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Gaming is a multi-billion dollar industry - but what goes into making the world’s most popular games? Join us as we speak to titans of the gaming world - including Zeptolab, Playrix, Nexon and Kongregate, the makers behind wildly popular games Adventure Capitalist, Cut The Rope, Gardenscapes and Ba…

ironSource / Melissa Zeloof


    • Apr 17, 2023 LATEST EPISODE
    • every other week NEW EPISODES
    • 30m AVG DURATION
    • 145 EPISODES


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    Latest episodes from LevelUp

    Lisa Brunette | Narrative in mobile games: why the story matters

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 17, 2023 38:51


    In this LevelUp episode, Melissa sits down with Lisa Brunette, Narrative Designer and Game Writer at Brunette Games. They take a deep dive into the importance of narrative, why gameplay should always come first, how to write for mobile games, and how (and why) Lisa gamified her gardening. Tune in or keep reading for the highlights: https://www.is.com/community/podcasts/levelup/narrative-in-mobile-games-why-the-story-matters/

    Om Tandon | UX in games: User-centered vs human-centered design

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 3, 2023 31:03


    In this LevelUp episode, Melissa sits down with Om Tandon, UX Director at UX Reviewer Games Consultancy. They dive into what makes good UX, the similarities between producing games and films, the differences between user and human-centered design, and how to put design thinking into practice. Tune in or keep reading for the highlights: https://www.is.com/community/podcasts/levelup/ux-in-games-user-centered-vs-human-centered-design/

    Anna Popereko | User motivations: Where game design and monetization meet

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 28, 2023 26:52


    In this LevelUp episode, Melissa sits down with Anna Popereko, Game Design Consultant at ironSource from Unity. They talk about the importance of user motivations, what even are they, why they should be a part of your monetization strategy, and more. Tune in or read the highlights here: https://www.is.com/community/podcasts/levelup/user-motivations-where-game-design-and-monetization-meet/

    Josh Burns | Mastering the world of IPs

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 21, 2023 35:27


    In this LevelUp episode, Melissa sits down with Josh Burns, Senior Director of Business Development at FunPlus. They get into the history of IPs in mobile games, what to look for in an IP, their role in 2023, Josh's advice for smaller studios looking to leverage them, and more. Tune in here or read the highlights: https://www.is.com/community/podcasts/levelup/mastering-the-world-of-ips/

    Danny Moy | Building a mobile gaming business strategy

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 22, 2023 30:08


    In this LevelUp episode, Melissa sits down with Danny Moy, Chief Strategy Officer at SciPlay. They dive into the role of business strategy at mobile games studios, the secret to navigating M&As (from both sides), how to create long-term plans while working in a fast-changing industry, and a whole lot more. Tune in here or read the highlights: https://www.is.com/community/podcasts/levelup/danny-moy-gaming-business-strategy/

    Dan Greenberg | AI and creatives: Now, later, and the far-future

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 9, 2023 35:00


    In this LevelUp episode, Melissa sits down with our very own maestro of creatives Dan Greenberg, Chief Design Officer at ironSource. They talk AI image generation, what it is, how it can be used now, and what it needs to truly change the game. Tune in here or read the highlights: https://www.is.com/community/podcasts/levelup/dan-greenberg-ai-and-creatives/

    Matej Lanacaric | Going off autopilot: Creating a culture of experimentation in UA teams

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 10, 2023 33:08


    In this episode of LevelUp, Melissa sits down with Matej Lancaric, UA consultant extraordinaire, host of the 2 & a half gamers podcast, and the king of no-BS actionable tips. Together, they dive into the rules, or lack of, of UA, what it takes to build a culture of experimentation from the outside, and Matej’s hottest takes. Tune in here or read the highlights: https://www.is.com/community/podcasts/levelup/matej-lancaric-experimentation-in-ua-teams/

