Rise and Play Podcast

In this heartfelt and deeply inspiring episode, Sophie Vo sits down with Subina Kiani, founder of the global recruitment company Eleven Eleven, to unpack the story behind building a people-first business from the ground up — starting from personal rock bottom.Subina shares her journey of rebuilding her life as a single mother, finding meaning in synchronicities like Eleven Eleven, and challenging the transactional nature of traditional recruitment.We cover in this episode:* 🌱 The power of starting from where you are — no grand plan needed* 🧭 Leading with intuition, alignment, and authenticity in a tech-driven world* 💼 Why recruitment is not just about jobs, but about identity, dreams, and human connection* 💡 The myth of work-life balance and how to intentionally design a fulfilling life* 🤖 How AI is shifting leadership and recruitment — and why emotional intelligence is the futureWhether you're navigating a career pivot, launching a purpose-led business, or rethinking leadership in the age of AI, this episode will give you the courage to trust your gut and just start.💡 Leadership Takeaways:* Breakdowns can lead to breakthroughs — especially when aligned with purpose.* Recruitment isn’t about transactions; it’s about transformation.* Emotional intelligence and human connection are rising in value in an AI-heavy future.* Real leadership starts with self-trust and the courage to be visible.* Building a life that aligns with your values is not only possible — it’s necessary.Eleven Eleven is a global recruitment firm trusted by 40+ gaming and tech studios. With over 15 years of experience, Subina is redefining recruitment through intuition, bringing humanity back to hiring. Learn more here: https://eleven-eleven.io/ This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit riseandplay.substack.com

7 factors of success for game studiosDownload the full report, share with your team: DOWNLOAD REPORTGrab your FREE TRIAL with our partner PlaytestCloud: https://start.playtestcloud.com/riseThanks for reading Rise and Play! Subscribe for free to receive new posts and support my work.In this episode, Sophie Vo welcomes Jen MacLean, former Xbox executive and now founder of Dragon Snack Games. Jen shares her personal and professional journey—from leaving a corporate role to founding her own studio—with deep reflections on purpose, family, and alignment. They dive into building a value-driven studio, the importance of intentional team culture, early-stage prototyping, and engaging a player community early in development. Jen discusses Dragon Snack's mission to create collaborative, player-driven experiences for Gen Z and Gen Alpha, while emphasizing the power of belonging and connection through games. A conversation packed with wisdom for founders, leaders, and anyone seeking to build meaningful, human-centered companies.Topics Discussed:* Why Jen left a high-powered job at Xbox to start her own studio.* The personal wake-up call: how family conversations revealed deeper misalignments.* Asking two critical questions: What’s the worst that can happen? and What’s holding you back?* Building Dragon Snack Games with intention: starting with values and principles, not just product ideas.* The importance of co-founder alignment, clear roles, and trust from the beginning.* Why Dragon Snack targets Gen Z/Alpha and focuses on social, collaborative game experiences: "We’re building a neighborhood, not a metaverse."* Early prototyping and the belief in bringing players into the process far earlier than traditional models.* Fundraising challenges and staying true to the company’s vision and community-first approach.* Designing for emotional needs: belonging, validation, and impact through gameplay.* The future of Dragon Snack Games and how listeners can follow or get involved.Resources Mentioned:* Book: The Anxious Generation by Jonathan Haidt (discussed around digital validation and Gen Z behaviors)* Learn more on Dragon Snack Games : dragonsnacksgames.com💫 WOMEN LEADERSHIP CIRCLE: LEADING WITH YOUR INTUITIONI am hosting a free intimate online circle for women leaders who are interested in learning more about ORIN and the magical spaces I create: a space where you don’t have to perform, to feel safe in a group, to ‘be’, and discover who you are beneath the mask when you give yourself permission to. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit riseandplay.substack.com

