Naavik Gaming Podcast

Robbie Ferguson and James Ferguson, co-founders of Immutable, discuss their ambitious plans for the web3 gaming space. They touch on topics such as the company's history, the challenges they faced on Ethereum, and the success of their game Gods Unchained. They also discuss the importance of a big hit game for driving adoption in web3 gaming and the challenges and advantages of game distribution in the web3 context. Finally, they share their roadmap for 2024, including the launch of Immutable ZKVM and the upcoming release of Guild of Guardians.

Moritz Baier-Lentz, Head of Gaming at Lightspeed, discusses the state of gaming VC in 2024, including lessons learned as an investor, growth-stage deals, and Lightspeed Gaming's first year. He also highlights areas attracting their attention, such as cross-platform forever games, generative AI, interactive media, 3D innovations, XR, and AI-driven devices. The podcast delves into the evolution of gaming VC, the impact of AI, XR, and sensing devices in gaming, and investment strategy in the competitive landscape.

In this podcast, the hosts discuss Stumble Guys entering the Xbox platform and Valve's new invite-only system for daily deals. They also cover the reconciliation between Activision Blizzard and NetEase, Google's $700M fine, and Apple's implementation of a 27% fee and auditing measures on web stores.

Explore the gaming highlights from the 2024 Consumer Electronics Show. Netflix's alternative ways to monetize games within their subscription tiers. Xbox's strategy of bringing exclusive games to PlayStation 5. Layoffs at Twitch and Unity, and the overall state of the gaming industry. Second Dinner raises $100M in funding. Trends and potential for mergers and acquisitions in the gaming industry.

The podcast explores the state of Web3 Trading Card Games (TCGs), discussing their collectability, rarity, and secondary market. It highlights the challenges and potential of Web3 TCGs, featuring specific games like Splinter Lens and Gods and Chained. The hosts also delve into the controversy surrounding the ESRB rating of Gods on Chain and the challenges of expanding TCGs' audience. They emphasize the importance of innovation and original IP for long-term success in the TCG market.

Nexon's CEO, Owen Mahoney, discusses his legacy at Nexon, succession planning, and the future of AAA publishing. They also explore the impact of AI-driven software on game development and the importance of learning from other industries. Owen compares himself to the next CEO and highlights their shared view of delivering fun games. The podcast concludes with a discussion on the future of the games industry, focusing on deflationary innovation and the benefits of smaller teams.

The podcast covers topics like the Game Awards surpassing Super Bowl viewership, VR's struggles and potential turnaround, China's regulations on mobile games, and Square Enix's CEO pivot towards AI in the annual public letter.

The podcast discusses the Epic Games Store policy shift and future predictions for the gaming industry in 2024. They explore the evolving landscape of gaming consoles, subscription models, and the role of AI in gaming. The panelists offer diverse perspectives on user-generated content platforms, investment trends, and the mobile gaming scene. They also discuss growth opportunities in the console market and touch on the impact of ESRB ratings and generative AI on game development. Additionally, they compare Roblox and Fortnite as UGC platforms, explore challenges in fundraising and mobile gaming, and analyze the Epic versus Google case.

The podcast explores AI analytics in the gaming industry and how it can enhance traditional analytics. The guests discuss their backgrounds in the gaming industry and their experiences with AI integration. They explore the distinction between AI analytics and traditional analytics, highlighting the importance of actionable data. The podcast also explores the necessary conditions and challenges for implementing AI analytics, and provides advice on starting small and building momentum.

Susan Cummings, Founder & CEO of Tiny Rebel Games, talks with host Niko Vuori about the concept of digital pets on the blockchain. They discuss bonding with digital pets, integrating AR and hardware, and the challenges of being a consumer product and back end for developers and brands. They also explore monetization plans and the audacious vision of pets evolving and passing on experiences in the Petaverse.