MMPs and Attribution: What Game Studios Need to Know to Grow

GameMakers

#Video Games #Lifestyle #Gamemaker

22:49

Jonathan Jones is an NFL cornerback for the Washington Commanders who rose from the undrafted ranks to become two-time Super Bowl champion with the New England Patriots, a businessman, philanthropist, and licensed pilot. In 2019, Jonathan founded the Jonathan Jones Next Step Foundation in 2019, a platform dedicated to empowering youth through education, professional development, and mentorship. The foundation works to alleviate food insecurity, promote women in stem and sports, and to promote professional development in the communities where he lives. Jay and Jonathan talk about investing in the communities they live in, acknowledging the people who helped you become the person you are, and paying that same investment forward to the next generation. Episode Chapters 0:00 intro 1:24 Building local connections 4:25 Jonathan’s mentors and mentees 10:54 Jonathan’s pride in his mentees’ successes 13:04 how Jonathan chooses his causes 14:08 Jonathan’s support for girls and young women 17:19: Jonathan’s passion for flying 19:40 The Next Step Foundation 20:29 Goodbye For video episodes, watch on www.youtube.com/@therudermanfamilyfoundation Stay in touch: X: @JayRuderman | @RudermanFdn LinkedIn: Jay Ruderman | Ruderman Family Foundation Instagram: All About Change Podcast | Ruderman Family Foundation To learn more about the podcast, visit https://allaboutchangepodcast.com/ Looking for more insights into the world of activism? Be sure to check out Jay’s brand new book, Find Your Fight , in which Jay teaches the next generation of activists and advocates how to step up and bring about lasting change. You can find Find Your Fight wherever you buy your books, and you can learn more about it at www.jayruderman.com .…

for ca. et år siden 1:04:58

MP3•Episode hjem

Leading mobile gaming experts break down everything you need to know about Mobile Measurement Partners (MMPs) in 2025. Get insider perspectives from AppsFlyer, Wildcard Games, and industry veterans on when to use MMPs, how much they really cost, and where the industry is heading. Perfect for mobile game developers, UA managers, and studio executives looking to optimize their marketing strategy and understand the evolving role of MMPs in today's privacy-first environment. OUTLINE: 00:00 - Introduction & Overview 03:43 - What is an MMP? Core Functions Explained 05:28 - SDK Integration Benefits 08:02 - Attribution & Performance Tracking 12:24 - Impact of IDFA Deprecation 16:32 - When Do Studios Need an MMP? 24:42 - Cost Breakdown for Studios 27:54 - Self-Attributing Networks (SANs) 32:45 - Working with Multiple Ad Networks 38:59 - Creative Optimization & AI Tools 43:08 - Data Clean Rooms & Privacy 51:09 - Open Source MMP Projects 53:52 - Future Trends in Mobile Marketing 57:47 - Industry Changes & Consolidation 1:01:02 - Final Thoughts & Recommendations SPEAKERS: ✅ Josh Chandley. Co-founder and COO at WildCard Games. ✅ Joseph Kim. CEO at Lila Games. ✅ Brian Murphy. Head of Gaming and New Product Strategy at AppsFlyer. ✅ James O’Claire. Former COO at Bubbleye. Founder Open Attribution. For links and additional info go to Gamemakers.com

160 episoder

GameMakers

MMPs and Attribution: What Game Studios Need to Know to Grow

GameMakers

published for ca. et år siden

Del

MP3•Episode hjem

160 episoder

#Video Games #Lifestyle #Gamemaker

Alle episoder

GameMakers

1
From Halo to Fortnite: Alex Seropian's Unfiltered Take on UEFN's Future 59:37

for 12 dage siden59:37

59:37

Alex Seropian (Bungie co-founder) shares his experience developing for Epic's UEFN platform in this exclusive interview. Discover insights on platform capabilities, economics, audience demographics, and future predictions for Fortnite's creator ecosystem. TIMESTAMPS: 0:00 - Introduction 1:00 - Changes in UEFN since 2023 5:30 - Working with brands on UEFN 10:00 - Economic challenges for developers 14:00 - State of UEFN monetization 19:00 - Discovery and audience building 23:00 - Successful game types on UEFN 26:30 - Development process differences 32:00 - UEFN player demographics and personas 38:00 - Development surprises and challenges 43:00 - Future predictions for UEFN 51:00 - Advice for developers considering UEFN 56:00 - Final thoughts and podcast mention SUBSCRIBE TO GAMEMAKERS:- Newsletter: https://gamemakers.substack.com/😃 —CONNECT WITH JK! — • INSTAGRAM → @jokim1• TWITTER → @jokim1• LINKEDIN → https://www.linkedin.com/in/jokim/…

