Naavik Gaming Podcast

Naavik
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Naavik Gaming Podcast

The Naavik Gaming Podcast is a business-focused exploration of the companies, trends, strategies and leaders that are defining the future of games. To learn more and see other great content visit www.naavik.co.

  1. The State of Video Game Publishing (with Serenity Forge)

    1 DAY AGO

    The State of Video Game Publishing (with Serenity Forge)

    The sub-AA/AAA world of games has become increasingly competitive in recent years, and yet Serenity Forge, a diverse 40-50 person publisher based out of Colorado, has found a way to grow, develop, and publish games with very high success rates. How do they do it? To answer this question, host Aaron Bush is joined by Zhenghua (Z) Yang, the founder and CEO of Serenity Forge. They discuss Z’s inspiring story, how publishing has evolved over the past decade, and how Z goes above and beyond to ensure success. They also dig into the nuances of working with subscription platforms, the underdiscussed benefits of physical sales, building unique distribution, structuring publishing deals, and how AI does (and doesn’t) impact the way they think about supporting games. If you want a case study of how to win and stand out in a crowded gaming market, make sure to give this episode a listen! We’d also like to thank AWS for Games for making this episode possible. AWS for Games aligns purpose-built game development capabilities — including AWS services like Amazon GameLift as well as solutions from AWS Partners — to help game developers build, run, and grow their games. For more information, visit https://aws.amazon.com/gametech/ 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. Who’s On: Guest - Zhenghua (Z) Yang: https://www.linkedin.com/in/serenityz/  Host - Aaron Bush: https://www.linkedin.com/in/aaron-bush-846b8185/ 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.

    1 hr
  2. Lessons In Writing and Directing Video Game IP

    4 DAYS AGO

    Lessons In Writing and Directing Video Game IP

    Writing and directing for transmedia is an often overlooked part of world building in video games, but as consumers it is one of the most memorable elements of any game we play. Our host, David Taylor sat down with Neel Upadhye, a creative powerhouse who has left his mark on some of the most iconic franchises in gaming.  From shaping the lore of Star Wars: The Old Republic and Battlefield 2042 to crafting Stories from the Outlands for Apex Legends, Neel’s work has been viewed tens of millions of times, defining what it means to merge storytelling with gameplay. In this episode, we explore Neel’s journey through the gaming industry, dive into his creative process, and what the future holds for transmedia storytelling. 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.

    53 min
  3. Navigating the Botting Industry: Fraud, Cheating, and Multi-Accounting

    DEC 13

    Navigating the Botting Industry: Fraud, Cheating, and Multi-Accounting

    Botting, an often misused term that encapsulates multi-accounting, cheating, and fraud, plays a pivotal role in gaming — sometimes enhancing experiences but often undermining them. Our host, Alexandra Takei, Director at Ruckus Games, sits down with Henry LeGard, CEO and co-founder of Verisoul, and George Ng, CTO and co-founder of GGWP, to unpack the botting phenomenon. Their nuanced conversation covers why gaming is rife with bots, when bots are good, when bots are bad, and what gaming can learn from cybersecurity and homeland security.  The conversation digs into detection strategies (including behavioral analysis, device fingerprinting, and the deployment of ban waves) and also explores how community plays a role in bot detection and reporting. Finally, the trio discusses how the botting industry will change for the better or the worse with the advancements in AI.  We’d also like to thank Reforged Labs for making this episode possible. This YC startup automates the traditionally costly and time-consuming ad production process, delivering high-quality, cost-effective video ads in under 24 hours – and it’s all powered by a proprietary AI engine trained on thousands of successful game ads. Learn more: https://reforgedlabs.com/?utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=naavik_promo&utm_id=naavik+promo&utm_term=newsletter&utm_content=october30. 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.

    1h 1m
  4. Mastering Merge: How StarBerry Built a Merge-2 Hit

    DEC 10

    Mastering Merge: How StarBerry Built a Merge-2 Hit

    In this episode of the Naavik Gaming Podcast, host Niko Vuori interviews Antti Hattara, co-founder and CEO of StarBerry Games, about their successful mobile game, Merge Mayor.  As the game surpasses the $25 million revenue milestone, the conversation covers the game's journey from an idle game that pivoted into a merge-2 (along the lines of Metacore’s Merge Mansion), the challenges of the merge category, and the importance of community engagement through platforms like Discord.  Antti shares insights into the development processes of Merge Mayor with just a 22-person team, key moments that contributed to its success, and strategies for balancing feedback from hardcore players with the needs of new users. The discussion also touches on the innovative social features of the game, the “pyramid” framework for player engagement, and their evolving approach to storytelling. We’d also like to thank nSure.ai for making this episode possible! As a proven industry leader, nSure.ai provides scalable payment fraud prevention that’s not just effective but tailored specifically to your needs. To learn more, visit https://www.nsure.ai/contact 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.

