Naavik Gaming Podcast

Álvaro Pinto, co-founder and COO of Aptoide, shares insights on the evolution of app distribution and the push for decentralized solutions in the face of app store duopolies. He discusses Aptoide's impressive growth and innovative revenue model, highlighting the role of blockchain technology through AppCoins. The conversation delves into the challenges developers face in this landscape, user privacy in alternative app stores, and the potential for expanding app engagement into new platforms like smart TVs and cars.

Join Jeremy Pedron, Lead Game Designer at JOGO Studios, known for innovative maps in UEFN, and Kevin Mariano, Founder of Future Trash, as they explore the evolving landscape of gaming intellectual property. They discuss how UEFN's flexibility has revolutionized IP creation, blending unique art styles with character lore. The guests share insights on the challenges of community collaboration and brand identity, alongside the transformative power of user-generated content. Tune in for a dynamic conversation about the future of gaming creativity!

Zach Nass, Head of Gaming at nSure and expert in gaming strategy, joins to reveal the hidden world of game fraud. He discusses the critical nature of payment fraud in the gaming industry and the unique challenges that game-specific economies face. Zach explains how AI and machine learning are revolutionizing fraud detection, adapting to decentralized systems like Web3. The conversation also touches on ethical dilemmas in cryptocurrency and highlights the need for collaboration among industry stakeholders to stay ahead of fraud.

George Isichos, a core contributor at Game7 and author of a key research report, shares insights on the dynamic world of Web3 gaming. He discusses how platforms like Telegram are reshaping game development and player engagement. The conversation dives into innovative funding trends, with indie developers gaining ground while traditional AAA titles decline. Isichos also explores the challenges posed by bots and the exciting role of AI in enhancing gameplay, alongside the potential of new mechanisms like Play-to-Airdrop.

Lakshman Somasundaram, Director of Product Management at LinkedIn, shares insights on the platform's innovative gaming strategy. He discusses how games like Queens and Tango are designed to foster professional connections and spark conversations. The conversation covers the unique balance between engaging content and user professionalism, alongside impressive retention rates. Lakshman also reflects on his decade-long journey at LinkedIn, emphasizing the importance of accessibility and community-building in the digital age.

A new frontier is emerging with the advent of "web shops," also known as direct-to-consumer distribution methods. Alexandra Takei, Director at Ruckus Games, sits down with Chris Faught, the CEO and founder of Neon, a direct-to-consumer payments service currently working with Space Ape, Metacore, and Theorycraft to build customizable web shops and geography-specific payment systems, challenging the traditional distribution models of Apple and Google. We explore the evolving landscape of mobile regulations, contextualize the current payment stack in gaming, and break down what it means to be “the merchant of record.” The discussion highlights what major publishers and game studios have done since the iOS and Android distribution shake-up that began with Epic's lawsuit against Apple in 2021. Additionally, we dig into the nuances of why a direct-to-consumer webshop is about more than just increasing profitability. For any studio, investor, or revenue strategist interested in optimizing margins and considering a shift to a direct-to-consumer webshop, this episode is a must-listen.We’d also like to thank Lightspeed Venture Partners for making this episode possible! With its dedicated gaming practice, "Lightspeed Gaming," the firm is investing from over $7B in early- and growth-stage capital — the by far largest fund focused on gaming and interactive technology. 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. Watch the episode: YouTube ChannelFor more episodes and details: Podcast WebsiteFree newsletter: Naavik DigestFollow us: Twitter | LinkedIn | WebsiteSound design by Gavin Mc Cabe.

