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    gaming business

    Explore " gaming business" with insightful episodes like "CES Takeaways / Subscription Strategy Changes / Second Dinner's $100M Raise", "The State of Web3 Trading Card Games", "Nexon’s CEO on Leaving a Legacy, Fostering Talent, & AI in Games", "Game Awards Stats / VR Struggles / China Regulations / Square Enix Letter" and "Our Games Industry Predictions for 2024" from podcasts like ""Naavik Gaming Podcast", "Naavik Gaming Podcast", "Naavik Gaming Podcast", "Naavik Gaming Podcast" and "Naavik Gaming Podcast"" and more!

    Episodes (100)

    CES Takeaways / Subscription Strategy Changes / Second Dinner's $100M Raise

    CES Takeaways / Subscription Strategy Changes / Second Dinner's $100M Raise

    In this week's Roundtable, we explore the gaming highlights from the 2024 Consumer Electronics Show and joke about what trends are peaking in ridiculous ways (AI-powered egg cartons, anyone?). We then dive into a couple strategy changes being discussed by leading subscription businesses: first, how Netflix is reportedly rethinking ways to monetize games, and, second, what Xbox (with Game Pass) may be planning in bringing previous exclusives to the PlayStation 5. We then discuss Unity's and Twitch's major layoffs and what these may foreshadow for the remainder of 2024. Additionally, we explore Second Dinner's large $100M Series B amidst the uncertainty surrounding its publisher Nuverse. Finally, the squad shares new ideas for what M&A markets may deliver in 2024. Join us for all the latest games business news with Dave Elton, Aaron Bush, and host Devin Becker.


    Big thanks to Lightspeed Venture Partners for making this episode possible! With its dedicated gaming practice, "Lightspeed Gaming," the firm is investing from over $7B in early- and growth-stage capital — the by far largest fund focused on gaming and interactive technology. If you’re interested in learning more, go to https://gaming.lsvp.com/.


    We’d also like to thank Coda Payments for making this episode possible! Coda helps developers collect some of their revenues outside the app stores, keeping more of the income they generate for themselves. To learn more, head to https://www.codapayments.com/naavik?utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=webpage&utm_campaign=naavik


    If you like the episode, please help others find us by leaving a 5-star rating or review! And if you have any comments, requests, or feedback, shoot us a note at podcast@naavik.co.

     

    Watch the episode: YouTube Channel

    For more episodes and details: Podcast Website

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    Sound design by Gavin Mc Cabe.

    The State of Web3 Trading Card Games

    The State of Web3 Trading Card Games

    Trading Card Games (TCGs) have always been a natural fit for Web3. Their real-world analog cousins are inherently collectible, generally have a notion of rarity, and have a thriving secondary market. For instance, the infamous Black Lotus card from Magic: The Gathering earlier in 2023 broke its own sales record at $540,000, and there is a long history of high-value cards changing hands. 


    So it is no surprise that some of the earliest entrants into Web3 gaming were TCGs. But how are these games doing? Have they justified the early hype? Or have they disappointed and not quite lived up to their potential? And where might they go from here?


    In this episode your host, Niko Vuori, dives into Web3 TCGs with Naavik’s Web3 analyst Devin Becker, who recently published an in-depth look into the genre, which is a must-read for anyone interested in this space.


    To learn more, be sure to read Devin’s piece on Web3 TGCs at https://naavik.co/digest/web3-tcg-games/. You can find Devin Becker on LinkedIn.


    This episode is brought to you by CleverTap Gaming, the all-in-one platform for creating personalized player experiences. Visit https://clevertap.com/gaming/ for more details.


    We’d also like to thank Dive for making this episode possible! Dive is a fully outsourced BI-as-a-Service solution that provides an enterprise-grade data platform and services for gaming studios on all platforms. It also saves studios hundreds of thousands of dollars yearly. To learn more, go to: https://bit.ly/3NRlX3i 


    If you like the episode, please help others find us by leaving a 5-star rating or review! And if you have any comments, requests, or feedback shoot us a note at podcast@naavik.co.