    AppQuantum | Outsource vs In-house: The best way to build creatives in 2023

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 7, 2022 23:34


    In this LevelUp episode, Melissa gets into building the dream creative team with Vitaly Gladkov, Creative Department Lead at AppQuantum. They attempt to finally answer the question: does it just make sense to move your creatives all in-house? Bonus content includes: why do you need a creative team anyway? Tune in here or read the highlights: https://www.is.com/community/podcasts/levelup/vitaly-gladkov-appquantum-building-creatives/

    HypGames | The evolution of mobile sports games

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 21, 2022 33:10


    In this episode of the LevelUp podcast, Mike Taramykin, CEO at HypGames, sits down with our host Melissa Zeloof, VP Marketing at ironSource. They discuss the evolution of sports games, including the challenges moving from console to F2P, how to work with licensors, and what to expect in the future. Tune in here or read the transcript:https://www.is.com/community/podcasts/levelup/mike-Taramykin-hypgames-evolution-sports/

    UserWise | The psychology of in-game personalization

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 13, 2022 27:34


    In this episode of LevelUp, Tom Hammond, CEO & Co-Founder of UserWise sits down with our host Melissa Zeloof, VP Marketing at ironSource. They discuss how game developers can better understand user psychology, putting user motivations into action within a game, and how game developers can utilize personalization with LiveOps. Tune in here or read the transcript: https://www.is.com/community/podcasts/levelup/tom-hammond-userwise-in-game-personalization/

    King, Deconstructor of Fun | Blockchain Gaming, Pt 5: What the industry needs to do to make Blockchain Games mainstream

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 19, 2022 52:36


    In this episode of LevelUp, our host Melissa Zeloof, VP Marketing at ironSource, sits down with Javier Barnes, Senior Product Manager at King and Ethan Levy, host of the Deconstructor of Fun Podcast, which explores the business side of the gaming industry. They discuss why developers and gamers should start utilizing blockchain, the main challenges keeping blockchain from becoming an industry standard, and what exactly gaming industry leaders need to do to bring blockchain to the mainstream. Tune in here or read the transcript: https://www.is.com/community/podcasts/levelup/blockchain-king-deconstructor-of-fun/

    Deconstructor of Fun | Blockchain Gaming, Pt 5: What the industry needs to do to make Blockchain Games mainstream

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 19, 2022 52:36


    In this episode of LevelUp, our host Melissa Zeloof, VP Marketing at ironSource, sits down with Deconstructor of Fun's Javier Barnes and Ethan Levy, host of the Deconstructor of Fun Podcast. They discuss why developers and gamers should start utilizing blockchain, the main challenges keeping blockchain from becoming an industry standard, and what exactly gaming industry leaders need to do to bring blockchain to the mainstream. Tune in here or read the transcript: https://www.is.com/community/podcasts/levelup/blockchain-king-deconstructor-of-fun/

    Business Evolution | Blockchain Gaming, Pt 4: Blockchain and the Metaverse

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 10, 2022 41:10


    Blockchain and gaming and the metaverse? Oh my. Elad Yakobowicz, Founder at Business Evolution explores the state of the metaverse today and how blockchain games have managed to integrate into this vast digital world. Elad is interviewed by Melissa Zeloof, VP Marketing at ironSource and Anton Backman, Principal at Play Ventures. They dive into the metaverse, what connects it to blockchain gaming, and what this collaboration could mean for the future of technology. Tune in here or keep reading for the edited highlights: https://www.is.com/community/podcasts/levelup/blockchain-metaverse-business-evolution/

    Playmint | Blockchain Gaming, Pt 3: Life as a CEO

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 5, 2022 38:02


    What’s it like to build a blockchain company from the ground up? Hear it straight from the source. David Amor, CEO at Playmint - a blockchain gaming company founded in 2021 - discusses what it's like to be on the frontline of the blockchain gaming revolution. David is interviewed by Melissa Zeloof, VP Marketing at ironSource, Anton Backman, Principal at Play Ventures, and Kenrick Drijoningen, General Partner at Play Ventures, where they explore building his company, modern blockchain gaming technology, and comparing blockchain vs traditional gaming. Tune in here or keep reading for the edited highlights: https://www.is.com/community/podcasts/levelup/blockchain-ceo-playmint/

