Podcasts about Gaming industry

Fourteen years after launch, Subway Surfers is still one of the biggest games in the world. In this episode, Kalie Moore sits down with Mathias Gredal Nørvig, CEO of SYBO, to unpack how a mobile game launched in 2012 continues to attract between 100 and 150 million monthly players while nearly every other hit from its era has faded away. They explore the philosophy behind Subway Surfers' iconic World Tour live operations, why empowering artists and designers has kept the game feeling fresh for more than a decade, how community ideas have directly shaped new characters and game modes, and why collaborations with games like Brawl Stars have become some of the studio's most successful partnerships. Mathias also shares how Subway Surfers Cities evolved from years of experimentation, why SYBO deliberately avoided cannibalizing its flagship title, and what they're still learning as they build the franchise's next chapter.The conversation also dives into one of gaming's most remarkable organic marketing stories: how Subway Surfers became one of TikTok's biggest gaming phenomena without spending on user acquisition, why SYBO gives its social team extraordinary creative freedom, and how the studio thinks about virality, platform expansion, and community-first marketing. Mathias shares SYBO's measured approach to AI, lessons from becoming part of Miniclip and Tencent, why the company stepped back from large-scale licensing despite nearly five billion downloads, and how sustainability, accessibility, and healthy gameplay have become core parts of the studio's long-term vision. The episode offers a rare look inside one of mobile gaming's most enduring success stories and what it takes to build an evergreen franchise that continues to evolve without losing what made it special.We'd also like to thank Heroic Labs for making this episode possible! Thousands of studios have trusted Heroic Labs to help them focus on their games and not worry about gametech or scaling for success. To learn more and reach out, visit https://heroiclabs.com/?utm_source=Naavik&utm_medium=CPC&utm_campaign=Podcast If you like the episode, please help others find us by leaving a 5-star rating or review! And if you have any comments, requests, or feedback shoot us a note at podcast@naavik.co.Who's On:Guest - Mathias Gredal Nørvig: https://www.linkedin.com/in/noervig/Host - Kalie Moore: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kaliemoore/ Watch the episode: YouTube ChannelFor more episodes and details: Podcast WebsiteFree newsletter: Naavik DigestFollow us: Twitter | LinkedIn | WebsiteSound design by Gavin Mc CabeLinks mentioned:https://sybogames.com/https://www.amazon.co.uk/Gaming-Good-Unlocking-Create-Better-ebook/dp/B0CSDHG8KC/https://www.goodgame.club/

This episode covers the Naavik Digest newsletter published on Sunday, July 19th. In this week's issue, we shine a light on the memo that undid 10 years of Xbox strategy, focusing on what CEO Asha Sharma is actually trying to achieve. You can read the newsletter (with even more sections and visual detail) here: https://www.naavik.co/digest/the-memo-that-undid-ten-years-of-xbox-strategyMeet with Naavik at Gamescom: https://naavik.typeform.com/to/qE3Yw6pa?typeform-source=www.dropbox.com Want to explore working with Naavik? Shoot us a note: https://naavik.co/contact-us/ Let us know what you think by sending us a note at podcast@naavik.co.Watch our episodes: YouTube ChannelFor more episodes and details: Podcast WebsiteFree newsletter: Naavik DigestFollow us: Twitter | LinkedIn | WebsiteSound design by Gavin Mc Cabe.

Influence Mobile founder and CEO Daniel Todd joins Chris Lustrino to discuss how the company built Rewarded Play into a major rewards platform for mobile gaming. Influence Mobile helps game developers acquire and retain high-value players by offering rewards to users who discover, play, and spend inside mobile games. Daniel explains how his decades of experience in internet advertising and rewards programs led to the company's current model, why older women are among the most valuable mobile gaming audiences, and why mobile gaming's scale is often underestimated. The conversation also covers Influence Mobile's $28 million revenue base, its Android success, upcoming iOS expansion, white-label opportunities, and the long-term vision for a broader rewards ecosystem. View Influence Mobile on Kingscrowd

#SonyPlaystation #MicrosoftXbox #Nintendo #GamingIndustry #TheLastofUs #Evo #SNK Oooh buddy the guys had a fun time blasting the bullshit that is currently happening in the gaming industry. Its a hot mess and we vent and get our jokes off on these corporate chuckleheads

Direct-to-consumer (DTC) is moving from an experimental monetization channel toward a more established part of game publishing, but adoption remains uneven. Host Devin Becker is joined by David Stelzer, CSO of Appcharge, to discuss findings from the company's recent report and what they reveal about the current state of DTC. They examine why more than half of studios are still making few meaningful changes, what separates the small group of innovators pulling ahead, and where developers continue to misunderstand web stores, player behavior, and the operational demands of running DTC effectively. The conversation also looks ahead to dedicated DTC teams, standardized technology stacks, broader adoption beyond games, and what winning in DTC could look like over the next three to five years.We'd like to thank Medal.tv for making this episode possible. If you're a PC gamer and want to clip your moments or a studio, publisher, or marketer looking to reach a high-quality gaming audience and get your game in front of the right players, check out all Medal has to offer at https://grow.medal.tv.If you like the episode, please help others find us by leaving a 5-star rating or review! And if you have any comments, requests, or feedback shoot us a note at podcast@naavik.co. Watch the episode: YouTube ChannelFor more episodes and details: Podcast WebsiteFree newsletter: Naavik DigestFollow us: Twitter | LinkedIn | WebsiteSound design by Gavin Mc Cabe.

XBOX going through its reset, PlayStation ending Physical gaming.. Studios being dismantled and projects changing.. The gaming industry is going through one of the biggest shifts in its history.. and who knows what the future holds#xbox #playstation #gamingpodcast Thanks everyone for watching our content.. for more info follow on X at @FunSpeculationJoin our Discord!! https://discord.gg/qGq8wkhVJgFun Speculation Merch here!https://my-store-11567836.creator-spring.com/Channel Membership link here! https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCQAcuLpUYsuNltjRkrAGQkQ/joinMusic all created by Judzilla Music https://twitter.com/JudzillaUK https://www.youtube.com/@JudzillaMusic

In the midst of Xbox layoffs, Sony decided that they will no longer sell physical copies of its games. It's almost like they did this on purpose, thinking that gamers would be distracted by the Xbox layoffs that we wouldn'tm notice their tomfoolery!

This episode covers the Naavik Digest newsletter published on Sunday, July 12th. In today's issue, we evaluate the memory boom's effect on the present and future of gaming hardware.You can read the newsletter (with even more sections and visual detail) here: https://www.naavik.co/digest/the-ai-boom-is-repricing-gaming-hardware-and-rewiring-the-console-businessMeet with Naavik at Gamescom: https://naavik.typeform.com/to/qE3Yw6pa?typeform-source=www.dropbox.com India's State of Play report: https://mixiglobalinv.com/report/upload/indias-state-of-play-260708.pdf Want to explore working with Naavik? Shoot us a note: https://naavik.co/contact-us/ Let us know what you think by sending us a note at podcast@naavik.co.Watch our episodes: YouTube ChannelFor more episodes and details: Podcast WebsiteFree newsletter: Naavik DigestFollow us: Twitter | LinkedIn | WebsiteSound design by Gavin Mc Cabe.

