The Gaming Playbook w/ Harry Phokou

Today’s guests are three LinkedIn powerhouses: Nausheen I. Chen, Ryan R. Sullivan, and Danny DelVecchio.Nausheen is a 3-time TEDx speaker and public speaking coach helping leaders communicate with confidence. Ryan is a podcast strategist who’s launched 100+ successful shows for B2B companies. Danny is a video marketing expert helping founders turn LinkedIn videos into lead-generating machines.And I'm your host, Harry Phokou, I ghostwrite and get LinkedIn done for you.In this special episode, each guest brings a genuine question to ask the other guests about their business or LinkedIn.With one hour of deep dives followed by a 30-minute Q&A, this episode is perfect for entrepreneurs, content creators, or anyone looking to level up their LinkedIn game (and have fun doing it).Connect with the guests:Nausheen: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nausheenichen/Ryan: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sullybop/Danny: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dannydelvecchio/Connect with Harry:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hphokou/Youtube: ⁠ https://www.youtube.com/@hphokouInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/hphokouSign up to Gaming Rally Newsletter (Harry Phokou & Ali Farha's weekly newsletter): gamingrally.netChapters:00:00 Introduction04:26 Preparing for Industry Changes in 202519:50 Expanding Beyond LinkedIn30:39 How Our Offers Evolved48:30 Working on Your Business vs. In It1:03:15 Choosing One Service from the Panel1:12:25 Time Management for Solopreneurs1:17:27 Managing Clients with Tools Like Notion1:18:49 Public Speaking Tips for Daily Conversations1:20:49 Improving Client Research Over Time1:30:01 Multilingual Public Speaking Tips1:31:31 Final Reflections and Audience Questions

Today’s guest is Kseniia Maiboroda, CEO and Co-founder of Elevatix, an AI-powered LiveOps platform built to help mobile games reach their revenue potential.With a strong high-tech and mobile gaming background, Kseniia previously led technical product management for social casino games at Playtika. Over her seven-year career, she’s delivered innovative solutions for top-grossing games, helping clients like Voodoo see substantial gains in player engagement and purchase conversions. From quick SDK integration to fully automated liveops, Kseniia’s approach allows game studios to optimize revenue rapidly, without the hassle of extensive setup or management overhead.In this episode, Kseniia shares her journey of creating Elevatix, an AI-driven platform that personalizes in-game offers to boost mobile game monetization. She explores the real-world applications of AI in understanding player behavior, crafting custom offers, and enhancing user experience — all without relying on personal data, making these tools accessible even for smaller studios.This episode is ideal for mobile game developers, industry professionals, aspiring founders, and anyone interested in the transformative role of AI in gaming.Connect with Kseniia:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kseniiamaiboroda/Website: https://www.elevatix.io/Connect with Harry:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hphokou/Youtube: ⁠ https://www.youtube.com/@hphokouInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/hphokouSign up to Gaming Rally Newsletter (Harry Phokou & Ali Farha's weekly newsletter): gamingrally.netChapters:00:00 Introduction0:32 What Is Elevatix And Why Was It Created?02:47 The Complexity of AI In Mobile Gaming06:26 Analyzing And Understanding Your Players9:00 Is There a Pattern In Successful Games?10:39 Personalizing Offers For Players17:14 How Much AI Is Used In Mobile Gaming Today22:15 Kseniia’s Journey As a Technical Product Owner In Playtika26:20 How Technical Product Owners Boost Studios30:25 Solving Data Personalization Issues With AI33:36 Kseniia’s Advice For Aspiring Founders36:47 What Drives Kseniia To Do What She Does40:26 Tips For Dealing With Layoffs43:30 What the CEO of Elevatix Is Learning Right Now44:52 Balancing Different Business Roles48:05 Kseniia’s Rules That Save Time52:18 Upcoming Events with Kseniia and Ways To Connect