     

    Watch the episode: YouTube Channel

    For more episodes and details: Podcast Website

    Free newsletter: Naavik Digest

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    Sound design by Gavin Mc Cabe.


    Nexon’s CEO on Leaving a Legacy, Fostering Talent, & AI in Games

    Nexon’s CEO on Leaving a Legacy, Fostering Talent, & AI in Games

    Owen Mahoney, CEO of Nexon, is back for another phenomenal conversation – this time on the heels of the announcement that Owen is soon stepping down from the CEO role after a decade of market-beating performance. He and host, Aaron Bush, discuss Owen’s legacy at Nexon, what he wished he knew about being CEO when he started, what goes into great succession planning, and more about Nexon’s next CEO, Junghun Lee. Then the duo discusses how AI-driven software is already enabling AAA games to be made with smaller creative teams (such as Embark Studios’ THE FINALS) and how that shifting reality will have a profound impact on AAA publishing in the coming years. Lastly, Owen and Aaron wrap up by discussing what Owen aims to spend more time doing post-Nexon.


    Also, if you haven’t listened to our previous conversation with Owen, which covers how Nexon manages long-lasting virtual worlds and builds antifragility into its business, you can do so here: https://naavik.co/podcast/owen-mahoney/ 

    And here are the book recommendations Owen mentioned during our conversation:

    We’d also like to thank Overwolf for making this episode possible! Whether you're a gamer, creator, or game studio, Overwolf is the ultimate destination for integrating UGC in games! You can check out all Overwolf has to offer at https://www.overwolf.com/ 


    If you like the episode, please help others find us by leaving a 5-star rating or review! And if you have any comments, requests, or feedback shoot us a note at podcast@naavik.co.

     

    Watch the episode: YouTube Channel

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    Follow us: Twitter | LinkedIn | Website


    Sound design by Gavin Mc Cabe.


    Game Awards Stats / VR Struggles / China Regulations / Square Enix Letter

    Game Awards Stats / VR Struggles / China Regulations / Square Enix Letter

    In this week's Roundtable, the squad kicks off with a deep dive into the Game Awards' staggering 118 million viewers, surpassing even the Super Bowl, and what this means for gaming's place in mainstream culture. We then shift gears to a recent Omdia report revealing VR's struggles, debating why it's floundering and what could turn it around by 2026. The conversation turns to China's proposed new regulations for mobile games, examining the immediate impact on industry giants like Tencent and NetEase, and the broader implications for global gaming markets. Finally, we explore Square Enix's new CEO's pivot in his annual public letter, moving away from web3 and towards a strong emphasis on AI, and what this strategic shift signifies for the future of the company. Join us for all the latest games business news with Dave Elton, Matt Dion and host Devin Becker.


    We’d like to thank Pragma for making this episode possible! Pragma is a Backend Game Engine that powers services like accounts, matchmaking and player data for the world’s most ambitious live service games. To learn more, head to https://pragma.gg/


    We’d also like to thank Dive! Dive is a fully outsourced BI-as-a-Service solution that provides an enterprise-grade data platform and services for gaming studios on all platforms. It also saves studios hundreds of thousands of dollars yearly. To learn more, go to: https://bit.ly/3NRlX3i 


    If you like the episode, please help others find us by leaving a 5-star rating or review! And if you have any comments, requests, or feedback, shoot us a note at podcast@naavik.co.

     

    Watch the episode: YouTube Channel

    For more episodes and details: Podcast Website

    Free newsletter: Naavik Digest

    Follow us: Twitter | LinkedIn | Website


    Sound design by Gavin Mc Cabe.

    Our Games Industry Predictions for 2024

    Our Games Industry Predictions for 2024

    In this week's Roundtable, we follow up on the previous episode with this week’s Epic Games Store policy shift, highlighting the decision to create an Adults Only exception for web3 games, notably reinstating titles like Gods Unchained. The conversation then pivots to our final episode of the year celebration, packed with bold predictions and in-depth discussions for 2024. We delve into the evolving landscape of consoles, subscription models, and the burgeoning role of AI in gaming. Our panelists offer diverse perspectives on the future of user-generated content platforms, investment trends, and the ever-changing mobile gaming scene. We also touch on emerging growth opportunities in the console market, including platforms like Steam Deck and Quest VR, providing a comprehensive outlook on what's next in the dynamic world of gaming. Join us for all the latest games business news with Dave Elton, Tammy Levy, Taylor Hurst, and host Devin Becker.