402-521-3080In this episode, Dylan Yeomans and Rebecca Saunders explore the complex issues surrounding online gaming safety, the impact of satire on serious topics (like the Epstein files), and practical advice for parents to protect and connect with their children in digital spaces.Key  TopicsOnline gaming safety and risksRoblox's safety measures and controversiesThe impact of satire on serious issues like predatorsPractical tips for parents to monitor and engage with children's gamingThe importance of building trust and open communication with children about online activitiesSound  Bites"Games can be a dangerous place for kids""Satire can distort serious issues""Roblox's safety measures are not foolproof"Support the showEveryone has resilience, but what does that mean, and how do we use it in life and leadership? Join Stephanie Olson, an expert in resiliency and trauma, every week as she talks to other experts living lives of resilience. Stephanie also shares her own stories of addictions, disordered eating, domestic and sexual violence, abandonment, and trauma, and shares the everyday struggles and joys of everyday life. As a wife, mom, and CEO she gives commentaries and, sometimes, a few rants to shed light on what makes a person resilient. So, if you have experienced adversity in life in any way and want to learn how to better lead your family, your workplace, and, well, your life, this podcast is for you!https://setmefreeproject.nethttps://www.stephanieolson.com/

Today on Bud's #WeeklyGeekOut . . . It's been a rough week in the gaming industry, from PlayStation nixing game discs, closing online stores, and raising console prices, to a horrific swath of job cuts at Xbox this week. =/ webmeister Bud Listen and get more details at TheZone.fm/geekout

Mobile has spent the last decade perfecting paid acquisition, and often, paid UA comprises 99% of a mobile game's marketing budget. PC and console gaming generate tens of billions of dollars in revenue, yet most studios have never tried performance marketing once. PC and console have always played in the field of brand, festivals, press, influencers, and content creators due to a variety of reasons that we unpack in this episode. Alexandra Takei, VP of Platform Revenue at Medal, sits down with Jules Baculard, founder and CEO of AdZap, to unpack why PC performance marketing has lagged behind mobile and what it would take to build a real acquisition stack for Steam, PlayStation, and Xbox. The conversation covers the structural challenges: thin desktop inventory, cross-device attribution, Steam's limited data visibility, long purchase windows, and the uncomfortable reality that many Steam purchases are never played. Jules explains how AdZap built their performance platform using mobile ad infrastructure, Steam's companion app, landing pages, signal engineering, and retargeting to drive qualified traffic and wishlist growth. The episode also digs into real case studies across indie and Ubisoft titles, incrementality testing, CPI benchmarks, and why wishlists still matter, even if they are an imperfect KPI.For any studio trying to make every marketing dollar work harder, this is a tactical look at PC performance's next frontierWe'd also like to thank Medal.tv for making this episode possible. If you're a PC gamer and want to clip your moments or a studio, publisher, or marketer looking to reach a high-quality gaming audience and get your game in front of the right players, check out all Medal has to offer at https://grow.medal.tv.If you like the episode, please help others find us by leaving a 5-star rating or review! And if you have any comments, requests, or feedback shoot us a note at podcast@naavik.co. Watch the episode: YouTube ChannelFor more episodes and details: Podcast WebsiteFree newsletter: Naavik DigestFollow us: Twitter | LinkedIn | WebsiteSound design by Gavin Mc Cabe.

On this episode of the Plug N Play Podcast, Henry tries his best not to succumb to horrific depression based on the recent happenings here in the gaming industry. Bungie layoffs, Steam Machine prices, GTA6 with no disc, Xbox layoff, and the death of physical games!? Sheesh... Come along and see if my sanity remains.Impressions this week are light since news is so heavy. Brief impressions of Xenoblade Chronicles Definitive Edition for the time being.Feel free to send us a question at plugnplaypodcast1@gmail.com for a chance to have it read out on the show!X/Twitter: https://x.com/PlugNPlayPod1Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/plugnplaypod1/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@plugnplay397Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7dE5501VjBjk9XbQdxvIG3Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/kh/podcast/plug-n-play-podcast-video-game-news-and-reviews/id1725685950YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC0kfqx6YQ5xqXRfaKRO8wJwLinktree: https://linktr.ee/plugnplaypodcastTimestamps:0:00 - Intro6:24 - Comment Corner17:28 - Bungie layoffs33:42 - Steam Machine prices51:42 - Xbox to close several studios1:28:30 - GTA6 prices and no disc1:51:54 - PlayStation kills discs starting in 2028Impressions:2:35:50 - Xenoblade Chronicles Definitive Edition

Amy MacIver speaks to Luca Tucconi about the Esports World Cup, its global growth, and why competitive gaming is attracting millions of viewers around the world. Presenter John Maytham is an actor and author-turned-talk radio veteran and seasoned journalist. His show serves a round-up of local and international news coupled with the latest in business, sport, traffic and weather. The host’s eclectic interests mean the program often surprises the audience with intriguing book reviews and inspiring interviews profiling artists. A daily highlight is Rapid Fire, just after 5:30pm. CapeTalk fans call in, to stump the presenter with their general knowledge questions. Another firm favourite is the humorous Thursday crossing with award-winning journalist Rebecca Davis, called “Plan B”. Thank you for listening to a podcast from Afternoon Drive with John Maytham Listen live on Primedia+ weekdays from 15:00 and 18:00 (SA Time) to Afternoon Drive with John Maytham broadcast on CapeTalk https://buff.ly/NnFM3Nk For more from the show go to https://buff.ly/BSFy4Cn or find all the catch-up podcasts here https://buff.ly/n8nWt4x Subscribe to the CapeTalk Daily and Weekly Newsletters https://buff.ly/sbvVZD5 Follow us on social media: CapeTalk on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CapeTalk CapeTalk on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@capetalk CapeTalk on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ CapeTalk on X: https://x.com/CapeTalk CapeTalk on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@CapeTalk567 See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

ABC's Mike Dobuski reports creators of video games are cutting costs across the board

Welcome to Generation X Gaming Podcast #494!This week, 30nstillgaming and Sgt Mclusky break down the biggest stories affecting the gaming industry. From Bungie's latest layoffs and Sony's restructuring efforts to rising hardware costs, AI investments, and the uncertain future of AAA game development, there's no shortage of topics to dive into.We also discuss why major corporations seem to be shifting their focus away from expensive game development and toward AI infrastructure and data centers, what that could mean for the future of the gaming industry, and whether GTA 6 can possibly live up to years of unprecedented hype.Along the way, we share what we've been playing, answer questions from the community, and discuss where gaming could be headed over the next several years.#podcast #gaming #podcasting 00:00 Intro & Welcome22:01 What We've Been Playing35:02 Bungie Layoffs & Sony Restructuring41:06 What Happens Next for Bungie?58:27 Why Corporations Are Moving Away from Gaming1:00:29 AI, Data Centers & The Future of Investment1:05:07 DRAM & VRAM Prices Explained1:07:48 Why Gaming Hardware Costs More2:41:08 GTA 6 Marketing Strategy2:44:09 Can GTA 6 Live Up to the Hype?2:50:21 Do AAA Games Need Huge Development Teams?3:18:34 Community Q&A3:21:51 Marvel Games, Saber & Final ThoughtsApparel:https://spreadshop-admin.spreadshirt.com/30nstillgamingStream or Purchase Album:_______________________________________________Apple Music: https://geo.music.apple.com/album/perk-up-press-play-the-daily-grind-vol-1/1823682141Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/album/5mYKl3qw2HZBWLYlrP7PP6iTunes: https://geo.music.apple.com/album/perk-up-press-play-the-daily-grind-vol-1/1823682141Youtube Music: https://music.youtube.com/playlist?list=OLAK5uy_lGuR4ijtGNpKwYzQcBrvMeSPx6z48ezcQ&si=ZtmjvEClVeB4qT6L________________________________________________Become a Subscribe: www.youtube.com/@30nsg?sub_confirmati...Become a 30NSG YOUTUBE MEMBER Here:https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCJJqcCHl70Y8z3QGKMAQIKw/joinJoin Our Discord: https://discord.gg/ansqERtcmhTwitter: https://x.com/30nstillgamingSpotify: GXG Podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/3nEYqXh8aTMzxdNQC9BTYB?si=91a17d7a356249b6

In this episode, Frosty and Wav3yy talk about the latest in unfortunate gaming news, including playstation ending disc based production for their games and xbox eyeing more studios to close. Then we discuss gaming backlogs and how that may be the wave of the future. Follow us across the web!⁠Website⁠ ⁠Facebook⁠ ⁠Instagram⁠ ⁠Twitter⁠ ⁠Tiktok⁠ ⁠Youtube⁠

This episode covers the Naavik Digest newsletter published on Sunday, July 5th. In today's issue, we discuss the underrated, emerging intersection of creators and DTC — and why creator codes specifically are becoming an increasingly low-cost, high-reward way to drive player engagement and monetization.You can read the newsletter (with even more sections and visual detail) here: https://www.naavik.co/digest/the-next-wave-of-creator-led-growthWant to explore working with Naavik? Shoot us a note: https://naavik.co/contact-us/ Let us know what you think by sending us a note at podcast@naavik.co.Watch our episodes: YouTube ChannelFor more episodes and details: Podcast WebsiteFree newsletter: Naavik DigestFollow us: Twitter | LinkedIn | WebsiteSound design by Gavin Mc Cabe.

