Hello and welcome to the first PocketGamer.biz podcast. This is a regular new feature from the PocketGamer.biz editorial team, which will provide insight into the rapidly evolving world of mobile games. 

Join Jon Jordan, Matthew Forde and Brian Baglow as they tap into their industry contacts to bring you the innovators, the pioneers, the creators, the founders and the business leaders who are shaping the global mobile market, and lifting the lid on the topics that matter most.

To kick off this week’s show, the team looks at some of the key stories we’re seeing in our news feeds (03:25m): 

• The acquisition of Golf Clash developer Playdemic by games giant EA - could golf finally topple football from the hearts and minds of the global gaming public? (spoiler: no).
• In-game advertising - can we finally wave goodbye to the intrusive interstitial video ad? (spoiler: meh)
• Hypercasual game jams - There are millions of dollars on offer to developers for new ideas, is this the mark of a mature market, or is the sector already running out of steam (no spoiler: you’ll have to listen in to find out)

The first-ever podcast guest is the excellent Martin Macmillan from Pollen VC, who explores the world of funding and finance - but not as you know it. Despite the company name, Pollen VC is not a venture capital fund, but a finance company of a different kind. Martin talks to Brian about funding and finance in game development, what it takes to support a successful title, and why equity funding isn’t always the answer. We also highlight new research which suggests that game developers need to think very carefully about their role in the industry, if they ever anticipate an ‘exit’.

We’d love to hear your thoughts and feedback. You can email us: podcast@steelmedia.co.uk, or like and leave comments on Twitter: https://twitter.com/pgbiz

If you enjoy the podcast a rating or review is always welcome. Thanks for tuning in.