Host Aaron Bush welcomes Shahar Sorek, CMO of Overwolf, and Nick Tuosto, co-founder of Griffin Gaming Partners and GoodGame Advisors, to discuss the growing – and increasingly interconnected – impact of transmedia and modding on the gaming industry. As beloved entertainment IPs partner with more types of game creators, we examine how these transmedia efforts are reshaping consumer behaviors and evolving the market, especially with the younger UGC-native generation and as UGC creation gets more professionalized. Our guests share insights into how cross-platform support and new technologies, especially AI, are democratizing creation and unlocking new possibilities. They also share best practices for both publishers and brands who want to make UGC an effective strategy. Tune in to discover what lies ahead for the intersection of UGC and transmedia.We’d also like to thank Neon – a merchant of record with customizable webshops optimized for conversion – for making this episode possible! Neon is trusted by some of the biggest names in gaming and can help you sell direct without the typical overhead. To learn more, visit https://www.neonpay.com/?utm_source=naavik 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 - Shahar Sorek: https://www.linkedin.com/in/%F0%9F%90%B0-shahar-sorek-83ab299/ Guest - Nick Tuosto: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ntuosto/ Host - Aaron Bush: https://www.linkedin.com/in/aaron-bush-846b8185/ Watch the episode: YouTube ChannelFor more episodes and details: Podcast WebsiteFree newsletter: Naavik DigestFollow us: Twitter | LinkedIn | WebsiteSound design by Gavin Mc Cabe.Disclosure: GoodGame provides independent financial advice on mergers, acquisitions, financial restructurings and similar corporate finance matters. All investment banking and securities brokerage services are preformed through our partner, Belzberg Capital LLC (“Belzberg”), a member of the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, Inc. (www.finra.org). GoodGame, through Belzberg, performs advisory services in connection with underwritings and does not sell underwritten securities to investors. Neither GoodGame nor Belzberg is a retail broker-dealer, and it does not provide research or analyst reports or solicit or carry accounts for, or offer or sell securities products to, retail customers.

Fortnite has paid out roughly $500 million to creators since UEFN and Creator Economy 2.0 launched in March of 2023. These payouts, which have increased 32.5% YoY (measured from March through September), are showing no signs of slowing down. However, Fortnite Creative engagement as a proportion of total Fortnite engagement has actually declined as Epic has launched more successful modes like 'Reload.' What will it take for Epic's $500 million investment to turn into a thriving UGC ecosystem that creates more value than it costs? Where does the Fortnite economy go from here? Joining host David Taylor today are two top Fortnite creators and influencers, Chad Mustard (aka MustardPlays) and Michael Ha (aka Birdo).MustardPlays has accumulated over 900K followers on Youtube with his Fortnite Creative content, and his company JOGO Studios, which he co-founded with TypicalGamer, is the 4th most popular game on Fortnite at the time of recording. Birdo created a Fortnite-focused TikTok following of over 2M. He then hit it big with Minigame Box PvP, which has been played for 5 billion minutes or 1% of all Fortnite Creative time since the release of UEFN in March 2023.We’d also like to thank Heroic Labs for making this episode possible! Thousands of studios have trusted Heroic Labs to help them focus on their games and not worry about gametech or scaling for success. To learn more and reach out, make sure to visit https://heroiclabs.com/?utm_source=Naavik&utm_medium=CPC&utm_campaign=PodcastIf 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 Niko Vuori and guest Sean Ryan delve into the emerging category of social sweepstakes, a gaming model that barely existed as recently as 2017 but has rapidly evolved into a multi-billion dollar industry. In 2023, social sweeps generated almost $6 billion in revenue, and this number is expected to double to nearly $12 billion by next year, 2025. What are social sweeps? When a gaming product offers users real-world prizes without the element of consideration. Removal of consideration takes place via the existence of an alternate method of entry, such as sending in a postcard, so that users can potentially receive real prizes without making a purchase.Niko and Sean explore the mechanics of social sweeps, the regulatory challenges that come with it, and the role of VGW as a pioneer in the space. The conversation also touches on the target audience, user journey, and the future potential of social sweeps in the broader gaming market. Check out Sean's company, Zoot, on the web.We’d also like to thank TikTok for making this episode possible. In a dynamic gaming market where a majority of games fail within three years, TikTok has become a critical partner in helping games achieve long-term player retention and substantial revenue growth. Learn more: https://bit.ly/LiveOpsProgramNAVPodcast 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.

Sebastian Park, co-founder of Infinite Canvas and venture partner at Bitcraft, discusses the future of game development using new platforms and AI technologies. He shares insights on launching 100 games in four years and the innovative dynamics of AI-driven titles like WordCraft. The conversation explores Discord's unique role in gaming interactions, the rendering of generative AI in live-streaming games, and how early tech adoption sets new industry standards. Park emphasizes community engagement and the importance of adapting to emerging trends in this shifting landscape.