This week on Rick Flynn Presents worldwide podcast: Episode 291In this true story, an unexpected revelation upends a son's understanding of everything he thought he knew about his father—setting him on a journey of discovery as he attempts to piece together the truth.After Glenn Wichinsky's parents divorced, his mother took him and his siblings away from their father's questionable life choices. Glenn grew up in a sheltered South Florida neighborhood, dreaming of becoming a meteorologist. It wasn't until he was thirteen, on a visit to Las Vegas to see the father he barely knew, that Glenn's eyes opened to a wider world. A far cry from his life in Florida, the trips he made to the Sands Hotel and Casino over the years to see his father felt like living in a movie. Michael “Mickey” Wichinsky, a respected and noted pioneer in the slot machine and gaming industry, led a life of intrigue—where showgirls, glitz, and glamour sparkled around every corner and backroom deals with mobsters were simply part of doing business.It was only after his father's death that Glenn discovered how deep the ties had been between Mickey and the Mob, forcing him to reconcile his father's early life and work in Las Vegas with his understanding of the kind and generous man he knew. Told with honesty, heart, and deep self-reflection, Things Left Unsaid is both a personal odyssey and a fascinating dive into the history of the Nevada gaming industry by a man trying to reframe the story of his father's past—and his own.Contact: www.GlobalGamingLawyer.com

Your favorite Blerds are back bringing you all of their thoughts on everything happening in nerd culture. This week, Shannon, Jaja and James are joined by returning guest, Brandon Smith! We talk about everything from the confirmed pricing of GTA 6 and the Steam Deck as well as more price hikes for Xbox consoles. We're also talking about the video game industry as a whole and how its becoming entirely too expensive. Then, Jaja and Brandon give their take on the Super Girl Movie. Was it a flop? Plus, we discuss the One Piece remake and the impact the show has had on mainstream culture. Is One Piece the biggest anime in the world? Make sure to subscribe to us on Youtube, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or your podcast app of choice.   Follow Us!  https://linktr.ee/blerdsnerds   National Resources List https://linktr.ee/NationalResourcesList   Youtube  https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCK56I-TNUnhKhcWLZxoUTaw   Email us: Blerdsnerds@gmail.com   Follow Our Social: https://www.instagram.com/blerdsnerds/ https://twitter.com/BlerdsNerds https://www.facebook.com/blerdsnerds https://tiktok.com/blerdsnerds_pod   Shannon: https://www.instagram.com/luv_shenanigans James: https://www.instagram.com/llsuavej  Jaja: https://www.instagram.com/jajasmith3  Brandon: https://www.tiktok.com/brandomsmith6165

In this special episode of the Naavik Gaming Podcast, recorded live from the Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity, host Kalie Moore sits down with fellow Cannes Lions Gaming Jury member Cheryl Platz, author of The Game Development Strategy Guide, and former UX leader at Riot Games, Scopely, Microsoft, and Amazon. Together, they pull back the curtain on what it was actually like judging one of the world's most prestigious creative awards programs, from the multi-stage evaluation process to the debates that shaped the final winners. They discuss the challenges of evaluating gaming campaigns across vastly different audiences, genres, and markets, and share lessons for brands, agencies, and developers looking to create work that genuinely resonates with players.The conversation explores some of the most memorable campaigns from this year's competition, including a deep dive into Supercell's big year. Kalie and Cheryl unpack why Copycat's Welcome earned the coveted Grand Prix, how Pocket-Sized Halftime Show won Gold and dominated the conversation across all entertainment conversations, and what these campaigns reveal about creativity, player insight, and measurable impact. They also discuss Skittles' viral gaming flute, Silent Clean's horror game for a century-old cleaning brand, and campaigns that used gaming to tackle organ donation, wildfire prevention, and medical education. The episode offers a rare inside look at how creative excellence is judged at the highest level and what the future of brand integration in games might look like.We'd also like to thank Dive for making this episode possible! With its fully managed analytics and LiveOps platform built for game studios, 95% of their clients grow revenue in one year. All of that without having to hire an in-house data team. Learn more here: dive.games/scale..If you like the episode, please help others find us by leaving a 5-star rating or review! And if you have any comments, requests, or feedback shoot us a note at podcast@naavik.co.Who's On:Guest - Cheryl Platz: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cherylplatz/Host - Kalie Moore: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kaliemoore/ Watch the episode: YouTube ChannelFor more episodes and details: Podcast WebsiteFree newsletter: Naavik DigestFollow us: Twitter | LinkedIn | WebsiteSound design by Gavin Mc CabeLinks mentioned:https://www.cherylplatz.com/https://www.gamedevelopmentstrategyguide.com/https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/enduring-play-a-game-development-podcast/id1826460395?l=es-MXhttps://www.lovethework.com/en/awards/winners-shortlists/cannes-lions/entertainment-lions-for-gaming?tag=publication+dates%40%40year%40%402026

This episode covers the Naavik Digest newsletter published on Sunday, June 28th. In today's issue, we uncover two underrated mobile development regions that are flying under the radar — a downloads powerhouse and a small but mighty region punching above its weight. You can read the newsletter (with even more sections and visual detail) here: https://www.naavik.co/digest/two-underrated-mobile-development-regionsWant to explore working with Naavik? Shoot us a note: https://naavik.co/contact-us/ Let us know what you think by sending us a note at podcast@naavik.co.Watch our episodes: YouTube ChannelFor more episodes and details: Podcast WebsiteFree newsletter: Naavik DigestFollow us: Twitter | LinkedIn | WebsiteSound design by Gavin Mc Cabe.

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Windows 12 is stalled and the real reasons go far beyond software. The conversation unpacks how soaring hardware prices, AI chaos, and market confusion have Microsoft in a holding pattern. Also, Paul finally took a sledgehammer to the subscription services he pays for, and more is on the way. Plus, one of Paul's favorite Markdown editors supports authorship on Windows now and an integrated Search/Outline view on Mac, iPad, and iPad.Windows Week D is here with a preview of July's Patch Tuesday Point-in-time restore is now generally available in Windows 11, sort of Quieter widgets, which is nice! Plus, Screen tint, Windows Update improvements, more Tied to this, sort of, something wonderful is happening to the Windows 11 Field Guide Five new builds, plus some 26H2 news (and still no news about what 26H1 becomes, see below...) Mostly minor fit-and-finish improvements So... what about Windows 12? The history is interesting, and Copilot+ PC was what Paul originally thought Windows 12 would be. But now we're talking agentic capabilities that will handle local/cloud/hybrid orchestration per last week's discussion, and maybe that will be it. We knew that Surface Laptop and Surface Pro would come in 8 GB configurations. But they're available now with just 256 GB of storage and the prices are $950 and $850 and up, respectively. Plus all the usual Surface limitations, like one color choice. (16 GB is $1150 and $1050, respectively, so $300 more.) Once again, it's time to just get a Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 5x for $850. It has 16 GB of RAM and 512 GB of storage and is awesome. Tim Cook just admitted that Apple will raise hardware prices because of the component crisis. If this is hitting Apple hard, the rest of the industry is screwed. AI Cory Doctorow's new book is out and let's just say his new neologism isn't as catchy as enshittification Reverse centaur (groan) Surprisingly centrist view on the pros and cons of AI Highlights the Microsoft financial shenanigans I point out every quarter: Microsoft "invests" $10 billion of "tokens" in OpenAI, but there's no volume discount and Microsoft books the transaction as $10 billion in AI revenues as OpenAI simply uses its infrastructure. It gave $10 billion to OpenAI so that it could spend $10 billion on Azure. Google Home Speaker is the Gemini speaker and it's now shipping to first customers as Google discontinues Nest Audio and Nest Mini speakers. Can we trust this company with hardware? And why are there no Apple or Google home theater setups? Adobe brings its creative agent to Firefly and the biggest apps in Creative Cloud XBOX & gaming No movement yet on the massive changes we expect in XBOX soon Microsoft has "dozens" of gaming IP-based movies and TV shows in the works XBOX Insiders can now test updates to Gamertags, Game Hub, and Wish List Call of Duty: Black Ops 1 and 2 are being ported to modern PS consoles. Sadly, not remakes or remasters. GTA VI will cost $79.99 and up - Arrives in November, can preorder on June 25 Steam Machine to cost $1049 and up, and that's with no controller Tips & picks Tip of the week: How to save $100 a month App pick of the week: iA Writer RunAs Radio this week: Securing Developers with Tanya Janca Brown liquor pick of the week: Glen Breton Rare 10 These show notes have been truncated due to length. For the full show notes, visit https://twit.tv/shows/windows-weekly/episodes/989 Hosts: Leo Laporte, Paul Thurrott, and Richard Campbell Sponsor: webroot.com/twit

