Naavik Gaming Podcast Naavik

We finally got progress on Microsoft’s Activision/Blizzard/King acquisition. Unity joined the mandatory AI bandwagon at GDC. There’s yet another web3 organisation of companies bidding for influence. Dark & Darker went from early hype to major controversy. Rovio turned down Playtika’s proposal. Tencent shared its earnings report for digging into. The much rumoured Counter-Strike 2 was officially announced. Epic pushed deeper into UGC for Fortnite with big creator economy changes. Dive into the latest games business news with Aaron Bush, Matt Dion, Felipe Mata and your host Devin Becker.

00:00 - Start02:28 - CMA comes around on MSFT/ATVI deal09:06 - Unity joins the AI party14.00 - Rovio rejects Playtika’s bid18:45 - Some Dark & Darker Controversy24:30 - Tencent earnings report39:24 - Counter Strike 2 announcement 51:07 - Epic’s “Creator Economy 2.0”01:08:17 - Outro

If you would like us to discuss any other gaming-related topics, reach out at podcast@naavik.co. We’d love to hear your feedback!
 
And as always, if you like the episode, you can help others find us by leaving a rating or review!

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Sound design by Gavin Mc Cabe.

 Choosing a backend is one of the most important choices a developer can make in their product lifecycle and has long lasting implications on live service matchmaking, commerce, security, and account structure. Should you build or buy? What are the pros and cons, and what comes off the shelf vs. custom use? In today’s episode your host, Alexandra Takei, talks with Eden Chen, the founder and CEO of Pragma, a gaming backend service trying to level up backends to be built alongside a modern 2020s gaming studio. How is Pragma different than incumbents? Tune in to find out.

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

TLDListen?: Episode summary
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Join the discussion: Naavik Discord
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Sound design by Gavin Mc Gabe.

How are Netflix and other game studios expanding while Amazon and Twitch make layoffs? What does a partnership between the two heavyweights of web3, IMX and Polygon actually mean? Can MS and Epic compete with existing app stores? The mysteries of CCP raising money for a web3 game explored. We dive into the latest games business news with Anil Das-Gupta, Aaron Bush, Dave Elton, and your host Devin Becker.

00:00 - Start02:00 - Netflix games growth09:25 - Multiple game devs expanding studios13:02 - Amazon and Twitch layoffs17:40 - Strategic Partnership between IMX and Polygon34:40 - New Mobile App Stores from MS and Epic50:16 - CCP Raise $40M for a web3 game01:12:50 - Outro

If you would like us to discuss any other gaming-related topics, reach out at podcast@naavik.co. We’d love to hear your feedback!
 
And as always, if you like the episode, you can help others find us by leaving a rating or review!

Go premium with Naavik Pro to access an ever-growing library of deep exclusive research including free-to-play and blockchain game deconstructions, and market analysis. Use the promo code METACAST to save 10%.
TLDListen?: Episode summary
Watch the episode: YouTube video 
Join the discussion: Naavik Discord
Read more: Naavik Digest
Watch more: YouTube channel
Go premium: Naavik Pro
Follow us: Twitter | LinkedIn | Facebook | Website

Sound design by Gavin Mc Cabe.

NPCs in games are notoriously goofy. They walk into walls, they repeat themselves over and over again and they run out of cover in the middle of a gunfight. At their best, they kind of just blend into the surroundings and the player barely notices they are there. At their worst, they actually ruin the gameplay experience. But what if we could use the latest developments in artificial intelligence and machine learning technologies to give NPCs more intelligence and real personalities? Could NPCs and how they behave become a core part of the game, even a reason to play and replay a game? Kylan Gibbs, co-founder and Chief Product Officer of Inworld.ai is trying to do just that, and joins your host, Niko Vuori, to discuss how, and why now.

Inworld.ai: https://inworld.ai 

If you would like us to discuss any other blockchain gaming-related topics, do reach out at metacast@naavik.co. We’d love to hear your general thoughts and feedback too!
 
And as always, if you like the episode, you can help others find us by leaving a rating or review!

TLDListen?: Episode summary
Watch the episode: YouTube video 
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Sound design by Gavin Mc Gabe.

In this episode, Lucy Hoffman – co-founder and COO of Carry1st – joins Naavik co-founder Aaron Bush to discuss:

#1 Africa’s exciting gaming trajectory, including how the region’s extreme diversity poses unique challenges and opportunities

#2 The state of Carry1st with breakdowns of the company’s publishing, game development, and technology strategies

#3 Lessons learned about managing company culture with a fully remote and rapidly growing team
#4 How obsessing over serving customer needs could lead to even bigger opportunities down the road

To learn more, make sure to visit Carry1st’s website. You can also find Lucy on LinkedIn.

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

Go premium with Naavik Pro to access an ever-growing library of deep exclusive research including free-to-play and blockchain game deconstructions, and market analysis. Check out the link to request a demo.
 
TLDListen?: Episode summary
Watch the episode: YouTube channel
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Free newsletter: Naavik Digest
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Sound design by Gavin Mc Cabe.

How did the collapse of Silicon Valley Bank affect games? Why did Applovin spin out new studio Redemption? We dive into the latest games business news with Maria Gillies, Aaron Bush, David Kaye, and your host Devin Becker.

00:00 - Start02:20 - Microsoft delays and cloud updates06:36 - Google shuts down cloud streaming services09:10 - CoD:M competing with Warzone mobile18:14 - SVB Collapse affects studios and VCs39:10 - Applovin spins out Redemption Studios53:52 - Outro

If you would like us to discuss any other gaming-related topics, reach out at podcast@naavik.co. We’d love to hear your feedback!
We’d love to see you at the Leanplum & Naavik Exclusive VIP GDC party, and you can request a spot here. Don't miss out on this opportunity to connect and network with like-minded individuals.
 
And as always, if you like the episode, you can help others find us by leaving a rating or review!

Go premium with Naavik Pro to access an ever-growing library of deep exclusive research including free-to-play and blockchain game deconstructions, and market analysis. Use the promo code METACAST to save 10%.
TLDListen?: Episode summary
Watch the episode: YouTube video 
Join the discussion: Naavik Discord
Read more: Naavik Digest
Watch more: YouTube channel
Go premium: Naavik Pro
Follow us: Twitter | LinkedIn | Facebook | Website

Sound design by Gavin Mc Cabe.