GameMakers

1
Applovin vs Unity: How Applovin Destroyed the Competition! 1:15:00

for 19 dage siden1:15:00

1:15:00

(0:00) Introduction (1:00) Overview of AppLovin vs Unity market situation since 2022(2:10) Discussion of current mobile UA market conditions(6:30) Introduction to AppLovin vs Unity topic(9:00) How AppLovin gained advantage through Max mediation platform(11:10) The data advantage of first-party data in AppLovin's ecosystem(13:20) The lock-in effect of AppLovin's mediation and UA offerings(17:30) The snowball effect of AppLovin's market dominance(19:40) How AppLovin captured MoPub market share(22:20) Unity's execution issues after Iron Source merger(25:00) Cultural conflicts within Unity and algorithm problems(29:00) Discussion of Unity's "Vector" AI initiative(32:40) Unity's disappearing account managers and weak sales culture(35:20) AppLovin's focus on high-value customers and resource allocation(38:20) Increasing margin for AppLovin as market share grows(40:40) Unity's potential comeback strategy with Vector(45:10) The challenge for any network to compete with AppLovin(48:40) The "must use" nature of AppLovin for ad-monetized games(52:00) The risks of having 70-80% of UA budget on AppLovin(54:30) Potential industry alternatives to AppLovin(57:00) Discussion of emerging competitors like Moloco and Integral(1:01:30) The possible path forward for Unity to compete(1:05:40) Predictions for the future of mobile UA in two years(1:10:00) Speculation about AppLovin's TikTok acquisition bid(1:14:20) Wrap-up and conclusionSUBSCRIBE TO GAMEMAKERS:- Newsletter: https://gamemakers.substack.com/😃 —CONNECT WITH JK! — • INSTAGRAM → @jokim1• TWITTER → @jokim1• LINKEDIN → https://www.linkedin.com/in/jokim/…

GameMakers

1
Future of AI in Game Development: Revolution or Evolution? 55:40

for 25 dage siden55:40

55:40

Dive into the future of AI in game development with this insightful panel from GDC featuring Aaron Farr (CTO at Jam and Tea Studios) and Liam Dean (Principal Analyst, Games at Omdia). They explore AI-native games, emergent gameplay, development acceleration, and how AI is transforming both game creation and player experiences. Essential viewing for game developers, executives, and anyone interested in how AI will reshape the gaming landscape.Timestamps0:00 - Introduction and panel overview1:50 - How revolutionary will AI be for gaming?3:30 - Current limitations of AI in game development5:10 - The concept of "AI native games" explained8:00 - Retail Mage: A real example of an AI native game11:10 - Emergent gameplay with AI - The painting IOU story14:20 - AI games vs. multiplayer games comparison17:40 - The controversy around AI in the games industry18:50 - Ethics of AI in game development22:20 - Who wins and loses with AI in game development?24:40 - The "organizational meta" and how AI will reshape studio structure27:40 - AI's impact on product development velocity30:20 - How traditional game studios will adapt (or fail)34:00 - Behind the scenes of an AI-native studio36:10 - How AI dramatically reduces development time (8 weeks vs 4 years)38:10 - The AI Dungeon Master example43:30 - Practical AI applications available right now47:10 - Q&A: Examples of AI-native games in the market49:30 - Q&A: Impact on staffing and team sizes52:40 - The future of game development organizationsSUBSCRIBE TO GAMEMAKERS:- Newsletter: https://gamemakers.substack.com/😃 —CONNECT WITH ME! — • MY INSTAGRAM → @jokim1• TWITTER → @jokim1• LINKEDIN → https://www.linkedin.com/in/jokim/…