Windows 12 is stalled and the real reasons go far beyond software. The conversation unpacks how soaring hardware prices, AI chaos, and market confusion have Microsoft in a holding pattern. Also, Paul finally took a sledgehammer to the subscription services he pays for, and more is on the way. Plus, one of Paul's favorite Markdown editors supports authorship on Windows now and an integrated Search/Outline view on Mac, iPad, and iPad.Windows Week D is here with a preview of July's Patch Tuesday Point-in-time restore is now generally available in Windows 11, sort of Quieter widgets, which is nice! Plus, Screen tint, Windows Update improvements, more Tied to this, sort of, something wonderful is happening to the Windows 11 Field Guide Five new builds, plus some 26H2 news (and still no news about what 26H1 becomes, see below...) Mostly minor fit-and-finish improvements So... what about Windows 12? The history is interesting, and Copilot+ PC was what Paul originally thought Windows 12 would be. But now we're talking agentic capabilities that will handle local/cloud/hybrid orchestration per last week's discussion, and maybe that will be it. We knew that Surface Laptop and Surface Pro would come in 8 GB configurations. But they're available now with just 256 GB of storage and the prices are $950 and $850 and up, respectively. Plus all the usual Surface limitations, like one color choice. (16 GB is $1150 and $1050, respectively, so $300 more.) Once again, it's time to just get a Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 5x for $850. It has 16 GB of RAM and 512 GB of storage and is awesome. Tim Cook just admitted that Apple will raise hardware prices because of the component crisis. If this is hitting Apple hard, the rest of the industry is screwed. AI Cory Doctorow's new book is out and let's just say his new neologism isn't as catchy as enshittification Reverse centaur (groan) Surprisingly centrist view on the pros and cons of AI Highlights the Microsoft financial shenanigans I point out every quarter: Microsoft "invests" $10 billion of "tokens" in OpenAI, but there's no volume discount and Microsoft books the transaction as $10 billion in AI revenues as OpenAI simply uses its infrastructure. It gave $10 billion to OpenAI so that it could spend $10 billion on Azure. Google Home Speaker is the Gemini speaker and it's now shipping to first customers as Google discontinues Nest Audio and Nest Mini speakers. Can we trust this company with hardware? And why are there no Apple or Google home theater setups? Adobe brings its creative agent to Firefly and the biggest apps in Creative Cloud XBOX & gaming No movement yet on the massive changes we expect in XBOX soon Microsoft has "dozens" of gaming IP-based movies and TV shows in the works XBOX Insiders can now test updates to Gamertags, Game Hub, and Wish List Call of Duty: Black Ops 1 and 2 are being ported to modern PS consoles. Sadly, not remakes or remasters. GTA VI will cost $79.99 and up - Arrives in November, can preorder on June 25 Steam Machine to cost $1049 and up, and that's with no controller Tips & picks Tip of the week: How to save $100 a month App pick of the week: iA Writer RunAs Radio this week: Securing Developers with Tanya Janca Brown liquor pick of the week: Glen Breton Rare 10 These show notes have been truncated due to length. For the full show notes, visit https://twit.tv/shows/windows-weekly/episodes/989 Hosts: Leo Laporte, Paul Thurrott, and Richard Campbell Sponsor: webroot.com/twit

Windows 12 is stalled and the real reasons go far beyond software. The conversation unpacks how soaring hardware prices, AI chaos, and market confusion have Microsoft in a holding pattern. Also, Paul finally took a sledgehammer to the subscription services he pays for, and more is on the way. Plus, one of Paul's favorite Markdown editors supports authorship on Windows now and an integrated Search/Outline view on Mac, iPad, and iPad.Windows Week D is here with a preview of July's Patch Tuesday Point-in-time restore is now generally available in Windows 11, sort of Quieter widgets, which is nice! Plus, Screen tint, Windows Update improvements, more Tied to this, sort of, something wonderful is happening to the Windows 11 Field Guide Five new builds, plus some 26H2 news (and still no news about what 26H1 becomes, see below...) Mostly minor fit-and-finish improvements So... what about Windows 12? The history is interesting, and Copilot+ PC was what Paul originally thought Windows 12 would be. But now we're talking agentic capabilities that will handle local/cloud/hybrid orchestration per last week's discussion, and maybe that will be it. We knew that Surface Laptop and Surface Pro would come in 8 GB configurations. But they're available now with just 256 GB of storage and the prices are $950 and $850 and up, respectively. Plus all the usual Surface limitations, like one color choice. (16 GB is $1150 and $1050, respectively, so $300 more.) Once again, it's time to just get a Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 5x for $850. It has 16 GB of RAM and 512 GB of storage and is awesome. Tim Cook just admitted that Apple will raise hardware prices because of the component crisis. If this is hitting Apple hard, the rest of the industry is screwed. AI Cory Doctorow's new book is out and let's just say his new neologism isn't as catchy as enshittification Reverse centaur (groan) Surprisingly centrist view on the pros and cons of AI Highlights the Microsoft financial shenanigans I point out every quarter: Microsoft "invests" $10 billion of "tokens" in OpenAI, but there's no volume discount and Microsoft books the transaction as $10 billion in AI revenues as OpenAI simply uses its infrastructure. It gave $10 billion to OpenAI so that it could spend $10 billion on Azure. Google Home Speaker is the Gemini speaker and it's now shipping to first customers as Google discontinues Nest Audio and Nest Mini speakers. Can we trust this company with hardware? And why are there no Apple or Google home theater setups? Adobe brings its creative agent to Firefly and the biggest apps in Creative Cloud XBOX & gaming No movement yet on the massive changes we expect in XBOX soon Microsoft has "dozens" of gaming IP-based movies and TV shows in the works XBOX Insiders can now test updates to Gamertags, Game Hub, and Wish List Call of Duty: Black Ops 1 and 2 are being ported to modern PS consoles. Sadly, not remakes or remasters. GTA VI will cost $79.99 and up - Arrives in November, can preorder on June 25 Steam Machine to cost $1049 and up, and that's with no controller Tips & picks Tip of the week: How to save $100 a month App pick of the week: iA Writer RunAs Radio this week: Securing Developers with Tanya Janca Brown liquor pick of the week: Glen Breton Rare 10 These show notes have been truncated due to length. For the full show notes, visit https://twit.tv/shows/windows-weekly/episodes/989 Hosts: Leo Laporte, Paul Thurrott, and Richard Campbell Sponsor: webroot.com/twit