    We’d also like to thank Lakestar - one of the leading European venture capital firms - for making this episode possible!. If you're interested in learning more or getting in contact with the Lakestar’s Games and Media team, simply go to https://lakestar.com/


    If you like the episode, please help others find us by leaving a 5-star rating or review! And if you have any comments, requests, or feedback, shoot us a note at podcast@naavik.co.

     

    Watch the episode: YouTube Channel

    For more episodes and details: Podcast Website

    Free newsletter: Naavik Digest

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    Sound design by Gavin Mc Cabe.

    The Advent of AI Analytics

    The Advent of AI Analytics

    Together with Dive, one of our Open Gaming Research Initiative partners, we’re exploring the topic of data and games through a limited podcast series called “Data Corner.” This episode is the final segment of this mini-series, so we decided to focus it on a fascinating future-facing topic — AI Analytics.


    According to Gartner’s Analytics Ascendancy Model, there are four types of analytics that sharpen hindsight, reveal insight, and create foresight:

    1. Descriptive analytics, which explain what happened

    2. Diagnostic analytics, which explain why it happened

    3. Predictive analytics, which explain what will happen

    4. Prescriptive analytics, which explain how one can make it happen


    From a gaming analytics standpoint, gaming studios of all sizes and analytics capabilities live on various points of this framework and employ each of the four analytics types to varying degrees. However, AI has the potential to act as an exoskeleton here and elevate all aspects of this framework. 


    To discuss all this and more, we’re joined by Elad Levy, founder and CEO of Dive, Daniel Berdichevski, Playtika’s ex-VP of Data Science and Products (now a Data Management Consultant), and your host, Abhimanyu Kumar, co-founder of Naavik.


    We hope you enjoy the last episode of the Data Corner. Please send any thoughts, feedback, and questions to podcast@naavik.co.


    We’d also like to thank Pragma for making this episode possible! Pragma is a Backend Game Engine that powers services like accounts, matchmaking and player data for the world’s most ambitious live service games. To learn more, head to https://pragma.gg/ 


    And as always, if you like the episode, you can help others find us by leaving a rating or review!


    Watch the episode: YouTube video

    Read more: Naavik Digest

    Learn more: Naavik’s Open Gaming Research Initiative

    Work with us: Naavik Consulting

    Follow us: Twitter | LinkedIn | Website

    Sound design by Gavin Mc Gabe.

    Forever Digital Pets in the Petaverse

    Forever Digital Pets in the Petaverse

    Real, living pets have a fundamental problem - they have a limited lifespan and they die. Digital pets aren’t immortal either. Over 80 million Tamagotchis have been sold since their debut in 1996 - and how many of them are still around today? But what if your pets really could live forever, at least in the digital realm? With blockchain technology that’s a reality, and to discuss how, your host, Niko Vuori, talks with Susan Cummings, the Founder & CEO of Tiny Rebel Games, which is building the Petaverse, where digital pets outlive their humans. 


    To learn more, make sure to visit https://www.petaverse.com/. You can find Susan Cummings on LinkedIn.


    We’d also like to thank Gamesight for making this episode possible! Gamesight provides full-service campaign management, taking charge of consulting, influencer discovery, relationship management, billing, and reporting, leaving you free to focus on your core business. To learn more, simply visit https://i.try.games/gamesight/fzjked 


    If you like the episode, please help others find us by leaving a 5-star rating or review! And if you have any comments, requests, or feedback shoot us a note at podcast@naavik.co.

     

    Watch the episode: YouTube Channel

    For more episodes and details: Podcast Website

    Free newsletter: Naavik Digest

    Follow us: Twitter | LinkedIn | Website


    Sound design by Gavin Mc Cabe.

