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- 🇰🇷KR · Video Games#6010K to 30K
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- 🇵🇭PH · Video Games#114500 to 3K
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26K to 85K🎙 Weekly cadence·187 episodes·Last published 1w ago - Monthly Reach
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52K to 169K🇻🇳59%🇰🇷18%🇳🇬18%+3 more - Active Followers
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21K to 68K
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Own Your Players, Don't Rent Them — D2C, Creator Codes & the Shadow Server Economy | Liam Wiltshire, GM of Tebex
Jun 16, 2026
Unknown duration
The Last 20% Is Worth $100 Million
Mar 31, 2026
1h 10m 29s
AppLovin Bull vs. Bear Case: What Operators Know That Investors Don't
Dec 30, 2025
Unknown duration
Inside the $55B EA-Saudi Deal: Why It's Not a Typical LBO (with Chris Petrovic & Matthew Kanterman)
Oct 13, 2025
Unknown duration
The Ad Monetization Playbook: Fixing Leaky Revenue, Boosting CPMs, and Scaling Your Team with Kelly Kang
Oct 9, 2025
Unknown duration
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| Date | Episode | Topics | Guests | Brands | Places | Keywords | Sponsor | Length | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6/16/26 | Own Your Players, Don't Rent Them — D2C, Creator Codes & the Shadow Server Economy | Liam Wiltshire, GM of Tebex | Epic spent five years and over $100M breaking the platforms' 30% tax — then cut V-Bucks by 20% to "pay the bills." If the company that won the fee war still gets squeezed, what does that say about everyone else?The answer isn't about fees. When AI makes content infinite and attention stays finite, the only asset that appreciates is the direct relationship with your players — the one distribution channel that gets cheaper the stronger it gets. And a nearly invisible economy of community-run game servers has been proving its dollar value for fifteen years.I sit down with Liam Wiltshire, GM of Tebex — the merchant-of-record platform behind direct payments for Rockstar, Take-Two, Hytale, and FiveM — to unpack it.In this episode:Why "is 30% dead?" is the wrong questionCreator codes: how trust drives 50–227% more spendThe BNPL and crypto data that surprised even TebexWhy 35% of desktop game purchases happen on a phoneHow Hytale launched off Steam and secured two years of runway from pre-orders aloneThe £20, 16-year-old origin story behind a company that's processed $1.5BRead the full breakdown and subscribe at gamemakers.com.Chapters00:00 — Epic cut V-Bucks: why it's really a margin story03:47 — When content is infinite, what's actually scarce?07:38 — The shadow games industry: Hypixel, FiveM & a $1.5B economy10:13 — The data: creator codes, BNPL & buying on a second screen13:33 — Liam Wiltshire joins: the state of the industry16:35 — Why every player purchase is a "CapEx decision"18:50 — Is the 30% platform fee dead?21:00 — Who really owns the player relationship?23:27 — D2C across mobile, web, PC & console34:59 — Treating the platform as an acquisition channel42:57 — UGC servers & what a "merchant of record" actually does1:00:40 — Creator codes: how trust drives more spend1:19:04 — BNPL & crypto: the numbers that surprised Tebex1:31:20 — Payment optimization & one-click checkout1:40:43 — The £20 origin story & the $29M exit | — | ||||||
| 3/31/26 | The Last 20% Is Worth $100 Million✨ | AI in game developmentgame design challenges+4 | Ran Mo | Suck UpProxima+3 | — | AIgame development+7 | — | 1h 10m 29s | |
| 12/30/25 | AppLovin Bull vs. Bear Case: What Operators Know That Investors Don't | AppLovin just crossed $250 billion in market cap. Stock up 127% YTD. EBITDA margins at 82%. Is this the beginning—or the top?We assembled the most qualified panel possible to break it down: an operator running millions through AppLovin's platform, a gaming-focused financial analyst, and an institutional investor who's seen these cycles before.What emerged isn't your typical bull-bear debate. It's a breakdown of how dominance actually works in ad tech—and what could break it.IN THIS EPISODE→ Why AppLovin doesn't need to be better than competitors—just 95% as good→ The MAX/Axon lock-in that keeps publishers captive→ E-commerce expansion: AppLovin is beating Google on Android→ The SEC investigation and deplatforming risk (how worried should you be?)