Deconstructor of Fun

It’s Halloween and conference season, so we’re diving into all the latest insights without of course missing a basketball update. In today’s episode, we got Call of Duty’s continued dominance, Battlefield’s woes, Apple’s App Store for gaming, China’s rise in 4x games, and Barbie’s design mismatch. Dive in for all things gaming, snark included! Hosts: Jen Donahoe, Eric Kress, Phillip Black and Mishka Katkoff Keywords: gaming news, game industry, conferences, shooter games, Netflix gaming, Apple gaming store, gaming industry, Switch 2, Roblox, web stores, child safety, investments, Bungie, Sony, studio closures, Tencent, shooter games, Forex games, mobile gaming, Barbie game, Call of Duty, Battlefield, gaming trends Chapters: 01:39 Halloween and Conference Season 03:56 Basketball Update and Conference Insights 10:36 Shooter Panel + Market Trends 16:46 Netflix's AAA Game Shutdown and Apple App Store Rumors 22:15 Nintendo Switch 2 Rumors 26:34 Roblox's Child Safety Measures 31:29 Investments, Divestments, and M&A 38:50 The Struggles of IP-Driven Games 41:40 The MOBA Market in the West 45:30 Bungie Under PlayStation: Not Good 47:14 Sony Shuts Down Firewalk Studios 52:21 Chinese Developers and 4x Games 56:24 Barbie Game's Creative Mismatch 01:05:19 Call of Duty Continues Crushing It 01:10:21 Battlefield's Downfall

Davan Brannan, a senior consultant at Nuzu specializing in data analysis, joins Chris Sides, a games industry veteran from EA and Bungie. They tackle the decline in player engagement in the shooter genre and the challenges newcomers face in a crowded market. Insights into the impact of COVID-19 on game popularity and innovative strategies for player retention take center stage. The duo also explores the future of extraction shooters, emphasizing the need for live content and unique gameplay to captivate players in this competitive landscape.

The podcast explores significant shifts in the gaming landscape, including Netflix's closure of its AAA studio and TikTok's growing impact on mobile gaming. There’s a lively debate about the struggles of AA games amid rising production costs. Attention also turns to the booming influencer marketing scene in gaming and the impressive $184 billion valuation of the industry. Insights into hybrid casual gaming and emerging titles showcase the changing dynamics, while humorous commentary keeps the conversation engaging throughout.

Peter Levin, co-founder and managing director at Griffin Gaming Partners, shares insights from his 55 visits to Finland's vibrant gaming scene. He discusses the cultural adaptability of gaming, highlighting successes like Supercell and Angry Birds. The conversation dives into transmedia trends, where he explores how companies like Netflix are shaking up the gaming landscape. Levin also analyzes strategic partnerships, investment strategies, and the exciting dynamics of emerging markets, painting a picture of the industry's innovative future.

In this episode of TWIG (This Week in Games), the team dives into recent gaming industry news, starting with Google’s Play and Xbox announcements, followed by the Game Freak data breach and Xbox developments. 'They discuss Supercell’s mysterious Project Rise, the rumored Destiny Rising mobile game, and blockchain gaming with Off the Grid. The episode also highlights Azra Games’ Project Legends, speculates on Scopely’s next mega-deal, and wraps up with Supercell’s marketing shakeup. 00:00 Intro01:55 Quick Hits05:28 Google Play and Xbox Announcements07:43 Game Freak Data Breach and Xbox News13:16 Supercell's Project Rise14:17 Destiny Rising Mobile Game20:54 Off the Grid: Blockchain Gaming29:54 Web3 Game Development Challenges30:37 Marketing and Investor Influence31:23 Player Reception and Crypto Integration36:16 Azra Games and Project Legends45:06 Scopely's Mega Deal Speculations56:40 Supercell's Marketing Shakeup

Javier Ferreira, Co-CEO of Scopely, shares insights on mobile gaming's evolution, boasting over $3 billion in revenue from Monopoly Go. He discusses key strategies for successful game development, emphasizing the importance of audience understanding and resilience. The impact of Scopely's $4.9 billion acquisition by Savvy is explored, alongside the essentials of collaboration and leadership in gaming. Ferreira also highlights the growing significance of community and user-generated content in shaping the future of gaming, marking a shift toward games as a service.

The discussion kicks off with Ubisoft's latest internal drama, revealing intriguing industry tensions. They dissect the messy launch of Squadbusters, questioning the role of toxic positivity in game development. The hosts delve into the Epic versus Google legal battle, revealing its implications for market dynamics. Controversies surrounding Roblox are also highlighted, emphasizing challenges in content moderation. Join for a lively and insightful dive into these pressing gaming topics!

Brian Ward, CEO of Savvy Games Group, and Gerard Miles, Co-CEO of Mission One, explore Saudi Arabia's ambitious plan to become a global gaming hub by 2030. They discuss the transformative changes in the workforce, including rising female participation in esports. The conversation dives into investment strategies, cultural nuances in business, and the importance of building a self-sustaining ecosystem. With insights on collaboration and local entrepreneurship, they paint a picture of a vibrant, evolving gaming landscape bursting with opportunities.

Discover the implications of California's new digital ownership law and the declining significance of the Tokyo Game Show. Ubisoft faces major delays and management challenges, while Behavior Interactive expands through strategic acquisitions. Steam continues to dominate the gaming market, breaking user records. Explore the potential of Meta's new AR glasses and the immense success of Genshin Impact, highlighting trends in high-budget mobile games. Plus, get insights from recent travels and discuss the competitive landscape for indie titles and niche games.

Jen Donahoe chats with Pedro Bravo, Lead PM for Monopoly Go at Scopely; Vlada Kumova, Game Producer at GameFam; and Lara Burić, Game Designer at Hutch. They share insights on the hurdles of entering the game industry, including hiring challenges and mentorship gaps. The conversation highlights the need for supportive environments to combat crunch culture and improve work-life balance. They also discuss how emerging talent is reshaping the future of gaming and the importance of fostering creative, inclusive workplaces.