The Future of Online Gaming, The Metaverse, and Google’s Collusion with Mike Shields

Kevin first gives his take on the slap heard across the world and then welcomes guest Mike Shields, Founder of Shields Strategic Consulting, host of Next in Marketing Podcast, and former writer and editor at Business Insider, Digiday, Adweek, and Wall Street Journal. They discuss how the world of online gaming is changing our society, a few important questions to ask as we possibly head into the Metaverse, and how to get to the point where we don’t have a detachment from reality while consuming these things. They also discuss collusion in our browsers, how we protect where our first-party data really goes, and their predictions for Facebook investing heavily in Meta, while ignoring a traditional ad model.

Takeaways:

[:44] Will Smith slapping Chris Rock was not okay, and thank goodness it wasn’t Martin Lawrence!

[5:52] How has online gaming changed?

[8:08] Is there real money in the Metaverse?

[9:45] Mike thinks the internet is getting better but is not sure if there will be a full VR replacement.

[11:33] Mike gives his thoughts on the possibility that there will be multiple rooms in the Metaverse.

[18:18] While we are in the initial phases of Metaverse with gaming, how do we get it to come together and make it more real?

[30:36] Because Google is getting a ton of heat from regulators, they’re going to get rid of the cookie, which affects 1,000s of companies and millions of websites.

[32:08] There are so many efforts to try and figure out what we do about targeting the open web and how to replace the cookie, but the money is going to the guys who have first-party data.

[37:08] Mike speaks to the allegations of Google manipulating markets.

[45:02] Is there a lack of diversity in thought now on social media? If so, what can we do about it?

Quotes:

• “They know how to mine people’s data and how to ratchet up anger and emotions to keep you around.” — Kevin
• “It’s interesting to me that as a tool for engaging with people, we eliminate all forms of constructive notes on our engagement.” — Kevin
• “There are so many efforts to try and figure out what we do about targeting the open web and how to replace the cookie, but the money is going to the guys who have first-party data.” — Mike
• “It doesn't make any sense from an ad serving perspective to serve 10 million ads once when you can serve one ad 10 million times.” — Kevin
• “I think the virtual goods thing will be big, but I don't know if it's going to be for everyone.” — Mike

Mentioned in This Episode:

Mike Shields: Twitter | LinkedIn | Substack

Google May or May Not Have Screwed the Entire Internet

Microsoft

Activision Blizzard

Cocaine and Waffles