Naavik Gaming Podcast

In this episode, host Niko Vuori and guest Danny Moy, Chief Strategy Officer at SciPlay, delve into the highly competitive category of social casino. They discuss the evolution of SciPlay, the demographics of social casino players, and the integration of casino mechanics into mainstream games. The conversation also touches on the importance of live operations, the role of AI in game design, and the cross-pollination between real money gaming and social casino. With insights from Danny's extensive experience in the gaming industry, this episode provides a comprehensive overview of the current landscape and future trends in social casino gaming. The discussion also covers the challenges of user acquisition in a post-IDFA landscape, highlighting the importance of community engagement through live ops and partnerships.Check out SciPlay on the web. You can find Danny Moy on LinkedIn. 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.

What is culture, and why does it matter? Seth Sivak, the founder and ex-CEO of Proletariat, a studio most known for its title Spellbreak, joins our host, Alexandra Takei, Director at Ruckus Games, to discuss the importance of organizational culture in the gaming industry. Proletariat was founded in 2012 by Seth and four other co-founders and went through various era of growth: scaling up to 80 people in person, 130 people remote during the pandemic, everyone brought back in person again, and then a sale to Blizzard Entertainment in the summer of 2022 with subsequent culture merging afterward. We discuss the definition of culture, who is responsible for setting it, who is responsible for maintaining it, as well as tactics to create a shared vision and shared set of norms, habits, and standards. If you are curious about what supercharges a successful game and business, this is a conversation that illuminates the balance between transparency and employee focus, how to build an effective communication decorum that scales, and why spending time on your company culture does not detract from building your product and business, but if done right, enhances and augments success.   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.

Christopher Molozian, CEO of Heroic Labs and a veteran in game tech, shares insights on the pivotal role of metagames in player retention and monetization. He discusses how innovative features like event leaderboards can enhance engagement and the seamless integration of technology across platforms. The conversation touches on the importance of social interactions and competitive mechanics, as well as the challenges of developing personalized gaming experiences. Molozian also explores the potential of user-generated content in fostering long-term player involvement.

In this enlightening discussion, Tabish Ahmed (Founder of Playroom), Vishnu Hari, and Peggy Wang (Co-founders of Ego) explore the revolutionary impact of AI in gaming. They dive into how AI can enhance user-generated content while discussing the challenges of game development after leaving major tech companies. The trio also analyzes platforms like Discord and Meta's Horizon Worlds, touching on fundraising hurdles and the innovative concepts like AI-driven characters. The conversation culminates in reflections on community engagement and the philosophical aspects of AI.

Kate Kellogg, the COO of EA Studios, shares insights from her diverse background at Irrational and 2K. She discusses how EA is adapting to industry shifts, emphasizing strategic pillars like Play, Watch, Create, and Connect. The conversation dives into the successful launch of EA Sports College Football and highlights the company's innovative use of AI in game development. Kellogg also advocates for inclusivity and female leadership in gaming, showing how these elements shape EA's future success.

Discover the surprising rise of gaming on Telegram as a viable distribution platform. Explore the explosive success of titles like Hamster Kombat and Goat Gaming, which have captivated millions in weeks. Learn about the unique user engagement and retention strategies that are driving this trend, especially in emerging markets. Delve into the challenges of game discovery and the integration of Web3 elements. This discussion sheds light on Telegram's potential to inspire innovation and offer new opportunities for indie developers.

Jiten Dajee, a General Partner at Rendered VC, dives into the technical roots of the challenges facing the gaming industry. He discusses how outdated game tech hampers development and the disconnect between teams and executives. Jiten highlights the shift to microservices in major gaming platforms and the role of AI in enhancing game infrastructure. He also explores the broader application of 3D graphics technology in various industries, showcasing gaming's influence beyond its own walls.

Rohit Gupta, Founder and CEO of Dream Games Studios, discusses the booming world of fantasy sports and cricket gaming. He shares insights on Dream11's expansion and the unique challenges of creating an authentic cricket video game. The conversation highlights the evolution of cricket in mobile gaming, the complexities of player licensing, and the potential for Dream Cricket in global markets. Rohit emphasizes the importance of real-time user feedback and innovative approaches to keep fans engaged, setting the stage for the future of sports video gaming.

Over the last few years, brands have increasingly gravitated to platforms like Roblox as a way to reach younger audiences. In 2023 alone, we saw 240 brand activations on Roblox, which doubled from the year prior. In terms of revenue, this contributed to over $80 million in brand spend, which equates to roughly 10% of Roblox's developer earnings for 2023.From the brand perspective, results can vary greatly depending on the execution. As advertisers, the cost per play session in a branded experience can range from as much as $1 to a fraction of a cent. Critical decisions include whether a brand should build its own experience versus integrate into an already popular one, and it's important to understand how well the brand resonates with Roblox's audience as well as any specific genre. With such uncertainty around outcomes, much of the spend so far has come from innovation budgets rather than traditional marketing allocations.To explore these trends further and discuss what needs to happen for advertising to further scale on Roblox, our host, David Taylor, sat down with three veterans of the Roblox advertising space, each with their own unique approaches: Matt Edelman, President of Super League Gaming, Harry Bienenstock, Head of Growth at Voldex, and Evan Zirschky, CEO of Turning Tables. 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=naavikIf 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 engaging discussion, guests Ben Feder, former CEO of Take-Two, and Ken Wee, ex-Chief Strategy Officer at Activision Blizzard King, dissect the evolving gaming landscape. They tackle the impacts of layoffs and lofty budgets across studios, as well as how Microsoft, Sony, Valve, and Roblox are adapting to new challenges. The duo delves into content discovery, the transformative role of AI in game creation, and shifting gaming trends. Expect insights into whether a singular platform will emerge victorious or if a diverse ecosystem will flourish.