    LEGO Fortnite Pops / Google's Legal Loss / ESRB vs Web3 / The Game Awards

    LEGO Fortnite Pops / Google's Legal Loss / ESRB vs Web3 / The Game Awards

    In this week's Roundtable, the squad dives into the successful collaboration between LEGO and Fortnite, discussing how LEGO's first successful Minecraft-like venture could potentially broaden both companies’ audiences. We then shift gears to Epic's recent legal triumph over Google, analyzing the stark differences from its Apple lawsuit and pondering the implications for the future of mobile gaming. The conversation takes a critical turn as we dissect the "Adults Only" rating awarded to Gods Unchained by the ESRB, due to its real-money value rewards in tokens and NFTs, leading to its automatic delisting from the Epic Games Store. We debate whether this marks the beginning of a series of significant challenges for web3 gaming. Finally, we delve into the plethora of game announcements from The Game Awards, unpacking what this event signifies for the current state of the gaming industry, as well as its future trajectory. Join us for all the latest games business news with Aaron Bush, Anil Das-Gupta, Jonathan Anastas and host Devin Becker.


    We’d also like to thank Windwalk for making this episode possible! Windwalk builds digital communities and the technologies necessary to accelerate them through their flagship software, Harbor. To learn more, simply head to https://www.harbor.gg/ 


    If you like the episode, please help others find us by leaving a 5-star rating or review! And if you have any comments, requests, or feedback, shoot us a note at podcast@naavik.co.

     

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    For more episodes and details: Podcast Website

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    Sound design by Gavin Mc Cabe.

    Unraveling Content Creator Programs

    Unraveling Content Creator Programs

    Together with Nexus, one of our Open Gaming Research Initiative partners, today we’re diving into the topic of content creator programs.


    Content creator programs are designed to incentivize and reward the creators in one’s community for driving attention towards a game. It isn’t the newest of growth strategies, but it's become increasingly popular in recent years. Companies like Ubisoft, Scopely, miHoYo, EA, Bandai Namco, MY.GAMES, and many more all host their own creator programs to drive growth across their product portfolios.


    At Naavik, we’ve looked into a few content creator programs through our public writings and consulting projects, and we’re constantly amazed at how effective this growth strategy can be when done right. So today, we’re going to focus on breaking down the current state and future of content creator programs.


    To discuss all this and more, host Abhimanyu Kumar, co-founder of Naavik, is joined by Justin Sacks, CEO of Nexus. Please also make sure to check out our article on creator revenue attribution as additional reading.


    Also, big thanks to ZEBEDEE for making this episode possible! ZEBEDEE provides a plug-and-play API and SDK for seamless integration of instant, borderless, and low-fee payments using the Bitcoin Lightning Network. Want to better engage and monetize your global user base? Start for free at https://zebedee.io/  


    We hope you enjoy the conversation, and do send us your thoughts, feedback and questions on podcast@naavik.co. And as always, you can help others find us by leaving a rating or review!


    Watch the episode: YouTube video

    Read more: Naavik Digest

    Learn more: Naavik’s Open Gaming Research Initiative

    Work with us: Naavik Consulting

    Follow us: Twitter | LinkedIn | Website

    Sound design by Gavin Mc Gabe.

    Lessons in Entrepreneurship, Kid-Tech, and UGC

    Lessons in Entrepreneurship, Kid-Tech, and UGC

    Serial entrepreneurs that always win are a rare breed worth learning from, and we’re hosting one of those special people today as our guest. Dylan Collins is currently an investor but was the founder and CEO of DemonWare, Jolt, and SuperAwesome, which sold to Activision Blizzard, GameStop, and Epic Games, respectively. In this conversation, we explore a few of Dylan’s lessons learned from running and selling so many companies. We then take a detour to discuss the current and future state of the kid-tech market, including what video game companies should consider in the coming years. Lastly, we touch on the early days of UEFN, Roblox’s expanding moat, and what the next generation of founder-creators could bring to the table within UGC, before closing with some exciting trends and book recommendations.


