Naavik Gaming Podcast

How does raising venture capital affect studio operations and exit strategies? How has generative AI delivered playtesting workflow efficiencies? We dive into the latest games business news with Aaron Bush, Sebastian Park, and your host Maria Gillies.00:00 - Start03:03 - Generative AI - Playtesting Workflow21:57 - CS:GO Sequel Rumours27:23 - The Believer Company’s $55M Series A39:16 - Gaming Exits Are Harder to Land48:50 - OutroIf you would like us to discuss any other gaming-related topics, reach out at podcast@naavik.co. We’d love to hear your feedback!We’d love to see you at the Leanplum & Naavik Exclusive VIP GDC party, and you can request a spot here. Don't miss out on this opportunity to connect and network with like-minded individuals.Also, a big thanks to data.ai for supporting all of Naavik's mobile data needs. If your team requires a market and competitive intelligence tool for tracking the mobile games industry, monitoring KPIs, and spotting opportunities across games, check out data.ai's robust platform. And as always, if you like the episode, you can help others find us by leaving a rating or review!Go premium with Naavik Pro to access an ever-growing library of deep exclusive research including free-to-play and blockchain game deconstructions, and market analysis. Use the promo code METACAST to save 10%.TLDListen?: Episode summaryWatch the episode: YouTube video Join the discussion: Naavik DiscordRead more: Naavik DigestWatch more: YouTube channelGo premium: Naavik ProFollow us: Twitter | LinkedIn | Facebook | WebsiteSound design by Gavin Mc Cabe.

 The New York Times is one of the world’s most recognized and respected newspapers, and has been in circulation since 1851. With almost 10 million subscribers (of which 8.6 million are digital-only), the Times has a huge audience and an even larger cultural impact. But the Gray Lady isn’t content to just rest on her laurels and focus on news - other verticals in which the Times operates are product reviews (The Wirecutter), sports (through their 2022 acquisition of The Athletic), cooking and, of course, games. In addition to their 7 home-grown casual titles, the Times of course famously acquired viral sensation Wordle for “7 figures” in early 2022. To talk more about the Times’ games strategy, your host Niko Vuori talks with Jonathan Knight, Head of Games at The New York Times. New York Times Games: https://www.nytimes.com/subscription/games Who’s On:Jonathan Knight: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jk00011/ Niko Vuori (Host): https://www.linkedin.com/in/nikovuori/ If you would like us to discuss any other gaming-related topics, do reach out at metacast@naavik.co. We’d love to hear your general thoughts and feedback too! More from NaavikTLDWatch?: https://naavik.co/themetacastListen to the episode: https://open.spotify.com/show/5mkaaxf5LCesU0SxMYZz9V?si=495be102f5e64eaaDiscord: https://naavik.co/communityNewsletter: https://naavik.co/digestGo premium: https://naavik.co/proContact us: https://naavik.co/contact-usFollow UsWebsite: https://naavik.co/Twitter: https://twitter.com/naavik_coLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/naavik-co/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/naavikcoSound and Video DesignGavin Mc Cabe: http://www.gavinsound.net/

In this episode, Alvaro Duarte – VP of Casual Games at Voodoo – joins Naavik co-founder Aaron Bush to discuss:#1 Is hypercasual dead? We explore the changes Voodoo’s seen in its own business and dig into why the company is shifting its focus to (hybrid)casual.#2 Why Voodoo’s entrance into casual shouldn’t be underestimated and why the team is thinking about web3#3 How Voodoo’s culture is designed for it to move fast, try many things, and support several internal and external teamsTo learn more, make sure to visit Voodoo’s website. You can also find Alvaro on LinkedIn.As always, if you like the episode, you can help others find us by leaving a rating or review!Go premium with Naavik Pro to access an ever-growing library of deep exclusive research including free-to-play and blockchain game deconstructions, and market analysis. Check out the link to request a demo. TLDListen?: Episode summaryWatch the episode: YouTube channelJoin the discussion: Naavik DiscordFree newsletter: Naavik DigestGo premium: Naavik ProFollow us: Twitter | LinkedIn | Facebook | WebsiteSound design by Gavin Mc Cabe.

