The Gaming Playbook w/ Harry Phokou

Think raising VC is the best way to grow a game? Think again.In this episode, I sit down with Ridzki Syahputera — ex-VC and co-founder of PVX Partners — to unpack the truth about game funding, marketing, and scaling in 2025.Whether you're building your first game or working at a studio, this is the stuff nobody teaches: how user acquisition really works, when to raise money (and when to avoid it), and what separates games that scale from games that stall.We break down:- The hidden cost of equity (and how to avoid it)- ROAS benchmarks from 350+ studios- Smarter ways to fund growth — without giving up ownership- What VCs and publishers actually look forWhether you're building a hit, running a studio, or just serious about games as a business, this episode will change how you think about growth.Connect with Ridzki:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ridzkisyahputera/Website: www.pvxpartners.comConnect with Harry:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hphokou/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@hphokouInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/hphokouGet exclusive podcast recaps & industry insights: → Subscribe to the Gaming Rally Newsletter www.gamingrally.netChapters:00:00 - Intro & Setup03:40 - The capital intensity of gaming and consumer apps07:50 - The true cost of equity vs. ROAS10:15 - Why founders default to VC and publishers14:59 - How PVX's UA financing model works16:55 - Common reasons studios aren’t ready to scale19:07 - Cohort volatility explained22:12 - What games Ridzki plays & gaming preferences26:13 - Equity vs. loan cost comparison31:22 - Why banks don’t understand gaming businesses33:32 - Real-world example: Grammarly’s financing strategy35:51 - Cultural mindsets on growth: East vs. West40:53 - Why PVX exists & founder motivation44:54 - What games are scaling right now & why48:34 - Global breakdown: Turkey, Israel, China studio strategies51:59 - Founders’ biggest mistake: ignoring scalability55:42 - Harry’s business growth story & org structure1:01:35 - Origin of PVX name & closing thoughts1:05:28 - Where to find Ridzki + Free SaaS tool from PVX#GameDevFinance #UserAcquisition #GamingStartups #ScalingStudios #MobileGamesGrowth

In this engaging discussion, Greg Lee, co-founder of Team Terrible, reveals how his indie game, The Baby in Yellow, skyrocketed to over 300 million downloads without any marketing budget. He shares insights on leveraging content creators and viral design to drive organic growth. Greg emphasizes the importance of community engagement, and how player experiences fueled word-of-mouth success. Additionally, he offers invaluable advice for aspiring indie developers on building a passionate fanbase while maintaining creativity and innovation.

2025 Indie Game Publishing Playbook w/ Bobby WertheimLooking to land a publishing deal for your indie game in 2025? In this episode, veteran game scout Bobby Wertheim breaks down the chaotic state of game publishing, what publishers are really looking for, and how devs can stand out in a saturated market. We cover everything from pitch mistakes, proving product-market fit, and surviving in an era where 85% of playtime goes to older games. This is a practical, unfiltered guide every game dev should hear before pitching.- Learn how to navigate publisher expectations- Discover why early access can hurt your chances- Hear real-world funding advice and event strategies- Understand what “product-market fit” actually means for games- Insider tips from someone who signs deals todayConnect with Bobby:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bobby-wertheim-00700/Website: https://www.kandofactory.com/Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/kandofactory.bsky.socialConnect with Harry:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hphokou/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@hphokouInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/hphokouGet exclusive podcast recaps & industry insights:→ Subscribe to the Gaming Rally Newsletter www.gamingrally.netChapters:00:00 Intro02:15 Why the 2025 games market is brutal04:28 Bobby’s background and experience as a game scout06:00 The evolution of the games market: arcade to digital07:59 The “Old Game Problem” and storefront saturation11:03 Are most of the 19,000 games on Steam any good?13:33 Decline of investment and the end of free money18:00 Publisher risk explained: why their stakes are higher than you think21:52 Rev share, funding realities, and deal structures27:55 What publishers want to see in 2025 (not paper pitches)31:47 How much money can indie devs really get in 2025?33:21 How to fund development before approaching publishers39:00 Early access: why it can hurt your pitch43:47 How to rise to the top of the submission pile46:50 Should you work with a game agent?49:30 Why doing market research is non-negotiable48:50 Why most devs pitch too early and get ghosted50:52 Research the publisher: tailor your pitch and get feedback55:25 Your “3 tries” rule with publishers55:55 Smart strategies for events and pitching01:01:00 Where to find Bobby & wrap-up#GameDev #IndieGames #GamePublishing #SteamGames #PitchToPublishers