Windows 12 is stalled and the real reasons go far beyond software. The conversation unpacks how soaring hardware prices, AI chaos, and market confusion have Microsoft in a holding pattern. Also, Paul finally took a sledgehammer to the subscription services he pays for, and more is on the way. Plus, one of Paul's favorite Markdown editors supports authorship on Windows now and an integrated Search/Outline view on Mac, iPad, and iPad.Windows Week D is here with a preview of July's Patch Tuesday Point-in-time restore is now generally available in Windows 11, sort of Quieter widgets, which is nice! Plus, Screen tint, Windows Update improvements, more Tied to this, sort of, something wonderful is happening to the Windows 11 Field Guide Five new builds, plus some 26H2 news (and still no news about what 26H1 becomes, see below...) Mostly minor fit-and-finish improvements So... what about Windows 12? The history is interesting, and Copilot+ PC was what Paul originally thought Windows 12 would be. But now we're talking agentic capabilities that will handle local/cloud/hybrid orchestration per last week's discussion, and maybe that will be it. We knew that Surface Laptop and Surface Pro would come in 8 GB configurations. But they're available now with just 256 GB of storage and the prices are $950 and $850 and up, respectively. Plus all the usual Surface limitations, like one color choice. (16 GB is $1150 and $1050, respectively, so $300 more.) Once again, it's time to just get a Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 5x for $850. It has 16 GB of RAM and 512 GB of storage and is awesome. Tim Cook just admitted that Apple will raise hardware prices because of the component crisis. If this is hitting Apple hard, the rest of the industry is screwed. AI Cory Doctorow's new book is out and let's just say his new neologism isn't as catchy as enshittification Reverse centaur (groan) Surprisingly centrist view on the pros and cons of AI Highlights the Microsoft financial shenanigans I point out every quarter: Microsoft "invests" $10 billion of "tokens" in OpenAI, but there's no volume discount and Microsoft books the transaction as $10 billion in AI revenues as OpenAI simply uses its infrastructure. It gave $10 billion to OpenAI so that it could spend $10 billion on Azure. Google Home Speaker is the Gemini speaker and it's now shipping to first customers as Google discontinues Nest Audio and Nest Mini speakers. Can we trust this company with hardware? And why are there no Apple or Google home theater setups? Adobe brings its creative agent to Firefly and the biggest apps in Creative Cloud XBOX & gaming No movement yet on the massive changes we expect in XBOX soon Microsoft has "dozens" of gaming IP-based movies and TV shows in the works XBOX Insiders can now test updates to Gamertags, Game Hub, and Wish List Call of Duty: Black Ops 1 and 2 are being ported to modern PS consoles. Sadly, not remakes or remasters. GTA VI will cost $79.99 and up - Arrives in November, can preorder on June 25 Steam Machine to cost $1049 and up, and that's with no controller Tips & picks Tip of the week: How to save $100 a month App pick of the week: iA Writer RunAs Radio this week: Securing Developers with Tanya Janca Brown liquor pick of the week: Glen Breton Rare 10 These show notes have been truncated due to length. For the full show notes, visit https://twit.tv/shows/windows-weekly/episodes/989 Hosts: Leo Laporte, Paul Thurrott, and Richard Campbell Sponsor: webroot.com/twit

Windows 12 is stalled and the real reasons go far beyond software. The conversation unpacks how soaring hardware prices, AI chaos, and market confusion have Microsoft in a holding pattern. Also, Paul finally took a sledgehammer to the subscription services he pays for, and more is on the way. Plus, one of Paul's favorite Markdown editors supports authorship on Windows now and an integrated Search/Outline view on Mac, iPad, and iPad.Windows Week D is here with a preview of July's Patch Tuesday Point-in-time restore is now generally available in Windows 11, sort of Quieter widgets, which is nice! Plus, Screen tint, Windows Update improvements, more Tied to this, sort of, something wonderful is happening to the Windows 11 Field Guide Five new builds, plus some 26H2 news (and still no news about what 26H1 becomes, see below...) Mostly minor fit-and-finish improvements So... what about Windows 12? The history is interesting, and Copilot+ PC was what Paul originally thought Windows 12 would be. But now we're talking agentic capabilities that will handle local/cloud/hybrid orchestration per last week's discussion, and maybe that will be it. We knew that Surface Laptop and Surface Pro would come in 8 GB configurations. But they're available now with just 256 GB of storage and the prices are $950 and $850 and up, respectively. Plus all the usual Surface limitations, like one color choice. (16 GB is $1150 and $1050, respectively, so $300 more.) Once again, it's time to just get a Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 5x for $850. It has 16 GB of RAM and 512 GB of storage and is awesome. Tim Cook just admitted that Apple will raise hardware prices because of the component crisis. If this is hitting Apple hard, the rest of the industry is screwed. AI Cory Doctorow's new book is out and let's just say his new neologism isn't as catchy as enshittification Reverse centaur (groan) Surprisingly centrist view on the pros and cons of AI Highlights the Microsoft financial shenanigans I point out every quarter: Microsoft "invests" $10 billion of "tokens" in OpenAI, but there's no volume discount and Microsoft books the transaction as $10 billion in AI revenues as OpenAI simply uses its infrastructure. It gave $10 billion to OpenAI so that it could spend $10 billion on Azure. Google Home Speaker is the Gemini speaker and it's now shipping to first customers as Google discontinues Nest Audio and Nest Mini speakers. Can we trust this company with hardware? And why are there no Apple or Google home theater setups? Adobe brings its creative agent to Firefly and the biggest apps in Creative Cloud XBOX & gaming No movement yet on the massive changes we expect in XBOX soon Microsoft has "dozens" of gaming IP-based movies and TV shows in the works XBOX Insiders can now test updates to Gamertags, Game Hub, and Wish List Call of Duty: Black Ops 1 and 2 are being ported to modern PS consoles. Sadly, not remakes or remasters. GTA VI will cost $79.99 and up - Arrives in November, can preorder on June 25 Steam Machine to cost $1049 and up, and that's with no controller Tips & picks Tip of the week: How to save $100 a month App pick of the week: iA Writer RunAs Radio this week: Securing Developers with Tanya Janca Brown liquor pick of the week: Glen Breton Rare 10 These show notes have been truncated due to length. For the full show notes, visit https://twit.tv/shows/windows-weekly/episodes/989 Hosts: Leo Laporte, Paul Thurrott, and Richard Campbell Sponsor: webroot.com/twit

Windows 12 is stalled and the real reasons go far beyond software. The conversation unpacks how soaring hardware prices, AI chaos, and market confusion have Microsoft in a holding pattern. Also, Paul finally took a sledgehammer to the subscription services he pays for, and more is on the way. Plus, one of Paul's favorite Markdown editors supports authorship on Windows now and an integrated Search/Outline view on Mac, iPad, and iPad.Windows Week D is here with a preview of July's Patch Tuesday Point-in-time restore is now generally available in Windows 11, sort of Quieter widgets, which is nice! Plus, Screen tint, Windows Update improvements, more Tied to this, sort of, something wonderful is happening to the Windows 11 Field Guide Five new builds, plus some 26H2 news (and still no news about what 26H1 becomes, see below...) Mostly minor fit-and-finish improvements So... what about Windows 12? The history is interesting, and Copilot+ PC was what Paul originally thought Windows 12 would be. But now we're talking agentic capabilities that will handle local/cloud/hybrid orchestration per last week's discussion, and maybe that will be it. We knew that Surface Laptop and Surface Pro would come in 8 GB configurations. But they're available now with just 256 GB of storage and the prices are $950 and $850 and up, respectively. Plus all the usual Surface limitations, like one color choice. (16 GB is $1150 and $1050, respectively, so $300 more.) Once again, it's time to just get a Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 5x for $850. It has 16 GB of RAM and 512 GB of storage and is awesome. Tim Cook just admitted that Apple will raise hardware prices because of the component crisis. If this is hitting Apple hard, the rest of the industry is screwed. AI Cory Doctorow's new book is out and let's just say his new neologism isn't as catchy as enshittification Reverse centaur (groan) Surprisingly centrist view on the pros and cons of AI Highlights the Microsoft financial shenanigans I point out every quarter: Microsoft "invests" $10 billion of "tokens" in OpenAI, but there's no volume discount and Microsoft books the transaction as $10 billion in AI revenues as OpenAI simply uses its infrastructure. It gave $10 billion to OpenAI so that it could spend $10 billion on Azure. Google Home Speaker is the Gemini speaker and it's now shipping to first customers as Google discontinues Nest Audio and Nest Mini speakers. Can we trust this company with hardware? And why are there no Apple or Google home theater setups? Adobe brings its creative agent to Firefly and the biggest apps in Creative Cloud XBOX & gaming No movement yet on the massive changes we expect in XBOX soon Microsoft has "dozens" of gaming IP-based movies and TV shows in the works XBOX Insiders can now test updates to Gamertags, Game Hub, and Wish List Call of Duty: Black Ops 1 and 2 are being ported to modern PS consoles. Sadly, not remakes or remasters. GTA VI will cost $79.99 and up - Arrives in November, can preorder on June 25 Steam Machine to cost $1049 and up, and that's with no controller Tips & picks Tip of the week: How to save $100 a month App pick of the week: iA Writer RunAs Radio this week: Securing Developers with Tanya Janca Brown liquor pick of the week: Glen Breton Rare 10 These show notes have been truncated due to length. For the full show notes, visit https://twit.tv/shows/windows-weekly/episodes/989 Hosts: Leo Laporte, Paul Thurrott, and Richard Campbell Sponsor: webroot.com/twit