    If you want to follow Dylan’s musings, make sure to follow his blog: https://dylancollins.com/ 


    We’d also like to thank Nexus for making this episode possible! Nexus’s creator program in-a-box makes it easy for game devs to build and manage a world-class creator program, driving significant growth in conversion, ARPPU, retention, and LTV. To learn more, go to http://nexus.gg/naavik


    If you like the episode, please help others find us by leaving a 5-star rating or review! And if you have any comments, requests, or feedback shoot us a note at podcast@naavik.co.

     

    Watch the episode: YouTube Channel

    For more episodes and details: Podcast Website

    Free newsletter: Naavik Digest

    Follow us: Twitter | LinkedIn | Website


    Sound design by Gavin Mc Cabe.

    GTA VI Trailer / Hybridcasual Success / Africa's Gaming Market

    GTA VI Trailer / Hybridcasual Success / Africa's Gaming Market

    In this week's Roundtable, the squad dives into the unexpected early leak and subsequent official release of the GTA VI trailer, which has taken the internet by storm. We then shift gears to discuss the burgeoning success of hybridcasual games, which surpassed $2B in revenue in 2023, and how Voodoo's bold claim of "hypercasual is dead" is playing out in the market. The conversation heats up as we explore the upcoming Fortnite and Lego collaboration, questioning the fit of audience and moderation tools for the Lego brand. We also uncover new details from the Epic Games vs Google lawsuit, revealing a once-proposed alliance with Supercell to create a new app store and whether Microsoft is in a good place to try that. Finally, we delve into the emerging African gaming market, analyzing its potential as a huge developing audience and comparing it to previous expansions in other developing regions. Join us for all the latest games business news with Dave Elton, Matt Dion and host Devin Becker.


    We’d also like to thank Lightspeed Venture Partners for making this episode possible! With its dedicated gaming practice, "Lightspeed Gaming," the firm is investing from over $7B in early- and growth-stage capital — the by far largest fund focused on gaming and interactive technology. If you’re interested in learning more, go to https://gaming.lsvp.com/.


    If you like the episode, please help others find us by leaving a 5-star rating or review! And if you have any comments, requests, or feedback, shoot us a note at podcast@naavik.co.

     

    Watch the episode: YouTube Channel

    For more episodes and details: Podcast Website

    Free newsletter: Naavik Digest

    Follow us: Twitter | LinkedIn | Website


    Sound design by Gavin Mc Cabe.

    UEFN Studios: Boom, Bust, or Choose Roblox?

    UEFN Studios: Boom, Bust, or Choose Roblox?

    UEFN is gunning to be the next major Roblox competitor, but just how competitive is it? Today, your host, Alexandra Takei, Director at Ruckus Games, sits down with the founder of Bungie, Alex Seropian, now the current CEO of Look North World, and Amy Wu, the partner heading up the games and consumer practice at Menlo Ventures. Fortnite Creative 2.0 has drawn in a lot of committed creators: Snoop Dog and his son, 100 Thieves, and many more. In this episode, we talk about building in the UEFN ecosystem, how the tools have evolved over time (and what’s still missing), what healthy business models might look like for UGC / UEFN based studios, and the ultimate showdown of Roblox vs. UEFN. As a primer for our discussion, make sure to look back at our Naavik Digest by David Taylor on Fornite’s Long Creative Road ahead.   


    We’d also like to thank Overwolf for making this episode possible! Whether you're a gamer, creator, or game studio, Overwolf is the ultimate destination for integrating UGC in games! You can check out all Overwolf has to offer at https://www.overwolf.com/.


    If you like the episode, please help others find us by leaving a 5-star rating or review! And if you have any comments, requests, or feedback shoot us a note at podcast@naavik.co.

     

    Watch the episode: YouTube Channel

    For more episodes and details: Podcast Website

    Free newsletter: Naavik Digest

    Follow us: Twitter | LinkedIn | Website


    Sound design by Gavin Mc Cabe.

