Naavik Gaming Podcast

Christoffer Holmgård, CTO of modl.ai, and Julian Togelius, professor and co-founder, explore how generative AI is revolutionizing game QA. They discuss the shift to black-box testing through screen-seeing AI agents, allowing for no-code automation that frees testers from traditional coding. The duo highlights how this technology enhances bug detection and leverages multimodal models for better game feedback. They also delve into the evolving roles of human testers, emphasizing that AI is not a replacement, but an augmentation, streamlining the QA process.

In this lively discussion, Pim de Witte, the tech entrepreneur behind General Intuition and Medal, dives into the exciting realm of world models and embodied AI. He explains how gameplay videos create a fertile training ground for AI, enabling it to simulate real-world interactions. Pim highlights the advantages of using video game data versus platforms like YouTube, and the unique challenges in developing human-like agents. Expect insights into cross-game training and the future of gaming, where bots could enhance player experiences like never before!

On this episode, host David Taylor dives into one of the most eventful stretches the Fortnite Creative / UEFN ecosystem has seen in months. Epic has rolled out a wave of major updates — from monetization changes to discovery shifts — and today we unpack what they mean for creators, studios, and the future of the platform.David is joined by two fantastic guests. Chad Mustard, COO of JOGO Studios, returns to the show after another breakout year as one of the top 10 developers on Fortnite by total plays. Chad brings a studio-level perspective on building hit experiences, navigating updates, and scaling inside a fast-evolving ecosystem. He’s joined by Jon Jungemann, better known as SleightedSloth, a leading creator in the Tycoon genre and one of the most thoughtful voices on systems design, monetization, and the economics of UEFN.Together, the group breaks down the rise of Steal the Brainrot and what that breakout moment signals for developers — from production trends to player behavior to what “success” looks like in today’s marketplace. They also explore the wave of M&A activity beginning to emerge inside Fortnite Creative and what kinds of deals are actually happening behind the scenes.From there, the conversation shifts to the biggest structural changes Epic has introduced: in-island item sales (and why they might be the single biggest unlock for creators to date), the rollout of UA Rewards and Paid Campaigns, and the latest adjustments to Discovery. We dig into how these tools reshape studio strategy, how developers are adapting their designs, and what all of this means for long-term sustainability on the platform.We’d like to thank Overwolf for making this episode possible! Whether you're a gamer, creator, or game studio, Overwolf is the ultimate destination for integrating UGC in games! You can check out all Overwolf has to offer at https://www.overwolf.com/.We’d also like to thank modl.ai for making this episode possible! Using a combination of computer vision, reasoning models, and feedback loops, modl:QA+ autonomously explores builds, detects bugs, and generates actionable reports that sync directly with your existing workflows. To learn more, simply visit https://www.modl.ai/.If you like the episode, please help others find us by leaving a 5-star rating or review! And if you have any comments, requests, or feedback shoot us a note at podcast@naavik.co. Watch the episode: YouTube ChannelFor more episodes and details: Podcast WebsiteFree newsletter: Naavik DigestFollow us: Twitter | LinkedIn | WebsiteSound design by Gavin Mc Cabe.

Join Marco van den Heuvel, co-founder of Beam, as he dives into the future of gaming with revolutionary tech like blockchain and AI. He reveals how Beam is building a gaming ecosystem that adapts to frontier technologies and discusses the complexities of tech adoption in gaming. Listen in as Marco explores the potential of programmable economies, the impact of AI in gaming, and exciting trends in esports and digital collectibles. A must-listen for anyone curious about the next wave of gaming innovation!

EVE Online is one of the longest-standing MMOs of all time, celebrating its 22nd anniversary since its launch in 2003. In this episode, host Alexandra Takei, Director at Ruckus Games, sits down with CCP Games’ CEO Hilmar Petursson to unpack how the Icelandic studio still maintains one of gaming’s most complex live worlds, a single universe that has generated over $1B in lifetime revenue and 25 million players. Hilmar walks through CCP’s four eras: the pre-Steam founding years, the Steam transition, Pearl Abyss’s acquisition, and the studio today, revealing how an original team of thirty developers pioneered player-driven economies, massive social coordination, and a forever game. The conversation then turns to EVE Frontier, CCP’s new blockchain-powered spin-off built on the Sui network. Hilmar explains why he believes blockchain is the next natural step in EVE’s evolution, not as a trend, but as a means to true player ownership and another step in the direction of a forever game: persistence that is independent of the company, its servers, and its original creators.The episode closes on the state of the industry today from Hilmar’s perspective – why attention and discovery are gaming’s hardest problems and how developers can learn from EVE’s social design to build long-lasting worlds.We’d also like to thank Lysto for making this episode possible! Lysto is revolutionizing how game development teams collect and act on real player feedback with its AI-powered playtesting insights. Learn more about how you can get bias-free feedback at https://lysto.gg/?utm_source=naavik&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=adIf you like the episode, please help others find us by leaving a 5-star rating or review! And if you have any comments, requests, or feedback shoot us a note at podcast@naavik.co. Watch the episode: YouTube ChannelFor more episodes and details: Podcast WebsiteFree newsletter: Naavik DigestFollow us: Twitter | LinkedIn | WebsiteSound design by Gavin Mc Cabe.

