GameMakers

Roi Nam, CEO of Airbridge and pioneer in AI-driven monetization, joins the discussion about the shifting landscape of mobile gaming. He delves into the impact of Apple's ATT changes, highlighting the challenges marketers face and innovative strategies to adapt. Roi explains how tools like SKAN 4.0 and AirFlux can enhance user acquisition and ad monetization. The conversation also touches on boosting ATT consent rates and optimizing marketing metrics through data-driven approaches, offering actionable insights for gaming professionals aiming for growth in 2025.

Join us for an eye-opening conversation about how AI is completely transforming the game animation industry. Viren Tellis, CEO of Uthana, shares how their technology is enabling developers to animate characters in seconds instead of days, democratizing game development for indie creators.What you'll discover:The three game-changing ways to create animations with AI (text, video, and smart libraries)Why animation AI is harder to build than image generators like MidjourneyHow indie developers are shipping games without hiring a single animatorThe coming revolution of real-time, responsive AI characters in games

What's the real cost of being a startup gaming founder? In this very off-topic conversation, my old friend Mishka Katkoff (Deconstructor of Fun) and I go deep on the topics nobody puts in their pitch deck. We share personal stories about the psychological and physical toll of the grind, and question the nature of ambition in the game industry.This isn't your typical industry talk. We discuss life, sacrifice & suffering, success, and many other topics that we usually don't talk about unrelated to the business of games.Timestamps:00:00:00 - Mishka's "Slower Phase" as a Family Man00:03:56 - Does Hustle Culture Mask Deeper Problems?00:07:55 - The Difference Between Suffering and Sacrifice00:22:29 - Mishka's Biggest Lesson: Why Shared History Beats Shiny CVs00:37:35 - If Your Startup Succeeds, What Personally Changes?00:54:41 - The Pressure of AI: Is This Our Last Chance to Grind?01:02:40 - The Unseen Toll: A Founder's Most Personal Confessions01:04:15 - "I Was Happy": My Reaction to the SVB Collapse01:05:03 - When Stress Becomes Physical: Crying Spells & Panic Attacks01:07:07 - Mishka's Advice to Aspiring Founders: "Shut the F*** Up"01:12:13 - Final Thoughts on Finding Your PathSUBSCRIBE TO GAMEMAKERS:- Newsletter: https://www.gamemakers.com/😃 —CONNECT WITH JK! — • INSTAGRAM → @jokim1• TWITTER → @jokim1• LINKEDIN → https://www.linkedin.com/in/jokim/

Apple and Google are taking 43% more money from your game than you think – and your competitors are using web shops to capture that revenue instead. In this eye-opening discussion, Stash's Chief Growth Officer reveals how top mobile games generate 50%+ of revenue through direct-to-consumer channels while others leave millions on the table.Why you need to watch this:- Discover the hidden math behind the "30% platform fee" that's costing you millions- Learn the exact playbook Scopely and Supercell use to maximize web shop revenue- Understand how the Epic ruling changes everything for mobile monetization- Get actionable metrics and strategies you can implement immediatelyTimestamps:00:00 - Introduction & Web Shop Revolution01:26 - How Epic vs Apple Changed Everything08:40 - The Brutal Math of Platform Fees15:00 - Three Pillars of Web Shop Success22:03 - Implementation Roadmap33:05 - Best Practices from Top Performers45:10 - The Epic Ruling Implications55:12 - Metrics That Matter1:09:34 - Future of Mobile Gaming DistributionGuest: Archie Stonehill, Chief Growth Officer at StashHost: Joseph Kim📊 Download Stash's Web Shop Guide: [link]💼 LinkedIn: Joseph Kim (@jokim) | Archie Stonehill (@archie-stonehill)#MobileGaming #GameDev #WebShops #GameBusiness #GameMonetizationSUBSCRIBE TO GAMEMAKERS:- Spotify Podcast: https://spoti.fi/3Cpyq7i- Newsletter: https://www.gamemakers.com/😃 —CONNECT WITH JK! — • INSTAGRAM → @jokim1• TWITTER → @jokim1• LINKEDIN → https://www.linkedin.com/in/jokim/