GameMakers

1
GDC 2025: What Happened? 49:12

for 5 weeks siden49:12

49:12

Join us for an in-depth discussion on the Game Developers Conference 2025 with industry veterans as they share their perspectives and what was learned during GDC on the current state of the gaming industry. This candid conversation explores attendance trends, market challenges, investment landscapes, and what's next for game developers in a changing economy. Our panel discusses: ⭐ GDC attendance trends and the shift to more exclusive, executive-focused events ⭐ The "age of efficiency" and austerity measures affecting game studios ⭐ Investment challenges and the evolving VC landscape for gaming ⭐ Platform dynamics between developers and companies like Apple and Google ⭐ AI's current and potential impact on game development ⭐ Unity's latest developments and challenges ⭐ The changing nature of GDC itself and its future prospects Featured Speakers: 🗣️ Eric Kress, Principal at Gosser Consulting and host on the Deconstructive of Fun podcast 🗣️ Brett Novak, CEO from Liquid and Grit 🗣️ Solomon Lichter Ruiz, Senior Director Global Gaming at CleverTap 🗣️ Joseph Kim (Host), GameMakers & CEO of Lila Games Recorded March 2025 following the Game Developers Conference in San Francisco. #GameDevelopment #GDC2025 #GamingIndustry #GameDev #GameDesign #AI #MobileGames #GameInvesting Timestamps: 00:00 - Intro and GDC attendance discussion 04:00 - San Francisco city impressions 06:30 - Event format changes and networking dynamics 12:40 - Industry challenges and the "age of efficiency" 20:00 - Platform dynamics (Apple/Google) 30:00 - AI in gaming discussion 36:00 - Event highlights and notable gatherings 42:00 - Bing Gordon's insights 47:00 - Final thoughts on GDC's future…

GameMakers

1
The Biggest Fire 26:58

for 7 weeks siden26:58

26:58

This week I share thoughts from my years in game development about why teams often struggle with addressing their most critical problems. I discussed this with Ben Carcich in a pod I published a couple of weeks back: the "Building Better Games" episode. Some questions came up and I wanted to try something new, a bit of a rant on this topic. Is it lame? Is it useful? Let's try it and find out.…

GameMakers

1
Understanding Battle Pass Game Design from Overwatch 2 53:02

for 8 weeks siden53:02

53:02

Dive deep into Battle Pass design with industry experts discussing Overwatch 2's approach, player psychology, and monetization strategies. Learn essential insights about progression systems, player choice, and value perception from game developer Ted Park and former Riot meta-systems expert Chris Cobb, hosted by Joseph Kim of Lila Games.Content Overview0:00 - Introduction and Battle Pass Overview3:35 - Hero-Based Games: The Main Character Problem7:20 - Battle Pass Progression and Grindiness13:15 - Value Perception and Premium Options18:40 - Customization vs Production Realities24:10 - Battle Pass Currency and Mythic Rewards System31:25 - Loot Boxes: Their Surprise Return38:15 - IP Integration and Themed Content43:50 - Ideal Battle Pass Design: Expert Recommendations52:15 - Conclusion and Key TakeawaysSUBSCRIBE TO GAMEMAKERS:- Newsletter: https://gamemakers.substack.com/…