Today’s guest is Alexis Gresoviac, Founder of Ace Consulting Group and former Managing Director at Blizzard, Gameloft, and Huuuge Games.Alexis has been in the industry for 25 years, growing Gameloft Japan from 1 to 150 people and managing $100M dollars in budgets at Blizzard Korea.In this episode, Alexis reveals the 10 crucial things you need to get right to build a thriving gaming studio. From smart budgeting and decision-making to building teams that fit your culture.You are in for a masterclass!Connect with Alexis:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alexisgresoviac/Website: https://aceconsultinggroup.biz/Connect with Harry:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hphokou/Youtube: ⁠ https://www.youtube.com/@hphokouInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/hphokouSign up to Gaming Rally Newsletter: gamingrally.net for Podcast Live announcementsChapters:00:00 Introduction1:55 Streamlining Operations For Growth26:30 Smart Budget Allocation Strategies40:23 Decision-Making Frameworks For Leaders50:35 Driving Innovation In a Competitive Landscape01:14:50 Building High-Performing Teams01:27:35 Effective Hiring For Cultural Fit01:38:40 Managing Cash Flow For Stability01:49:35 Crafting a Clear Strategic Vision02:00:00 Creating a Strong Company Structure02:11:20 Understanding Market Needs02:16:00 Final Q&A

Today’s guest is Johan Tjäder, the CEO and founder of RankOne, the top platform for gamers and creators to share their passion for games.Johan has grown RankOne into a platform trusted by gamers and developers alike, with over 1.5 million games analyzed thanks to player-driven insights. His platform helps game companies understand their audiences better by offering authentic, cross-platform data that tracks player behavior across time. By empowering players to contribute their experiences, Johan provides invaluable tools for developers looking to reduce risk and create games that resonate in today’s competitive market.In this episode, he shares how his platform has become a game-changer by providing deep, player-driven insights from over 1.5 million games. He explains how RankOne’s data helps developers better understand player behavior and create more engaging games.This podcast is perfect for game developers, game companies, and anyone interested in how data can shape game design.Connect with Johan:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/johantjader/Connect with Harry:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hphokou/Youtube: ⁠ https://www.youtube.com/@hphokouInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/hphokouSign up to Gaming Rally Newsletter (Harry Phokou & Ali Farha's weekly newsletter): gamingrally.netChapters:00:00 Introduction3:20 The Importance of Why and How We Play Games8:49 How Data Can Help Get Your Game Published13:27 Johan’s Journey: How RankOne Was Born17:08 Collecting Data from 1.5 Million Gamers21:34 How Companies Can Benefit From This Data24:41 Surprising Insights from RankOne’s Data29:00 How Data Can Completely Change Your Game Strategy35:58 First Thing To Do When Building a Game39:56 Risks of Being Too Data-Driven43:05 Partnering With RankOne To Test Your Game44:50 How It Works: Johan’s RankOne Profile49:16 Ways To Reach Out

Today’s guest is Pontus Mahler, co-founder of Agora Gaming Partners, a global investment bank and advisory firm focused on video gaming.With over a decade of experience in creating, managing, and driving projects within gaming & esports, he's now focused on creating business opportunities in the video game industry and aiding talented gaming startups in reaching the next levels with guidance, and collaboration with investment & publishing partnerships.In this podcast, he dives into the 2024 investment landscape and the rights and wrongs of dealing with publishers. With experience reviewing thousands of pitch decks, Pontus shares what actually works when securing funding and offers practical advice on negotiating with publishers. We also explore the key differences between VCs and publishers, and whether angel investment is a viable option, wrapping up with a rapid-fire Q&A.This podcast is ideal for game developers, indie studios, double- and triple-A companies, and anyone looking to better understand the funding process, pitch strategies, and publisher negotiations.Connect with Pontus:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/pontusmahler/Connect with Harry:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hphokou/Youtube: ⁠ https://www.youtube.com/@hphokouInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/hphokouSign up to Gaming Rally Newsletter (Harry Phokou & Ali Farha's weekly newsletter): gamingrally.netChapters:00:00 Introduction01:45 Analyzing Investment Landscape of 202416:17 VCs vs. Publishers: Funding Your Game Development28:54 Are Microtransactions and DLCs Important In Pitches35:26 Do Publishers Fund Only Completed Games Today?38:54 The Dos and Don'ts of Deals with Publishers49:59 Angel Investment as a Game Funding Option59:01 Learning More About Pontus And What He Does01:06:40 Rapid-Fire Q&A with Pontus Mahler01:23:28 Negotiating Better Deals With Publishers and Platforms01:30:05 Presenting Playtest Data In a Pitch Deck01:33:15 Ways To Connect With Pontus