Want to break into the gaming industry or level up your career fast?In this episode of The Gaming Playbook, Harry Phokou sits down with Alexander Brazie (World of Warcraft, League of Legends, Ori and the Will of the Wisps) to discuss how to actually get a job in games and get promoted quickly.From the power of playtesting and portfolios to insider hiring mindsets and the truth about nepotism, Alexander unpacks 20+ years of experience.Whether you're a student, self-taught dev, or working in QA looking to transition into design, this episode is your roadmap.Connect with Alexander:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alexander-brazie/Discord: https://gamedesignskills.com/funsmith-club/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/xelnath/X: https://x.com/xelnath?mx=2Connect with Harry:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hphokou/YouTube: ⁠ https://www.youtube.com/@hphokouInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/hphokouGet exclusive podcast recaps & industry insights: → Subscribe to the Gaming Rally Newsletter www.gamingrally.netEnjoyed the episode? Like, comment, and subscribe to help more developers find us.Chapters:00:00 Intro & Alexander’s legendary background (WoW, Riot, Moon Studios)01:45 How Alexander got his first job in games at 1306:08 What successful game design students do differently09:39 How to network and build real industry relationships13:16 What gets people hired (and what doesn't)17:57 The “barrel” employee concept and how to become one21:07 Why learning to implement your ideas gets you hired faster28:46 How to get noticed as an implementer (and land high-impact projects)35:26 Do game designers need to code to get hired?40:16 How to showcase your work as a content designer43:21 How to show you're thinking ahead like a lead designer45:20 Make your system design work visible to employers49:09 Narrative design tips for students breaking into games52:35 Dumb vs. smart ways to ask for a promotion56:40 AAA job interview tips & frameworks1:00:56 Why a game design degree doesn’t make you senior1:05:30 Transitioning to roles outside of games1:07:39 Why documenting your work will change your career1:12:15 Final wrap-up & advice from me#GameDesignCareer #BreakingIntoGames #GamingJobs2025 #PortfolioTips #HowToGetPromoted

Want to turn your Discord community into a revenue-generating machine? In this episode of The Gaming Playbook, I sit down with Tom Gayner, CEO of Levellr, who’s helped Scopely, Krafton, and even the NFL build high-performing Discord communities. We dive into the most common mistakes studios make, why Discord users are 6x more valuable, and how AI is revolutionizing community management. If you’re a game studio, this is your blueprint for building a self-sustaining, monetized community.Connect with Tom:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tomgayner/Website: https://www.levellr.com/Connect with Harry:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hphokou/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@hphokouInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/hphokouGet exclusive podcast recaps & industry insights: → Subscribe to the Gaming Rally Newsletter www.gamingrally.net 👉 Enjoyed the episode? Like, comment, and subscribe to help more developers find us.Chapters:00:00 Introduction01:44 Why most studios ignore Discord05:48 Data: Discord users = 6x more valuable11:57 Pre-launch Discord strategy15:06 Creating organic player-to-player interaction17:02 Minimum requirements before launching a Discord20:10 What resource investment actually looks like23:04 How Levellr started & why it matters now27:40 AI's breakthrough in community insight grouping30:42 Querying your own Discord like a knowledge base32:28 Fastest way to get 1,000 engaged members34:08 Game/Discord integration examples37:56 Best way to hire a community manager42:32 Is Discord ROI Real or Just Hype?46:16 The Fear of Backlash (And Why It's Wrong)49:25 The Future of Discord in Game Publishing52:34 Getting Insights from Player-Run Discords55:02 Community Advice for Publishers56:18 How to reach Tom & final thoughts#GameDev #DiscordCommunity #RetentionStrategy #CommunityGrowth

