🇮🇳 SPECIAL INDIA SERIES 🇮🇳In this episode, we are joined by Oliver Jones, CEO and co-founder of Bombay Play, one of the leading gaming studios in Bengaluru, India. Oliver shares his journey in the gaming industry before founding Bombay Play, from working at Zynga and Glu to founding his first company Moonfrog Labs (acquired for USD 90 million by Stillfront in 2021).Oliver talks about the booming gaming ecosystem in India and how companies like Zynga and EA established their studios in the country to leverage local talent. He shares how Moonfrog Labs, his first startup, focused on creating content for the Indian market and eventually gained traction leading to the acquisition by Stillfront.We dive into the challenges and successes of building a gaming company in India, including the importance of bootstrapping, building a strong team, and focusing on a specific genre. Oliver shares insights on their strategy of creating card games with a social casino twist, targeting a gap in the market. Oliver emphasizes the importance of quick iterations, adapting to the market, and taking bold bets in game development.Check Bombay Play's latest title ⁠Block Heads⁠ (a Duel Puzzle Game) in Soft Launch.Topics Discussed:- The gaming ecosystem in India- Building Moonfrog Labs and Bombay Play- Bootstrapping and generating revenue- Focusing on specific genres- Cultural differences and working culture in India- Creating a purpose-driven culture- Quick iterations and adapting to the market- The future of the Indian gaming market💌 Don't forget to subscribe to Rise and Play for further news: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.riseandplay.io/blog⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ If you enjoyed today's episode make sure to rate it on Spotify, leave a review on Apple Podcasts, or simply share it with a friend. 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

CEO of Talofa Games, Jenny Xu, discusses her journey in the gaming industry and the creation of their unique fitness RPG game, Run Legends. They dive into the details of Run Legends, aiming to surpass existing fitness gaming options. Learn more about the fitness habits and preferences of Gen Z, and what it takes to create a game experience for GenZ.

In this captivating episode, we dive into the revolutionary game publishing model of Kepler Interactive. Join our conversation with Catherine Chew, Senior Director of Investments and Business at Kepler, to uncover the secrets behind their unique co-ownership model. In 2021, Kepler has raised $120 million from NetEase in a financing round as part of its launch.At Kepler, studio founders become co-owners with a say in the decision-making process of the collective and are able to utilize the benefits that a model like this can provide. Marketing, operations, finance, publishing, technology and even team expertise: the combination of resources enables each studio to achieve their goals, all while maintaining creative freedom. Among the founding studios at Kepler: A44, Alpha Channel, Awaceb, Ebb Software, Shapefarm, Sloclap and Timberline. The company's executive team is led by the founders of independent video game fund Kowloon Nights. A co-ownership model sounds great on paper, but how does it work in practice? Join us for an insightful conversation that will change the way you think about game development and publishing!Topics Discussed:- Kepler Interactive's co-ownership model and its impact on game publishing- Cat's journey from consulting to joining Kepler Interactive- The origins of the disruptive publishing model created by the founders of Kepler- How Kepler strives for alignment and collaboration among studios- The criteria Kepler looks for when considering new studios to join the collective- The power of collaboration and synergy among studios within Kepler- Kepler's commitment to sustainable growth and organic expansion- The trade-off between rapid scaling and long-term sustainability in the gaming industry- Kepler's vision for the future and their commitment to unique gaming experiences💌 Don't forget to subscribe to Rise and Play for further news: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.riseandplay.io/blog⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ If you enjoyed today's episode make sure to rate it on Spotify, leave a review on Apple Podcasts, or simply share it with a friend. 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 of the podcast, we interview Antti Hattara, CEO and Co-Founder at Starberry Games. We discuss Antti's journey in the mobile gaming industry, from the Digital Chocolate Alumni days to working on popular games like Jelly Splash (Wooga) to starting his own company in 2017. Antti shares his experiences bootstrapping, pivoting the company, securing funding, and navigating the challenges of the industry. We also talk about the growing gaming ecosystem in Berlin.Starberry is known for its successful title Merge Mayor, released in 2019. We delve into market topics like platforms, merge games, social features, and the importance of making tough decisions as a founder. Antti emphasizes the value of persistence and adaptability in a volatile market. Topics Discussed:- Antti's journey in the mobile gaming industry- Working on Jelly Splash and other games- Antti's decision to start his own company- Pivoting and securing funding- Challenges in the gaming industry- Merge games and social engagement- Making tough decisions as a founder: how to do the hard things the right way?