Today's guest is Callum Godfrey, the Head of Third Party Publishing at nDreams.With over 20 years in the gaming industry, Callum has worked with major players like Activision, EA, King, and Wargaming. He’s been involved in everything from AAA titles to mobile games and now focuses on the fast-evolving world of VR. These days, he’s back to being hands-on with game teams, leading third-party publishing at nDreams, and pushing the boundaries of VR gaming.In this podcast, he shares his journey through the gaming industry, offering valuable insights on understanding your audience, prioritizing LiveOps, and pitching to publishers. He also explores the future of AAA games and provides practical tips for handling layoffs.Whether you're a game developer or part of a gaming studio aiming to publish your game or implement LiveOps effectively, this podcast is for you.Connect with Callum:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/callum-godfrey-89a42b4/Connect with Harry:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hphokou/Youtube: ⁠ https://www.youtube.com/@hphokouInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/hphokouSign up to Gaming Rally Newsletter (Harry Phokou & Ali Farha's weekly newsletter): gamingrally.netChapters:00:00 Introduction3:11 Why Knowing Your Audience Is Key8:45 How To Effectively Understand Your Audience13:33 Breaking Down Audience Data With Three Key Pillars19:26 Why It’s Worth Prioritizing LiveOps Early24:36 Essential Roles and Tools for Building a LiveOps Game32:27 What Does the Future Look Like For Triple-A Games?38:36 The Do’s and Don’ts of Pitching to a Publisher49:40 Survival Tips For Those Laid Off57:16 Ways To Connect and Reach Out to Callum

Today's guest is Chris O'Connell, a renowned recruitment mentor and host of The Purpose-Led Leadership Podcast.Chris is a former global top biller at SThree and the founder of a £25M recruitment business, which he successfully scaled and sold. With over 75,000 LinkedIn followers and a track record of mentoring over 50 businesses, Chris now helps recruitment leaders build purpose-driven, high-performing companies. He specializes in leadership coaching, talent management, business development, and strategy execution, guiding leaders through transformational growth and exit strategies.In this podcast, Chris O'Connell shares heartfelt lessons from his coaching experience and personal struggles. He opens up about the tough challenges that shaped him, offering advice on how to stay resilient, lead with purpose, and keep growing. You'll also hear practical tips on business development and creating a healthy work-life balance.This podcast is perfect for CEOs, entrepreneurs, and business owners who want to grow both personally and professionally while building stronger, more successful businesses.Connect with Chris:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/itschrisoconnell/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@chrisoconnellcoachConnect with Harry:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hphokou/Youtube: ⁠https://www.youtube.com/@hphokouInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/hphokouSign up to Gaming Rally Newsletter (Harry Phokou & Ali Farha's weekly newsletter): gamingrally.netChapters:00:00 Introduction1:46 Why Vision and Purpose Matter Most07:14 Generating Business Using LinkedIn16:11 Effective Task Management Advice18:40 Overcoming the Struggle of Delegating Tasks and Giving Instructions22:37 Chris’s Story: Turning Adversity into Strength31:13 How the Right Team Can Transform Your Business and Mindset36:53 Setting Boundaries to Avoid Burnout40:15 Building a Proactive Business Development Culture for Long-Term Growth45:55 Truly Getting To Know Your Team48:20 Keeping Yourself Accountable, Not Your Team50:33 Treating Business as a Marathon, Not a Sprint52:50 My Career Journey: Learning Over Earning56:04 What Gets Chris Up In The Morning57:48 What Does The Future of Chris O’Connell Look Like?01:00:21 Ways To Reach Out To Chris

Today’s guest is Christina-Marie Drake, a leading recruiter at Ghostpunch Games and founder of Moms in Gaming.With nearly a decade of experience in HR and recruitment, including five years in the gaming industry, Christina-Marie has helped connect top talent to game studios through her expertise in social networking, leadership, and strategic initiatives. A former recruiter at Naughty Dog, she transitioned from contract work to full-time roles, driven by her passion for candidate experience and human connection. Christina-Marie is also a proud Women in Games Ambassador and LinkedIn Top Voice.In this podcast, she shares practical steps for handling a layoff, from preparation to securing your next job. She discusses her own layoff experience and offers advice on building a master resume, deciding whether to learn new skills or keep applying, and filling gaps in your resume. Christina also addresses age-related concerns in job hunting and how to broaden your search to different titles. The episode wraps up with a Q&A session for additional insights.This podcast is for professionals facing or recovering from layoffs, career changers, and anyone looking to enhance their job search strategies.Connect with Christina:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/christinasaidso/Connect with Harry:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hphokou/Youtube: ⁠ https://www.youtube.com/@hphokouInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/hphokouSign up to Gaming Rally Newsletter (Harry Phokou & Ali Farha's weekly newsletter): gamingrally.netChapters:00:00 Introduction1:44 Christina’s Layoff Story5:22 Preparation For a Layoff08:47 Building a Master Resume15:56 Learning New Skills or Keep Applying23:22 What’s Stopping You From Taking a Side Job?29:10 Filling That Gap In Your Resume35:07 Practical Advice On Handling a Layoff46:00 Does Age Matter In Job Search?54:42 Expanding Your Job Search to New Titles56:10 Ways To Connect With Christina57:17 Getting a Job Without Experience01:02:12 Wrap-Up Q&A with Harry Phokou

