GameMakers

Joseph Kim
GameMakers

The GameMakers podcast publishes current, entertaining, and in-depth discussions on F2P game development. Topics that we cover include the business of games, F2P monetization, liveops, game design, game development processes, team structure, and more.

  1. Pixels & Profits | Gaming Industry 2024-2025 - Crisis, Transformation, and Opportunity

    7 ENE

    Pixels & Profits | Gaming Industry 2024-2025 - Crisis, Transformation, and Opportunity

    The gaming industry experienced seismic shifts in 2024, from record-breaking layoffs to China's rising dominance. In this comprehensive analysis, we break down the five key developments that shaped gaming in 2024 and what they mean for 2025. We'll explore: 🔑 The true impact of the gaming recession 🔑 Why live service games are harder than ever to compete with 🔑 How China became a global gaming powerhouse 🔑 The surprising comeback of live operations 🔑 Why UGC platforms struggled to monetize Plus, we'll dive into our predictions for 2025, including: 🔑 The evolution of game development models 🔑 AI's growing role in gaming 🔑 Market recovery catalysts 🔑 Companies to watch 🔑 Industry transformation ahead Whether you're a developer, investor, or gaming enthusiast, this analysis will help you understand where the industry is headed and why it matters. Join us for an in-depth look at gaming's past year and future prospects. Outline 0:00 - Introduction & Overview 2:15 - 2024 Year in Review Overview 3:30 - Gaming Recession Deep Dive (Industry layoffs, Shift in cost-cutting approaches) 7:45 - Live Service Games Dominance (Steam engagement statistics, Why established games maintain power) 12:30 - China's Gaming Success Story (Mobile market dominance, HD gaming breakthrough, Strategic advantages) 18:15 - Live Operations Excellence (Brawl Stars case study, Impact on game performance) 22:45 - UGC Platform Challenges (Monetization struggles, Platform economics) 26:30 - 2025 Predictions Overview 27:45 - New Development Models (Shift from traditional approaches, Efficiency focus) 32:15 - AI Integration in Gaming (Three levels of integration, Future possibilities) 37:30 - Market Recovery Catalysts (Key upcoming releases, Market conditions) 42:15 - Companies to Watch (Detailed analysis of key players, Growth opportunities) 48:30 - Industry Transformation (Workforce changes, Operational shifts) 53:15 - Conclusion & Key Takeaways 55:00 - Final Thoughts

    1 h y 18 min
  2. 01/11/2024

    Economics & Advantages of Mobile Web Stores ft. Gil Tov-ly from AppCharge

    We discuss the impact, economics, and advantages of mobile web stores in a deep discussion with Gil Tov-ly, the CMO of AppCharge, a company that partners with game studios to build optimized web stores. OUTLINE: 0:00 Intro 1:13 Motivation and economics of mobile web stores: Huge 20-30% total revenue lift 3:42 Amount of transactions through web stores vs. direct IAP, what impacts more web store transactions? 9:34 How web stores can support VIP spenders 10:40 Typical web store support provided by companies like AppCharge 11:40 impact of web stores 13:48 The player experience with web stores 18:32 breakdown of support services to help developers roll out a web store 25:25 How to evaluate webstore partners 28:25 Current legal and regulatory environment around web stores - what are the limitations? 31:18 Rise of alternative app stores and side-loading 32:30 Building direct relationships with customers by having your own web store 36:25 What does the future look like for player monetization channels in 5-10 years 39:30 More info about AppCharge - what is their promotional pitch? 👇 EPISODE LINKS: - AppCharge: https://appcharge.com/ - Gil Tov-ly: https://www.linkedin.com/in/giltovly/ SUBSCRIBE TO GAMEMAKERS: - Spotify Podcast: https://spoti.fi/3Cpyq7i - Newsletter: https://gamemakers.substack.com/ 😃 —CONNECT WITH ME! — • MY INSTAGRAM → @jokim1 • TWITTER → @jokim1 • LINKEDIN → https://www.linkedin.com/in/jokim/ — POPULAR CONTENT — 🤑 Economy of the Metaverse with Tim Sweeney https://youtu.be/h6ClJxjuRvw ℹ️ How to Build the Amazon of Game Companies https://youtu.be/bkd2TOpKt4I 🔮 Gaming Trends | A Look Ahead at 2021 https://youtu.be/NejFzHtpiZI 🖥️ The Future of PC Gaming https://youtu.be/_QT7O3Wxi2s 🔴 Games Industry M&A https://youtu.be/65nyPk6WNrs 🔴 Netcode for Multiplayer Games https://youtu.be/tHq3PzmjhLw 🔴 IDFA Deprecation Product Impact https://youtu.be/Ojec4wGKpso 🔴 Trip Hawkins on the New High Score https://youtu.be/5egTSQ6AiRA 🔴 LiveOps F2P Best Practices https://youtu.be/tmzqqnYbjNY