    1h 10m
  5. Transforming UA Creatives Through AI (with Reforged Labs)

    DEC 6

    Transforming UA Creatives Through AI (with Reforged Labs)

    AI is increasingly touching every corner of the games industry, and one of the areas it may have the largest impact on is user acquisition. Today, host Aaron Bush is joined by Robert Huynh, co-founder and CEO of Reforged Labs, to discuss how AI will transform the way gaming creatives are made, experimented with, and ultimately convert consumers. They dive into how the world of online content and digital marketing may evolve in the coming years, what Reforged Labs is building to help mobile game teams find greater and more efficient success, and how AI in marketing is a democratizing force for smaller companies. Robert shares multiple lessons learned as a repeat founder, walks us through the technology underpinning Reforged Labs, and we chat about why the future of AI content may not be as dystopian as many fear. If you want to learn where the future of marketing is heading, make sure to give this episode a listen! We’d also like to thank Neon – a merchant of record with customizable webshops optimized for conversion – for making this episode possible! Neon is trusted by some of the biggest names in gaming and can help you sell direct without the typical overhead. To learn more, visit https://www.neonpay.com/?utm_source=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. Who’s On: Guest - Robert Huynh: https://www.linkedin.com/in/huynhrobert/  Host - Aaron Bush: https://www.linkedin.com/in/aaron-bush-846b8185/  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.

    50 min
  6. Gaming, Music, & Tipping: A New Era for Creator Payments

    DEC 4

    Gaming, Music, & Tipping: A New Era for Creator Payments

    Today, host Devin Becker is joined by Sam Means, Founder of Wavlake, and Ben Cousens, Chief Strategy Officer of ZBD, for an exploration of alternative payment systems for creators in the music and gaming industries. The conversation dives into how Wavlake leverages Bitcoin to revolutionize artist payments and music distribution, offering unique benefits over traditional platforms like Spotify and Apple Music. Sam shares the story behind Wavlake, its current mission, and how its collaboration with ZBD opens new doors for “tipping” (rather than purchasing or subscribing) as a way to support creators. We explore how this technology reshapes interactions between music artists and gamers, with potential applications for UGC platforms, music in games, and live-streaming environments. We tackle pressing questions about copyright enforcement, the role of AI-generated music, and emerging policies that impact artists and game developers alike. (Also be sure to check out our previous episode with Ben, discussing ZBD in more detail!) We’d also like to thank TikTok for making this episode possible. Powered by automation and precision, TikTok’s advanced product solutions work seamlessly with its newest creative tools—making content creation easy, effective, and scalable—to drive installs and boost in-game revenue. Learn more about making the most of Q5 with TikTok by visiting: https://bit.ly/Q5ProgramNAVPodcast 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.

    46 min
  7. Can Alternative App Stores Thrive Post-DMA?

    NOV 29

    Can Alternative App Stores Thrive Post-DMA?

    In this episode of the Naavik Gaming podcast, host Niko Vuori interviews Álvaro Pinto, co-founder and COO of Aptoide, an independent app store with over 430 million users and 10 billion downloads.  They discuss the evolution of app distribution, the concept of decentralization, and how Aptoide has grown and adapted over the years. Álvaro shares insights into the company's revenue model, user demographics, and the impact of blockchain technology through their AppCoins initiative.  The conversation highlights the challenges and opportunities in the app distribution landscape, especially in light of regulatory changes in Europe and Japan, and the push for alternative solutions to the dominant app store duopoly of Apple and Google. We’d also like to thank Reforged Labs for making this episode possible. This YC startup automates the traditionally costly and time-consuming ad production process, delivering high-quality, cost-effective video ads in under 24 hours – and it’s all powered by a proprietary AI engine trained on thousands of successful game ads. Learn more: https://reforgedlabs.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.

    1h 4m
  8. Gaming IP in 2024: How to Create Lasting Impact on UEFN

    NOV 26

    Gaming IP in 2024: How to Create Lasting Impact on UEFN

    One of UEFN's biggest strengths is that it is a melting pot of intellectual property. Jeremy Pedron, Lead Game Designer at JOGO Studios, calls it “a vast childhood playroom”, a place where you can combine playing with Batman while also playing with Legos. As creative costs go down to zero, the modern gaming market is undergoing a transformation in how IP is created. In summary, IP has never been more adaptable. Host, Alexandra Takei, Director at Ruckus Games, sits down with Kevin Mariano, CEO of Future Trash, and Jeremy to discuss how building IP for gaming today differs from the past. They explore two distinct strategies, one focused on establishing unique art style and character design, and the other centered around character development and lore — and how both studios utilize UEFN to their advantage. The conversation also addresses the implications of transferring IP off the platform and what limitations a UGC-native brand and IP might face. For further insights into JOGO and the Fortnite Creative Economics system, be sure to listen to our other episode here. 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.

    1h 1m
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Ratings & Reviews

4.3
out of 5
3 Ratings

About

The Naavik Gaming Podcast is a business-focused exploration of the companies, trends, strategies and leaders that are defining the future of games. To learn more and see other great content visit www.naavik.co.

Information

  • Creator
    Naavik
  • Years Active
    2021 - 2024
  • Episodes
    364
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Naavik, Inc.
  • Show Website
    Naavik Gaming Podcast

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