Podcasts about Gaming industry

Game server hosting is the layer nobody thinks about until it breaks. In this episode, Kalie Moore sits down with Max Podkidkin, Co-Founder and CEO of BisectHosting, to unpack how a Minecraft server that went dark for three days turned into a 15-year infrastructure business serving hundreds of thousands of customers across more than 140 countries. Max put the first hardware on a credit card, recruited a co-founder he met in his own Minecraft community, and built the company to nearly 100 employees without ever raising outside capital. They get into what those early years actually looked like, including hiding a laptop on a cart at a factory job to answer support tickets, the two years he and Andrew worked together over text before meeting face to face, and how a US and UK split gave them 24/7 coverage with a team of two.The conversation also covers how the hosting business really works, from the economics of renting out resources to why running a server at home costs more than most people think. Max explains why BisectHosting has turned down repeated acquisition offers while private equity consolidates the market around them, how the team gets into a studio's Discord and pre-tests server files before working with a game studio, and what 15 years of hosting communities has taught him about why modding and UGC keep games alive long after launch. He also shares the studio's approach to AI, including Biko, the assistant built into their server panel that has cut support tickets by double digits without a single person losing their job.Big thanks to Heroic Labs for making this episode possible. Gram Games used Heroic Labs to tailor offers and events by player cohort, calling it "critical" in a post-IDFA world where retention is everything. Read how Gram merged personalization and advanced social features into a core system of their live operations: https://heroiclabs.com/blog/gram-games-case-study/?_gl=1*709y52*_up*MQ..*_ga*MTI0MTAzNTM2Ny4xNzg1MjI4NzQ2*_ga_R9WLGSZ1KN*czE3ODUyMjg3NDUkbzEkZzAkdDE3ODUyMjg3NDUkajYwJGwwJGgw We'd also 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.Who's On:Guest - Max Podkidkin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/max-podkidkin/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.bisecthosting.com/

This episode covers the Naavik Digest newsletter published on Sunday, August 23rd. In this week's issue, we share our latest podcast episode and tackle how and why the mobile games industry keeps converging on best practices across genres — and what that means for the future.You can read the newsletter (with even more sections and visual detail) here: https://naavik.substack.com/p/the-great-mobile-convergence 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.

Between 2018 and 2024, the turnover of Portuguese games companies went from around 5 million to nearly 100 million. In this episode, Kalie Moore sits down with Jefferson Valadares, Co-Founder and CEO of partNerd and President of the Portuguese Association of Game Development Companies, to unpack whether a country long known for exporting its best talent can become a home for original IP. Jefferson has seen the industry from nearly every seat, as Studio GM at EA, Executive Producer at BioWare, Head of Mobile at Bandai Namco, and a board member at Rovio before its sale to Sega. They explore what the AAA years taught him about when to spend and when to wing it, why big companies keep funding games they already know won't work, and what he learned running studio acquisitions at Fortis Games about why most deals quietly lose their value.The conversation also goes inside partNerd, the four-person studio he's building now, and why they're making an original co-op game exclusively for Nintendo Switch 2. Jefferson explains the thinking behind designing for asymmetric skill levels so parents, kids, and non-gamers can play together, why GameShare shaped their commercial model, and how hard it is for veteran developers to unlearn best practice and build something genuinely new. He also revisits Doppio, his early bet on voice as a gaming platform, and the timing that led to selling to Fortis in late 2021. Along the way he lays out the Helsinki parallel he sees playing out in Lisbon, why the hardest gap for emerging ecosystems is product rather than engineering or art, and what he thinks the industry is underestimating about the generation that grew up on Roblox and Minecraft rather than GTA.This episode is brought to you by Appcharge, the payments platform built specifically for mobile gaming that processes over a billion dollars annually. Learn more here: https://www.appcharge.com/?utm_source=naavik&utm_medium=newsletter&utm_campaign=sponsorship_paymentsWe'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 - Jeferson Valadares: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jefersonvaladares/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

This episode covers the Naavik Digest newsletter published on Sunday, August 16th. In this week's issue, we examine Roblox, which lost nearly a third of its value after it reported Q2 2026 results. We explore what the latest numbers might mean for the present and future of the company.You can read the newsletter (with even more sections and visual detail) here: https://www.naavik.co/digest/robloxs-expensive-year-of-good-intentionsMeet 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.

TIME STAMPS:00:00:01 Community Guest Intros00:00:35 What is the pulse of the XBOX community RIGHT NOW? ALL opinions welcomed01:12:00 The Gaming Industry Says XBOX Shouldn't Have Exclusive Content | Here's Why They Are WRONG!01:45:00 Panel Outros and Special Message to the Community!