In this episode, host Kalie Moore talks with Zach Letter, Co-founder & CEO of Wonder Works Studio, the makers of hit Roblox experiences, including three SpongeBob titles this year. We dig into how creator roots shape game design and distribution, how influencer-native teams launch differently, and Wonder Works’ long-term bet on licensed IP.The conversation dives into launching without paid UA, weekly live-ops that drive creator content, and when brands should integrate into hit experiences versus build standalone worlds. Zach also shares what makes an IP “Roblox-ready,” how transmedia loops amplify impact across YouTube, Discord, and merch, and why he believes UGC’s rise is unstoppable.We’d like to thank Overwolf for making this episode possible! Whether you're a gamer, creator, or game studio, Overwolf is the ultimate destination for integrating UGC in games! You can check out all Overwolf has to offer at https://www.overwolf.com/.We’d also like to thank Lightspeed Venture Partners for making this episode possible! With its dedicated gaming & interactive media practice, the firm invests from an over $6.5 billion pool of early and growth-stage capital. If you’re interested in learning more, go to https://gaming.lsvp.com/.If you like the episode, please help others find us by leaving a 5-star rating or review! And if you have any comments, requests, or feedback shoot us a note at podcast@naavik.co.Who’s On:Guest - Zach Letter: https://www.linkedin.com/in/zachary-letter-0769b893/Host - Kalie Moore: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kaliemoore/ Watch the episode: YouTube ChannelFor more episodes and details: Podcast WebsiteFree newsletter: Naavik DigestFollow us: Twitter | LinkedIn | WebsiteSound design by Gavin Mc Cabe

In this episode, host Alexandra Takei, Director at Ruckus Games, sits down with Robert van Hoesel, co-founder and CEO of First Look, now part of Pragma, to explore how studios can own and scale their player relationships. Robert’s journey from founding a SaaS company to building First Look began with one simple insight: game studios are some of the most passionate users a software builder could serve, and the games industry desperately needs the dream stack for connected distribution, player communications, and analytics. First Look acts as a CRM for games, helping studios streamline playtesting, gather player feedback, and grow grassroots communities. The pair discusses why these capabilities have become essential as publishers pull back, competition increases, and self-publishing becomes the norm. Robert shares how First Look enables small teams to punch above their weight by automating data capture across platforms like Steam and Discord, transforming scattered playtest feedback into actionable insights, and shares the full suite of offerings First Look provides for studios today.They also unpack First Look’s acquisition by Pragma and what it means to unify the backend and frontend of game development. The episode closes with practical advice for studios: start community-building early, close the feedback loop with players, and reward engagement to create sustainable, loyal audiences.We’d also like to thank Levellr — the Discord community intelligence platform — for making this episode possible. Learn more about unlocking real-time community insights at levellr.com.If you like the episode, please help others find us by leaving a 5-star rating or review! And if you have any comments, requests, or feedback shoot us a note at podcast@naavik.co. Watch the episode: YouTube ChannelFor more episodes and details: Podcast WebsiteFree newsletter: Naavik DigestFollow us: Twitter | LinkedIn | WebsiteSound design by Gavin Mc Cabe

David Scott, CEO of Evil Genius Games and a former tech entrepreneur, dives into the evolving landscape of tabletop RPGs. He discusses the post-COVID surge in popularity, how digital platforms are reshaping gameplay, and the potential risks of piracy. Scott explores the balance between physical and digital sales, emphasizing subscription models and player preferences. He also highlights the transmedia potential of RPGs, calling out opportunities in platforms like Roblox and predicting growth in AR and VR for future tabletop experiences.

Serge Kynstautas, Head of Engineering at Gardens Interactive, and Meir Wasserman, Head of Engineering at 2K Technology, explore the future of AI in gaming. They discuss exciting AI use cases like community moderation and developer productivity, while sharing amusing AI mishaps. The duo also tackles talent dynamics in a challenging economic landscape, questioning if teams prefer proven tech over innovation. Insights on teaching reluctant engineers to embrace AI tools round out their engaging conversation, making it a thought-provoking listen for game development enthusiasts.

In this discussion, Chris Petrovic, Chairman and Chief Business Officer of FunPlus, and Doug Rosen, former SVP at Paramount, delve into why major companies are drawn to Roblox. They highlight its immense scale, Gen Z engagement, and the potential for innovative marketing strategies. The duo explores how IP owners can effectively interact with audiences on the platform and emphasizes Roblox as a cost-effective testing ground for new ideas. Furthermore, they address considerations for safety, success metrics, and future corporate commitments in this evolving landscape.