→ What one operator's portfolio data reveals about where the cracks are forming→ Each panelist's prediction for AppLovin in 2026SPEAKERSJosh Chandley — President & CEO, WildCard GamesMatthew Kanterman, CFA — Director of Research, Blue River Financial GroupBrian Peganoff — Former TMT Investor, Founder Timber AdvisorsJoseph Kim — CEO, Lila GamesTIMESTAMPS[00:00] Introduction & Panel Overview[01:22] AppLovin Financial Recap: 127% YTD, 82% Margins[04:52] Valuation Analysis: Is Growth Priced In?[07:15] The Bull Case: Infrastructure Lock-In[10:30] How MAX & Axon Create Publisher Dependency[15:45] E-Commerce Expansion: Beating Google on Android[22:10] Why Meta & Google Can't Compete on iOS[28:40] The Bear Case: Five Risks[35:20] SEC Investigation & Deplatforming Risk[42:15] The Infrastructure Risk Nobody Discusses[48:30] Competitive Landscape: Unity, Moloco, Meta[58:20] Connected TV: Wild Card or Dead End?[1:05:40] Panel Predictions for 2026[1:15:30] Key TakeawaysLINKSNewsletter: https://www.gamemakers.comFull article: https://www.gamemakers.com/p/applovin-bull-bear-casePixels & Profits is a GameMakers series covering the business and investing side of the gaming industry. | — | ||||||
| 10/13/25 | Inside the $55B EA-Saudi Deal: Why It's Not a Typical LBO (with Chris Petrovic & Matthew Kanterman) | Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund just closed the largest gaming acquisition in history—$55 billion for Electronic Arts. But this isn't the typical private equity playbook.In this episode, host Joseph Kim sits down with two M&A experts who break down what's really happening:- Chris Petrovic - Board Chairman & CBO at FunPlus, former President of Publishing at Zynga where he orchestrated their transformative acquisition strategy- Matthew Kanterman, CFA - Gaming industry analyst specializing in M&A and financial analysisWe uncover the hidden truths behind the deal:→ Why EA's "operational bloat" narrative is based on an accounting myth→ The real reason EA chose to sell now (hostile takeovers? portfolio pressure?)→ Why Silver Lake's involvement is primarily "for optics"→ What "patient capital" means for EA's studios and the broader gaming industry→ The mobile strategy question: Will EA and Scopely actually integrate?→ Growth opportunities in sports, Asia, and transmedia→ Who really controls gaming's attention economy nowThis isn't about short-term cost-cutting. It's about sovereign wealth rewriting the rules of gaming M&A—and what that means for developers, studios, and the industry's future.Key Takeaways:- At 17-18x forward EBITDA, EA sold at a discount to Activision's 20x—why?- With Take-Two now the only major independent US publisher, what happens to exit opportunities?- EA's conservative accounting makes them look less efficient than they actually are- This deal is measured in decades, not the typical 5-7 year PE timeline📬 Subscribe to Gamemakers Newsletter:https://www.gamemakers.com/🔗 Connect with our guests:Matthew Kanterman: linkedin.com/in/matthew-kanterman-cfa-b6345133Chris Petrovic: linkedin.com/in/chrispetrovic🎧 More episodes: https://open.spotify.com/show/4FdVLkx3msRFsqsEVA1vp0?si=b5192182dc6b4e52#gaming #mergers #acquisitions #ea #saudiarabia #gamedev #podcast | — | ||||||
| 10/9/25 | The Ad Monetization Playbook: Fixing Leaky Revenue, Boosting CPMs, and Scaling Your Team with Kelly Kang | Why is your ad revenue flat even when your game's traffic is growing? Margins are getting squeezed by hidden fees, and old strategies of yelling at partners no longer move the needle. In this episode, we sit down with veteran ad monetization consultant Kelly Kang to get her modern playbook for building a resilient and profitable ad strategy from the ground up.Kelly Kang has optimized ad strategies for some of the biggest names in mobile gaming, including Big Fish Games, Aristocrat, and Glu Mobile. She provides a masterclass on auditing your current setup, choosing the right tech stack, and understanding the metrics that truly matter for long-term growth.In this episode, you will learn:The #1 reason your revenue margins are shrinking (and it's not what