    Nuverse Winds Down / Shrapnel Lawsuit / Business Of Gaming Awards

    Nuverse Winds Down / Shrapnel Lawsuit / Business Of Gaming Awards

    In this week's Roundtable, the squad unpacks ByteDance's decision to wind down its gaming arm, Nuverse, and divest popular titles like Marvel Snap. The conversation then pivots to the legal drama at Neon Machine, where the directors of Shrapnel are suing its controlling shareholder in a contentious battle for control over the web3 FPS developer. We also highlight a recent study on League of Legends, revealing surprising insights about player motivation, especially the urge to play more after losing matches. Finally, we spice things up with a series of nominations for a theoretical 2023 Business of Gaming awards, reflecting on the industry's biggest winners and losers, strategic moves, and turnarounds, blending expected outcomes with some hot takes. Join us for all the latest games business news with Aaron Bush, Matt Dion, Sebastian Park and host Devin Becker.


    We’d also like to thank Coda Payments for making this episode possible! Coda helps developers collect some of their revenues outside the app stores, keeping more of the income they generate for themselves. To learn more, head to https://www.codapayments.com/naavik?utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=webpage&utm_campaign=naavik


    If you like the episode, please help others find us by leaving a 5-star rating or review! And if you have any comments, requests, or feedback, shoot us a note at podcast@naavik.co.

     

    Watch the episode: YouTube Channel

    For more episodes and details: Podcast Website

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    Sound design by Gavin Mc Cabe.

    Savvy Games Group’s Ambition, Strategy, and Future

    Savvy Games Group’s Ambition, Strategy, and Future

    Welcome to the third and final part in our series covering all things Savvy Games Group, the Saudi-backed gaming giant in the making. In this episode, Aaron Bush sits down with Brian Ward, the CEO of Savvy Games Group, to discuss the company’s ambitions, including its goal of becoming the world’s largest gaming company and its plans to turn Saudi Arabia into a more prominent gaming hub. We also dive into how Savvy makes investment decisions, manages a decentralized culture, works with the Saudi government, and thinks very long-term. We wrap up with breakdowns of Savvy’s core subsidiaries and chat through what else Brian is excited about for the future.


    Also, if you missed our previous interviews with ESL FACEIT Group and Scopely, the two largest acquired parts of Savvy Games Group, make sure to check those out.


    We’d also like to thank Windwalk for making this episode possible! Windwalk builds digital communities and the technologies necessary to accelerate them through their flagship software, Harbor. To learn more, simply head to https://www.harbor.gg/ 


    If you like the episode, please help others find us by leaving a 5-star rating or review! And if you have any comments, requests, or feedback shoot us a note at podcast@naavik.co.

     

    Watch the episode: YouTube Channel

    For more episodes and details: Podcast Website

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    Sound design by Gavin Mc Cabe.

    VC Funding Down / Fortnite Kid Safety / OpenAI Drama / Embracer Restructure

    VC Funding Down / Fortnite Kid Safety / OpenAI Drama / Embracer Restructure

    In this week's Roundtable, we welcome Taylor Hurst from Konvoy Ventures, bringing a fresh investment perspective to our discussions. We kick off by dissecting the startling 68% YoY decrease in games VC funding reported by PitchBook for Q3, pondering the implications and where the funding might be redirected. The conversation then shifts to Epic Games' intensified focus on child safety in Fortnite, following the spinoff of SuperAwesome and a significant FTC lawsuit settlement, as we explore the complexities and potential solutions. We delve into the recent OpenAI drama, analyzing how Microsoft nearly poached key executives and most of the staff, leading to a dramatic board reshuffle and what this power play means for Microsoft and AI. Expanding on last week's topic, we dive deeper into the nuances of Live Operations in gaming, unpacking why it's a challenging yet crucial aspect that’s now being questioned. Finally, we examine the recent layoffs at Embracer Group, affecting 900 employees or 5% of its workforce, and discuss the potential sale of Gearbox amidst broader restructuring efforts. Join us for all the latest games business news with Dave Elton, Anil Das-Gupta, Taylor Hurst and host Devin Becker.


    We’d also like to thank Lakestar - one of the leading European venture capital firms - for making this episode possible!. If you're interested in learning more or getting in contact with the Lakestar’s Games and Media team, simply go to https://lakestar.com/


    If you like the episode, please help others find us by leaving a 5-star rating or review! And if you have any comments, requests, or feedback, shoot us a note at podcast@naavik.co.