    Playmint | Blockchain Gaming, Pt 2: Community Building

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 3, 2022 42:05


    We’re back for the second episode of our blockchain gaming mini-series - this time we’re exploring how online communities are set to shape the future of blockchain games. Join Melissa Zeloof, VP Marketing at ironSource, along with Anton Backman and Kenrick Drijoningen from Play Ventures, and our guest Jon Jordan, Consultant at Playmint, for the conversation. Together they explore the ins and outs of Discord communities, the biggest challenge traditional game developers have in the space, and the dichotomy between performance marketing and community building. Tune in here or keep reading for the edited highlights: https://www.is.com/community/podcasts/levelup/blockchain-communities-playmint/

    Play Ventures | Blockchain Gaming, Part 1: The Fundamentals

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 22, 2022 32:15


    It’s the buzzword on everyone’s lips: blockchain games. Melissa Zeloof, VP Marketing at ironSource, kicks off the first episode in a new mini-series all about blockchain gaming, along with Anton Backman and Kenrick Drijoningen from Play Ventures - a games VC with promising blockchain games in their portfolio. Together, they review clear and concise definitions of key blockchain gaming terms, top companies to watch in the space, trends and predictions for the future, as well as the practicalities of producing a blockchain game. Tune in here or keep reading for the edited highlights: https://www.is.com/community/podcasts/levelup/blockchain-fundamentals-playeventures

    What I wish I knew when founding a mobile games studio

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 18, 2021 31:39


    In the fifth episode of our "What I Wish I Knew When" series for indie developers, Melissa Zeloof is joined by Emily Greer, founder and CEO of Double Loop Games, who also co-founded Kongregate over a decade ago with her brother. Emily discusses her experience establishing a new games studio and key tips for developers looking to do the same.

    What I wish I knew when founding a mobile games studio

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 18, 2021 31:39


    In the fifth episode of our "What I Wish I Knew When" series for indie developers, Melissa Zeloof is joined by Emily Greer, founder and CEO of Double Loop Games, who also co-founded Kongregate over a decade ago with her brother. Emily discusses her experience establishing a new games studio and key tips for developers looking to do the same.

    Double Loop Games | Indie Series, Part 5: Founding a Mobile Game Studio

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 18, 2021 31:39


    In the fifth episode of our "What I Wish I Knew When" series for indie developers, Melissa Zeloof is joined by Emily Greer, founder and CEO of Double Loop Games, who also co-founded Kongregate over a decade ago with her brother. Emily discusses her experience establishing a new games studio and key tips for developers looking to do the same.

    What I wish I knew when getting started with mobile game monetization

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 11, 2021 25:41


    In the fourth episode of “What I Wish I Knew When...”, our series for indie developers, Melissa Zeloof is joined by Bozo Jankovic, who heads up Business Development at GamesBiz Consulting. Bozo and his team spend a lot of time working with indie developers to strengthen their game's monetization performance, so we thought it would be a good idea to pick his brains on this topic and discuss what he wishes he knew about game monetization earlier on in his career, to help devs who are just started out themselves get on the right track.

    What I wish I knew when getting started with mobile game monetization

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 11, 2021 25:41


    In the fourth episode of “What I Wish I Knew When...”, our series for indie developers, Melissa Zeloof is joined by Bozo Jankovic, who heads up Business Development at GamesBiz Consulting. Bozo and his team spend a lot of time working with indie developers to strengthen their game's monetization performance, so we thought it would be a good idea to pick his brains on this topic and discuss what he wishes he knew about game monetization earlier on in his career, to help devs who are just started out themselves get on the right track.