Why is Krafton hyper-targeting India’s mobile market? What does Hogwarts Legacy’s massive success tell us about the future of the industry? Why is Playtika stopping new game development? We dive into the latest games business news with Aaron Bush, Anil Das-Gupta, Jonathan Anastas, and your host Maria Gillies.00:00 - Start02:15 - Naavik Pro new verticals05:20 - Call of Duty 2023 Release08:30 - Unity Earnings Analysis16:21 - Playtika Earnings Analysis25:51 - What’s Next After Hogwarts Legacy’s Success44:58 - Why Krafton Is Hyper-Targeting India’s Mobile Market01:01:44 - OutroAlso, a big thanks to data.ai for supporting all of Naavik's mobile data needs. If your team requires a market and competitive intelligence tool for tracking the mobile games industry, monitoring KPIs, and spotting opportunities across games, check out data.ai's robust platform.If you would like us to discuss any other gaming-related topics, reach out at podcast@naavik.co. We’d love to hear your feedback! And as always, if you like the episode, you can help others find us by leaving a rating or review!Go premium with Naavik Pro to access an ever-growing library of deep exclusive research including free-to-play and blockchain game deconstructions, and market analysis. Use the promo code METACAST to save 10%.TLDListen?: Episode summaryWatch the episode: YouTube video Join the discussion: Naavik DiscordRead more: Naavik DigestWatch more: YouTube channelGo premium: Naavik ProFollow us: Twitter | LinkedIn | Facebook | WebsiteSound design by Gavin Mc Cabe.

In this episode, Manish Agarwal – ex-CEO of Nazara Technologies and founder of IndiGG, a web3 gaming DAO focused on India – joins Naavik co-founder Aaron Bush to discuss:#1 What guilds initially got wrong, why he prefers to not use the term “guild,” and how India might become a digital asset factory#2 The size of the web3 gaming opportunity in India, and why India could be a uniquely effective market for web3 gaming#3 Learnings from working in a DAO - the underappreciated benefits and the ongoing challenges#4 What IndiGG’s strategy is going forward, plus his views on what he looks for in partnerships and gamesTo learn more, make sure to visit IndiGG’s website. You can also find Manish on Twitter.As always, if you like the episode, you can help others find us by leaving a rating or review!Go premium with Naavik Pro to access an ever-growing library of deep exclusive research including free-to-play and blockchain game deconstructions, and market analysis. Check out the link to request a demo. TLDListen?: Episode summaryWatch the episode: YouTube channelJoin the discussion: Naavik DiscordFree newsletter: Naavik DigestGo premium: Naavik ProFollow us: Twitter | LinkedIn | Facebook | WebsiteSound design by Gavin Mc Cabe.

‘Founded in 2012, N3TWORK Inc made its mobile gaming debut with Legendary Game of Heroes, a hit match 3 gameplay mobile hero collector RPG. Today, N3TWORK Inc has fundamentally changed its tune and is pivoting the business from web2 to web3. Today, your host Alexandra Takei, sits down with Matt Ricchetti, President of N3TWORK Studios, a spin out from the merger of N3TWORK Inc with Forte. Backed by Griffin Gaming Partners and talent from legendary juggernauts like Zynga, Glu, and Kabam, what is N3TWORK’s strategy, what are they building, and what’s their perspective on the web3 in the bear? And as always, if you like the episode, you can help others find us by leaving a rating or review!TLDListen?: Episode summaryWatch the episode: YouTube video Join the discussion: Naavik DiscordRead more: Naavik DigestWatch more: YouTube channelGo premium: Naavik ProFollow us: Twitter | LinkedIn | Facebook | WebsiteSound design by Gavin Mc Gabe.

Is there further evidence whether a growth by acquisition model is sustainable? What are the consequences of Roblox leaning into generative AI? What can we learn by analysing 2020 to 2022’s gaming deals? We dive into the latest games business news with Aaron Bush, Felipe Mata, and your host Maria Gillies.00:00 - Start03:00 - InvestGame 2020-2022 Gaming Deals Report Highlights07:20 - What’s Next For Firaxis?24:15 - Blizzard’s Back to Office Mandate29:50 - Future of Growth By Acquisition Business Model (Embracer and Stillfront)50:44 - Roblox Generative AI & Earnings Analysis01:07:40 - OutroIf you would like us to discuss any other gaming-related topics, reach out at podcast@naavik.co. We’d love to hear your feedback!InvestGame’s 2020-22 Gaming Deals Report mentioned in the episode can be found here.Also, a big thanks to data.ai for supporting all of Naavik's mobile data needs. If your team requires a market and competitive intelligence tool for tracking the mobile games industry, monitoring KPIs, and spotting opportunities across games, check out data.ai's robust platform. And as always, if you like the episode, you can help others find us by leaving a rating or review!Go premium with Naavik Pro to access an ever-growing library of deep exclusive research including free-to-play and blockchain game deconstructions, and market analysis. Use the promo code METACAST to save 10%.TLDListen?: Episode summaryWatch the episode: YouTube video Join the discussion: Naavik DiscordRead more: Naavik DigestWatch more: YouTube channelGo premium: Naavik ProFollow us: Twitter | LinkedIn | Facebook | WebsiteSound design by Gavin Mc Cabe.

