Player: Engage Keywords Studios + Helpshift

In this episode of the Player Engage podcast, host Greg Posner interviews Ivan Zaguirre from SocialPoint. Ivan shares his nine-year journey at SocialPoint, discussing his various roles and the recent release of their new game, Top Troops. Ivan emphasizes the importance of understanding the gaming audience and tailoring the product to their tastes and preferences. He also highlights the significance of metrics in measuring success and making data-driven decisions. Ivan touches on the challenges of product management in the gaming industry and the need for effective communication and alignment within teams. He concludes by encouraging aspiring product managers to embrace the role and prioritize early product-market fit and audience feedback.

Overall, this episode provides valuable insights into the product management process in the gaming industry, highlighting the importance of metrics, audience understanding, and effective communication. Listeners gain a deeper understanding of the challenges and strategies involved in creating successful player experiences.

In this engaging episode of the Player: Engage podcast, we delve deep into the world of community in gaming from multiple perspectives. Our host, Greg, is joined by three distinguished guests from the gaming industry:  Ben Kvalo from Midwest Games, Anna Wright from Niantic, and Carlos Figueiredo from Minecraft. Each guest shares their unique insights on building and nurturing gaming communities, emphasizing player safety, community engagement, and the integration of community feedback into game development.

Key takeaways from this episode include:

* Ben Kvalo's insights on the business end of gaming and the importance of market strategies for game launches.
* Anna Wright's experiences at Niantic, discussing the impact of real-world interactions in games like Pokémon Go and how these shape community dynamics.
* Carlos Figueiredo's perspective on player safety as a design discipline, highlighting the evolution of community safety features in games like Minecraft.

For a deeper understanding of how these industry leaders are shaping the future of gaming communities and ensuring safe, engaging environments for players, tune into this episode of Player: Engage. Their stories and strategies are not just informative but also a testament to the dynamic and ever-evolving world of gaming. Listen now to explore the intricate balance between player engagement and safety and discover how top companies are leveraging community feedback to enhance gaming experiences.

In  this special episode of the Player: Engage podcast, host Greg delves  into the world of gaming accessibility with guests Olivier Nourry and Tim  Lansiaux, founders of Games Accessibility Hub. The episode is timely, coinciding with Global Accessibility Awareness Day, and focuses on the importance of digital access and inclusion in gaming. Olivier and Tim  share their journey and mission to make gaming inclusive for people with  disabilities, discussing the innovative solutions and the impact of  accessible gaming features on the community.

Key takeaways from the episode include:

* Insights from Games Accessibility Hub:  Learn how the organization assists game studios in creating accessible  games through knowledge sharing, assessments, and user testing with  disabled gamers.
* Examples of Accessibility in Action:  Discover how major games like "The Last of Us Part II" and "Forza  Motorsport" have set new standards in accessibility, allowing even  visually impaired players to fully enjoy gaming.
* The Business Case for Accessibility:  Understand the return on investment (ROI) for incorporating  accessibility in games, including increased loyalty and broader market  reach.

For anyone interested in the intersection of  gaming and accessibility, this episode provides a deep dive into how  inclusivity can be embedded into game design from the outset. To hear  more about the challenges and triumphs in making games accessible, and  to learn how you can contribute to this important cause, listen to the  full episode on the Player: Engage podcast.

In this enlightening episode of the Player: Engage podcast, host Greg is joined by Olli Mäntylä, a pivotal figure in the gaming industry. Olli, who serves as the director of the Game Development World Championship (GDWC) and the founder and CEO of Ace Lagoon, shares an in-depth look into the workings of the GDWC. He explains how the championship is not just a competition but a platform that allows developers from around the globe to showcase their games. Olli emphasizes that the GDWC is designed to be accessible to game developers of all levels, from indie to more established studios, and discusses the variety of prizes that range from industry recognition to substantial funding and publishing deals.

The conversation also delves into the challenges and intricacies of organizing such a massive event, including the process of game submission, judging, and feedback. Olli reveals that he personally plays over 2,000 games a year to ensure a fair and comprehensive evaluation process. He also discusses the new initiatives by Ace Lagoon, like the Pipelines project, which aims to connect developers with publishers and funding opportunities.

Key Takeaways:

* Global Participation: Learn how developers worldwide can enter their games, regardless of the development stage.
* Judging Insights: Discover the unique challenges of judging thousands of games and how biases are managed.
* Pipelines Initiative: A new opportunity for developers to secure funding and support.

For a deeper understanding of these topics and to get a firsthand account of the behind-the-scenes efforts that go into organizing a global game development competition, tune into this episode of Player: Engage.

In this episode of the Player: Engage Podcast, host Greg is joined by Christine Dart, the Global Head of Marketing at Helpshift and a Marketing Leader at Keywords Player Engagement. Christine shares her extensive experience in B2B marketing within the video game industry, discussing her dynamic strategies that have led to significant growth in revenues and leads. She also delves into her personal journey from mechanical designer to marketing maven, highlighting her transition through various roles and the importance of adaptability and continuous learning in marketing.

Key takeaways from this episode include:

* The nuances between B2B and B2C marketing and how foundational marketing principles apply across both.
* Insights into the evolving roles within marketing departments, such as the integration of customer marketing and the shift of business development roles under marketing umbrellas.
* Christine's approach to leadership in marketing, emphasizing the importance of alignment with company goals, understanding team dynamics, and the power of effective delegation.

For a deeper dive into how marketing strategies can drive business success and the importance of aligning marketing efforts with broader business objectives, tune into this episode of the Player: Engage Podcast. Discover Christine Dart's expert strategies and learn how to apply them to your own marketing efforts for measurable success.

In this insightful episode of the Player: Engage Podcast, host Greg delves into the intricate world of backend game services with tech visionary Patrick Twohig. As the fractional CTO of Wheelhouse and founder of Elements, Patrick shares his extensive experience in streamlining the delivery of high-quality streaming content and developing interactive applications for both Web 2 and Web 3 spaces. The conversation takes a deep dive into the complexities of backend services, the importance of DevOps, and the potential of Web3 in gaming, all while touching upon Patrick's unique lifestyle of living on a sailboat and his passion for gaming.

Key takeaways from this episode:

* The role of backend services in gaming and how they impact player experience.
* Insights into the future of Web3 gaming and digital ownership.
* The significance of DevOps in ensuring game stability and success post-launch.

To get a comprehensive understanding of how backend services can make or break a game, and to hear Patrick's expert take on the evolution of Web3 in the gaming industry, tune in to this episode of Player: Engage Podcast. Discover the tools and strategies that could shape the next generation of gaming by listening to the full conversation.

Don't miss out on the valuable lessons shared by Patrick Twohig – listen to the episode now for a deeper exploration of these topics.