Why do most good games still fail today, even with great gameplay?Markus Wilding – former marketing leader at Take-Two, 2K, and Private Division – joins me to reveal why visibility is now more critical than quality... and how developers and publishers must adapt to survive.We unpack how outdated marketing playbooks are killing games, why community building is non-negotiable, and the practical strategies every studio needs to market smarter in 2025.Expect deep dives into:- Why 90% of marketing strategies are stuck in the past- How to use influencer marketing correctly in today's market- How early-stage market validation can save your studio- How to build community momentum before launch- Why the future belongs to "snackable fun" games, not bloated AAA- Practical frameworks for self-auditing your game's marketing readinessWhether you're an indie developer, publisher, marketer, or founder, this conversation will shift how you approach game success today.Connect with Markus:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/markus-wilding/Website: https://beyondthewall.games/Connect with Harry:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hphokou/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@hphokouInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/hphokouGet exclusive podcast recaps & industry insights:→ Subscribe to the Gaming Rally NewsletterEnjoyed the episode? Like, comment, and subscribe to help more developers find us.Chapters:00:00 Introduction02:01 Markus' Transition From AAA to Consulting07:03 Why Visibility Beats Quality Today12:51 Discord, Reddit, and Building Real Player Communities17:01 Why the "19,000 Games on Steam" Stat Is Misleading21:31 The Old Game Problem30:20 Why Graphics No Longer Guarantee Success33:42 Finding the Fun: What AAA Forgets35:00 Why "Snackable Gameplay" Dominates38:48 What Good Marketing Advice Actually Looks Like42:50 Why Understanding Development Is Non-Negotiable48:37 Why Markus Is Optimistic About Gaming’s Future50:25 Connect With Markus#GameMarketing #IndieGameDev #GamingIndustry #MarketingStrategy #CommunityBuilding

In this episode of The Gaming Playbook, I sit down with Peter Fodor, founder and CEO of AppAgent, a top-tier mobile marketing agency behind games from Supercell, Netflix, and Scopely. Peter shares the unfiltered truth about why most mobile games fail to scale, the critical mistakes studios make, and how to win in today's privacy-first, saturated market.Expect deep dives into:- How to test game ideas before writing a single line of code- The role of creative frameworks and hooks in ad success- Why LiveOps is the future of monetization- Managing remote creative teams without losing your mind- How AI is reshaping mobile game marketing and who should be scaredWhether you're a mobile dev, a UA manager, or building the next breakout title, this episode will make you rethink your strategy from the ground up.Connect with Peter:LinkedIn: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/petrfodor/⁠Connect with Harry:LinkedIn: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/hphokou/⁠Youtube: ⁠ ⁠https://www.youtube.com/@hphokou⁠Instagram: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/hphokouGet exclusive podcast recaps & industry tips – Sign up for the Gaming Rally Newsletter! http://http//gamingrally.net/Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and drop your thoughts in the comments.Chapters:00:00 Introduction02:04 The State of Mobile Gaming Post-COVID05:20 The Biggest Mistakes Mobile Studios Make07:35 How Small Teams Can Pre-test Game Ideas10:13 Increasing LTV through LiveOps14:13 Are IP & Influencer Collabs Only For Big Studios?16:41 Testing IPs & Understanding Your Audience18:31 The Power of Creative Frameworks23:00 Lessons from Walking Planet & Player Surveys27:15 Timeless Creative Principles (AIDA, KISS)30:42 Why Most Game Ads Fail at the Hook32:32 Hooks vs. Storytelling: The Key Mindset Shift35:04 Managing Creative Teams Remotely39:17 Frameworks: Who Builds Them And How?43:37 How to Build Systems Collaboratively46:07 Hiring Creatives: What to Look For49:28 AppAgent’s Future & Vision53:39 AI's Impact on UA, Creative Production & Future Roles58:02 Advice to Young People Entering Games59:44 Final Thoughts For The Mobile Games Industry#MobileGameMarketing #GameDevTips #UserAcquisition #CreativeStrategy #MobileGames2025

Ever feel like your writing isn’t landing the way you want? Whether you’re posting on LinkedIn, crafting a sales page, or trying to grow an audience, better writing leads to better results.In this episode, I sit down with Matt Barker, a copywriter who’s helped businesses generate over $3M through content. We talk about what really makes writing work - without the fluff, fake authority, or overhyped promises.- How Matt went from corporate marketing to solopreneurship- Why most people write the wrong way online - and how to fix it- The secret to writing content that attracts, nurtures, and converts- How to avoid the “scamfluencer” trap and build real authority- What top creators do differently to make their writing stand outIf you’ve ever wanted to write better, grow an audience, and turn words into results, this episode is for you.Connect with Matt:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mattjbarker1/Newsletter: https://www.mattbarker.xyz/newsletterConnect with Harry:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hphokou/Youtube: ⁠ https://www.youtube.com/@hphokouInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/hphokouGet exclusive podcast recaps & industry tips – Sign up for the Gaming Rally Newsletter! gamingrally.netLike, comment, and subscribe for more deep dives into copywriting, content marketing, and personal branding.Chapters:00:00 Introduction01:26 Matt’s Transition from Corporate to Solopreneurship09:23 The Difference Between Writing Online & High School Writing12:34 How To Start Writing16:24 How to Get Better at Writing (Practical Steps)23:15 Strategic Writing vs. Creative Writing26:13 Crafting a Content Strategy That Works28:57 Overcoming Boredom and Staying Consistent32:48 The Two Main Goals of Writing on LinkedIn35:43 The Power of Emotional Storytelling in Copywriting39:44 The "Scamfluencer" Trend & Why It’s Misleading42:12 How Long Does It Take to Master Online Writing?45:42 Unexpected Side Benefits of Writing47:35 Matt’s Future Plans & Advice to His Past Self52:32 - Where to Follow & Connect with Matt#Copywriting #ContentMarketing #Ghostwriting #PersonalBranding #LinkedInGrowth