What are the 7 key differences of successful studios leveraging player insights?Insight #4 Successful studios nailed their player profilesInsight #7 Successful studios playtest their competitor’s games… 💡Download the full insights and share with your game teams: DOWNLOAD REPORTIf you are not doing Player Research yet, you are taking risks every day shooting in the dark. Act now and grab your FREE TRIAL with our partner PlaytestCloud: https://start.playtestcloud.com/riseIn this new episode, host Sophie Vo Vo speaks with Kimber Dall, SVP of People at SciPlay, a global mobile games leader. With a decade of experience scaling the company from 100 to over 1,000 employees across five countries (Israel, Ukraine, US, India…), Kimber shares hard-won wisdom about building culture, navigating global and geo-political crises, and supporting people-first leadership at scale. We cover in this episode:* Evolving a startup into a global company of 1,000+ employees while preserving its heart* The non-negotiable in performance management—and how to scale them* Hiring leaders who live your values, not just talk them* Supporting employees during geo-political conflicts—with empathy and action* Preventing burnout in 24/7 live games with practical tools and transparency* Managing across generations—and why Gen Z requires new leadership muscleWhether you're a founder, people leader, or game industry veteran, this episode will inspire you to rethink how you scale culture, invest in your people, and lead from the heart with clarity and structure.Thanks for listening to Rise and Play! Subscribe for free to receive new posts and support our work. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit riseandplay.substack.com

See why 80% of the top-grossing game studios rely on the Player Insights Platform™ to ensure a game's success (before it's even released).We are proud to announce PlaytestCloud as our key partner in 2025 and offer a FREE TRIAL here: https://start.playtestcloud.com/riseIn this episode, host Sophie Vo Vo and Odile Limpach cover entrepreneurship in the gaming industry. Odile shares her journey from being a managing director at Ubisoft to co-founding SpielFabrique, a video game catalyst company. She discusses how after 16 years in the gaming industry, particularly at Ubisoft where she helped grow the company from 500 to over 10,000 employees, she decided to start her own venture. Odile emphasizes the importance of having financial stability, a strong network, and the right personality to handle uncertainty when starting a business.The discussion delves into SpielFabrique evolution over 10 years, growing to a team of seven people and running several programs including EVA (European Video Games Accelerator) which receives around 100 applications from 15 European countries annually. Odile highlights their expansion into Africa and cross-industry initiatives involving books, cinema, and music in gaming.A significant portion focuses on the challenges faced by indie game developers, particularly the balance between creativity and business acumen. Odile stresses the importance of early business planning and understanding one's purpose in starting a game company.Learn more about SpielFrabique’s programs for indie developers: https://spielfabrique.eu/Thunderfox/Thanks for listening to Rise and Play! Subscribe for free to receive updates and support our work. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit riseandplay.substack.com

See why 80% of the top-grossing game studios rely on the Player Insights Platform™ to ensure a game's success (before it's even released).We are proud to announce PlaytestCloud as our key partner in 2025 and offer a FREE TRIAL here: https://start.playtestcloud.com/riseIn this episode, host Sophie Vo welcomes Brett Nowak, founder and CEO of Liquid and Grit, a leading product research and consultancy firm specializing in mobile gaming. Brett shares his entrepreneurial journey, leadership philosophies, and insights on building a sustainable, independent business. He discusses his motivations for bootstrapping his company, the importance of autonomy, and how he built a unique company culture by questioning traditional business norms.What we cover in this episode:💡Advice for Aspiring Entrepreneurs:* Identify what you want from your business (e.g., financial independence, control, creative freedom).* Choose a business model that aligns with your risk tolerance and long-term goals.* Validate your ideas by selling early and iterating based on feedback.* Avoid traditional constraints—design a business that works for your strengths and lifestyle.💰 Bootstrapping vs. Venture Capital:* Brett prioritized full ownership and control over his company, choosing not to raise external funding.* By keeping initial costs low and maintaining a day job, he was able to test and validate his business before going full-time.📈 The Role of Discipline and Long-Term Vision:* Running a business successfully requires long-term commitment, persistence, and a willingness to push through discomfort.* Brett’s structured approach ensured steady growth without external dependencies.👥 Building a Non-Traditional Work Culture:* Liquid and Grit operates remotely with minimal meetings and a strong emphasis on autonomy and efficiency.* The hiring process is unconventional—focusing on skills-based assessments rather than traditional interviews.* The company structure reduces bureaucracy, allowing employees to focus on delivering high-quality work.💛 Mental Health and Work-Life Integration:* Brett emphasizes the importance of balancing business growth with personal well-being.* Having a psychiatrist for professional and personal guidance has been one of his most impactful decisions.More Resources:* Liquid and Grit* Connect with Brett Novak* Shoe Dog by Phil Knight (Recommended Book on Entrepreneurship) This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit riseandplay.substack.com