you think).A 4-point framework to audit your ad stack, from mediation to placements.Why you should track Ad Engagement and Impression Depth over ARPDAU and CPM.The most common (and costly) mistakes studios make when launching and operating ads.Actionable "quick wins" that can immediately boost performance.How to structure and scale your ad monetization team based on revenue, not workload.Episode Chapters (Timestamps):(00:00:26) The Biggest Pain Point: Squeezed Margins & Hidden Fees(00:04:21) The Day-One Audit: A 4-Point Framework(00:07:37) Strategy: Header Bidding vs. Waterfall(00:14:25) The Metrics That Actually Matter (Beyond ARPDAU)(00:17:54) Ad Placement and Format Strategy(00:27:35) Launching a New Game: A Step-by-Step Plan(00:38:29) How to Structure and Scale Your Admon Team(00:49:03) Common Mistakes That Kill Revenue and LTV(00:55:49) Quick Wins to Boost Ad Revenue(01:04:08) The Future of Ad Monetization & AIFollow Us:For more expert insights, subscribe to the Gamemakers newsletter: https://www.gamemakers.com/Connect with our Guest:To learn more about Kelly Kang and her work, visit Game Plan Advisor: https://www.gameplanadvisor.com | — | ||||||
| 10/2/25 | Unlock 82% of the Global Gaming Market: The Ultimate Localization Guide | Is your game only available in English? You could be ignoring over 80% of your potential players. In this deep dive, I sit down with Alexander Murauski, CEO of localization agency Alkonost, to unpack the entire game localization playbook from start to finish.We cover the critical strategies, ROI analysis, and common mistakes that can make or break your global launch. Learn why you should start localizing on Day 1, how professional agencies use AI like ChatGPT to cut costs by 30% without sacrificing quality, and what to look for when choosing the right partner.Connect with our guest, Alexander Murauski:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/amurauski/Email: am@alkonost.comSubscribe to GameMakers for more deep dives with industry leaders! Link: https://www.gamemakers.com/00:00:00 - The Mr. Beast Growth Hack00:01:02 - The Economic Impact: Unlocking 82% of the World's Players00:05:10 - How to Decide Which Languages to Localize00:06:10 - The #1 Rule: Your Marketing Plan Comes FIRST00:12:03 - Using Data vs. The "Base 10" Languages (FIGS & CJK)00:17:46 - The Golden Rule: Why You MUST Start Localization on Day 100:26:24 - The Most Common Localization Mistakes (Technical vs. Translation)00:30:45 - The Importance of a Glossary & Style Guide00:34:31 - Why Spreadsheets Fail & What Tools to Use Instead00:40:13 - What is a Localization Platform? (e.g., Crowdin)00:42:22 - How to Choose a Localization Agency00:59:24 - The Role of AI: Can't I Just Use ChatGPT?01:05:30 - How Agencies Use AI to Cut Costs by 30%01:12:19 - Case Study: A 15-Year Localization Partnership01:24:16 - The Founder's Story: From Side Hustle to 1,500 Translators01:35:14 - The Future of Localization01:39:32 - Where to Find Alex | — | ||||||
| 9/23/25 | Arena Breakout: Infinite Breaks Out to PC!, Destiny: End of Western IP + China Dev, Secrets and Stupid Ideas | MAG #4 | In this episode, we explore the major headwinds facing the games industry, from publisher-developer tensions to the viability of long-standing business models. We start with a raw look at industry layoffs before pivoting to a deep-dive analysis of Arena Breakout Infinite's turbulent PC launch, which reveals a massive culture clash in monetization strategy.This discussion offers critical insights for anyone building or investing in games today, including:Arena Breakout Deep-Dive: We unpack the game's pay-to-win backlash, the shocking Tarkov plagiarism allegations, and what its performance signals for the future of extraction shooters.The End of an Alpha: A detailed breakdown of why the once-unbeatable model of pairing Western IPs with Chinese developers, like with Destiny Rising, is now likely dead due to economic and cultural friction.A Call for Contrarianism: An argument for why success in today's market requires embracing "secrets" and "stupid ideas" that conventional thinking would immediately reject, as outlined in Peter Thiel's Zero to One. | — | ||||||
