PocketGamer.biz Podcast

Good games offer great experiences, and accurate and timely issue resolution is imperative to keeping LTV high and your game in good graces with its users. And it’s not just a must to please your players. App store algorithms have begun to rank games based on performance metrics and can punish games that go on the fritz. But, as all devs know, pinpointing the source is complicated, especially since most resolution tools either lack the data to determine the real cause or the holistic view of the player journey to check if other factors, like low bandwidth during the commute, are the real culprit. Years of frustration trying to figure out the root cause of the problem during his years as a co-founder of Scopely motivated Eric Futoran to build Embrace. The mobile-only monitoring solution effectively removes the guesswork by providing a “play-by-play of each user experience,” so your team can spend less time pointing fingers and more time building a #1 game. Eric joins host Peggy Anne Salz in this week’s episode to explain how Embrace “collects [an app’s] exhaust” and walks us through the key features that empower engineers to find solutions and, more importantly, take their seat at the decision-making table. “My goal at Embrace is to [prevent] you from constantly thinking about crashes and ANRs,” Eric says. “And allow you to get back to building games and making your users happy.”  CHAPTER TIMESTAMPS 00:00 - Intro 03:06 - When you're forced to release a game 07:29 - Eric's lessons from his time at Scopely 10:47 - Give engineering a seat at the table 14:18 - Performance metrics now affect your ranking 17:30 - The need for proactive tools 21:39 - How does Embrace empower engineers? 26:30 - Examples of Embrace's effectiveness 33:07 - Eric's vision powering Embrace 35:48 - Can UA teams use Embrace? 37:29 - Advice to mobile studios + devs 41: 05 - Favourite games Q&A with Eric * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *  ** Let's Connect ** 👉🏻 Twitter - https://twitter.com/pgbiz  👉🏻 LinkedIn Group - https://www.linkedin.com/groups/144491/  👉🏻 Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/PGbiz  👉🏻 Website - https://www.pocketgamer.biz  Check out more world-class speakers sharing their insights and expertise at one of our events. You can find details of our next event here - https://www.pgconnects.com/next-event

If your ASO strategy isn’t motivated by real-time data insights that dive deeper than traditional tools to provide hourly insights into hot keywords and trends, you’re missing a massive opportunity. This is top-of-the-list advice from Mike Rhodes, CEO and Founder of ConsultMyApp, an app marketing agency with awards from Top CRM Consulting Company UK to Most Effective Use of Data 2022. ConsultMyApp believes in democratising ASO knowledge and that quality data “shouldn’t only be available to people [able] to spend thousands of dollars a year.” That’s one of the reasons Mike developed tools like APPlyzer that studios of all sizes can use to up their game and even have some fun exploring new keyword universes. Mike takes centre stage on this week’s show to share how studios can combine acquisition and engagement to increase monthly organic install volumes 10-15x and reveals the four things studios need to start doing now to end Q4 with a bang.  CHAPTER TIMESTAMPS 00:00 - Intro 01:36 - Mike's journey 05:15 - How apps across verticals can all benefit from data 08:59 - What's the next big change in games? 11:07 - A tool to democratise data 14:46 - What APPlyzer tells you that other tools can't 20:32 - Uplift expectations for devs 21:29 - How to end Q4 with a bang 35:18 - Keeping high energy and staying on top 37:39 - Favourite games Q&A with Mike * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *  ** Let's Connect ** 👉🏻 Twitter - https://twitter.com/pgbiz  👉🏻 LinkedIn Group - https://www.linkedin.com/groups/144491/  👉🏻 Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/PGbiz  👉🏻 Website - https://www.pocketgamer.biz  Check out more world-class speakers sharing their insights and expertise at one of our events. You can find details of our next event here - https://www.pgconnects.com/next-event

