Player: Engage Keywords Studios + Helpshift

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.

In this episode of the Player: Engage Podcast, Greg sits down with Emily Pierron from Nightmarket Games to delve into the intricacies of her role as a producer and the importance of psychological safety within gaming studios. Emily shares her journey from Eventbase to Nightmarket Games, providing insights into the unique responsibilities of a producer in different studio environments. She emphasizes the significance of organization and supporting team members to ensure they have what they need to succeed.

Listeners will gain a deeper understanding of:

* The transition from project management to overseeing studio operations and the challenges of remote work.
* The concept of psychological safety in the workplace and its impact on team innovation and productivity.
* Practical strategies for improving communication and fostering a positive studio culture, including the implementation of a "single source of truth" for project information.

For a closer look at how Emily Pierron is shaping the culture at Nightmarket Games and her approach to enhancing team dynamics, tune in to this episode of the Player Engage Podcast. Discover the actionable steps you can take to create a psychologically safe environment and why happiness is key to driving productivity in game development.

To learn more about Emily's perspective on psychological safety and her vision for the future of Nightmarket Games, listen to the full podcast episode.

Welcome to another exciting episode of Player: Engage Podcast! In this episode, we dive deep into the gaming industry with our special guest, Pasqual Batalla, COO of Sandsoft. Pasqual shares his journey from engineering to leading a gaming company, the growth of gaming in Barcelona, and the future of Sandsoft.

Episode Highlights:

* Pasqual's unexpected path to becoming the COO of a gaming company.
* The rise of the gaming industry in the MENA region and Barcelona's role as a tech hub.
* Sandsoft's mission, vision, and strategy for the future.
* The importance of fostering a people-first culture in the gaming industry.
* Pasqual's insights on the evolution of gaming and the challenges and opportunities ahead.

Featured Guest:

Pasqual Batalla, COO of Sandsoft

* Formerly at Socialpoint and Ad Science
* Passionate about supporting the economic, social, and cultural life of Barcelona.
* Enjoys playing casual games and social games with his kids.

Don't forget to subscribe and leave a review if you enjoyed this episode. Stay tuned for more insights into the gaming world on Player: Engage Podcast!

Player: Engage Podcast: Live from GDC with Bertrand Bodson, CEO of Keywords Studios!

Welcome to a special live episode of the Player: Engage Podcast, where host Greg sits down with Bertrand Bodson, the CEO of Keywords, at the Game Developers Conference (GDC). Bertrand shares his journey from aspiring tennis player to leading a major player in the gaming industry, his insights on AI, and the entrepreneurial spirit that drives Keywords.

Episode Highlights:

* Bertrand's diverse background from Boston Consulting Group to Amazon, and his role in bringing technology to healthcare at Novartis.
* The energy and excitement of GDC and the gaming industry's potential for innovation.
* Bertrand's aspirations as a young man and his path to becoming a key figure in the gaming world.
* The parallels between developing AAA games and bringing new drugs to market.
* Keywords' approach to AI and ethical considerations in its deployment.
* The importance of human expertise in an increasingly tech-driven industry.
* Keywords' balance of autonomy and cohesion among its studios.
* The gaming industry's resilience and the opportunities ahead in 2024.
* Keywords' role in supporting the industry's growth and the concept of "Imagine More."

Quickfire Round with Bertrand:

* Breakfast routine: Cereal and fruit.
* Go-to drink: Martini or Diet Coke.
* Last game played: Eleven on VR.
* Recent book: Fiction by Alan Cumming.
* Favorite Tennis Open: Wimbledon.

Connect with Keywords and Bertrand:

* Keywords Studios Website [https://www.keywordsstudios.com/]
* Keywords on LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/company/keywordsstudios/]
* Bertrand on LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/bodson/]