- Why Berlin is the place to be to open a new studio?💌 Don't forget to subscribe to Rise and Play for further news: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.riseandplay.io/blog⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ If you enjoyed today's episode make sure to rate it on Spotify, leave a review on Apple Podcasts, or simply share it with a friend. 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, we invite Niek Tuerlings a seasoned F2P mobile game designer and writer for naavik.co, who previously worked at Spil Games, Wooga, Voodoo, and now at Moonlit Games, a mobile studio based in Berlin. You can read the latest piece from Niek here: https://naavik.co/deep-dives/evolution-of-hybridcasual-deepdive/We cover Niek's journey in games and the importance of broadening those 7 extra skills as a designer if you want to grow in the industry:1. Game design core skills: UX/features/core gameplay/system design2. Player understanding and empathy3. Prototyping 4. Writing and communication skills5. Product management, understanding the business of games6. Narrative / Storytelling7. Leadership Niek and I built the first casual studio at Voodoo and launched Plantopia in 2020, as the first internal casual game published at Voodoo. We talk about how we approached game development developing casual games with hypercasual speed. We delve into player retention, monetization, and the value of smaller team sizes in F2P games. Topics discussed:- Building casual games in a hyper-casual way- Career journey as a designer in the gaming industry- Experiences at Wooga and the development of Plantopia- F2P business model and player retention- Writing endeavors and gaining market knowledge- New venture at Moonlit Games and the influence of blockchain technology. Current game: Rogue Nation (⁠Android⁠/⁠iOS⁠) by ⁠moonlitgames.io⁠If you want to get in touch with Niek:Blog: ludocious.com💌 Don't forget to subscribe to Rise and Play for further news: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.riseandplay.io/blog⁠⁠⁠⁠⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ If you enjoyed today's episode make sure to rate it on Spotify, leave a review on Apple Podcasts, or simply share it with a friend. 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, we are joined by Oscar Carbonell, currently serving as the Chief of Staff at Rossum, trained Coach and former Product Leader in games. We delve into the world of coaching and people leadership in the gaming industry, shedding light on the essential role it plays in fostering effective leadership and organizational development.The discussion expands to reflect on the games industry's potential to learn from more mature industries and the power of coaching in supporting CEOs and engaging teams effectively. Sophie and Oscar examine the 3 key leaders' fears and their impact on leadership, as well as the concept of self-responsibility and its correlation with business outcomes. The importance of understanding oneself and resolving personal conflicts is emphasized as a prerequisite for impactful leadership. We also demystify the distinctions between coaching, mentoring, and consulting, with coaching being defined as a process that encourages individuals to find their own answers and lead authentically.Topics Discussed:- Coaching and people leadership in the gaming industry- The role of a Chief of Staff in game companies- The importance of self-awareness in leadership- 3 most common fears and their impact on leadership style- Coaching as a tool for personal growth and self-discovery- The distinction between coaching, mentoring, and consulting- The prerequisites for coaching and the commitment it requires- The transformative power of coaching in personal and professional life💌 Don't forget to subscribe to Rise and Play for further news: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.riseandplay.io/blog⁠⁠⁠⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ If you enjoyed today's episode make sure to rate it on Spotify, leave a review on Apple Podcasts, or simply share it with a friend. 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 interview Taehoon Kim, the co-founder and CEO of nWay, the successful multiplayer fighting games company behind Chrono Blades and Power Rangers: Legacy Wars, acquired by Animoca Brands in 2020. TK shares his journey into the gaming industry as a serial entrepreneur, including his experience at Samsung, Real Time Worlds, and founding Nurian Software which was later acquired by Netmarble. TK shares the journey of nWay, a gaming company focused on delivering the best fighting multiplayer games with various IPs across multiple platforms. We delve into the 10-year evolution of the company, from initially creating games for Facebook, then expanding to mobile, console, and PC, all the way to collaborating with renowned IPs like Power Rangers and WWE. For the funny anecdote, find out how Street Fighter characters made it into the Power Rangers universe! Disclaimer: The fans were very upset at first! Luckily it has been deescalated with humour!Key points:- Key business insights on the challenges and rewards of building and selling companies such as Nway and Nurian Software.- Discussion on the significance of teamwork, passion, and pioneering new game experiences.- TK's take on the importance of an idea-driven company culture and avoiding the hiring of people with big egos.