| 8/28/25 | Finding Alpha: How to Find Your Company's Secret Advantage! | In an era where “good” isn’t good enough, this talk breaks down how to generate alpha—company-specific excess returns—by choosing the right game to play and going all-in on the highest-leverage moves. We cover the macro forces reshaping competition, case studies of teams that found alpha, and where velocity and AI change the basis of competition. What's your unique advantage? This talk emphasizes the significance of business strategy, particularly in light of the rise of AI and intense competition.Chapters:00:00 — Why “Finding Alpha” matters in 202501:15 — Macro: 5 secular trends (China, Attention Economy, Efficiency, LiveOps, AI)05:50 — Concepts: Alpha vs. Beta, Macro vs. Micro09:40 — Play to Win: Finding the biggest point of leverage15:10 — History snapshots: distribution & monetization plays that created alpha21:30 — Where alpha lives now: Product × Growth × LiveOps (+ AI)26:45 — Product velocity: iterating fast in the right direction29:20 — Organizational Meta: re-shaping teams for the age of AI31:10 — Takeaways & next steps | — | ||||||
| 8/25/25 | Call of Duty vs. Battlefield, Dreamhaven Struggles, AI - Tencent & Unity | Game Dev Review #1 | GAME DEV REVIEW #1NEWS:Top 5 Gaming NewsCall of Duty: Black Ops 7 Officially Revealed (GameSpot): Activision has unveiled the next entry in its massive first-person shooter franchise, "Call of Duty: Black Ops 7." The reveal trailer, showcased at Gamescom, provided a first look at the game's near-future setting and hinted at a narrative connected to previous "Black Ops" titles, with a release slated for late 2025.Battlefield 6 Beta Receives Positive Reception (Kotaku): The open beta for EA and DICE's "Battlefield 6" has concluded, with players and critics praising its return to a modern setting, large-scale maps, and destructible environments. The positive buzz is seen as a crucial step for the franchise to regain momentum after the mixed reception of its predecessor.Black Myth: Zhong Kui Announced by Game Science (Video Games Chronicle): The developers of the highly anticipated "Black Myth: Wukong" surprised audiences at Gamescom with the announcement of a new title, "Black Myth: Zhong Kui." This new game appears to be set in the same mythological universe, further expanding the rich world-building that has captivated a global audience.India Passes Bill to Regulate Online Gaming (Reuters): The Indian parliament has passed a new bill that will regulate the country's online gaming industry, including a ban on games that involve real-money wagering. This legislation is expected to have a significant impact on the rapidly growing Indian gaming market and the companies operating within it.Blizzard Co-Founder's Dreamhaven Struggles with Sales (Bloomberg): Mike Morhaime's Dreamhaven sold only 130,000 units of Wildgate one month after launch and 62,000 copies of Sunderfolk since April. Demonstrates the challenges new studios face in an oversaturated market, despite their pedigree.Top 3 AI x Gaming NewsSquare Enix Tech Demo Shows AI-Generated Detective Game (Square Enix): Square Enix presented a tech demo for a detective game where an AI generates case files, clues, and character motivations. This procedural narrative system ensures that no two playthroughs are the same, showcasing how AI can be used to create systemic and emergent gameplay loops.Unity 6.2 Launches All-In Generative AI Suite (CG Channel): Unity released Unity 6.2 on August 19 with comprehensive AI tools, including Generators for creating sprites, textures, and animations, plus an AI Assistant powered by GPT and Llama models. The update replaces Unity Muse with more flexible third-party AI model integration and expanded coding assistance capabilities.Tencent's AI Tool Slashes Art Production Time (Game Developer): Tencent unveiled an AI tool at Gamescom on August 22, 2025, that reduces art production time from days to minutes, streamlining asset creation for developers. The tool's efficiency could lower costs and accelerate game development cycles, sparking debates on artist job security.DATA:On August 9, League of Legends: Wild Rift had its biggest spike in daily IAP revenue on mobile… EVER!GAME DEV LESSONS - WEEKLY RETRO:1. Playing to Win2. Standard of Performance and Feedback3. Initial Soft Launch Focus | — | ||||||