Your favorite Blerds are back brining you all of their thoughts on everything happening in nerd culture. This week, Shannon, Jaja and James are taking their final bets on the cost of GTA 6. How much will the game cost? We're also talking console exclusives. Are they needed to keep a console relevant? We're also talking layoffs in the gaming industry and the instability of the industry as a whole. Plus, we're excited for Spider-Man and other upcoming anime, movie and TV news!   Chapters 00:00 -Welcome to the Podcast 00:57 - Nerdy Things of the Week 04:01 -Anime and Manga Discussions 09:48- Video Game Updates and Reviews 14:53 -Cosplay and Creative Outlets 20:00 -Game Development News 25:05 -GTA VI Pre-Order Speculations 28:04 -The Future of GTA and Live Service Games 28:57 -EA's Advertising Strategy in Gaming 34:02- Generative AI in Game Development 38:01 -Sony's Exclusive Game Strategy 43:54- Xbox Restructuring and Studio Layoffs 54:59 -The Impact of Game Development Decisions 62:09 -The Stress of Game Development 63:52 -Capcom's Historic Success 66:12 -The Changing Landscape of Gaming 67:34- Anime Matsuri: A New Ticketing Approach 74:34 -Jujutsu Kaisen's New Direction 80:25 - Excitement for Upcoming Spider-Man Movies   Make sure to subscribe to us on Youtube, Apple Podcasts, Spotify or your podcast app of choice! Follow Us!  https://linktr.ee/blerdsnerds   National Resources List https://linktr.ee/NationalResourcesList   Youtube  https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCK56I-TNUnhKhcWLZxoUTaw   Email us: Blerdsnerds@gmail.com   Follow Our Social: https://www.instagram.com/blerdsnerds/ https://twitter.com/BlerdsNerds https://www.facebook.com/blerdsnerds https://tiktok.com/blerdsnerds_pod   Shannon: https://www.instagram.com/luv_shenanigans James: https://www.instagram.com/llsuavej  Jaja: https://www.instagram.com/jajasmith3   

In this episode, host Kalie Moore sits down with Angela Yu, Co-Founder and Co-CEO of StoReel, to explore one of the fastest-growing entertainment categories that gaming executives should be paying attention to: AI-native microdramas. While many still think of microdramas as shortened TV shows, Angela argues they have far more in common with mobile games, relying on retention loops, emotional hooks, creator ecosystems, user acquisition economics, and increasingly interactive experiences. She shares how StoReel is building both a consumer platform for AI-generated serialized stories and a creation suite that enables creators to produce content dramatically faster and cheaper than traditional production methods. Along the way, they unpack the KPI performance of AI-produced titles and what game studios can learn from the category's rapid growth.The conversation also explores one of the most fascinating cultural divides in technology today: why attitudes toward AI look dramatically different in China versus the West. Having spent half her life in both markets, Angela offers a unique perspective on why creators, companies, and consumers in China have embraced AI far more aggressively, and what that means for the future of entertainment. They discuss creator ownership, AI-powered storytelling, underserved content genres, interactive characters, and why the next generation of entertainment may look less like Hollywood and more like a creator-driven marketplace where anyone can build, monetize, and distribute serialized stories. The episode ultimately examines how AI is reshaping not just production workflows, but the entire relationship between creators, audiences, and entertainment itself.We'd also like to thank Heroic Labs for making this episode possible! Thousands of studios have trusted Heroic Labs to help them focus on their games and not worry about gametech or scaling for success. To learn more and reach out, visit https://heroiclabs.com/?utm_source=Naavik&utm_medium=CPC&utm_campaign=Podcast If you like the episode, please help others find us by leaving a 5-star rating or review! And if you have any comments, requests, or feedback shoot us a note at podcast@naavik.co.Who's On:Guest - Angela Yu: https://www.linkedin.com/in/angela-yu-0a0379112/Host - Kalie Moore: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kaliemoore/ Watch the episode: YouTube ChannelFor more episodes and details: Podcast WebsiteFree newsletter: Naavik DigestFollow us: Twitter | LinkedIn | WebsiteSound design by Gavin Mc CabeLinks mentioned: https://storeel.com/

This episode covers the Naavik Digest newsletter published on Sunday, June 21st. In today's issue, we dive deep into LEGO's 30-year history, examining its roots, how it is quietly starting to change, and what comes next for the company in gaming. You can read the newsletter (with even more sections and visual detail) here: https://www.naavik.co/digest/thirty-years-of-gaming-at-lego Want to explore working with Naavik? Shoot us a note: https://naavik.co/contact-us/ Let us know what you think by sending us a note at podcast@naavik.co.Watch our episodes: YouTube ChannelFor more episodes and details: Podcast WebsiteFree newsletter: Naavik DigestFollow us: Twitter | LinkedIn | WebsiteSound design by Gavin Mc Cabe.

In this special episode of Gamertag Radio, Danny and Riana discuss the ongoing gaming industry crisis, Xbox layoffs, studio closures, skyrocketing AAA development costs, and why even award-winning games struggle to make money. They explore the harsh realities of Game Pass economics, consumer behavior, and how the entertainment industry (including Hollywood) is shifting. A passionate conversation about supporting devs, buying games, and building a better future for the industry.Send us questions - fanmail@gamertagradio.com | Speakpipe.com/gamertagradio or 786-273-7GTR. Join our Discord - https://discord.gg/gtr chat with other GTR community member.

This episode covers the Naavik Digest newsletter published on Sunday, June 14th. In today's issue, we discuss the current state of microdramas — a category which rapidly evolved from a niche Chinese entertainment phenomenon into one of the fastest-growing mobile content categories in the world — exploring the widening gap between audience expansion and monetization, a trend which raises important questions about the category's long-term economics.You can read the newsletter (with even more sections and visual detail) here: https://www.naavik.co/digest/the-microdrama-volume-vs-value-paradox Want to explore working with Naavik? Shoot us a note: https://naavik.co/contact-us/ Let us know what you think by sending us a note at podcast@naavik.co.Watch our episodes: YouTube ChannelFor more episodes and details: Podcast WebsiteFree newsletter: Naavik DigestFollow us: Twitter | LinkedIn | WebsiteSound design by Gavin Mc Cabe.

