Naavik Gaming Podcast How User-Generated Games Are Becoming Hollywood Franchises
Jan 6, 2026
Dmitri Johnson and Mike Goldberg, co-founders of Story Kitchen, discuss transforming user-generated games into Hollywood franchises. They delve into how nostalgia influences adaptations and what makes a game adaptable, emphasizing emotional depth and timing. The duo reveals insights on the evolving landscape of UGC as a storytelling frontier, stressing the importance of authenticity in adaptations. They share lessons from their journey, advocating for a producer-first approach that nurtures relationships with game developers and communities.
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Partnership Beats Smash-And-Grab
- Story Kitchen built trust by partnering with developers and communities rather than extracting IP.
- They view producers as stewards who must stay engaged with creators and fandom to succeed.
Emotion Trumps Genre For Adaptation
- Adaptability hinges on emotional connection, not genre.
- Dmitri looks first for games that make people feel something and that sustain creator passion over years.
Make Money Only By Producing
- Do not charge creators upfront; earn revenue only when production happens to align incentives.
- That model forces Story Kitchen to prioritize successful adaptations and maintain long-term trust.