The PG.biz Podcast team has known that games can be used for more than just entertainment. We’ve discussed charity and climate action use cases, but what about self-care, mental development, and skills improvement? Trail-blazing gaming company Skillprint enhances all three. Skillprint combines neuroscience and AI to create adaptive and personalised games that equip devs and players with actionable insights into player personality and behaviour. Skillprint’s CEO and Co-Founder, Chethan Ramachandran, joins Peggy Anne Salz to discuss how Skillprint transforms the way game developers “find, keep, and monetise their audience” and “gives the power of a massive LiveOps team to every game developer in the world.”  You don’t want to miss out on this episode as Peggy and Chethan delve into the company’s latest report on the cognitive and psychological benefits of gaming and how devs can harness this data to understand their games and dramatically increase engagement and retention.  CHAPTER TIMESTAMPS 00:00 - Intro 01:15 - What is Skillprint? 04:30 - Chethan's personal journey 10:12 - Altering the playing field for devs 13:18 - How are Skillprint customers using the data? 15:51 - Will I become a couch potato? 18:41 - Games Can Be Good For The Mind Report 25:53 - Games as meditation 29:04 - What's next for Skillprint? 34:49 - Favourite games Q&A with Chethan * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *  ** Let's Connect ** 👉🏻 Twitter - https://twitter.com/pgbiz  👉🏻 LinkedIn Group - https://www.linkedin.com/groups/144491/  👉🏻 Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/PGbiz  👉🏻 Website - https://www.pocketgamer.biz  Check out more world-class speakers sharing their insights and expertise at one of our events. You can find details of our next event here - https://www.pgconnects.com/next-event

It’s already known that games can positively impact mental health, but did you know they can positively impact the planet, too? Lisa Pak, Sustainability Consultant and Project Manager at Playing for the Planet, joins host Peggy Anne Salz to describe how, with its superpower reach, the games industry can wield the power of play in the fight against the climate crisis. Lisa brings her passion for sustainability to Playing For The Planet, a global alliance supported by the United Nations Environment Programme that unites and supports game studios and trade bodies in reducing carbon emissions and implementing green activations in games. Through planet-powering programs, campaigns, and the annual Green Game Jam, Playing for the Planet members bring a new meaning to gaming for good — and so can you! CHAPTER TIMESTAMPS 00:00 - Intro 01:44 - What is Playing for the Planet? 05:38 - Lisa's journey to Playing for the Planet 08:45- Green Game Jam 11:45 - Saving the Harlequin toads with games 14:27 - How to get involved in the Green Game Jam 17:31 - Integrating sustainability into game ads 20:27 - How to start being green at your game company 25:02 - Farming with friends 28:45 - Favourite games Q&A with Lisa * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *  ** Let's Connect ** 👉🏻 Twitter - https://twitter.com/pgbiz  👉🏻 LinkedIn Group - https://www.linkedin.com/groups/144491/  👉🏻 Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/PGbiz  👉🏻 Website - https://www.pocketgamer.biz  Check out more world-class speakers sharing their insights and expertise at one of our events. You can find details of our next event here - https://www.pgconnects.com/next-event

Few franchises can stand toe to toe with the IP power of Jurrasic Park. This year marked the 30th anniversary of the renowned first film and the 5th anniversary of Jurrasic World Live, a game with seismic numbers behind it. The geolocation game has racked up 33 million downloads and 2.3 billion play minutes, prevailing through the pandemic and fast-moving game market, proving studios can stand the test of time if they play their cards right. Here with the PG.biz team is Rose Agozzino, marketing wizard and Senior Product Marketing Manager at Jam City, to talk about the partnerships that make the Jurrasic player experience what it is today. Detailing LiveOps strategy and nostalgia-driven digital collectables, Rose reveals the strategy that keeps players coming back and inspires players across generations to dive into the daring world of Jurrasic Park. CHAPTER TIMESTAMPS 00:00 - Intro 02:26 - Celebrating five years of Juarrasic World Live  04:53 - Mutually valuable partnerships 08:02 - This is the era of nostalgia 11:18 - Jurassic's "stickiest" event 13:43 - How to forge valuable partnerships 19:09 - It's all about open communication 23:13 - What's next for Jurassic LiveOps? 25:08 - Favourite game Q&A with Rose * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *  ** Let's Connect ** 👉🏻 Twitter - https://twitter.com/pgbiz  👉🏻 LinkedIn Group - https://www.linkedin.com/groups/144491/  👉🏻 Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/PGbiz  👉🏻 Website - https://www.pocketgamer.biz  Check out more world-class speakers sharing their insights and expertise at one of our events. You can find details of our next event here - https://www.pgconnects.com/next-event

Xsolla, a game commerce platform, offers solutions to increase game margins and retain players. By bypassing app stores, Xsolla allows devs to distribute games directly to players, providing increased control of data, customizable monetization tools, and a headless checkout. Xsolla's CEO discusses the benefits of ditching app stores, the Digital Markets Act, and the revenue potential of web shops. The podcast also touches on Xsolla's recent acquisitions, the importance of community and social shopping in the gaming industry, and suggestions for future show topics.