| 8/18/25 | Navigating the Game Industry Reset: Layoffs, AI Hiring & Career Strategy with Keith Caswell (ex-EA, Microsoft) | The games industry is in a state of flux. Layoffs are widespread, AI is disrupting hiring, and the future feels uncertain. To navigate this new landscape, we're joined by Keith Caswell, a 20-year HR veteran with leadership experience at Microsoft, Electronic Arts, and Wizards of the Coast, for a masterclass in career and talent strategy.Whether you've been recently laid off, you're a leader struggling to hire authentic talent, or you're trying to future-proof your career, this episode provides an actionable playbook for success.In This Episode, We Discuss:The current state of the gaming job market and when it might recover.A step-by-step playbook for job seekers: networking, portfolios, and resumes.Why traditional interviews are failing and how to hire effectively in the age of AI.The real impact AI will have on game dev roles and the future of work.The debate between hardcore work ethic and work-life balance.Connect with our guest:Keith Caswell on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/caswellkeith/Keith's Website: keithcaswellhr.comTime Stamps:(02:41) The Current State of the Gaming Job Market(08:32) The Playbook for Recently Laid-Off Professionals(11:36) The Power of Your Network & How to Leverage Recruiters(28:03) Is Ageism a Real Factor for Industry Veterans?(51:20) The Employer's Dilemma: How to Hire in the Age of AI(01:03:09) The Best Interview Question to Ask(01:11:29) How Will AI Really Impact Game Dev Jobs?(01:26:33) The Hardcore Work Ethic vs. Work-Life Balance Debate(01:39:29) Future Predictions: Market Rebounds & Production Models | — | ||||||
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| 7/29/25 | Why Data Is The New Superpower In Gaming! | Four years after Apple's ATT shook the mobile gaming world, measurement remains complicated—but not impossible. Airbridge CEO Roi Nam joins us for an unfiltered technical discussion on what's actually working in iOS UA today.We explore SKAN 4.0, the power of CAPI, Web-to-App strategies, and why some studios see 54% LTV lifts while others struggle. From boosting ATT consent rates to understanding the UA-monetization convergence, this episode delivers the practical insights mobile gaming professionals need to compete in 2025.Warning: This gets technical. If you're looking for surface-level tips, this isn't it. But if you want the real strategies driving growth at top studios, you're in the right place. | — | ||||||
| 7/29/25 | From Concept to Character: AI Animation Revolution in Gaming | 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 | — | ||||||
| 7/21/25 | The Hidden Cost of Building Games: Sacrifice, Success, and What Really Matters ft. Mishka Katkoff, Deconstructor of Fun | 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/ | — | ||||||
| 7/13/25 | Web Shops: From 10% to 50% Revenue – The Playbook Top Games Don't Want You to Know | 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/ | — | ||||||
| 6/13/25 | Game PM Evolution: Insights on AI, Strategy & Survival | 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. | — | ||||||
| 6/5/25 | HTML5 Gaming is Back—But This Time It's Different" | Playgama CEO Reveals Why | 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. | — | ||||||
| 5/15/25 | Why Most New Games Still Face-Plant — and How Player Insight Can Flip the Script | 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/ | — | ||||||
| 5/14/25 | The BILLION User Goldmine: Gaming with AI + Telegram (DEEP DIVE) | 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/ | — | ||||||
| 4/15/25 | From Halo to Fortnite: Alex Seropian's Unfiltered Take on UEFN's Future | 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/ | — | ||||||
| 4/8/25 | Applovin vs Unity: How Applovin Destroyed the Competition! | (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/ | — | ||||||