GameMakers

1
How to Build Better Games - Game Production 2:06:36

for 10 weeks siden2:06:36

2:06:36

In an industry where development costs have skyrocketed, and market success has become increasingly challenging, understanding the true drivers of successful game development has never been more crucial. In this discussion with Ben Carcich from Building Better Games, we highlight the counter-intuitive patterns of success and practical frameworks for modern game development leadership.Key Focus Areas: 🔑 Why the most successful games often emerge from the most visibly challenging development processes 🔑 How premature scaling and uncertainty avoidance doom projects before launch 🔑 Critical success patterns observed across AAA and indie studios 🔑 Practical approaches to balancing creative vision, technical execution, and business reality Listen to this episode for actionable insights that challenge conventional wisdom about building successful games in 2024.OUTLINE:0:00 Intro1:45 How costs impact game success6:05 Other major problems with game success10:30 Zero sum time problem and the rise of live operated games11:40 Success from China and small devs12:30 Importance of delivering on a player experience14:35 The Alignment problem15:24 Fighting to expand the percentage of new game time18:25 How bigger production cost impacts decision making20:15 Major production problems - comfort with uncertainty24:35 Fear and pride25:55 Game projects with big problems succeed more often29:40 Pride and Insecurity31:52 The rush to production39:45 Obsession with planning42:20 Importance of development speed44:25 What derails planning: the wrong person and bad decisions47:09 The problem with the creative auteur49:52 Decision analysis vs. prioritization54:15 Scope creep: The ooh ooh ooh idea problem1:00:50 Taking lessons from the military and football1:04:52 Why do great lessons come from military and sports1:13:42 The problem with big plans1:14:37 Why you shouldn’t “always have an answer”1:19:00 The #1 rule: common sense rules1:22:34 How to find time to think deeply1:24:43 You don’t need to solve every problem1:30:02 How to think about long-term issues1:37:12 What are characteristics from successful game studios1:58:12 You should push when you’re young2:01:01 More about Building Better Games consultancy👇 EPISODE LINKS: - Building Better Games: https://www.buildingbettergames.gg/- Ben Carcich: https://www.linkedin.com/in/benjamin-carcich/SUBSCRIBE TO GAMEMAKERS:- Spotify Podcast: https://spoti.fi/3Cpyq7i- Newsletter: https://gamemakers.com/😃 —CONNECT WITH ME! — • MY INSTAGRAM → @jokim1• TWITTER → @jokim1• LINKEDIN → https://www.linkedin.com/in/jokim/…

GameMakers

1
The FUTURE of 4X Games: FirstFun's Surprising Billion-Dollar Strategy 1:05:30

for 11 weeks siden1:05:30

1:05:30

Join gaming industry veterans as they break down the unprecedented transformation of mobile 4X games. Featuring insights from Joseph Kim (Lila Games), Justin Yau (Wharton MBA), UA specialist Matej Lancaric (2.5 Gamers) and game design specialist Jakub Remiar (2.5 Gamers) on how Chinese gaming companies are achieving $8M+ daily revenue through innovative UA strategies and product design. Key Topics: 🔑 Evolution of 4X game design 🔑 UA innovation and AI creative production 🔑 Server economics and monetization strategies 🔑 Future industry predictions ⏰ Timestamps: 0:00 Introduction and Speaker Backgrounds 3:09 First Fun/River Game Partnership History 8:05 Modern 4X Game Economics 15:20 UA Strategy Evolution 23:45 Creative Production at Scale 31:30 AI's Role in UA Innovation 38:15 Product Design Integration 45:40 Server Management Strategies 52:30 Future of 4X Gaming 57:15 Non-Consensus Predictions 🔍 Featured Experts: Joseph Kim (CEO, Lila Games) Justin Yau (Industry Analyst, Wharton) Matej Lancaric (UA Specialist) Jakub Remiar (Game Design Consultant) 💡 Additional Resources: Previous Matej +: JK Collaboration Podcast on 4X UA Strategy: https://youtu.be/IvRjmGvWhdQ Dissecting Best-Selling Mobile 4X Game Metrics by Ning Wang: https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/dissecting-best-selling-mobile-4x-game-metrics-ning-wang-vk1pc/ Join the GameMakers newsletter for more industry insights and discussions: Newsletter: www.gamemakers.com #MobileGaming #GameDev #UserAcquisition #4XGames #GameStrategy…

GameMakers

1
LiveOps Playbook: Critical Secrets from Gaming's Top Experts 15:35

for 12 weeks siden15:35

15:35

Learn the insider strategies from industry legends Frank Yan (Brawl Stars), Dafna Ben Onn (SciPlay), and Ivan Trancik (Superscale) on mastering mobile game operations! 📍 Timestamps: 0:00 - Introduction to LiveOps Fundamentals 2:15 - Frank Yan: Rapid Content Deployment Strategies 4:30 - The Art of Player Segmentation 7:00 - Dafna Ben Onn: Optimizing Rewards and Retention 10:45 - Balancing Monetization and Player Experience 14:20 - Ivan Trancik: Analytics and Experimentation Stages 18:30 - Building a Data-Driven Game Development Machine 22:00 - Key Takeaways and Future of LiveOps 🔑 Key Insights: How to update games instantly without client updates Personalization techniques that keep players engaged Building a robust analytics infrastructure Experimental strategies for game growth 💡 Perfect for: Mobile game developers Product managers Game studios looking to optimize performance Entrepreneurs in the gaming industry…

