Rise and Play Podcast

What would happen if someone leaked their company's full compensation information to the entire company? That's how you can evaluate your readiness to move your company toward an open salaries policy, or not. In the future of work, where more and more employees will prioritize transparency and equality, open salaries are poised to become a standard for Gen Z in Western cultures. If you want to remain competitive in the long term and hiring talents, you may want to consider embracing open salaries.In this episode, Matt Schembari, CEO at Lightforge Games, shares the research on open salaries and the current state of the open salary movement and provides concrete benefits and challenges from Lightforge's experience practicing open salaries over the past three years. You can find additional resources from Matt's GDC 2023 talk here.As a recognition for their effort in pioneering a better culture for the game industry, Lightforge Games received the 2024 Game Changers Awards by Lightspeed and Gamesbeat.Topics covered: Why open salaries make sense in specific contexts and how to determine if it applies to your situation. Steps to initiate open salary practices if you haven't already. Establishing a company with open salaries from the ground up. Exploring the pros and cons of open salaries, including potential pitfalls. Embracing a coaching culture for leaders and employees.💌 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

Vivek Ramachandran, early-stage investor at Matrix Partners, discusses the potential of the Indian gaming market, growth of the media and entertainment sector, rise of mobile gaming, challenges and opportunities in game development in India, talent ecosystem, importance of quality and cultural context in game design, and valuable insights for game developers and investors.

🇮🇳 SPECIAL INDIA SERIES 🇮🇳In this episode, we follow the journey of Ram Reddy, CEO and co-founder at QuriousBit, and former product leader at Play Simple, which was acquired by MTG in 2021 for $510M.QuriousBit was founded end of 2022 and raised its funding of $2 million from gaming-focused venture capital firm Lumikai and early-stage investor General Catalyst. The studio is taking a fresh and innovative approach, both in game design and distribution, to achieve category-leading success in the highly competitive global casual gaming market, given current market conditions. Think of it as a mix of Tetris and Sudoku, with a lot of unique puzzle elements.But the main reason why we're excited to talk to QuriousBit is the approach of how they built the company, focusing on the culture first. Like Netflix or Valve, they started with a culture handbook of 75 pages, that we will share in this episode!QuriousBit marks the rise of a new generation of Indian gaming studios that want to leave a sustainable trace with their company, and we're excited to be part of it!Read more at:https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/tech/funding/gaming-startup-quriousbit-raises-2-million-in-funding-from-lumikai-general-catalyst/articleshow/103993791💌 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

Roby John, CEO of SuperGaming and former co-founder of June Gaming, talks about the rise of India's gaming industry and the unique player-centric and cultural approach SuperGaming has taken. Topics include the development of cross-platform games, the integration of Indian culture in their game Indus, the importance of data and community building, the growth of mobile gaming in India, and the significance of representation in their games.

Explore the potential of providing AI tutors for every child in the world. Learn about Supernova AI's fascinating journey to redefine passive learning by offering engaging live quizzes and innovative lessons. Discover their bootstrapping journey and future aspirations, including high course completion rates and generating millions of dollars in revenue.

🇮🇳 SPECIAL INDIA SERIES 🇮🇳In this episode, we sit down with Ojas Vipat, the CEO and co-founder of Mayhem Studio ($20 million raised in a Series A round led by Sequoia Capital), to uncover the untapped potential and lack of awareness surrounding the Indian gaming scene. Ojas shares his journey and what led him to break away from the norm and start his studio. We discuss the development of the gaming market in India, the shift towards more popular genres, and the rise of esports.But what makes Mayhem Studio stand out? Ojas reveals their mission to build for India, showcasing the rich stories and heritage of the country through immersive gaming experiences. Their latest creation, "Underworld Gang Wars," is a mobile shooter game set in a meticulously crafted map called Dhantara, which pays homage to various locations in India. With over 6 million pre-registered players and positive feedback from closed alpha testing, the game is set to take the gaming world by storm.More about the game here: https://underworldgangwars.com/Topics discussed:- Development of the gaming market in India- Rise of esports in India- Mayhem Studio's aim to build India as a gaming powerhouse- Emerging community of esports in India and specific trends- Popularity of mobile gaming in India- India's competitive nature and the popularity of other sports- Mayhem Studio's journey and formation- Mayhem Studio's goal of showcasing Indian culture through gaming- Challenges and opportunities in the Indian gaming industry- Mayhem Studio's focus on creating a unique gaming experience- Talent shortage in the gaming industry in India and opportunity for global experts to help💌 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

🇮🇳 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