     

    Watch the episode: YouTube Channel

    For more episodes and details: Podcast Website

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    Sound design by Gavin Mc Cabe.

    The State of Web3 With Game7

    The State of Web3 With Game7

    Game7, a community formed to accelerate the adoption of Web3 gaming, recognized that there had to date not been a comprehensive overview of the entire Web3 ecosystem, and decided to do something about. On November 13th, they released the very first truly comprehensive study that covers the past 6 years of Web3 gaming, using objective and neutral primary research methods. The report captured and examined data from almost two thousand Web3 games, over one thousand funding rounds, and almost two hundred blockchain ecosystems. 


    What can this data tell us about the state of Web3? 


    To answer all our questions your host, Niko Vuori, talks with one of the primary authors of the report, George Isichos from Game7, with additional insights from Naavik’s own Web3 analyst, Devin Becker. 


    To download the free 61-page report, make sure to visit https://research.game7.io/state-of-web3-gaming-2023. You can find George Isichos on LinkedIn.


    Also, big thanks to ZEBEDEE for making this episode possible! ZEBEDEE provides a plug-and-play API and SDK for seamless integration of instant, borderless, and low-fee payments using the Bitcoin Lightning Network. Want to better engage and monetize your global user base? Start for free at https://zebedee.io/.


    If you like the episode, please help others find us by leaving a 5-star rating or review! And if you have any comments, requests, or feedback shoot us a note at podcast@naavik.co.

     

    Watch the episode: YouTube Channel

    For more episodes and details: Podcast Website

    Free newsletter: Naavik Digest

    Follow us: Twitter | LinkedIn | Website


    Sound design by Gavin Mc Cabe.

    Gaming Journalism: How, What, and Impact with Jason Schreier and Neil Long

    Gaming Journalism: How, What, and Impact with Jason Schreier and Neil Long

    Neil Long used to be responsible for app rankings on the Apple iOS Store before founding Mobilegamer.biz, a site aimed at increasing mobile games coverage. Jason Schreier is a long-standing games journalist with a career spanning Wired, Kotaku, and now Bloomberg News; he's famous for exposing industry crunch, lobbying on behalf of the developer, and depending on who you ask, exposing unofficially announced games. Your host, Alexandra Takei Director at Ruckus Games, and her guests debate the role of journalism in games: how the processes and structures of what seat you are writing from influences what you choose to cover, what standards and bylaws do you develop as a journalist to ensure high quality reporting, and how the gaming industry has been impacted by the reporting done by both guests. Finally, we discuss whether gaming journalism itself can survive as a business, and if so, how. 


    This episode is brought to you by CleverTap Gaming, the all-in-one platform for creating personalized player experiences. Visit https://clevertap.com/gaming/ for more details. 


    If you like the episode, please help others find us by leaving a 5-star rating or review! And if you have any comments, requests, or feedback shoot us a note at podcast@naavik.co.

     

    Watch the episode: YouTube Channel

    For more episodes and details: Podcast Website

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    Sound design by Gavin Mc Cabe.

    MW3 Controversy / Live Service Evolutions / Roblox Earnings / Esports Woes

    MW3 Controversy / Live Service Evolutions / Roblox Earnings / Esports Woes

    In this week's Roundtable, the squad tackles the contentious release of Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3, scrutinizing Activision's bold pricing strategy for what many see as DLC-sized content. We then shift gears to the evolving stances of various companies regarding live service games, including noting where we are in the trend's hype cycle. The conversation pivots to Valve's unveiling of the Steam Deck OLED and what kind of platform the resurgence of handhelds could morph into. We next cover Roblox's recent earnings release and discuss both the tailwinds and headwinds the company faces. The discussion then takes a serious turn with Blizzard shuttering the Overwatch League due to financial woes, leading us to speculate on the future of other esports leagues and why ESL may be in a superior position. Finally, we examine Ubisoft's announcement of a new skin marketplace for the eight-year-old Rainbow Six: Siege and ponder its potential compared to Steam's established marketplace. Join us for all the latest games business news with Aaron Bush, Jonathan Anastas, and host Devin Becker.