GameMakers

1
MMPs and Attribution: What Game Studios Need to Know to Grow 1:04:58

for 12 weeks siden1:04:58

1:04:58

GameMakers

1
Why UGC Cosmetics Could be the Future of Gaming 46:07

for 13 weeks siden46:07

46:07

Join us as we explore the future of user-generated content (UGC) in gaming with Playmakers, diving into why community-created content converts 30% better than studio content and how AI fits into the UGC ecosystem. Essential insights for game developers looking to scale content creation through community engagement. #GameDev #UGC #gaming Co-hosted with Anton Bernstein, CEO at Pocket Worlds. OUTLINE: 0:00 Intro 0:40 Best game examples of UGC cosmetics 1:20 How cosmetics work in Counterstrike 3:05 The Playmakers UGC platform business 6:52 Dealing with the biggest UGC problem: Time To Penis (TTP) 9:10 Other problems: Trademarks and duplicates 10:18 Economics of enabling a UGC cosmetics platform 12:06 Balancing professional content vs. UGC content in a game 13:52 The kinds of games better adapted for UGC content 16:10 AI as a complement or competition to UGC: UGC vs. AGC vs. UGAC 20:37 In a world of infinite free content, how to give UGC items value 22:40 Biggest concerns to integrating UGC content in their games 24:40 Integration issues for integrating UGC in games 26:16 The functions required for a UGC platform 27:48 Getting over the cold-start problem getting creators to start making UGC 32:40 Can UGC content be cross-game content? 34:00 Big upcoming UGC macro trends 37:15 Depth vs. shallowness of UGC support Roblox vs. Minecraft 39:20 The trend of UGC remixing 41:35 Future Playmakers roadmap 👇 EPISODE LINKS: - Playmakers: https://www.playmakers.co/ 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…

GameMakers

1
Pixels & Profits | Gaming Industry 2024-2025 - Crisis, Transformation, and Opportunity 1:17:40

for 16 weeks siden1:17:40

1:17:40

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…

GameMakers

1
Economics & Advantages of Mobile Web Stores ft. Gil Tov-ly from AppCharge 43:07

for 25 weeks siden43:07

43:07

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…

GameMakers

1
Game Industry Hot Takes: Ubisoft's Struggles, Unity's Revival, and Microsoft's Game Pass Gambit 1:06:12

for 26 weeks siden1:06:12

1:06:12

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.…

GameMakers

1
EXPOSING Mobile Performance Marketing Secrets! UA in 2024 and Beyond with Warren Woodward 57:37

for 26 weeks siden57:37

57:37

Warren Woodward, co-founder and CMO at Upptic, provides real, no-nonsense advice about the current state of mobile performance marketing. What are the current problems and issues in the market and how can studios grow their player base through mobile user acquisition today? OUTLINE: 0:00 Intro 0:47 Why Warren is great to talk to about UA 2:00 Current state of mobile marketing & UA: What’s working and not working 12:50 What IDFA really did to mobile marketing 15:30 What happens if fingerprinting goes away 21:50 The problem with imprecise data 25:10 What are the channels and tactics that are currently successful Applovin vs. Unity 31:37 Modern-day performance marketing team structure and staffing 40:19 The importance of unifying teams and data for success - avoiding the “blame game” 45:30 Advantages of UA at massive scale 52:37 Is the future of UA all about “brutal efficiency”? 👇 EPISODE LINKS: - Warren Woodward: https://www.linkedin.com/in/warrendwoodward/ - Upptic: https://upptic.com/ 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/…

