced by game publishers. The conversation highlights the industry's growth, the role of AI in development, and the evolving perception of gaming culture, alongside the challenges posed by emerging technologies like VR and AR.

Episode 24: How is AI revolutionizing the game development landscape? Matt Wolfe (https://x.com/mreflow) and Nathan Lands (https://x.com/NathanLands) sit down with Moritz Baier-Lentz (https://www.linkedin.com/in/moritzbaierlentz/), a professional gamer turned venture capitalist, to delve into this transformative topic.

In this episode, the hosts explore with Moritz how AI is reshaping game development and the broader gaming industry. They discuss the role of AI in generating game content, the investor perspective on AI-driven games, and potential future trends. Moritz shares insights from his journey—from being a top-ranked Diablo II player to leading major investments in the gaming sector at Lightspeed Ventures.

Check out The Next Wave YouTube Channel if you want to see Matt and Nathan on screen: https://lnk.to/thenextwavepd

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Show Notes:

(00:00) AI is revolutionizing game development, yet controversial.
(05:16) Started as pro gamer; shifted to investment banking.
(09:35) Excited investor sees AI's proven, increasing value.
(13:32) Games are the next frontier for creators.
(14:53) Fundamentally new innovation, AI boosts development speed.
(21:08) GenAI in games and media will dominate.
(24:45) Publishers fined billions; company offers compliance solutions.
(27:30) Finding high-growth investments for venture returns.
(30:35) Predictions difficult; focus on extraordinary early teams.
(35:30) Gaming content industry: $185B, surpasses TV, music, film.
(40:17) AR glasses promising, but significant technological hurdles remain.
(43:23) AI over XR; head-based sensing device emerging.
(45:46) Exciting AI and gaming discussion, mutual passions appreciated.

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Mentions:

Moritz Baier-Lentz: https://lsvp.com/team-member/moritz-baier-lentz/
Lightspeed: https://lsvp.com/
Bitkraft: https://www.bitkraft.vc/
Black Myth: Wukong: https://store.steampowered.com/app/2358720/Black_Myth_Wukong/

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Check Out Matt’s Stuff:

• Future Tools - https://futuretools.beehiiv.com/

• Blog - https://www.mattwolfe.com/

• YouTube- https://www.youtube.com/@mreflow

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Check Out Nathan's Stuff:

Newsletter: https://news.lore.com/
Blog - https://lore.com/

The Next Wave is a HubSpot Original Podcast // Brought to you by The HubSpot Podcast Network // Production by Darren Clarke // Editing by Ezra Bakker Trupiano