    We’d also like to thank Nexus for making this episode possible! Nexus’s creator program in-a-box makes it easy for game devs to build and manage a world-class creator program, driving significant growth in conversion, ARPPU, retention, and LTV. To learn more, go to http://nexus.gg/naavik


    If you like the episode, please help others find us by leaving a 5-star rating or review! And if you have any comments, requests, or feedback, shoot us a note at podcast@naavik.co.

     

    Watch the episode: YouTube Channel

    For more episodes and details: Podcast Website

    Free newsletter: Naavik Digest

    Follow us: Twitter | LinkedIn | Website


    Sound design by Gavin Mc Cabe.

    Building Hits with the Power of Community

    Building Hits with the Power of Community

    Together with Windwalk, one of our Open Gaming Research Initiative partners, we’re diving into the topic of community building within game building.


    The reason for talking about all things community is simple: not only has community building always been important, but it has never been more important, especially when thinking about where the industry is moving from a discoverability, distribution, product roadmapping, UGC, Web3, or AI perspective. There are so many interesting angles to this topic, and we cover a lot of ground on this episode.


    To discuss all this and more, your host, Abhimanyu Kumar, Co-founder of Naavik, is joined by Colin Feo, CEO of Windwalk, and Richard Warren, Head of Community at Windwalk.


    We’d also like to thank Gamesight for making this episode possible! Gamesight provides full-service campaign management, taking charge of consulting, influencer discovery, relationship management, billing, and reporting, leaving you free to focus on your core business. To learn more, simply visit https://i.try.games/gamesight/fzjked 


    We hope you enjoy the conversation, and please send us any thoughts, feedback, or questions to podcast@naavik.co. And as always, you can help others find us by leaving a rating or review!


    Watch the episode: YouTube video

    Read more: Naavik Digest

    Learn more: Naavik’s Open Gaming Research Initiative

    Work with us: Naavik Consulting

    Follow us: Twitter | LinkedIn | Website

    Sound design by Gavin Mc Gabe.

    Bungie Layoffs / Live-Action Zelda / Epic v Google / FC 24 Sales

    Bungie Layoffs / Live-Action Zelda / Epic v Google / FC 24 Sales

    In this week's Roundtable, the squad unpacks Bungie's recent layoffs and the implications for Destiny 2 and Marathon’s future. We then shift gears to Azur Games' acquisition of Good Job Games' entire portfolio, sparking an exploration of the merits of portfolio vs. talent acquisition strategies in the gaming industry. Next, the announcement of a Legend of Zelda movie sparks a discussion comparing its potential as a live action film against the CG-animated Mario movie. We also touch on the breaking news that a GTA VI trailer will be released soon and the potential impact on Take-Two Interactive. We jump over to analyzing the sustainability and impact of the news that Epic Games' OG Fortnite event is pulling in massive concurrent player numbers, including returning players. We also delve into Epic's lawsuit against Google, now uniquely set for a jury decision, and contrast it with the case against Apple. Wrapping up, we dissect EA Sports' success with FC 24 outperforming FIFA 23 and consider the broader implications for other licensed franchises in the gaming world. Join us for all the latest games business news with Felipe Mata, Dave Elton, Maria Gillies, and host Devin Becker.


    We’d also like to thank Lightspeed Venture Partners for making this episode possible! With its dedicated gaming practice, "Lightspeed Gaming," the firm is investing from over $7B in early- and growth-stage capital — the by far largest fund focused on gaming and interactive technology. If you’re interested in learning more, go to https://gaming.lsvp.com/.


    If you like the episode, please help others find us by leaving a 5-star rating or review! And if you have any comments, requests, or feedback, shoot us a note at podcast@naavik.co.

     

    Watch the episode: YouTube Channel

    For more episodes and details: Podcast Website

    Free newsletter: Naavik Digest

    Follow us: Twitter | LinkedIn | Website


    Sound design by Gavin Mc Cabe.

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