GameMakers

1
Chinese Gaming Giants: Tencent vs. Netease | Pixels & Profits 1:00:55

for 36 weeks siden1:00:55

1:00:55

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…

GameMakers

1
Mastering F2P Cosmetics Monetization in Games 59:12

for 36 weeks siden59:12

59:12

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/…

GameMakers

1
Brawl Stars Godzilla Event Product Roundtable Discussion | Liquid & Grit x Gamemakers 53:37

for 40 weeks siden53:37

53:37

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.…

GameMakers

1
Rise and Fall of Embracer Group | Implications for the Future of Games M&A 54:43

for 47 weeks siden54:43

54:43

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…

GameMakers

1
The Frontier of AI NPCs with Convai's CEO | Purnendu Mukherjee 1:06:02

for 50 weeks siden1:06:02

1:06:02

Purnendu Mukherjee, CEO of Convai, shares insights into innovative approaches to developing human-like AI characters that can intelligently interact with users, perform actions, and engage in natural and responsive conversations. This discussion sheds light on the future of interactive gaming, educational tools, and real-world applications of AI NPCs, from Mukherjee's personal journey, which sparked his deep interest in the mechanics of the human mind and AI, to the technical challenges and societal impacts of integrating AI within virtual spaces. OUTLINE: 0:00 Introduction to Convai and AI NPCs 1:19 Purnendu's background and how he got into working on AI NPCs 04:22 - Current limitations of AI NPCs and what's needed to make them indistinguishable from humans 5:00 - Technical Challenges and Innovations 07:34 - Overcoming latency issues with AI NPCs 08:50 - Potential AI applications in gaming and why AI NPCs are attracting significant funding 15:17 - Differentiating factors and focus areas for Convai compared to competitors 19:19 - Steps for developers to integrate Convai's technology into a game 24:12 - Comparing effort and impact of using AI NPCs vs traditional dialogue trees and behavior trees 29:25 - Economics and business model of Convai - pricing for different types of games 34:31 - Bringing down costs for games with massive usage and appeal to global audiences 38:48 - Early traction and use cases Convai is seeing from customers today 43:18 - Potential for AI to enable new kinds of gaming experiences 47:55 - Feasibility of doing a fully AI-driven Dungeons & Dragons game with current technology 50:16 - Optionality if Convai solves AI NPCs for gaming to expand to other domains 53:14 - Purnendu's entrepreneurial learnings and the meaningful suffering of a startup journey 59:04 - Constructive criticism from GDC and Convai's commitment to enabling great art 59:55 - Conclusion 👇 EPISODE LINKS: - Conv.ai: https://conv.ai/ - Purnendu Mukherjee: https://www.linkedin.com/in/purn3ndu/ SUBSCRIBE TO GAMEMAKERS: - Newsletter: https://gamemakers.com/ 😃 —CONNECT WITH ME! — • MY INSTAGRAM → @jokim1 • TWITTER → @jokim1 • LINKEDIN → https://www.linkedin.com/in/jokim/…

GameMakers

1
Embracer vs. Ubisoft: A Deep Dive into Two Struggling Gaming Giants (Pixels & Profits) 1:18:49

for 1 year siden1:18:49

1:18:49

We compare two major gaming companies, Embracer and Ubisoft, on this episode of Pixels and Profits. ✅ Business performance ✅ Valuation ✅ Future outlook of both companies We analyze their strategies, financials, and potential for growth. Timeline Summary: 00:00 - Introduction to the topic and overview of Embracer's business 03:00 - Discussion of Embracer's financials and debt situation 10:15 - Embracer's restructuring efforts and asset sales 13:45 - Embracer's tabletop gaming business and profitability 16:20 - Outlook for Embracer's PC and console division 21:20 - Embracer's mobile gaming business and challenges 24:25 - Valuation and investment potential for Embracer 26:45 - Introduction to Ubisoft's business and strategy 29:55 - Ubisoft's financials and revenue per employee issues 37:10 - Ubisoft's upcoming titles for fiscal year 2024 42:40 - Ubisoft's future outlook and titles for fiscal year 2025 49:50 - Valuation and investment potential for Ubisoft 52:05 - Concerns about Ubisoft's development strategies and efficiency 56:10 - Ubisoft's mobile gaming efforts and challenges 58:30 - Closing thoughts on Embracer and Ubisoft's future prospects 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…