    GamesBiz | Indie Series, Part 3: Getting Started with Mobile Game Monetization

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 11, 2021 25:41


    In the fourth episode of “What I Wish I Knew When...”, our series for indie developers, Melissa Zeloof is joined by Bozo Jankovic, who heads up Business Development at GamesBiz Consulting. Bozo and his team spend a lot of time working with indie developers to strengthen their game's monetization performance, so we thought it would be a good idea to pick his brains on this topic and discuss what he wishes he knew about game monetization earlier on in his career, to help devs who are just started out themselves get on the right track.

    Insider's perspective: Gaming and gametech | Unity

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 28, 2020 23:18


    Sally Lu, Director of Customer Success at Unity, joins Melissa Zeloof to discuss the role of Unity and gametech more generally in the games industry, and what we might expect for the future.

    Insider's perspective: Gaming and gametech | Unity

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 28, 2020 23:18


    Sally Lu, Director of Customer Success at Unity, joins Melissa Zeloof to discuss the role of Unity and gametech more generally in the games industry, and what we might expect for the future.

    Unity | Gametech, Part 3: The Insider's Perspective

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 28, 2020 23:18


    Sally Lu, Director of Customer Success at Unity, joins Melissa Zeloof to discuss the role of Unity and gametech more generally in the games industry, and what we might expect for the future.

    Mighty Bear Games | Indie Series, Part 3: Identifying Million Dollar Game Concepts

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 5, 2020 22:15


    Simon Davis, Co-Founder and CEO at Mighty Bear Games, joins Melissa Zeloof in our "What I wish I knew when..." series to talk about his process for identifying and evaluating new game concepts, the learning curve he's experienced, and how to avoid bias

    Mighty Bear Games | Identifying million dollar game concepts

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 5, 2020 22:15


    Simon Davis, Co-Founder and CEO at Mighty Bear Games, joins Melissa Zeloof in our "What I wish I knew when..." series to talk about his process for identifying and evaluating new game concepts, the learning curve he's experienced, and how to avoid bias

    Mighty Bear Games | Identifying million dollar game concepts

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 5, 2020 22:15


    Simon Davis, Co-Founder and CEO at Mighty Bear Games, joins Melissa Zeloof in our "What I wish I knew when..." series to talk about his process for identifying and evaluating new game concepts, the learning curve he's experienced, and how to avoid bias

    The rise and rise of in-game ads | Nate Morgan, Facebook Audience Network

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 29, 2020 56:29


    Host Melissa Zeloof is joined by Nate Morgan, Global Gaming Lead at Facebook Audience Network, to discuss the rise of in-game ads and the key innovations in this space, the shift to hybrid monetization models, and the opportunities in-app bidding opens up for developers.

    The rise and rise of in-game ads | Nate Morgan, Facebook Audience Network

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 29, 2020 56:29


    Host Melissa Zeloof is joined by Nate Morgan, Global Gaming Lead at Facebook Audience Network, to discuss the rise of in-game ads and the key innovations in this space, the shift to hybrid monetization models, and the opportunities in-app bidding opens up for developers.

    Facebook Audience Network | The Innovations of In-Game Advertising

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 29, 2020 56:29


    Host Melissa Zeloof is joined by Nate Morgan, Global Gaming Lead at Facebook Audience Network, to discuss the rise of in-game ads and the key innovations in this space, the shift to hybrid monetization models, and the opportunities in-app bidding opens up for developers.

    Investor perspective: Gaming and gametech | Hiro Capital, Barclays

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 22, 2020 48:10


    Melissa Zeloof is joined by Spike Laurie, Venture Director at Hiro Capital, and Mario Lu, VP at Barclays and Lead Analyst for video game stocks. We'll be talking about the game investment landscape, the gaming industry and its relationship to gametech, and how gametech is spilling over to other industries.

    Investor perspective: Gaming and gametech | Hiro Capital, Barclays

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 22, 2020 48:10


    Melissa Zeloof is joined by Spike Laurie, Venture Director at Hiro Capital, and Mario Lu, VP at Barclays and Lead Analyst for video game stocks. We’ll be talking about the game investment landscape, the gaming industry and its relationship to gametech, and how gametech is spilling over to other industries.