    43 min
  3. 30/10/2024

    Game Industry Hot Takes: Ubisoft's Struggles, Unity's Revival, and Microsoft's Game Pass Gambit

    A deep dive into the most pressing topics in gaming with industry veterans discussing recent developments, challenges, and future outlooks. ⏱️ Timeline/Chapters: 00:00 - Introduction 01:05 - Ubisoft's Current State & Challenges 14:35 - Unity's Turnaround Story 31:20 - AppLovin Deep Dive 39:15 - China Gaming Market Update 49:40 - Microsoft-Activision Deal Impact 56:10 - Roblox & Hindenburg Report Discussion 📝 Description: Join us for an in-depth discussion of the hottest topics in gaming! Industry veterans break down recent developments at major gaming companies and what they mean for the future of the industry. We analyze Ubisoft's ongoing struggles, Unity's attempted turnaround under new leadership, AppLovin's rising dominance in mobile advertising, China's gaming market dynamics, and the implications of Microsoft's Activision acquisition. Plus, a quick take on the recent Roblox controversy. Topics include: • Why Western AAA game development is struggling • Unity's technical improvements and business challenges • AppLovin's market dominance in mobile advertising • China gaming market outlook and geopolitical risks • Microsoft's Game Pass strategy and the future of gaming subscriptions • Latest industry M&A activity and valuations Whether you're a game developer, industry executive, or just interested in the business of gaming, this discussion provides valuable insights into where the industry is headed in 2024 and beyond.

    1 h y 6 min
  4. 18/08/2024

    Chinese Gaming Giants: Tencent vs. Netease | Pixels & Profits

    We dive deep into the fierce competition between Tencent and NetEase—two titans shaping the global gaming landscape. Discover how these companies are navigating the challenges of the Chinese market and their strategies for international expansion. We also share our personal experiences about Tencent and provide insider insights you can't find anywhere else. Don't forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more industry insights! 🚀 #Gaming #Tencent #NetEase #GameIndustry #PixelsAndProfits OUTLINE: 0:00 Intro 1:50 Tencent business overview 4:50 Tencent margins & operational efficiency 8:06 Tencent internal studios 10:30 How Tencent worked with Glu - Brian and JK personal stories 18:15 The Tencent game dev model 21:08 Potential IP conflicts - Apex Legends Mobile case study 23:40 Tencent as bully 25:22 Tencent game company holdings 27:16 Tencent key growth opportunities 33:50 Tencent key challenges 40:55 Geo-political factors involved with Tencent 47:07 Tencent valuation 51:51 Netease business overview 54:21 Brian’s take on new Netease survival game 56:00 Netease internal studios 57:34 Netease growth opportunities 1:01:55 Netease valuation 1:02:55 Netease challenges 1:04:03 Tencent vs. Netease future outlook SUBSCRIBE TO GAMEMAKERS: - Spotify Podcast: https://spoti.fi/3Cpyq7i - Newsletter: https://gamemakers.substack.com/ 😃 —CONNECT WITH ME! — • MY INSTAGRAM → @jokim1 • TWITTER → @jokim1 • LINKEDIN → https://www.linkedin.com/in/jokim/ — POPULAR CONTENT — 🤑 Economy of the Metaverse with Tim Sweeney https://youtu.be/h6ClJxjuRvw ℹ️ How to Build the Amazon of Game Companies https://youtu.be/bkd2TOpKt4I 🔮 Gaming Trends | A Look Ahead at 2021 https://youtu.be/NejFzHtpiZI 🖥️ The Future of PC Gaming https://youtu.be/_QT7O3Wxi2s 🔴 Games Industry M&A https://youtu.be/65nyPk6WNrs 🔴 Netcode for Multiplayer Games https://youtu.be/tHq3PzmjhLw 🔴 IDFA Deprecation Product Impact https://youtu.be/Ojec4wGKpso 🔴 Trip Hawkins on the New High Score https://youtu.be/5egTSQ6AiRA 🔴 LiveOps F2P Best Practices https://youtu.be/tmzqqnYbjNY