GameMakers

1
Game Developer Conference (GDC) 2024 Recap: Themes, GDC Talks, Takeaways, and Rumors 1:16:32

for 1 year siden1:16:32

1:16:32

We discuss key themes & trends, critical takeaways, GDC panels/talks, and rumors from GDC 2024. OUTLINE: 0:00 Intro 2:35 VC, publisher investment in gaming is down 3:50 Moving to tighter efficiency in game development 7:05 More pain coming, 3-6 more months of industry rationalization 15:30 UA deterioriation since beginning of year 17:17 AI & Liveops key areas of focus 21:40 Importance of marketing and UA for mobile game success 23:45 Sensor Tower acquisition of data.ai 30:45 GDC Talks 37:10 Frank + Frank Supercell Brawlstars talk 41:20 King’s AI Talk - how they improve liveops on Candy Crush Soda Saga 43:15 Epic’s UEFN talks 49:05 Ken’s GDC tips 55:10 Key takeaways 1:05:40 GDC rumors SUBSCRIBE TO GAMEMAKERS: - Spotify Podcast: https://spoti.fi/3Cpyq7i - Newsletter: https://gamemakers.substack.com/…

GameMakers

1
Atomic Scaling with Ludovic Bodin | Lessons From the Games Industry to the World! 48:09

for 1 year siden48:09

48:09

Ludovic Bodin is an entrepreneur, investor, and now author of the book Atomic Scaling. Ludovic has learned lessons from the titans of the games industry and created a framework he believes can be applied to any other industry. Learn more about the lessons from Supercell, Valve, Zynga, and others and how they can apply to your games studio or company outside of games. OUTLINE: 0:00 Intro 1:20 How Ilkka Paananen, CEO of Supercell inspired Atomic Scaling - Keeping teams small for as long as possible 7:08 How Gabe Newell, CEO of Valve, further inspired Atomic Scaling - Lessons from the games industry are widely applicable 9:35 Ludovic’s great book endorsements, learning from game industry experts, and the sharing culture in gaming 12:21 Motivation to write Atomic Scaling 14:10 3Ps 3Rs framework explanation- People, Prediction, Playbook and Revenue, Reach, Retention 14:52 People principle 22:00 Prediction principle: prediction vs. prophecy - hypothesis, measurement, then change 34:22 Playbook principle - getting the team on the same page 42:13 Revenue, Reach, and Retention 44:05 LiveOps and the LOVE framework - Live product development, Organized event calendar, Very special sales & offers, Engagement and re-engagement 47:10 What should readers take away?…

GameMakers

1
Liveops Lessons from Temple Run & Bejeweled Blitz ft. Eve Chang 27:12

for 1 year siden27:12

27:12

Eve Chang shares her invaluable experiences and lessons from working on iconic mobile games like Temple Run and Bejeweled Blitz. Get ready for a session full of actionable insights and strategies that could redefine your approach to game development and live operations. Outline: [00:00] Introduction to Eve Chang and Overview [01:10] Eve Chang's Journey in Game Development [02:10] Eve's Approach to LiveOps [06:55] Designing and Product Decisions for Live Games [13:45] Biggest Lessons Learned from LiveOps [22:55] Eve's Take on the Current Market Environment [26:35] Final Thoughts and Where to Find Eve Online Key Highlights: 🔑 Eve reveals her strategic framework for LiveOps, emphasizing market analysis, player desires, and aligning game objectives. 🔑 Insights on making design and product decisions that resonate with players while enhancing game longevity. 🔑 Eve shares candid lessons from her extensive career, including successes and missteps that have shaped her approach to LiveOps. 🔑 A look into the current state of the mobile gaming market and advice for developers navigating these challenging times. Links: Eve Chang LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/evechang/ Subscribe to our channel for more insights from industry leaders and game development veterans. Don't forget to like, share, and comment below with your thoughts or questions for Eve!…

GameMakers

1
Nvidia - On the way to becoming the world's most valuable company | Pixels & Profits #9 52:57

for 1 year siden52:57

52:57

Matthew Kanterman, Joseph Kim, and Brian Peganoff discuss Nvidia as well as gaming related offerings from the company: Nvidia business overview Future growth drivers Valuation Competitive landscape Future outlook

