Game Theory

Strauss Zelnick, the dynamic Chairman and CEO of Take-Two Interactive, shares insights from his influential career in media and entertainment. He discusses the evolution of gaming revenue models, moving from traditional sales to innovative digital strategies, including DLCs and in-game monetization. Zelnick emphasizes the power of mentorship and serving others, shaping company culture and personal growth. The conversation also touches on balancing franchise success with new innovations, showcasing Take-Two's transformative journey in the gaming industry.

John Hanke, Founder and CEO of Niantic Spatial and creator of Pokémon GO, shares insights on the transformative power of outdoor gaming. He discusses how augmented reality helps reconnect people with nature, stirring community engagement. The conversation dives into the future of gaming with wearable tech and AI, exploring its impacts on user experiences. Hanke also highlights the importance of accurate geospatial models for integrating technology into our daily lives and emphasizes the need for a positive, optimistic approach to future innovations.

Matt Bromberg, President and CEO of Unity, shares his insights into the transformative role of gaming engines in democratizing game development. He discusses Unity’s unique culture, which fosters both creativity and innovation. The conversation touches on the integration of generative AI into game design and the challenges developers face. Bromberg also reflects on why he embraced the CEO position amidst Unity's struggles, emphasizing the joy of tackling impactful challenges and the importance of collaboration and communication in the gaming industry.

Walter Driver, Co-Founder and Co-CEO of Scopely, dives into the art of engaging players in the gaming industry. He compares crafting games to an ongoing learning experience, emphasizing the importance of creativity alongside analytics. The discussion touches on their acquisition of Niantic, the balance of success and failure in game development, and how storytelling enhances player interactions. Walter also highlights the positive workplace culture at Scopely and the significance of community connections in fostering meaningful gaming experiences.

Most gamers used to identify first and foremost with the console they played on—i.e., “I’m a PC gamer,” or “I only play on Xbox.” But increasingly, the rise of cross-platform gaming puts the player—not their device of choice—at the center of the experience. Allowing gaming experiences to enchant their players at any time, and anywhere. In this episode, co-hosts Moritz Baier-Lentz and Hemal Thaker talk with Sarah Bond, the President of Xbox at Microsoft, arguably the world’s largest gaming platform with over 500 million monthly active players. Sarah speaks about the importance of play as being key for taking risks and learning, and for developing one’s sense of self and resilience. The three also explore what Sarah calls the “power of anywhere”, how AI can enhance the player experience, and how Microsoft’s fabled history as a top company for its 50-year history will inform its future endeavors.

David Baszucki, the Co-Founder and CEO of Roblox, dives into the incredible evolution of the platform, highlighting its transformation into a hub for user-generated content with 90 million daily users. He shares insights on how the platform's roots in an educational tool led to innovative gaming experiences. The discussion also touches on the potential of AI in revolutionizing game development and enhancing safety. David emphasizes Roblox’s commitment to fostering community connections and creativity, which reshapes how we think about gaming.

Game Theory, a new video podcast from Lightspeed and Goldman Sachs, in partnership with McKinsey, takes a look behind the curtain of the industry-defining gaming & technology companies—and explores how play is changing everything. Featuring insights and untold stories from Founders, CEOs, and Presidents—including David Baszucki (Roblox), Sarah Bond (Microsoft Xbox), Strauss Zelnick (Take-Two Interactive), Matt Bromberg (Unity), and more—the series dives into how play has shaped consumer behavior and technological innovation for decades. In a candid format, each episode explores a different dimension of play and how it has influenced the guests’ personal and professional lives. Game Theory is co-hosted by Moritz Baier-Lentz, Partner at Lightspeed, and Hemal Thaker, Managing Director at Goldman Sachs. Subscribe to the show on YouTube, Apple, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts, or visit www.lsvp.com/gametheory for more episodes on Wednesday, June 4th.