| 4/2/25 | Future of AI in Game Development: Revolution or Evolution? | Dive into the future of AI in game development with this insightful panel from GDC featuring Aaron Farr (CTO at Jam and Tea Studios) and Liam Dean (Principal Analyst, Games at Omdia). They explore AI-native games, emergent gameplay, development acceleration, and how AI is transforming both game creation and player experiences. Essential viewing for game developers, executives, and anyone interested in how AI will reshape the gaming landscape.Timestamps0:00 - Introduction and panel overview1:50 - How revolutionary will AI be for gaming?3:30 - Current limitations of AI in game development5:10 - The concept of "AI native games" explained8:00 - Retail Mage: A real example of an AI native game11:10 - Emergent gameplay with AI - The painting IOU story14:20 - AI games vs. multiplayer games comparison17:40 - The controversy around AI in the games industry18:50 - Ethics of AI in game development22:20 - Who wins and loses with AI in game development?24:40 - The "organizational meta" and how AI will reshape studio structure27:40 - AI's impact on product development velocity30:20 - How traditional game studios will adapt (or fail)34:00 - Behind the scenes of an AI-native studio36:10 - How AI dramatically reduces development time (8 weeks vs 4 years)38:10 - The AI Dungeon Master example43:30 - Practical AI applications available right now47:10 - Q&A: Examples of AI-native games in the market49:30 - Q&A: Impact on staffing and team sizes52:40 - The future of game development organizationsSUBSCRIBE TO GAMEMAKERS:- Newsletter: https://gamemakers.substack.com/😃 —CONNECT WITH ME! — • MY INSTAGRAM → @jokim1• TWITTER → @jokim1• LINKEDIN → https://www.linkedin.com/in/jokim/ | — | ||||||
| 3/26/25 | GDC 2025: What Happened? | Join us for an in-depth discussion on the Game Developers Conference 2025 with industry veterans as they share their perspectives and what was learned during GDC on the current state of the gaming industry. This candid conversation explores attendance trends, market challenges, investment landscapes, and what's next for game developers in a changing economy.Our panel discusses:⭐ GDC attendance trends and the shift to more exclusive, executive-focused events⭐ The "age of efficiency" and austerity measures affecting game studios⭐ Investment challenges and the evolving VC landscape for gaming⭐ Platform dynamics between developers and companies like Apple and Google⭐ AI's current and potential impact on game development⭐ Unity's latest developments and challenges⭐ The changing nature of GDC itself and its future prospectsFeatured Speakers:🗣️ Eric Kress, Principal at Gosser Consulting and host on the Deconstructive of Fun podcast🗣️ Brett Novak, CEO from Liquid and Grit🗣️ Solomon Lichter Ruiz, Senior Director Global Gaming at CleverTap🗣️ Joseph Kim (Host), GameMakers & CEO of Lila GamesRecorded March 2025 following the Game Developers Conference in San Francisco.#GameDevelopment #GDC2025 #GamingIndustry #GameDev #GameDesign #AI #MobileGames #GameInvestingTimestamps:00:00 - Intro and GDC attendance discussion04:00 - San Francisco city impressions06:30 - Event format changes and networking dynamics12:40 - Industry challenges and the "age of efficiency"20:00 - Platform dynamics (Apple/Google)30:00 - AI in gaming discussion36:00 - Event highlights and notable gatherings42:00 - Bing Gordon's insights47:00 - Final thoughts on GDC's future | — | ||||||
| 3/4/25 | Understanding Battle Pass Game Design from Overwatch 2 | Dive deep into Battle Pass design with industry experts discussing Overwatch 2's approach, player psychology, and monetization strategies. Learn essential insights about progression systems, player choice, and value perception from game developer Ted Park and former Riot meta-systems expert Chris Cobb, hosted by Joseph Kim of Lila Games.Content Overview0:00 - Introduction and Battle Pass Overview3:35 - Hero-Based Games: The Main Character Problem7:20 - Battle Pass Progression and Grindiness13:15 - Value Perception and Premium Options18:40 - Customization vs Production Realities24:10 - Battle Pass Currency and Mythic Rewards System31:25 - Loot Boxes: Their Surprise Return38:15 - IP Integration and Themed Content43:50 - Ideal Battle Pass Design: Expert Recommendations52:15 - Conclusion and Key TakeawaysSUBSCRIBE TO GAMEMAKERS:- Newsletter: https://gamemakers.substack.com/ | — | ||||||
