ByteAction

Tomas Ramoska

ByteAction Podcast is on a mission to bring you raw, unfiltered journeys of experienced and influential people in video games and creative tech industries. If you want to understand how games are made, who are the creators behind your every day entertainment, and what it takes to build successful companies, games and products then you should give this a listen.

  1. Guillaume Rambourg: The Importance of Building Player-First Game Studios

    21 ENE

    Guillaume Rambourg: The Importance of Building Player-First Game Studios

    In this episode of ByteAction, I sit down with Guillaume Rambourg, a true operator of the games industry who’s quietly helped shape some of the biggest brands in gaming. Guillaume started his career in a QA department at CD Projekt during the final stretch of The Witcher 1, went on to help build GOG, opened CD Projekt’s US office, he then moved to Riot Games to launch their Paris office and get the company closer to players across Europe. Most recently, he was brought into Respawn (EA) to build a European publishing team for Apex Legends.We talk about what it’s actually like to build teams and offices from scratch, why Riot’s long hiring process actually makes more sense than people think, and why self-awareness and a growth mindset matter more than raw talent. Guillaume shares what “player-first” really means in practice, and why a lot of live service games fail.We also talk extensively about leadership, hiring, esports, community building, novelty in games, and where the industry is heading next. This one is part career story, part leadership masterclass, and part honest reflection on what it takes to build things that actually last in games. Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Guillaume 03:00 Guillaume's Journey in Gaming 05:58 Early Influences and Career Switch 09:14 The Growth of CD Projekt 11:48 Cultural Shifts at CD Projekt 15:01 The Launch of The Witcher 3 17:50 Establishing the US Office 20:50 Transition to Riot Games 23:57 Building the Paris Office at Riot 27:06 Understanding Player Needs at Riot 30:04 Conclusion and Future Aspirations 34:03 The Evolution of eSports Management at Riot 37:10 Recruitment Standards and Criteria at Riot 41:39 Diversity and Team Chemistry in Hiring 46:39 Leadership Style and Clarity in Decision Making 51:45 Keys to Successful Live Service Games 57:28 The Future of Gaming: Trends and Predictions 01:01:42 Advice for Aspiring Game Industry Professionals

    1 h y 2 min
  2. Christian Gascons (GFAL)

    20/08/2025

    Christian Gascons (GFAL)

    In this episode of the ByteAction Podcast, we sit down with Christian Gascons, COO and co-founder of Games for a Living (GFAL), to explore the journey of building sustainable gaming studio, their upcoming launch of Diamond Dreams, and how their team is redefining the match3 space.From Christian’s start at Blizzard Entertainment, to co-founding a studio in Barcelona, to building highly player focused games, this episode dives into the realities of the gaming industry today➡️ If you’re into gaming, startups, Web3, or entrepreneurship, this is an episode you won’t want to miss.0:54 – Welcome to the Podcast1:18 – Announcing the early launch of Diamond Dreams2:20 – Why launch now? Timing & market conditions2:28 – Who is Christian Gascons?3:20 – Early career: from Blizzard to VR studies6:25 – Founding Games for a Living & the vision8:30 – Building infrastructure before launching Diamond Dreams9:35 – The founding team & creative leadership11:45 – Raising $1.2M with just a PowerPoint13:00 – Making Web3 gaming accessible & optional14:10 – Why “game first” matters in blockchain gaming15:01 – Physical jewelry linked to in-game collectibles16:45 – How the gameplay & collectibles work18:20 – Digital collectibles vs NFTs20:20 – Building community, influencer program & Proof of Lux campaign23:35 – The hardest challenges: legal, compliance & iteration27:05 – Free-to-play, user acquisition & market realities28:18 – Gaming industry downturn & layoffs30:22 – The role of a COO in a gaming startup33:37 – Leadership style & company culture36:12 – Lessons from 13 years as an entrepreneur39:35 – Why fun matters more than graphics42:19 – Retention & what makes players come back44:00 – Future vision for Games for a Living45:02 – Leaving a mark in Web3 gaming46:10 – Advice for young people entering the gaming industry-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------https://gfal.com/

    51 min
  3. Darius Misiukevicius & Honeygain: Unlocking the Power of Internet Sharing

    30/07/2025

    Darius Misiukevicius & Honeygain: Unlocking the Power of Internet Sharing

    In this episode I’m joined by Darius Misiukevicius - Product Owner at Honeygain - the largest crowdsourced web-intelligence network. We talk about the the origins and evolution of HoneyGain, a platform that allows users to share their unused internet bandwidth for monetary rewards. Darius shares insights into the B2B model, user education, and the challenges faced during the company's growth, especially during the pandemic. Finally, we explore the importance of leadership, team dynamics, and the future of AI in business, while also touching on the startup culture in Lithuania and the values that drive personal and professional growth. 0:00 Introduction 07:07 Understanding the B2B Model 12:54 Evolution of HoneyGain's Product 16:55 Challenges and Timing of Launch 21:17 User Trust and Security Concerns 23:43 Diversity in Platforms and Services 24:51 Solving Problems for Game Studios 25:32 Future Developments and Personal Impact 26:39 Navigating Leadership Responsibilities 27:20 The Essence of Leadership Skills 28:13 Proud Moments in Team Development 29:01 Unlocking Potential in Others 30:40 Core Values in Family and Business 32:28 Hiring for Soft Skills vs. Hard Skills 35:24 The Importance of Mutual Respect in Work Relationships 37:21 Open Communication in Team Dynamics 40:19 Building a Tech Company in Lithuania 42:21 The Future of AI in Business 45:27 Fueling Energy and Passion in Leadership 46:16 Advice for Aspiring Entrepreneurs https://www.honeygain.com/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/misiukevicius-darius/