The best and brightest gaming professionals gathered in Helsinki this September to share their thoughts, tips, and predictions about the latest gaming trends and what teams need to know to make their mark in the marketplace. Listen in as Steel Media CEO Chris James and COO Dave Bradley recap the candid conversations that took place in Finland’s capital city last month. From IP as a brand and revenue tool to the abundant opportunities for expansion in the Middle East to alternative monetisation methods that give smaller studios a spot in the market, our PG.biz team provides the in-depth industry information you need to succeed.  CHAPTER TIMESTAMPS 00:00 - Intro to Helsinki 03:58 - Indie competitions and audience choice champions 06:00 - The defining parts of Helsinki 2023 09:40 - Is mobile gaming struggling? 12:23 - Alternative monetisation and advertising methods 14:05 - Attracting audiences with PC and cross-platform play 17:00 - Wielding IP as a brand and revenue tool 20:14 - Opportunity in the Middle East 24:41 - Updates on Scottish Games Week  26:30 - Upcoming PGC events * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *  ** Let's Connect ** 👉🏻 Twitter - https://twitter.com/pgbiz  👉🏻 LinkedIn Group - https://www.linkedin.com/groups/144491/  👉🏻 Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/PGbiz  👉🏻 Website - https://www.pocketgamer.biz 

Angus Lovitt, CEO of Ramp, and Hong Nguyen, CFO of SpaceApe Games, discuss the benefits of automated forecasting in making data-driven decisions. They highlight how accurate forecasting helped SpaceApe Games increase investments and achieve success on the App Store. The podcast also explores the future of forecasting and the importance of regularly updating data. The hosts express gratitude and wrap up the show with contact information.

Good forecasting is necessary to predict performance or make tough decisions about your game. But it's not just about the numbers. Winning demands a single source of truth, insights into real-time data and a departure from the timework tools and approaches that have allowed team members to pass the blame, not the benchmarks. Fortunately, this week's guests are uprooting traditional forecasting practices for a more democratized, innovative and granular cohorts-based approach. "Fundamentally, [forecasting] is a process of alignment," says Angus Lovitt, Co-Founder of Ramp, a startup that integrates data across departments to provide studios with unified and accurate forecasts. In this first episode of a special two-part series, Angus and Hong Nguyen, CFO at SpaceApe Games, teach the entire team —from devs to marketers to finance —how to make better decisions informed by data. CHAPTER TIMESTAMPS 00:00 - Intro 02:03 - Where is everyone going wrong with forecasting? 04:38 - Why is forecasting innovation important now in the gaming industry?  09:01 - Bad forecasting is more than a bad formula 13:40 - How Angus disrupted the gaming industry for three years 16:52 - How does RAMP reenvision forecasting? 21:40 - The benefit of a single source of truth 25:46 - What does automation bring to forecasting? * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *  ** Let's Connect ** 👉🏻 Twitter - https://twitter.com/pgbiz  👉🏻 LinkedIn Group - https://www.linkedin.com/groups/144491/  👉🏻 Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/PGbiz  👉🏻 Website - https://www.pocketgamer.biz  Check out more world-class speakers sharing their insights and expertise at one of our events. You can find details of our next event here - https://www.pgconnects.com/next-event

Though there’s no algebraic algorithm that churns out games with guaranteed success, there are consistencies between top-ranking mobile games. The Gaming Spotlight Review 2023 from data.ai spotlights these similarities and delves into the data behind the success stories. Lexi Sydow, Director of Corporate Marketing & Insights at data.ai, joins our hosts again this week to highlight the heavy hitters in mobile gaming and simplify the strategies that shot them to the top. Alongside Peggy Anne Salz and Brian Baglow, she breaks down data.ai’s composite metric, the mobile performance score (MPS), and describes the “new gamer” that defies demographic stereotypes and will redefine the mobile industry. CHAPTER TIMESTAMPS 00:00 - Peggy's garden intro 01:24 - Four components of the mobile performance score 05:38 - Making waves with Monopoly GO 09:37 - FIFA Soccer fights its way to the top 13:12 - Royal Match ranks highly  16:16 - What do successful games have in common? 20:38 - Who is the "new gamer" to watch out for? 25:36 - Q&A with Lexi Gaming Spotlight Review 2023 - https://www.data.ai/en/go/gaming-report-idc-2023/ * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *  ** Let's Connect ** 👉🏻 Twitter - https://twitter.com/pgbiz  👉🏻 LinkedIn Group - https://www.linkedin.com/groups/144491/  👉🏻 Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/PGbiz  👉🏻 Website - https://www.pocketgamer.biz  Check out more world-class speakers sharing their insights and expertise at one of our events. You can find details of our next event here - https://www.pgconnects.com/next-event