The game development industry is in flux. From the intense pressure of the attention economy and global competition to the seismic shifts brought by Artificial Intelligence, how is the crucial role of the Product Manager evolving?   Join us for an in-depth exploration of these critical questions, featuring a panel discussion, "The Evolution of the Product Manager," and an exclusive after-panel debrief. Hear directly from industry product leaders as they dissect the challenges and opportunities ahead.   Speakers:* Oren Debi. Generative AI Lead & VP Product at SciPlay.* David Duong. Sr. Director of Product Management at Respawn Entertainment (Apex Legends).* Tim Hong. Head of Live Service Games at AWS for Games.* Lee Horn. Fmr. VP of Product & Game Director at Mountaintop Studios.* Joseph Kim. CEO at Lila Games.* Solomon Lichter. Sr. Director, Global Gaming at CleverTap.In this episode, you'll discover:The macro trends fundamentally altering game development.   AI's current and future impact: from efficiency tool to "agentic AI" and the "PM+1" concept.   The cultural divide between mobile and PC/console PM practices and why adaptability is key.   Actionable strategies for PMs to thrive, including Gartner's "3 Returns" framework and the importance of "product velocity."   Candid reflections on what it takes to succeed in this new era of game creation and management.   Whether you're a studio executive, product manager, marketer, or passionate about the future of gaming, this discussion offers invaluable insights.EPISODE CHAPTERS:(Listen in order or jump to the sections most relevant to you)0:00:00 Introduction: Setting the Stage for the Evolving PMPart 1: Product x LiveOps Symposium Panel – The Product Manager in Flux0:04:24 Macro Trends Redefining Game Development (Attention Economy, Rise of China, LiveOps Resurgence) 0:11:19 AI in the Trenches: Separating Hype from Reality (Current Efficiency Gains in Art, Code, PM Tools) 0:14:31 The Evolving Product Manager: Mobile PM Agility vs. PC/Console Tradition (Solomon Lichter's initial thoughts) 0:16:59 The Evolving Product Manager: Resistance to PMs in PC/Console (Lee Horn's insights) 0:18:32 The Evolving Product Manager: Hiring for AAA – Fundamentals, Empathy, Communication (David Duong's insights) 0:21:01 The Evolving Product Manager: AI's Impact, Team Compression, and the "PM+1" Concept (Joseph Kim's insights) 0:26:36 Key Panelist Takeaways: Adapt or Die, AI Adoption, Design Thinking, the PM+1, and Live Ops Agents Part 2: The After-Panel Huddle – Deeper Reflections & Future-Proofing0:29:14 Industry's Hunger for Tactical AI Knowledge & Embracing Uncertainty 0:34:03 AI: From Feature to Foundational Orchestration (PM's Evolving Value, Gartner's "3 Returns" Framework begins around 0:42:41, "Product Velocity" as a North Star Metric specifically at 0:47:53) 0:55:46 Agentic AI: The Next Frontier in Live Ops (Understanding Agentic AI, Practical Applications, Data Strategy Prerequisite) 1:00:40 The Culture Clash Revisited: Adaptability as the Ultimate Competitive Edge (Mobile vs. HD, Failure to Adapt) Conclusion & Final Actionable Advice1:05:16 Your Roadmap for the Future of Game Product Management (Final Advice Introduction)1:05:47 Get Hands-On & Be Curious (Tim Hong's advice) 1:06:54 Build in Public & Learn Out Loud (Solomon Lichter's advice) 1:08:46 Embrace Continuous, Urgent Learning (Joseph Kim's advice)   Follow us for more deep dives into game development, AI, and product management.

Is HTML5 gaming finally ready for prime time? After multiple failed attempts over the past decade, something fundamental has changed.In this episode, we sit down with Dmitry Kachmar, CEO of Playgama, who recently raised $3M betting that HTML5 gaming is about to explode. Thanks to GPU advances from the AI boom, 5G networks, and platforms desperate to break free from app store monopolies, browser-based games can now rival native mobile experiences.We dive deep into why Discord, Telegram, and every platform with a web browser are racing to add games, how developers can leverage this distribution revolution, and what it means for the future of mobile gaming. Dmitry shares candid insights on platform-specific design strategies, the challenges of retention without app store lock-in, and why he believes over 50% of new games will be HTML5-based within five years.Whether you're a game developer, studio executive, or industry observer, this conversation reveals why the next chapter of gaming might not be in app stores—but everywhere else.Key topics covered:The technology convergence enabling AAA-quality browser gamesHow to monetize without the 30% app store taxPlatform-specific strategies for Discord vs Telegram vs web portalsWhy viral mechanics are no longer optionalThe distribution-as-a-service model reshaping game publishingAbout the guest: Dmitry Kachmar is CEO of Playgama, former Yandex executive with multiple exits, Harvard grad, and adtech veteran now focused on democratizing game distribution.

Why $200M games flop — and how LiveAware’s “always-on” player insight flips the odds.• Echo-chamber dev culture & launch disasters• Quant vs qual data gap killing velocity• LiveAware’s one-click capture → AI analyze → auto-Jira flow• Surfacing bugs & sentiment from Discord, YouTube, surveys• Dashboards that feed artists, designers, engineers the clips they need• Case studies: Dead as Disco, S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2, Treehouse competitive intel• Indie-friendly pay-as-you-go pricing + roadmap to multi-channel feedback nirvanaOUTLINE:0:00 Underwhelming game launch failures4:00 Vision vs player expectation gap8:00 Quantitative vs qualitative data gap12:00 LiveAware capture analyze share workflow16:00 One-click streaming and transcription20:00 AI clusters themes and clips24:00 Tailored dashboards and auto Jira28:00 Multi-channel feedback aggregation explained32:00 Indie vs AAA use cases36:00 Dead as Disco success story40:00 S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2 QA integration44:00 Signal vs noise management48:00 Feedback philosophy continuum debate52:00 Future roadmap and pricing plansSUBSCRIBE TO GAMEMAKERS:- Newsletter: https://gamemakers.substack.com/😃 —CONNECT WITH JK! — • INSTAGRAM → @jokim1• TWITTER → @jokim1• LINKEDIN → https://www.linkedin.com/in/jokim/