    49 min
  4. Antek Krowicki & Zack Howe: Nyx Studios, building a tabletop game & Kickstarter success

    10/07/2025

    Antek Krowicki & Zack Howe: Nyx Studios, building a tabletop game & Kickstarter success

    In this episode I’m speaking to Antek Krowicki, and Zach Howe - the co-founders of Nyx Studios. Nyx Studios is a multimedia entertainment company. They’re currently promoting their first tabletop game Havoc: Gen Zero (The Nyxlands of Havoc), which just wrapped up its successful Kickstarter campaign after raising 572% of its goal. We talk about designing with storytelling at the core, building worlds inspired by literary sci-fi and strategy classics, and why community-driven creation is the future of indie games. We also discuss Antek’s and Zack’s journey from writers to worldbuilders, and how a dream project launched in a Telegram group became a Kickstarter success and a growing game universe. 00:00 Building Bonds: The Power of Friendship in Gaming 06:17 The Genesis of Havoc: Founding a Game Company 09:12 From Writers to Game Designers: A Unique Journey 11:56 Inspiration Behind Havoc: Games and Literature 15:03 The Evolution of Havoc: Naming and Universe Building 17:50 The Future of Havoc: Expanding the Universe 20:50 What Makes a Game Successful? Insights from the Industry 23:17 The Art of Game Design: Iteration and Improvement 26:07 Creating a Rich Universe: The World of Havoc 29:01 Gameplay Mechanics: Understanding Havoc 31:53 Kickstarter Success: The Journey to Funding 38:41 Building a Thriving Community 40:17 The Evolution of Community Engagement 43:17 Insights on the Gaming Industry 49:57 Team Dynamics and Collaboration 51:59 Imagining a Future with Unlimited Resources 56:29 Balancing Work and Personal Life 01:02:17 Future Plans for Nyx Studios 01:06:20 Advice for Aspiring Game Developers https://enterhavoc.com/ https://www.linkedin.com/company/nyx-studios-games/about/

    1 h y 14 min
  5. Hanin Fakhriddin: Deep Dive to Mobile Games Marketing

    23/06/2025

    Hanin Fakhriddin: Deep Dive to Mobile Games Marketing

    In this episode of ByteAction, I speak with Hanin Fakhriddin - a mobile marketing expert whose journey spans across Gameloft, Ubisoft, and beyond. From pre-smartphone gaming to leading high-impact launches like Hungry Dragon and Might and Magic: Elemental Guardians she shares her insights on how mobile games are brought to market, and what makes them thrive. We discuss the evolution of marketing in games, the role of community building, testing strategies before launch, and why data and psychology are at the heart of great marketing. Hanin also offers a candid look at her shift into freelancing and the challenges (and joys) of teaching, consulting, and staying ahead in a fast-paced industry. Whether you’re a dev, a marketer, or just curious about how mobile games succeed, this episode is a masterclass in mobile growth marketing. Link to Hanin’s mobile marketing academy: https://hanin-fakhriddin-s-school.teachable.com/?preview=logged_out 00:00 Introduction03:15 The Roles of Networking and Graphics in Game Development  09:30 Turning Creative Visions into Playable Realities16:40 Tackling "Impossible" Problems in Game Programming22:50 The Secrets to Great Multiplayer Games29:10 Remote Work: Challenges and Opportunities in Game Development35:45 VR Gaming: The Next Frontier?41:20 How to Break Into Game Development—and Thrive?36:45 Balancing Innovation with Market Demand46:55 Predictions for the Future of Gaming Technology

    49 min
  6. Nikita Krupitskas & Michal Buras: Behind The Code (The Hidden Heroes of Gamedev)

    22/12/2024

    Nikita Krupitskas & Michal Buras: Behind The Code (The Hidden Heroes of Gamedev)

    In this episode, I’m speaking with two incredibly talented programmers, Nikita and Michal, who’ve worked on some of the most challenging aspects of game development, including networking, rendering, and creating multiplayer systems for AAA games like Six Days in Fallujah and Saints Row 3 Remastered. Together, we uncover the intricate craft of game programming and its pivotal role in shaping the experiences we all enjoy as gamers. They share insightful stories about overcoming "impossible" technical problems and what it truly means to succeed as a senior programmer in today’s fast-evolving gaming industry. Finally, we explore the human side of game development—working remotely, building meaningful connections with teams across the globe, and maintaining passion for gaming in a demanding industry. Whether you’re a budding developer or a gaming enthusiast, this episode is packed with behind-the-scenes insights and practical advice from two industry veterans. 00:00 Introduction 03:15 The Roles of Networking and Graphics in Game Development 09:30 Turning Creative Visions into Playable Realities 16:40 Tackling "Impossible" Problems in Game Programming 22:50 The Secrets to Great Multiplayer Games 29:10 Remote Work: Challenges and Opportunities in Game Development 35:45 VR Gaming: The Next Frontier? 41:20 How to Break Into Game Development—and Thrive 46:55 Predictions for the Future of Gaming Technology

    1 h y 14 min

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ByteAction Podcast is on a mission to bring you raw, unfiltered journeys of experienced and influential people in video games and creative tech industries. If you want to understand how games are made, who are the creators behind your every day entertainment, and what it takes to build successful companies, games and products then you should give this a listen.