See why 80% of the top-grossing game studios rely on the Player Insights Platform™ to ensure a game's success (before it's even released).We are proud to announce PlaytestCloud as our key partner in 2025 and offer a FREE TRIAL here: https://start.playtestcloud.com/riseIn this new episode host Sophie Vo sits down with Sigurlína (Lína) Ingvarsdóttir, a veteran of the gaming industry and founding partner at Behold Ventures. Lína shares her incredible journey from working on AAA franchises like Star Wars Battlefront and FIFA to transitioning into venture capital and founding Behold VC. She discusses the importance of resilience in game development, the evolving investment landscape in gaming, and what she looks for when funding early-stage game studios.This episode covers insights for game developers, entrepreneurs, and anyone who wants to learn more about the intersection of creativity, business, and investment in games.Resilience and Passion Still Matter in Gaming Startups:* Investors are drawn to teams that demonstrate long-term commitment, adaptability, and passion, even when facing challenges like funding difficulties.The Role of Intuition vs. Data in Investments:* While investment decisions often involve commercial potential and market trends, a strong emotional connection to a project can also drive successful funding.The Nordic Region’s Game Development Strength:* The Nordic region continues to be a powerhouse for game innovation, producing both AAA and indie successes. Behold Ventures focuses on early-stage investments in this space.The Journey Transitioning from Game Operator to Investor:* Lina’s transition from game development to venture capital was fueled by her strategic mindset, experience in production, and desire to shape the industry’s future.💡 The Future of Gaming Investments:* Behold Ventures prioritizes multiplayer, social, and community-driven games over single-player experiences. They are cautious with VR and Web3 but remain open to groundbreaking innovations.VCs as Partners, Not Just Funders:* Founders should seek investors who bring more than just capital—mentorship, industry knowledge, and long-term support are key.Resources & Links:* Learn more about Behold Ventures: https://behold.vc/* Connect with Lína Ingvarsdóttir on Linkedin⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Enjoyed the episode? Don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and share with fellow conscious leaders in the gaming industry! Thanks for reading Rise and Play! Subscribe for free to receive new posts and support our work. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit riseandplay.substack.com

See why 80% of the top-grossing game studios rely on the Player Insights Platform™ to ensure a game's success (before it's even released).We are proud to announce PlaytestCloud as our key partner in 2025 and offer a FREE TRIAL here: https://start.playtestcloud.com/riseIn this episode, co-host Nina Kim interviews Alicia Fortier, lead game designer at SpryFox. Alicia discusses the differences between AAA and indie game development, the importance of having mentors, and fostering a supportive work environment. She emphasizes self-belief, overcoming imposter syndrome, and the crucial role of leaders in nurturing team dynamics. Alicia provides valuable advice on maintaining a sustainable career, finding motivation, and how understanding oneself can guide professional growth, whether you are growing to a leadership position or keep growing your leadership skills.02:42 Meet Alicia Fortier: Lead Game Designer03:24 Early Signs and University Days06:57 AAA vs Indie: Team Dynamics10:21 Mentorship and Personal Growth13:35 Advocating for a Healthy Work Environment18:50 Navigating Feedback and Community Support26:34 The Importance of Mentorship and Advocacy42:56 Finding Motivation and Leadership Values47:26 Conclusion and Final ThoughtsThanks for listening to Rise and Play! Subscribe for free to receive new posts and support our work. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit riseandplay.substack.com

We are proud to announce PlaytestCloud as our key partner in 2025 and offer a FREE TRIAL for our listeners here: https://start.playtestcloud.com/riseIn this episode, host Sophie Vo is joined by Bibbi Wikman, Head of Brand and Business at Aurora Punks and Founder of PlayCap, the first angel network for women in the gaming industry. Together, they dive into Bibbi's leadership journey, her motivations for creating PlayCap, and the unique opportunities the network provides to elevate women in the games industry as investors and game changers.What we cover in this episode:* The Journey to PlayCap: Bibbi shares her inspiration behind PlayCap, the challenges of launching a women-centered investment network, and the powerful response it received from industry leaders.* Why PlayCap Matters: Exploring the gaps PlayCap fills in the investment ecosystem, from creating a safe space for women to learn about investments to fostering a power network of experienced professionals.* Playcap Today: Insights into the network's rapid growth, the diversity of its members, and its collaborative approach to investments.* Knowledge Sharing and Collaboration: The importance of PlayCap's active knowledge-sharing sessions and its impact on both new and seasoned investors.* Future of PlayCap: Sneak peeks into the exciting possibilities for expanding Playcap’s influence in the industry.How PlayCap differs from traditional angel syndicates:* Investment is about more than capital; it’s about knowledge, collaboration, and fostering diversity.* PlayCap empowers women to confidently enter the investment space with support and resources tailored to their needs.* The gaming industry benefits from diverse voices in investment and on the cap table, shaping a more inclusive and dynamic future.Join the Movement 🔥: Interested in joining PlayCap or submitting your new venture or studio for investment? Visit PlayCap's website to apply or learn more.See why 80% of the top-grossing game studios rely on the Player Insights Platform™ to ensure a game's success (before it's even released).We are proud to announce PlaytestCloud as our key partner in 2025 and offer a FREE TRIAL here: https://start.playtestcloud.com/riseThanks for listening to Rise and Play! Subscribe for free to receive new posts and support our work. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit riseandplay.substack.com