    Hiro Capital, Barclays | Gametech, Part 2: The Investor Perspective

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 22, 2020 48:10


    Melissa Zeloof is joined by Spike Laurie, Venture Director at Hiro Capital, and Mario Lu, VP at Barclays and Lead Analyst for video game stocks. We’ll be talking about the game investment landscape, the gaming industry and its relationship to gametech, and how gametech is spilling over to other industries.

    Starberry Games | What I wish I knew when: Pitching to investors

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 13, 2020 23:19


    This is the second episode in our series for indie developers called, “what I wish I knew when.” Host Melissa Zeloof welcomes Antti Hattara, the CEO and co-founder of Starberry Games, the developer behind the hit idle game, Coffee Corp, and winner of ‘Best Indie Developer' Award at the Pocket Gamer Mobile Games Awards in 2019. We'll be talking about what he wishes he knew when first pitching to investors and getting funding for his startup.

    Starberry Games | What I wish I knew when: Pitching to investors

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 13, 2020 23:19


    This is the second episode in our series for indie developers called, “what I wish I knew when.” Host Melissa Zeloof welcomes Antti Hattara, the CEO and co-founder of Starberry Games, the developer behind the hit idle game, Coffee Corp, and winner of ‘Best Indie Developer’ Award at the Pocket Gamer Mobile Games Awards in 2019. We’ll be talking about what he wishes he knew when first pitching to investors and getting funding for his startup.

    Starberry Games | Indie Series, Part 2: What I Wish I Knew When Pitching to Investors

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 13, 2020 23:19


    This is the second episode in our series for indie developers called, “what I wish I knew when.” Host Melissa Zeloof welcomes Antti Hattara, the CEO and co-founder of Starberry Games, the developer behind the hit idle game, Coffee Corp, and winner of ‘Best Indie Developer’ Award at the Pocket Gamer Mobile Games Awards in 2019. We’ll be talking about what he wishes he knew when first pitching to investors and getting funding for his startup.

    Lockwood Publishing | Avakin Life, the metaverse, and games as social media

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 8, 2020 28:32


    Oliver Kern, Chief Commercial Officer at Lockwood Publishing, who are behind the hit mobile game Avakin Life, joins Melissa Zeloof to discuss the challenges of building a “virtual world” game (how does one integrate a live music concert from a real life pop star into a mobile game?!), how they scaled their daily active users to 1.5M, the metaverse, and games as the new social media.

    Lockwood Publishing | Avakin Life, the metaverse, and games as social media

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 8, 2020 28:32


    Oliver Kern, Chief Commercial Officer at Lockwood Publishing, who are behind the hit mobile game Avakin Life, joins Melissa Zeloof to discuss the challenges of building a “virtual world” game (how does one integrate a live music concert from a real life pop star into a mobile game?!), how they scaled their daily active users to 1.5M, the metaverse, and games as the new social media.

    Journalist perspective: Gaming and gametech | CNN Business, PG.biz

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 1, 2020 61:04


    Melissa Zeloof is joined by Ric Cowley, Editor of PocketGamer.biz, and Shannon Liao, reporter at CNN Business, to discuss the key happenings and trends in the gaming industry and in the gametech ecosystem behind it. As journalists covering gaming, they have a special inside-outside view of the industry, which made this a fascinating discussion. We cover gaming’s role in the entertainment world, how it adapted so well to COVID-19, Apple vs Epic Games, the importance of gametech, and much more.

    Journalist perspective: Gaming and gametech | CNN Business, PG.biz

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 1, 2020 61:04


    Melissa Zeloof is joined by Ric Cowley, Editor of PocketGamer.biz, and Shannon Liao, reporter at CNN Business, to discuss the key happenings and trends in the gaming industry and in the gametech ecosystem behind it. As journalists covering gaming, they have a special inside-outside view of the industry, which made this a fascinating discussion. We cover gaming's role in the entertainment world, how it adapted so well to COVID-19, Apple vs Epic Games, the importance of gametech, and much more.