Today's guest is Simran Whitham, founder and CEO of FORMAT, the award-winning events production and creative agency.With over 8 years of experience in marketing and production across the events, video games, and digital creative industries, Simran has co-founded and worked as Head of Marketing at Tri-Heart Interactive, Head of Player Engagement at Milky Tea, Lead Social Media Manager at The Lowry Theatre, and marketing executive at VR/AR studio XR Games. Along the way, he gained invaluable experience that inspired him to create FORMAT, a leading games industry community nightlife event.In this episode, Simran delves into the secrets behind organizing successful and profitable events. He shares the journey of FORMAT, from its inception to groundbreaking gaming events, and offers practical advice on everything from generating lead flow and tracking attendees to finding the balance between profitability and fun. Simran also provides insights on overcoming challenges, networking strategies, and how to make your event stand out.This podcast is ideal for event planners, aspiring entrepreneurs, and anyone interested in the events and games industries. Whether you're looking to launch your first event or seeking ways to optimize and grow your existing business, this podcast is for you.Connect with Simran:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/simran-whitham-939957143/X: https://x.com/simranwhithamConnect with Harry:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hphokou/Youtube: ⁠ https://www.youtube.com/@hphokouInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/hphokouSign up to Gaming Rally Newsletter (Harry Phokou & Ali Farha's weekly newsletter): gamingrally.netChapters:00:00 Introduction00:40 What is FORMAT?1:46 The Origin Story of Revolutionary Gaming Events7:40 Simran’s Resilience and Going Against the Stream9:58 What Makes FORMAT Events Better Than Others12:50 Tips For Starting Your Very First Event18:47 How to Generate Lead Flow Like FORMAT20:41 Strategies for Tracking Attendees and Managing Data24:24 You Win Or You Learn26:46 What to Do When Hard Work Isn't Paying Off30:42 The Importance of Networking and Going to Events35:19 Lesser-Known Events Worth Attending37:49 Simran’s Networking Strategy for Gamescom45:15 FORMAT’s Way To Making Event Business Profitable50:49 Capitalistic and Profitable or Fun and Losing Money56:21 How To Organize a Fun and Profitable Event1:04:40 Advice For Aspiring Entrepreneurs1:07:40 Ways To Connect and Find Out More About Simran

Today's guest is Tarak Ford, Head of Development at Kwalee, a leading mobile game publisher and developer that also creates games for PC and consoles.With over 12 years in the industry, Tarak started in external QA and quickly moved into leadership roles at studios like Lionhead and Crytek. At Kwalee, he’s been key in growing the team from just 20 people to over 400, opening offices around the world, and helping the company publish games on almost every platform, reaching over a billion downloads.In this podcast, he shares his experiences managing global teams, the challenges of growing an international remote studio, and the lessons he’s learned along the way. He offers practical advice on improving onboarding processes, dealing with cultural differences, building cohesive teams through diversity, and more.This podcast is perfect for game development professionals, from aspiring leaders and team managers to studio founders and HR specialists, who want to learn how to successfully build and manage teams in the gaming industry.Connect with Tarak:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tarakford/Connect with Harry:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hphokou/Youtube: ⁠ https://www.youtube.com/@hphokouInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/hphokouSign up to Gaming Rally Newsletter (Harry Phokou & Ali Farha's weekly newsletter): gamingrally.netChapters:00:00 Introduction01:04 Tarak’s Day-to-Day Life as a Head of Development at Kwalee02:21 Growing Teams and Starting Remotely03:57 Why Build an International Remote Team05:54 Lessons from Building an International Remote Studio08:40 How to Deal With Cultural Differences10:53 Improving Onboarding Experience for a Candidate14:15 Practical Tips and Advice for Candidates23:59 Innovation Through Diversity of Thought27:12 How to Build a Cohesive Team31:16 Useful Tools for Managing Teams Globally33:55 How to Optimize Tool Costs39:31 Onboarding to a Company's Values and Culture46:26 Tips for Growing a Team for the First Time