Today’s guest is Lara Acosta, a personal branding expert, content strategist, and founder of Literally Academy. Lara went from being unemployed in 2022 to becoming the #1 female creator on LinkedIn, amassing over 300,000 followers and generating millions through her personal brand. She now teaches others how to build a standout online presence, create engaging content, and turn their audience into a thriving business. In this episode, Lara shares her journey of building a personal brand as a woman in business and the strategies that helped her grow to over 200,000 followers on LinkedIn. She dives into the power of self-promotion, why most people struggle with content creation, and how to talk with your audience, not at them, using her SLAY framework. If you're a content creator, business owner, or someone looking to build an authentic personal brand, this episode is for you! Connect with Lara:LinkedIn: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/laraacostar/Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@Laraacosta𝕏: ⁠https://twitter.com/LaraacostarInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/laraacostar/Connect with Harry:LinkedIn: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/hphokou/⁠Youtube: ⁠ https://www.youtube.com/@hphokouInstagram: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/hphokou⁠Get exclusive podcast recaps & industry tips – Sign up for the Gaming Rally Newsletter!⁠ gamingrally.net⁠Chapters:00:00 Introduction02:37 Building a Personal Brand as a Woman in Business07:12 Celebrate Wins or Keep Moving?11:00 How to Celebrate Wins the Right Way on LinkedIn12:49 Lara’s Cohort Launch: The Power of Self-Promotion18:29 Talking With Your Audience, Not At Them: The SLAY Framework23:17 How to Approach Content Creation as a Beginner31:11 Why Visual Hooks Work (and Why People Get Them Wrong)37:55 Overcoming Impostor Syndrome as a Creator43:40 Why Offline Experiences Are the Future of Personal Branding52:01 Finding Purpose in Business Beyond Money

Today's guest is Hendrik Lesser, president of the European Game Developer Federation and CEO of Remote Control Productions (RCP).Hendrik started out selling and writing about games before spending nearly five years at Take-Two Interactive. In 2005, he founded Remote Control Productions (RCP), which has grown from a small startup into a global network of 16 studios, shipping over 400 projects. Through RCP, he helps developers focus on making great games while handling business operations, and he continues to advocate for the industry through policy, education, and mentorship.In this episode, he breaks down the real challenges facing the gaming industry in 2025, from cash flow struggles to why bad business, not bad games, is what really kills studios. He shares hard-earned lessons on studio leadership, competing with old games, and the biggest risks developers need to watch out for. Hendrik also talks about the power of partnerships, how to make remote teams work, and why strong leadership matters more than ever.Whether you're running a studio, breaking into the industry, or just want a behind-the-scenes look at the business of games, this episode is for you!Connect with Hendrik:LinkedIn: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/hendriklesser/⁠Website: ⁠https://rcp.family/⁠Connect with Harry:LinkedIn: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/hphokou/⁠Youtube: ⁠ ⁠https://www.youtube.com/@hphokou⁠Instagram: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/hphokou⁠Get exclusive podcast recaps & industry tips – Sign up for the Gaming Rally Newsletter! ⁠gamingrally.net⁠Chapters:00:00 Introduction02:16 The Reality of the Gaming Industry in 202504:10 Biggest Risks for Studio Leaders This Year10:20 What Is Remote Control Productions (RCP)?16:25 The Old Games Problem: Why It’s Harder to Compete21:46 The Power of Community: RCP’s Approach23:48 Finding Mentors, Building Community, and the Value of Events29:41 Why Bad Business Kills Studios, Not Bad Games34:32 Consensus Culture vs. Strong Studio Leadership40:19 The Role of Partnerships in Game Development43:35 Making Remote Collaboration Work48:06 Why Hierarchy Matters in Remote Teams53:58 Hendrik’s Favorite Part of the Job58:58 Balancing Game Development and Gaming Habits1:05:08 Advice for Gaming Industry Leaders1:06:42 Words of Wisdom for Aspiring Game Developers1:08:40 How to Connect with Hendrik