In this episode, host Sophie Vo Vo engages in a deep and insightful conversation with Allan Cudicio, an Italo Ghanaian game developer, about his journey of founding Twin Drums in 2019 and eventually closing it in 2024, as the studio behind The Wagadu Chronicles. Allan provides an intimate look at the highs and lows of his entrepreneurial venture, discussing the challenges of raising funds as an indie and innovative IP studio, the importance of diverse cultural representation in gaming, and the emotional toll of shutting down his company. We delve into the difficulties and learnings from innovating with a niche and culturally rich IP, and the broader implications for underrepresented founders in the gaming industry. The episode also highlights the essential role of mentors, the inevitability of failure as a part of growth, and the ongoing quest to bridge cultural stories with modern technology.Closing a studio marks the end of a business, but it doesn’t have to signify the end of the movement to bring more cultural representation into games. There is a growing demand among the gaming audience to discover such content and stories. If you’d like to explore this further, get in touch with Allan.01:40 Meet Allan Cudicio: From Berlin to Ghana02:01 The Birth of Twin Drums and Wagadu Chronicles03:42 Challenges and Learnings as an Entrepreneur12:46 The Importance of Representation in Gaming21:44 Building and Scaling a Remote Team24:38 Testing and Early Feedback25:08 Navigating Market Changes and Innovation Challenges27:17 Financial Struggles and Fundraising Hurdles28:32 The Emotional Toll of Shutting Down30:06 Reflecting on the Entrepreneurial Journey34:18 Embracing Failure and Looking Forward39:13 Cultural Heritage and Future Aspirations43:50 Final Thoughts and Advice for EntrepreneursWe are thrilled to be working with PlaytestCloud as our key partner in expanding Rise and Play’s impact in 2025! Greetings from Berlin from Sophie and Dana 👋 🇩🇪Thanks for reading Rise and Play! Subscribe for free to receive new posts and support our work. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit riseandplay.substack.com

We are back in 2025! In this episode, new host Tiffany Keller interviews Emily Yim, the co-founder and CEO of Superbloom, a studio dedicated to developing lifestyle games that empower women and have successfully launched their first home decor game, Venue. Her career spans 15 years across mobile gaming at Dots and Glu, where she helped scale hit games that resonate with millions worldwide. At Superbloom, Emily is driving a new wave of gaming experiences that blend creativity, connection, and inclusivity to redefine entertainment for women.Since coming on the podcast as one of our first guests two years ago, her mission as a first time founder uncovered some surprising revelations about motherhood mixing with executive management. She doles out lessons in leadership on the startup rollercoaster, straight from the startup playbook no one teaches you.Emily divulges her secret to remaining authentic in how she designs games for women, by women. Her studio is majority femme staffed, more than doubling the average for the industry despite not screening for women, just those equipped to best serve the female gaming market.Her go to market strategy approaches from a different angle, bridging the gap between digital and real world designer goods. While Roblox have changed the gaming landscape with their Shopify integration and creator economy, it remains tough for standalone mobile games to venture into white labelling or merchandise big ticket items such as furniture. Leveraging well known brands within your investors' network is fair game however, as she conveys the value of the Chainsmokers' collaboration to her launch of Venue.Download Venue today and put your home decor skills to the test at: https://www.venuegame.co/Get your 2025 guide to hybrid monetization strategy born from new research done by Tiffany with AdInMo in the Hybrid Monetization 2024 Trends Report and with Appsflyer in the 2024 State of App Monetization Report!Thanks for reading Rise and Play! Subscribe for free to receive new posts and support our work.We are thrilled to announce PlaytestCloud as our key partner in expanding Rise and Play’s impact in 2025! Stay tuned for future events and insights ✨ This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit riseandplay.substack.com