Gaming M&A is no longer just a story about strategics buying obvious hits. In this episode, Alexandra Takei, VP of Platform Revenue at Medal, sits down with Brogan Keane, Managing Partner at Double Black Capital, to unpack what actually happens when a game studio reaches the end of its company lifecycle: sale, exit, or recapitalization. The conversation breaks down who is buying game companies today, from private equity firms and Korean strategics to non-gaming entertainment companies looking for transmedia exposure. Brogan explains why PE buyers care most about profitability and risk mitigation, while strategics may pay more aggressively for IP, portfolio gaps, genre expertise, or future revenue replacement.The episode also gets practical for founders. Alexandra and Brogan discuss what makes a studio acquirable, why the “million units sold” threshold matters, and why founders should focus on one valuable IP rather than distracting side projects. They also walk through deal structure, including upfront cash, retention-based earnouts, performance earnouts, and why headline deal values are often misleading.We'd also like to thank Medal.tv for making this episode possible. If you're a PC gamer and want to clip your moments or a studio, publisher, or marketer looking to reach a high-quality gaming audience and get your game in front of the right players, check out all Medal has to offer at https://grow.medal.tv.If you like the episode, please help others find us by leaving a 5-star rating or review! And if you have any comments, requests, or feedback shoot us a note at podcast@naavik.co. Watch the episode: YouTube ChannelFor more episodes and details: Podcast WebsiteFree newsletter: Naavik DigestFollow us: Twitter | LinkedIn | WebsiteSound design by Gavin Mc Cabe.

This episode covers the Naavik Digest newsletter published on Sunday, June 7th. In today's issue, we shine a light on Embracer after the company recently announced it is splitting up again. We look back at the key strategic decisions the company has made and what they might mean for its future.You can read the newsletter (with even more sections and visual detail) here: https://www.naavik.co/digest/embracer-splits-again Want to explore working with Naavik? Shoot us a note: https://naavik.co/contact-us/ Let us know what you think by sending us a note at podcast@naavik.co.Watch our episodes: YouTube ChannelFor more episodes and details: Podcast WebsiteFree newsletter: Naavik DigestFollow us: Twitter | LinkedIn | WebsiteSound design by Gavin Mc Cabe.

Xbox Showcase 2026: Somehow...Exclusives Returned... The Xbox Games Showcase 2026 brought a packed lineup of announcements, including the reveal of Persona 6, a new look at Fable, more details on Gears of War: E-Day, and the surprise return of Spyro. Microsoft also continued to showcase its evolving strategy of bringing more of its games beyond the Xbox ecosystem, while also announcing console exclusives... What does it mean to be an Xbox exclusive in 2026? As Xbox expands its reach across multiple platforms, fans and industry analysts remain divided. Some see the move as a smart business decision that puts games in front of more players and grows major franchises. Others argue that exclusives are a key part of a platform's identity and that moving away from them could weaken the value of owning an Xbox console. In this episode, we break down the biggest announcements from the showcase, discuss what stood out, what was missing, and examine the growing shift toward a multi-platform future. Are console exclusives becoming a thing of the past, or do they still play a critical role in the gaming industry? Tune in as we explore the announcements, the reactions, and the future of Xbox in a gaming landscape where the lines between platforms continue to blur. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Destiny 2 is ending active development, and it got us thinking: what makes someone stick with a live service game for years?This week on JK! Games!, we discuss why some games become part of our daily lives while others never quite click. From Destiny 2 and Final Fantasy XIV to Fortnite, Apex Legends and more, we're breaking down the secret sauce that keeps players coming back.We also discuss whether live service games have become too difficult for new players to jump into and what publishers owe players when these games eventually reach the end of their lives. Timestamps00:00:00 – Start00:21:46 – Housekeeping00:27:53 – Easy Mode: What We've Been Playing00:39:29 – Normal Mode: News We Care About00:49:49 – Expert Mode: What Makes Someone Commit to a Live Service Game?Support the showJK! Games! is a weekly gaming podcast where we bring you the news and reviews we actually care about.Our recurring play-along series — One More Game — is our version of a video game book club. We choose one title, set checkpoints, and break it down over multiple episodes.You can:• Play at your own pace• Stay spoiler-light• Or dive deep with usWhether you're Easy Mode or Expert, you belong in the conversation.Join our Discord to play along and share your theories each week.Want to show us some love? Click Me!DiscordTwitch YoutubeInstaBsky

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This should be a wake up call to all game developers.

Keeping players playing is getting harder as player attention fragments and expectations rise, so understanding churn has become a core live-ops competency. Host Devin Becker sits down with Elad Levy, Founder & CTO of Dive, to break down how churn is defined (and when it's actually “permanent”), the behavioral signals that players are drifting toward the exit, and the underlying causes teams can often address before it's too late. They dig into practical interventions from in-session nudges, to win-back campaigns as well as what reacquisition can realistically accomplish. The conversation wraps with the dumbest reason players quit, the single most important retention move, and a game Elad thinks nails it.We'd like to thank Overwolf for making this episode possible! Whether you're a gamer, creator, or game studio, Overwolf is the ultimate destination for integrating UGC in games! You can check out all Overwolf has to offer at https://www.overwolf.com/.If you like the episode, please help others find us by leaving a 5-star rating or review! And if you have any comments, requests, or feedback shoot us a note at podcast@naavik.co. Watch the episode: YouTube ChannelFor more episodes and details: Podcast WebsiteFree newsletter: Naavik DigestFollow us: Twitter | LinkedIn | Website

This episode covers the Naavik Digest newsletter published on Sunday, May 31st. In today's issue, we dive deep into Scopely and the three titles which generate close to 95% of the company's monthly in-app revenue, examining their current states and future prospects. You can read the newsletter (with even more sections and visual detail) here: https://www.naavik.co/digest/dissecting-scopelys-mobile-empire Want to explore working with Naavik? Shoot us a note: https://naavik.co/contact-us/ Let us know what you think by sending us a note at podcast@naavik.co.Watch our episodes: YouTube ChannelFor more episodes and details: Podcast WebsiteFree newsletter: Naavik DigestFollow us: Twitter | LinkedIn | WebsiteSound design by Gavin Mc Cabe.

The only way to build the next big thing is to stop trying to copy the last one. In this episode of The Game Changing Attorney Podcast, Michael Mogill sits down with David Vonderhaar, studio lead at Bullet Farm and former studio design director for the Call of Duty franchise, to unpack what it really takes to innovate in a world obsessed with replication. From navigating harsh feedback from passionate audiences to building a studio from the ground up after two decades inside a billion-dollar franchise, David shares the mindset, courage, and conviction required to do things on your own terms. This is a conversation about originality, resilience, and the cost of choosing the harder path. Here's what you'll learn: Why true breakthroughs come from being original, not from copying what's already working How to keep teams engaged under pressure without burning them out What it takes to bet on yourself when walking away from a sure thing If you want to build something that lasts, you have to be willing to build it before anyone else believes in it. (00:00:00) Introduction (00:02:28) Two Decades at Treyarch (00:03:56) Why He Didn't Retire (00:05:49) Origins in the Arcade (00:10:16) Joining the Call of Duty Machine (00:12:07) The Yearly Release Pressure (00:18:43) Navigating a Toxic Community (00:21:12) The End of the Public-Facing Dev (00:26:57) What Made Call of Duty Iconic (00:28:54) When a Game Loses Its Soul (00:30:27) The Business Broke the Industry (00:36:59) Redefining What AAA Means (00:38:45) What Success Looks Like Now (00:41:59) Building the Right Team ---- Links & Resources: Bullet Farm NetEase Games Activision Treyarch Infinity Ward Sledgehammer Games Raven Software Call of Duty X-Men Legends II: Rise of Apocalypse Dungeons & Dragons ---- Learn what sustainable growth can look like for your firm at crispcoach.com. ---- Do you love this podcast and want to see more game changing content? Subscribe to our YouTube channel. ---- Past guests on The Game Changing Attorney Podcast include David Goggins, John Morgan, Alex Hormozi, Randi McGinn, Kim Scott, Chris Voss, Kevin O'Leary, Laura Wasser, John Maxwell, Mark Lanier, Robert Greene, and many more. ---- If you enjoyed this episode, you may also like: 332. Cliff Bleszinski - What the Legal Industry Can Learn From the Gaming Industry 113. Kevin O'Leary - The Entrepreneurial Journey: Inside the Mind of Mr. Wonderful 48. Eric Siu - Leveling Up: How to Master the Game of Life