    CNN, PocketGamer | Gametech, Part 2: The Journalist Perspective

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 1, 2020 61:04


    Melissa Zeloof is joined by Ric Cowley, Editor of PocketGamer.biz, and Shannon Liao, reporter at CNN Business, to discuss the key happenings and trends in the gaming industry and in the gametech ecosystem behind it. As journalists covering gaming, they have a special inside-outside view of the industry, which made this a fascinating discussion. We cover gaming’s role in the entertainment world, how it adapted so well to COVID-19, Apple vs Epic Games, the importance of gametech, and much more.

    VGames | Unearthing the next generation of gaming unicorns

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 26, 2020 30:58


    Eitan Reisel, former lead in Google's gaming division and founder of VGames, an investment firm focused specifically on unearthing the next generation of Israeli and Eastern European gaming unicorns, joins to discuss the investment opportunities in these ecosystems, the biggest trends in gaming, the importance of gametech, and much more.

    VGames | Unearthing the next generation of gaming unicorns

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 26, 2020 30:58


    Eitan Reisel, former lead in Google’s gaming division and founder of VGames, an investment firm focused specifically on unearthing the next generation of Israeli and Eastern European gaming unicorns, joins to discuss the investment opportunities in these ecosystems, the biggest trends in gaming, the importance of gametech, and much more.

    Seenax | Indie Series, Part 1: What I Wish I Knew When Choosing a Game Publisher

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 28, 2020 17:09


    This is the first episode in our new series for indie developers called, “what I wish I knew when.” Host Melissa Zeloof welcomes Gabriel Coriiu, Co-Founder of Seenax Oy and the developer behind the hit game, Hide and Seek. Gabriel will be talking about what he wishes he knew when choosing a publisher and about his journey to launching a hit hyper-casual game.

    Seenax | What I wish I knew when choosing a publisher

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 28, 2020 17:09


    This is the first episode in our new series for indie developers called, “what I wish I knew when.” Host Melissa Zeloof welcomes Gabriel Coriiu, Co-Founder of Seenax Oy and the developer behind the hit game, Hide and Seek. Gabriel will be talking about what he wishes he knew when choosing a publisher and about his journey to launching a hit hyper-casual game.

    Seenax | What I wish I knew when choosing a publisher

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 28, 2020 17:09


    This is the first episode in our new series for indie developers called, “what I wish I knew when.” Host Melissa Zeloof welcomes Gabriel Coriiu, Co-Founder of Seenax Oy and the developer behind the hit game, Hide and Seek. Gabriel will be talking about what he wishes he knew when choosing a publisher and about his journey to launching a hit hyper-casual game.

    Newzoo | Gametech, Part 1: How Gametech is Fueling the Industry's Growth

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 21, 2020 39:59


    Newzoo's CEO Peter Warman, and Market Lead of Game Developers and Publishers, Tyler Long, discuss the rapidly growing gametech ecosystem, how they mapped it out, and where it's headed.

    Newzoo | How gametech is fueling the industry's growth

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 21, 2020 39:59


    Newzoo's CEO Peter Warman, and Market Lead of Game Developers and Publishers, Tyler Long, discuss the rapidly growing gametech ecosystem, how they mapped it out, and where it's headed.

    Newzoo | How gametech is fueling the industry's growth

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 21, 2020 39:59


    Newzoo's CEO Peter Warman, and Market Lead of Game Developers and Publishers, Tyler Long, discuss the rapidly growing gametech ecosystem, how they mapped it out, and where it's headed.

    ironSource | Creative Operations, Part 3: How to Make High Impact Ad Creatives

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 14, 2020 20:00


    Melissa Zeloof welcomes Noa Eckstein, Director of Creative Performance at ironSource Luna, to discuss all things in-ad data, including Playworks' process for optimizing ad creatives for some of the industry's biggest names.

    director creatives high impact ironsource playworks creative operations

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