| 2/18/25 | How to Build Better Games - Game Production | In an industry where development costs have skyrocketed, and market success has become increasingly challenging, understanding the true drivers of successful game development has never been more crucial. In this discussion with Ben Carcich from Building Better Games, we highlight the counter-intuitive patterns of success and practical frameworks for modern game development leadership.Key Focus Areas:🔑 Why the most successful games often emerge from the most visibly challenging development processes🔑 How premature scaling and uncertainty avoidance doom projects before launch🔑 Critical success patterns observed across AAA and indie studios🔑 Practical approaches to balancing creative vision, technical execution, and business realityListen to this episode for actionable insights that challenge conventional wisdom about building successful games in 2024.OUTLINE:0:00 Intro1:45 How costs impact game success6:05 Other major problems with game success10:30 Zero sum time problem and the rise of live operated games11:40 Success from China and small devs12:30 Importance of delivering on a player experience14:35 The Alignment problem15:24 Fighting to expand the percentage of new game time18:25 How bigger production cost impacts decision making20:15 Major production problems - comfort with uncertainty24:35 Fear and pride25:55 Game projects with big problems succeed more often29:40 Pride and Insecurity31:52 The rush to production39:45 Obsession with planning42:20 Importance of development speed44:25 What derails planning: the wrong person and bad decisions47:09 The problem with the creative auteur49:52 Decision analysis vs. prioritization54:15 Scope creep: The ooh ooh ooh idea problem1:00:50 Taking lessons from the military and football1:04:52 Why do great lessons come from military and sports1:13:42 The problem with big plans1:14:37 Why you shouldn’t “always have an answer”1:19:00 The #1 rule: common sense rules1:22:34 How to find time to think deeply1:24:43 You don’t need to solve every problem1:30:02 How to think about long-term issues1:37:12 What are characteristics from successful game studios1:58:12 You should push when you’re young2:01:01 More about Building Better Games consultancy👇 EPISODE LINKS: - Building Better Games: https://www.buildingbettergames.gg/- Ben Carcich: https://www.linkedin.com/in/benjamin-carcich/SUBSCRIBE TO GAMEMAKERS:- Spotify Podcast: https://spoti.fi/3Cpyq7i- Newsletter: https://gamemakers.com/😃 —CONNECT WITH ME! — • MY INSTAGRAM → @jokim1• TWITTER → @jokim1• LINKEDIN → https://www.linkedin.com/in/jokim/ | — | ||||||
| 2/10/25 | The FUTURE of 4X Games: FirstFun's Surprising Billion-Dollar Strategy | Join gaming industry veterans as they break down the unprecedented transformation of mobile 4X games. Featuring insights from Joseph Kim (Lila Games), Justin Yau (Wharton MBA), UA specialist Matej Lancaric (2.5 Gamers) and game design specialist Jakub Remiar (2.5 Gamers) on how Chinese gaming companies are achieving $8M+ daily revenue through innovative UA strategies and product design.Key Topics:🔑 Evolution of 4X game design🔑 UA innovation and AI creative production🔑 Server economics and monetization strategies🔑 Future industry predictions⏰ Timestamps:0:00 Introduction and Speaker Backgrounds3:09 First Fun/River Game Partnership History8:05 Modern 4X Game Economics15:20 UA Strategy Evolution23:45 Creative Production at Scale31:30 AI's Role in UA Innovation38:15 Product Design Integration45:40 Server Management Strategies52:30 Future of 4X Gaming57:15 Non-Consensus Predictions🔍 Featured Experts:Joseph Kim (CEO, Lila Games)Justin Yau (Industry Analyst, Wharton)Matej Lancaric (UA Specialist)Jakub Remiar (Game Design Consultant)💡 Additional Resources:Previous Matej +: JK Collaboration Podcast on 4X UA Strategy: https://youtu.be/IvRjmGvWhdQDissecting Best-Selling Mobile 4X Game Metrics by Ning Wang: https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/dissecting-best-selling-mobile-4x-game-metrics-ning-wang-vk1pc/Join the GameMakers newsletter for more industry insights and discussions: Newsletter: www.gamemakers.com#MobileGaming #GameDev #UserAcquisition #4XGames #GameStrategy | — | ||||||
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8 placements across 6 markets.