In this episode, host Kalie Moore sits down with James Nicholls, Studio Director at Scriptic, to explore one of the most fascinating intersections emerging in entertainment today: true crime, interactive storytelling, streaming platforms, and AI-powered production. Scriptic's breakout title, Scriptic: Crime Stories, became one of the top-performing games in Netflix Games history by turning players into detectives investigating crimes through phones, voice notes, chats, and digital evidence. James breaks down how the studio built a new category they call “narrative play,” where stories come first and gameplay is designed to feel invisible, intuitive, and accessible to audiences far beyond traditional gamers.They also dive into why true crime became the perfect genre to unlock mass-market interactive storytelling, how Scriptic's TikTok strategy generated over 100 million views, and why platforms like YouTube Playables and streaming-first gaming represent a major shift in distribution. Along the way, James shares how Scriptic uses AI across its production pipeline without sacrificing human storytelling craft, and how the future of entertainment may blur the line between watching a prestige drama and stepping inside it yourself.We'd also like to thank Dive for making this episode possible! With its fully managed analytics and LiveOps platform built for game studios, 95% of their clients grow revenue in one year. All of that without having to hire an in-house data team. Learn more here: https://www.dive.games/scale/.If you like the episode, please help others find us by leaving a 5-star rating or review! And if you have any comments, requests, or feedback shoot us a note at podcast@naavik.co.Who's On:Guest - James Nicholls: https://www.linkedin.com/in/james-nicholls-3814759/Host - Kalie Moore: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kaliemoore/ Watch the episode: YouTube ChannelFor more episodes and details: Podcast WebsiteFree newsletter: Naavik DigestFollow us: Twitter | LinkedIn | WebsiteSound design by Gavin Mc Cabe.Link Mentioned: https://www.scriptic.com/

This episode covers the Naavik Digest newsletter published on Sunday, May 24th. This week, we take a closer look at Asha Sharma's progress and plans three months into her tenure as CEO of Xbox — reviewing her early moves and what she may need to do to reverse Xbox's fortunes. You can read the newsletter (with even more sections and visual detail) here: https://www.naavik.co/digest/where-will-asha-sharma-take-xbox Want to explore working with Naavik? Shoot us a note: https://naavik.co/contact-us/ Let us know what you think by sending us a note at podcast@naavik.co.Watch our episodes: YouTube ChannelFor more episodes and details: Podcast WebsiteFree newsletter: Naavik DigestFollow us: Twitter | LinkedIn | WebsiteSound design by Gavin Mc Cabe.

Host Devin Becker sits down with Tom Gayner, CEO of Levellr, to dig into what it actually looks like to listen to players at scale, and how to turn the constant stream of feedback from places like Discord and Reddit into usable sentiment signals. Tom breaks down how Levellr gathers and organizes that data, what teams gain when they treat social channels as a living feedback layer, and how different communities or players tend to “slant” the conversation in different ways. They also get practical about workflows (dashboards and reports vs. hands-on collaboration), how to group feedback into meaningful player personas, when proactive outreach makes sense, where social sentiment shines (and where research methods like focus groups still matter), and what the next 3–5 years of player feedback might look like as tools, and player expectations, keep evolving.We'd like to thank Heroic Labs for making this episode possible! Thousands of studios have trusted Heroic Labs to help them focus on their games and not worry about gametech or scaling for success. To learn more and reach out, visit https://heroiclabs.com/?utm_source=Naavik&utm_medium=CPC&utm_campaign=Podcast We'd also like to thank Neon – a merchant of record with customizable webshops optimized for conversion – for making this episode possible! Neon is trusted by some of the biggest names in gaming and can help you sell direct without the typical overhead. To learn more, visit https://www.neonpay.com/?utm_source=naavik If you like the episode, please help others find us by leaving a 5-star rating or review! And if you have any comments, requests, or feedback shoot us a note at podcast@naavik.co. Watch the episode: YouTube ChannelFor more episodes and details: Podcast WebsiteFree newsletter: Naavik DigestFollow us: Twitter | LinkedIn | WebsiteSound design by Gavin Mc Cabe.

This episode covers the Naavik Digest newsletter published on Sunday, May 17th. This week, we conduct a focused case study within the highly competitive Merge-2 subgenre of the casual mobile F2P market, where certain Eastern developers are now consistently out-monetizing their Western counterparts while competing for the same audience pools. You can read the newsletter (with even more sections and visual detail) here: https://www.naavik.co/digest/the-eastern-playbook-for-dominating-western-audiencesWant to explore working with Naavik? Shoot us a note: https://naavik.co/contact-us/ Let us know what you think by sending us a note at podcast@naavik.co.Watch our episodes: YouTube ChannelFor more episodes and details: Podcast WebsiteFree newsletter: Naavik DigestFollow us: Twitter | LinkedIn | WebsiteSound design by Gavin Mc Cabe.

Most premium games are treated like opening-weekend businesses: if they do not spike, studios cut losses and move on. This episode challenges that instinct. Alexandra Takei, VP of Platform Revenue at Medal, sits down with Ian Fielding, CEO of Super Evil Megacorp, to discuss how studios can build durable premium games, manage back catalogs, and survive as independent AA companies in a market that increasingly punishes the middle.The conversation traces SEMC's evolution from Vainglory and Catalyst Black to its current cross-platform, IP-driven chapter with Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Splintered Fate and Bloodline. Ian explains why SEMC moved away from large-scale PvP free-to-play, how it operates a fully remote mid-size studio across multiple live titles, and why proprietary tech still gives the company an edge. The core case study is TMNT: Splintered Fate, which has grown years after launch through disciplined platform expansion, meaningful DLC, free updates, cross-play, bundles, and smart use of licensed IP. The episode ultimately explores a harder question: what does it take for an independent, multi-project studio to keep games alive, grow audience over time, and avoid betting the company on one giant moonshot?We'd like to thank Overwolf for making this episode possible! Whether you're a gamer, creator, or game studio, Overwolf is the ultimate destination for integrating UGC in games! You can check out all Overwolf has to offer at https://www.overwolf.com/.If you like the episode, please help others find us by leaving a 5-star rating or review! And if you have any comments, requests, or feedback shoot us a note at podcast@naavik.co. Watch the episode: YouTube ChannelFor more episodes and details: Podcast WebsiteFree newsletter: Naavik DigestFollow us: Twitter | LinkedIn | WebsiteSound design by Gavin Mc Cabe.

Sony just wrote off $765 million on Bungie — and somehow that's not even the wildest thing that happened in gaming this week. We break down what PlayStation's impairment loss actually means for Marathon, whether Xbox has quietly become just a publishing label, and why the GTA 6 PC delay is a deliberate cash grab no matter what Take-Two's CEO says. Plus: Tarkov is officially going the live service route (RIP), GameStop tried to buy eBay with money they definitely don't have, and Anthropic built an AI so good at finding security bugs they're not letting the public have it yet. And we watched the government UFO files drop live — Jake thinks it might be real, Raz thinks it's mass hysteria and blimps. Genuine disagreement. You decide.

This is the audio version of the Naavik Digest newsletter published on May 10th, 2026. This week, we dive deep into Savvy Games Group, exploring what the Saudi Arabian gaming holding company now owns, how it's performed, and its endgame.You can read the newsletter (with even more sections and visual detail) here: https://www.naavik.co/digest/inside-saudi-arabias-gaming-empireMeet with Naavik at the Nordic Game 2026: https://naavik.typeform.com/to/Jc5cl7eY Let us know what you think by sending us a note at podcast@naavik.co.Watch our episodes: YouTube ChannelFor more episodes and details: Podcast WebsiteFree newsletter: Naavik DigestFollow us: Twitter | LinkedIn | WebsiteSound design by Gavin Mc Cabe.