    1 h y 1 min
  5. 16/08/2024

    Mastering F2P Cosmetics Monetization in Games

    Anton Bernstein, CEO of Pocket Worlds, discusses the intricacies of cosmetics monetization in free-to-play games. Learn about player motivations, game design considerations, primary vs. secondary markets, and cultural differences in monetization strategies. Gain valuable insights on key metrics and best practices for successful cosmetic-based revenue in games like Fortnite, CS:GO, and High Rise. OUTLINE: 0:00 Intro 0:45 Most important topics around cosmetics monetization 2:11 Anton Bernstein background and Pocket World business 3:17 The kinds of games that sell cosmetics well: 6:20 How does Fair to play vs. free to play impact cosmetics sales 11:48 How necessary is high engagement to cosmetics sale? 14:16 How does 1st vs. 3rd person perspective impact kinds of cosmetics sales? 16:38 How does motivation around vanity vs. speculation impact cosmetics sales? 21:00 The best games to study for F2P cosmetics monetization 23:40 ARPU and spend depth for cosmetics sales 27:50 Form of cosmetics sales that perform best: Battle pass, loot box, etc. 31:50 The importance of big IP and scale to sell cosmetics well 35:00 Player motivations behind buying cosmetics 38:55 Cosmetics monetization East vs. West 45:00 Primary vs. secondary markets - developer business model 52:47 KPIs and metrics to watch for cosmetics sales 55:50 Dangers of selling cosmetics 57:32 Final message and contacting Anton 👇 EPISODE LINKS: - Anton Bernstein, CEO of Pocket Worlds: https://www.linkedin.com/in/antonber/ - Pocket Worlds: https://www.pocketworlds.com/ SUBSCRIBE TO GAMEMAKERS: - Spotify Podcast: https://spoti.fi/3Cpyq7i - Newsletter: https://gamemakers.com/

    59 min
  6. 21/07/2024

    Brawl Stars Godzilla Event Product Roundtable Discussion | Liquid & Grit x Gamemakers

    We partnered with Liquid & Grit to discuss the Brawl Stars Godzilla event, which had a massive impact on Brawl Stars' revenue and downloads. - Highest weekly revenue ever - 59% revenue increase and 107% downloads increase 3Wo3W We review the event and discuss the implications and lessons learned. Discussion Outline: 00:00 - Introduction of the roundtable, Joseph Kim, and the participants. 00:12 - Introduction of Joseph Kim and his work. 01:18 - Overview of Brawl Stars and its game modes. 02:07 - Discussion on the popularity of Brawl Stars among kids. 03:08 - Joseph Kim discusses game design and the success of isometric games. 03:50 - Comparison between Brawl Stars and Wild Rift in terms of game depth and modes. 04:42 - Observations on the female player base in Brawl Stars. 05:50 - Insights on why kids prefer Brawl Stars, focusing on game modes .06:37 - Discussion on the decline of Fortnite and its impact on Brawl Stars. 07:33 - Introduction to the Godzilla event, its content, and game modes. 09:38 - Analysis of the event's impact on revenue and downloads. 11:18 - Explanation of event mechanics, including Monster Eggs and mutations. 13:02 - Discussion on player reactions to the temporary nature of mutations. 14:52 - Community reactions to pay-to-win elements and their temporary nature. 16:26 - Speculation on the potential return of the Godzilla event in the future. 17:18 - Discussion on the game mode experience and its balance. 18:40 - Participant's experience with the event and mutations. 20:53 - Discussion on club engagement and the club event mechanics. 21:46 - Description of the Godzilla City Smash game mode. 23:36 - Thoughts on the choice of the Godzilla IP for the event. 25:55 - In-depth discussion on the temporary nature of mutations and player perceptions. 27:04 - Considerations on event mechanics and their impact on player engagement and revenue. 28:30 - Speculations on legal implications of temporary in-game purchases. 30:17 - Discussion on the complexity of the event and its execution. 32:14 - Participant's views on the event's entertainment value and economic impact. 52:05 - Final thoughts on the event's design, economy, and player engagement. 53:41 - Closing remarks and thanks to participants.