GameMakers

1
The Measurement Crisis (in mobile UA) | #1 of 5 in State of Measurement Series 50:16

for 1 year siden50:16

50:16

We are seeing severe impacts around privacy and the ability to measure any post-device ID kind of fingerprinting world. So, we wanted to put together a five-part series helping advertisers understand the measurement crisis and the different tools and measurement signals available. #1. The first podcast in the series will be the overview of the measurement crisis. #2. The second podcast will be the actual state of last touch and the real value that last touch is bringing you. #3. The third podcast will educate on incrementality testing and how it can be leveraged in a privacy-first world. #4. The fourth one will be the promise of MTA 2. 0 and data clean rooms. So you understand some of the more fringe benefits of tools coming to you that may impact last touch. #5. The last podcast is a summary roadmap to measurement success, helping you, the advertiser, take everything you've been educated on, turn it into action and succeed. OUTLINE: 0:00 New series: State of Measurement in a Privacy-first World introduction 2:24 Intro to the Measurement Crisis in mobile user acquisition (UA) 4:30 Recap on why we have problems attributing installs today 8:17 How incentives exacerbate the measurement problem 11:42 What is the actual impact of IDFA deprecation to UA? 16:43 Andrew believes that incrementality shows that the impact of IDFA may be a perceived rather than actual problem 22:12 Warren's dynamic polling approach, how to make goal based buying work, and overview of IDFA workarounds 31:16 What does Kwalee and other game studios do for UA now? 33:30 How to react to loss of fingerprinting 40:00 What are limitations of MMM or incrementality? 46:35 Who will be impacted most by loss of fingerprinting? 47:40 What does the future state of measurement look like? SUBSCRIBE TO GAMEMAKERS: - Newsletter: https://gamemakers.com/…

GameMakers

1
Philosophy: Escaping the doom loop 15:08

for 1 year siden15:08

15:08

Doom loops are a cycle of self reinforcing negative decisions and behaviors that lead to bad outcomes. In this episode I talk about my own experience trying to break my doom loop impacting both my professional and personal life.

GameMakers

1
Philosophy: Doing the hard thing 22:07

for 1 year siden22:07

22:07

At most companies doing the hard thing is uncomfortable and we avoid addressing some of the most critical issues that can mean the difference between success and failure. This is an audio read of my Philosophy Monday newsletter post. If you want to hear an audio version of those posts, let me know! Go to gamemakers.substack.com and comment there and I'll do more of these in the future.…

GameMakers

1
Gaming x AI: How Atlas makes models for 3D worlds 200X faster! (ft. CEO Ben James) 34:52

for 1 year siden34:52

34:52

Dive into the future of game development with Joseph Kim as he interviews Ben James, CEO of Atlas, a groundbreaking company at the forefront of integrating AI into the creative process of game design. In this exclusive interview, discover how Atlas's cutting-edge technology is transforming 2D reference images into fully-realized 3D models, propelling the development of immersive 3D MMO worlds into new realms of efficiency and creativity. What You'll Learn: ✔️ The innovative AI technology behind Atlas and its ability to revolutionize the creation of 3D assets. ✔️ How Atlas's platform is making the game development process faster, more efficient, and boundlessly creative. ✔️ The practical applications of Atlas technology in early game concept testing and beyond. ✔️ Ben James's insights on the potential for AI to augment rather than replace human creativity in game development. ✔️ The future of game design and how Atlas is positioning itself to empower developers with new tools for creative expression. Key Takeaways: 🔑 Understand the capabilities and advantages of using AI in game design and asset creation. 🔑 Discover how Atlas is enhancing the workflow of game developers and artists with its AI-driven platform. 🔑 Explore the ethical and practical considerations of AI in creative industries, with a focus on collaboration between human creativity and artificial intelligence. Whether you're a game developer, artist, or enthusiast excited about the future of game creation, this interview offers valuable insights into how AI technology is set to redefine the landscape of game development. Join us as we explore the cutting edge of gaming innovation with Joseph Kim and Ben James. 🎮 Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction 01:30 Atlas's Mission and Technology 05:00 Transforming 2D Images into 3D Worlds 10:00 The Impact on Game Development Workflows 15:00 AI's Role in Creative Processes 20:00 Future Possibilities and Ethical Considerations 25:00 Q&A with Viewers Subscribe to our channel for more insights into game development, interviews with industry leaders, and the latest trends in game technology. Don't forget to hit the like button and share this video with fellow gaming aficionados. Your support helps us bring more exciting content your way! #GameDevelopment #AIInGaming #AtlasTech #3DModeling #GameDesignInnovation…

GameMakers

1
How Brawl Stars 6X'ed daily revenue ft. 2.5 Gamers + Ken Landen 1:06:49

for 1 year siden1:06:49