Over the past 15 years, mobile gaming has grown to be the predominant form factor for gamers, generating over two-thirds of global gaming revenues, and an even bigger share of player activity. But when it comes to Web3 games, games that integrate NFTs, digital ownership and tokenized economies, they still almost exclusively exist outside the mobile app stores. Why is that? To better understand what the mobile options are for game developers, your host Niko Vuori talks with Anil Das-Gupta (who has recently shipped a mobile game with NFT integration into the Apple App and Google Play Stores), Benas Baltramiejunas (who is in the process of shipping a mobile game with NFT integration into the Apple App and Google Play Stores) and Chris Akhavan (who recently joined top NFT marketplace Magic Eden to help Web3 game developers integrate blockchain technologies and reach more players). First Light Games: https://www.firstlight.games/ BlockGames: https://www.block-games.co/ Magic Eden: https://magiceden.io/ If you would like us to discuss any other blockchain gaming-related topics, do reach out at metacast@naavik.co. We’d love to hear your general thoughts and feedback too! And as always, if you like the episode, you can help others find us by leaving a rating or review!TLDListen?: Episode summaryWatch the episode: YouTube video Join the discussion: Naavik DiscordRead more: Naavik DigestWatch more: YouTube channelGo premium: Naavik ProFollow us: Twitter | LinkedIn | Facebook | WebsiteSound design by Gavin Mc Gabe.

Can Supercell reignite their magic of developing new ways to play? What can we learn from Capcom and Netmarble earnings? Why is there a rise of game-only acquisitions? We dive into the latest games business news with Abhimanyu Kumar, Matt Dion, Dave Elton, and your host Maria Gillies.00:00 - Start03:00 - Supercell’s Annual Letter18:15 - DigiDaigaku’s Super Bowl Ad27:48 - Why Are Game-Only Acquisitions On The Rise?36:25 - Capcom’s Earnings Analysis47:08 - Netmarble Earnings Analysis58:57 - Stream Hatchet’s Video Game Streaming Annual Report01:08:30 - OutroIf you would like us to discuss any other gaming-related topics, reach out at podcast@naavik.co. We’d love to hear your feedback!Stream Hatchet’s Annual Report mentioned in the episode can be found here.Also, a big thanks to data.ai for supporting all of Naavik's mobile data needs. If your team requires a market and competitive intelligence tool for tracking the mobile games industry, monitoring KPIs, and spotting opportunities across games, check out data.ai's robust platform. And as always, if you like the episode, you can help others find us by leaving a rating or review!Go premium with Naavik Pro to access an ever-growing library of deep exclusive research including free-to-play and blockchain game deconstructions, and market analysis. Use the promo code METACAST to save 10%.TLDListen?: Episode summaryWatch the episode: YouTube video Join the discussion: Naavik DiscordRead more: Naavik DigestWatch more: YouTube channelGo premium: Naavik ProFollow us: Twitter | LinkedIn | Facebook | WebsiteSound design by Gavin Mc Cabe.

Axie Infinity marked the beginning of Web3 gaming season. But since then, the industry has not seen anything that comes even close to matching the excitement, engagement or adoption of Axie. With Dookie Dash, has Yuga Labs, the team behind many of the biggest NFT projects on the planet, finally built the next hit Web3-native game, and potentially even the beginnings of a Web3 gaming ecosystem? Your host Niko Vuori talks with Web3 analyst Thomas Pan to find out if Dookey Dash is the next big milestone moment in the evolution of Web3 gaming. Dookey Dash: https://dookeydash.com/ Web3 With TPan: https://tpan.substack.com/ If you would like us to discuss any other blockchain gaming-related topics, do reach out at metacast@naavik.co. We’d love to hear your general thoughts and feedback too! And as always, if you like the episode, you can help others find us by leaving a rating or review!TLDListen?: Episode summaryWatch the episode: YouTube video Join the discussion: Naavik DiscordRead more: Naavik DigestWatch more: YouTube channelGo premium: Naavik ProFollow us: Twitter | LinkedIn | Facebook | WebsiteSound design by Gavin Mc Gabe.