    54 min
  7. 31/05/2024

    Rise and Fall of Embracer Group | Implications for the Future of Games M&A

    0:00 Intro 1:42 Background on FunPlus 2:35 Embracer Group - Historical context and current status, including breakup 6:06 Why did Embracer break up? What form of game industry consolidation makes sense? 7:40 When do company synergies make sense for game studio consolidation? 9:40 Comparison of Zynga vs. Embracer M&A strategy, Zynga’s historical M&A context 14:00 Could Embracer’s consolidation strategy have worked out? How? 16:00 Embracer’s lack of centralization functions and impact of debt to break up 19:31 Impact of easy money on M&A in 2021/2022 and then after 21:45 Outlook for Embracer split-off companies 25:38 Lars’ role in the new split-off Embracer companies 26:50 Impact of trading on the Swedish exchange 29:08 Importance of post-acquisition integration 36:22 Chris’ take on advantages of scale for gaming studios - ideal level of scale 41:08 Matt’s thoughts on game studio scale 42:30 Value from sharing best practices 47:09 Thoughts on how big studios will consider Roblox more seriously 50:05 Will FunPlus consider acquiring one of the Embracer companies? 51:47 What is the outlook for M&A in 2024 and beyond? SUBSCRIBE TO GAMEMAKERS: - Spotify Podcast: https://spoti.fi/3Cpyq7i - Newsletter: https://gamemakers.substack.com/ 😃 —CONNECT WITH ME! — • MY INSTAGRAM → @jokim1 • TWITTER → @jokim1 • LINKEDIN → https://www.linkedin.com/in/jokim/ — POPULAR CONTENT — 🤑 Economy of the Metaverse with Tim Sweeney https://youtu.be/h6ClJxjuRvw ℹ️ How to Build the Amazon of Game Companies https://youtu.be/bkd2TOpKt4I 🔮 Gaming Trends | A Look Ahead at 2021 https://youtu.be/NejFzHtpiZI 🖥️ The Future of PC Gaming https://youtu.be/_QT7O3Wxi2s 🔴 Games Industry M&A https://youtu.be/65nyPk6WNrs 🔴 Netcode for Multiplayer Games https://youtu.be/tHq3PzmjhLw 🔴 IDFA Deprecation Product Impact https://youtu.be/Ojec4wGKpso 🔴 Trip Hawkins on the New High Score https://youtu.be/5egTSQ6AiRA 🔴 LiveOps F2P Best Practices https://youtu.be/tmzqqnYbjNY

    55 min

Calificaciones y reseñas

4.8
de 5
6 calificaciones

Acerca de

The GameMakers podcast publishes current, entertaining, and in-depth discussions on F2P game development. Topics that we cover include the business of games, F2P monetization, liveops, game design, game development processes, team structure, and more.

También te podría interesar

Para escuchar episodios explícitos, inicia sesión.

Mantente al día con este programa

Inicia sesión o regístrate para seguir programas, guardar episodios y enterarte de las últimas novedades.

Elige un país o región

Africa, Oriente Medio e India

Asia-Pacífico

Europa

Latinoamérica y el Caribe

Estados Unidos y Canadá