Simon from Goat Gaming shares how his team is leveraging AI and Telegram to build games in just 2-3 weeks, reaching 5.5 million users. Learn why he believes AI will be an "extinction-level event" for studios that don't adapt, and how Telegram offers a billion-user opportunity similar to early Facebook gaming.Content Outline:00:00 – AI vs. Legacy: “Extinction-level event” for slow studios02:45 – AlphaGoats & Agentic Play: How players train and deploy AI agents07:41 – History Repeat? Sports sims & idle games parallels10:08 – Why Telegram? 1B users starved for games (like early Facebook)18:12 – Telegram Strategy: Gaming as a priority on Telegram/TON19:33 – AI Dev Pipeline: 37 Fortnite maps in 37 weeks; 2–3-week game builds23:46 – Rethinking AAA: 50-person teams vs 500+ for similar quality25:25 – Team & AI: Organizational changes for AI adoption27:56 – Founder’s Origin: From King/Non Stop to Mighty Bear Games31:58 – Telegram Takeoff: Go Gaming’s 5.5M users and 100M+ events32:36 – Crypto & Ads: Token incentives and Telegram’s ad network33:40 – Crypto Gaming Today: Why success lives on Telegram35:15 – Viral Mechanics: Referrals, leaderboards, NFT “Gifts” ($35M+)36:40 – Early-Stage Market: Telegram gaming ecosystem ~2010 mobile level38:02 – Singapore Startup: Betting on Asia trends (MPL influence)42:49 – Battle Stories: 150 VC rejections, Rocket Internet investor, persistenceSUBSCRIBE TO GAMEMAKERS:- Newsletter: https://gamemakers.com/😃 —CONNECT WITH JK! — • INSTAGRAM → @jokim1• TWITTER → @jokim1• LINKEDIN → https://www.linkedin.com/in/jokim/

Alex Seropian (Bungie co-founder) shares his experience developing for Epic's UEFN platform in this exclusive interview. Discover insights on platform capabilities, economics, audience demographics, and future predictions for Fortnite's creator ecosystem.TIMESTAMPS:0:00 - Introduction1:00 - Changes in UEFN since 20235:30 - Working with brands on UEFN10:00 - Economic challenges for developers14:00 - State of UEFN monetization19:00 - Discovery and audience building23:00 - Successful game types on UEFN26:30 - Development process differences32:00 - UEFN player demographics and personas38:00 - Development surprises and challenges43:00 - Future predictions for UEFN51:00 - Advice for developers considering UEFN56:00 - Final thoughts and podcast mentionSUBSCRIBE TO GAMEMAKERS:- Newsletter: https://gamemakers.substack.com/😃 —CONNECT WITH JK! — • INSTAGRAM → @jokim1• TWITTER → @jokim1• LINKEDIN → https://www.linkedin.com/in/jokim/

(0:00) Introduction (1:00) Overview of AppLovin vs Unity market situation since 2022(2:10) Discussion of current mobile UA market conditions(6:30) Introduction to AppLovin vs Unity topic(9:00) How AppLovin gained advantage through Max mediation platform(11:10) The data advantage of first-party data in AppLovin's ecosystem(13:20) The lock-in effect of AppLovin's mediation and UA offerings(17:30) The snowball effect of AppLovin's market dominance(19:40) How AppLovin captured MoPub market share(22:20) Unity's execution issues after Iron Source merger(25:00) Cultural conflicts within Unity and algorithm problems(29:00) Discussion of Unity's "Vector" AI initiative(32:40) Unity's disappearing account managers and weak sales culture(35:20) AppLovin's focus on high-value customers and resource allocation(38:20) Increasing margin for AppLovin as market share grows(40:40) Unity's potential comeback strategy with Vector(45:10) The challenge for any network to compete with AppLovin(48:40) The "must use" nature of AppLovin for ad-monetized games(52:00) The risks of having 70-80% of UA budget on AppLovin(54:30) Potential industry alternatives to AppLovin(57:00) Discussion of emerging competitors like Moloco and Integral(1:01:30) The possible path forward for Unity to compete(1:05:40) Predictions for the future of mobile UA in two years(1:10:00) Speculation about AppLovin's TikTok acquisition bid(1:14:20) Wrap-up and conclusionSUBSCRIBE TO GAMEMAKERS:- Newsletter: https://gamemakers.substack.com/😃 —CONNECT WITH JK! — • INSTAGRAM → @jokim1• TWITTER → @jokim1• LINKEDIN → https://www.linkedin.com/in/jokim/