- Exploration of the ideal team size for innovative game development and the critical evaluation of culture fit during hiring process.- Insights into the funding and success milestones of Nway's popular games like Power Rangers and WWE.- Discussion about strategic partnerships with IP holders resulting from Nway's success.💌 Don't forget to subscribe to Rise and Play for further news: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.riseandplay.io/blog⁠⁠⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ If you enjoyed today's episode make sure to rate it on Spotify, leave a review on Apple Podcasts, or simply share it with a friend. 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, Sophie Vo is joined by Anton Gorodetsky, the Head of Industry Relations at MyGames. Anton discusses the shift to hybrid work and MyGames' transition to fully distributed teams. They talk about the benefits of remote work, such as finding talent globally and working with international teams.They also dive into the challenges and considerations of establishing offices and hubs in different locations, including legal and tax implications. Anton emphasizes the importance of analyzing market development and talent concentration when choosing office locations.Sophie and Anton discuss the success of MyGames' game Rush Royale (over $230M lifetime revenues) and how it was made fully remote with a small, talented team. They emphasize the need for trust and collaboration among team members.The conversation concludes with a discussion on the impact of different cultures on remote work and the importance of cultural awareness and education. Topics discussed:- Shift to hybrid work and fully distributed teams- Benefits of remote work- Establishing offices and hubs in different locations- Legal and tax implications- Success of Rush Royale (over 230MM lifetime revenues)- Trust and collaboration in remote teams- Impact of different cultures on remote work💌 Don't forget to subscribe to Rise and Play for further news: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.riseandplay.io/blog⁠⁠⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ If you enjoyed today's episode make sure to rate it on Spotify, leave a review on Apple Podcasts, or simply share it with a friend. 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 latest episode, we welcome Kalle Kaivola, co-founder of Lightheart Entertainment, known for their hit game Mr. Auto Fire (over 16 million downloads). Together, we discuss the company culture and the challenges of building a holacratic culture, inspired by the Teal organization described in the book "Reinventing Organisations" by Frederic Laloux.Holacracy is a system of self-management where leadership roles are not subject to a traditional hierarchy of command. Instead of having a static job description, individuals in a holacracy assume multiple roles, each associated with a purpose, domain, and accountabilities. It distributes authority and decision-making through a holarchy of self-organizing teams rather than being vested in a management hierarchy.While it looks great on paper, how does that work in practice? This approach impacts all the layers of what makes a company culture and strategy: Who joins the company? Who makes the decisions and on what? How decisions are being made (not by the CEO or leaders). Which games are greenlighted?Four years since its founding, the team has been growing with this core holacratic culture and delivering proven success with Mr. Autofire. Maybe there are aspects that you can take away from a holacratic culture for your own company. How ready are you to let go of control?🎥 Watch it on YouTube here: https://youtu.be/O4NOnciptDg💌 Don't forget to subscribe to Rise and Play for further news: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.riseandplay.io/blog⁠⁠⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ If you enjoyed today's episode make sure to rate it on Spotify, leave a review on Apple Podcasts, or simply share it with a friend. 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, Sophie Vo, founder of Rise And Play, and Miska Katkoff, former CEO and co-founder of Savage Games, and founder of Deconstructor Of Fun reflect on their key lessons in starting a new company.We dive into the importance of self-esteem and self-awareness when throwing yourself out there to build your new business and being 100% behind it. We also cover strategies for dealing with negative feedback and the importance of self-reflection and self-evaluation. The conversation shifts to the common pitfalls of leadership, specifically misalignment within teams. Sophie emphasizes the need for alignment in vision, values, and purpose within a company and highlights the challenges that can arise when co-founders have different motivations. At the end, we offer avenues on how to achieve deep alignment in your team, through group mediation and sometimes therapy at an individual level.🎥 Watch it on YouTube here: https://youtu.be/gREnrlUoG5I💌 Don't forget to subscribe to Rise and Play for further news: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.riseandplay.io/blog⁠⁠⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ If you enjoyed today's episode make sure to rate it on Spotify, leave a review on Apple Podcasts, or simply share it with a friend.Have a great week, don't forget to take care of yourself 💜 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