Send us Fan MailSend us Fan MailSend us Fan MailIn this captivating episode of Living the Dream with Curveball, we dive into the intricate world of the gaming industry with Glenn E. Wichinsky, a seasoned gaming and business attorney and author of *Things Left Unsaid*. Glenn takes us on a journey from his childhood in upstate New York to the vibrant streets of Las Vegas, sharing insights into the evolution of the gaming industry and the personal stories that shaped his life.Glenn discusses his unexpected transition from aspiring meteorologist to gaming attorney, revealing the pivotal moments that led him to embrace his family's legacy in a different way. He opens up about the complexities of his father's life in the gaming world, including the connections to organized crime and the challenges of navigating a rapidly changing industry.Listeners will gain a deeper understanding of the misconceptions surrounding Nevada's gaming history and the significant transformations that have occurred over the decades. Glenn shares valuable lessons he's learned while helping gaming companies adapt to new regulations and market dynamics, emphasizing the importance of thorough testing and strategic planning.Join us for an enlightening conversation that not only explores the gaming world but also highlights themes of resilience and personal growth. Glenn's story is a testament to the power of perseverance and the impact of our choices on our legacies.What You'll Learn in This Episode:- The early history of the Nevada gaming industry and common misconceptions- Glenn's journey from family ties to establishing his own legacy- Key challenges facing gaming companies today and how to navigate them- Insights into Glenn's book and the personal stories behind it- The importance of resilience in overcoming life's challengesFor more information on Glenn Wichinsky and his work, visit globalgaminglawyer.com and discover more about his book and upcoming projects.Support the show

This episode covers the Naavik Digest newsletter published on Sunday, August 9th. In this week's issue, we discuss the rising “friendslop" phenomenon, why it's somewhat disrupting established live-ops practices, and whether it is sustainable long-term.You can read the newsletter (with even more sections and visual detail) here: https://www.naavik.co/digest/friendslop-disrupting-the-live-ops-status-quoMeet 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.

Plus: SK Hynix plans to invest about $38 billion to expand chip production. And video game company Take Two reports loss despite higher revenue. Imani Moise hosts. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Did I make the title a joke about a game from 2005? Yes. Will anyone get it/see it/care? No. But you gotta do what brings you joy. Sometimes that's about making a little joke for you. Sometimes it's about rippin' lines in a grungy club bathroom while kids in bad fashion call you chopped. You do you. I'm not here to judge. I am here to tell you that the industry continues its march through rough times. In this week's episode we talk about EA going private. We wonder if that will lead to a bigger trend of publishers taking themselves private, or perhaps new publishers staying private. Matt seems to think so. I'm not so sure. The temptations and benefits of going public are too great for the corporate stooge. What does it mean for gamers if there are more private publishers? Smaller games. Less triple A hyper realism. Maybe cheaper games. Definitely more digital releases and less physical releases moving forward (and that is a good thing for smaller companies). A future populated with private companies also means more competition, and thus more effort to grab our attention and dollars. Hell, we could even see a return of E3 or similar events. Though likely smaller in scale.

Business corruption, horrific layoffs, ads in games...WHAT HAS HAPPENED to our beloved gaming industry?!Join our FREE DISCORD and talk PlayStation with the PSD+ community:https://discord.gg/pEDZDp4kTGOUR YOUTUBE CHANNEL:https://www.youtube.com/@PlayStationDailyPodcastOUR INSTAGRAM:https://www.instagram.com/psdailypod/Intro music is "A Cup Of Liber-Tea" which is the main theme from the Helldivers 2 soundtrack.Outro music is the "Super Earth National Anthem" which is a special promotional track for the Helldivers 2 game.

Send us Fan MailWhat does it really take to create music for a video game?NickMoses05 sits down with award-winning video-game composer Chase Bethea for a behind-the-scenes conversation about game music, creativity and building a career in the gaming industry.Chase explains how his musical journey began with the Game Boy Camera, how he transforms an idea into an interactive soundtrack and what it is like managing music for multiple games simultaneously. He also discusses Black representation in the gaming industry, the importance of recognizing your natural talents and the advice he would give aspiring video-game composers.You will also hear about one of the strangest—and most unforgettable—objects Chase has ever used to create a sound for a game.This conversation originally appeared on the NickMoses05 YouTube channel and is now being released for the first time on the NickMoses05 Gaming Podcast feed.Topics include:• How Chase began creating video-game music• The process behind composing an interactive soundtrack• Managing several game projects at once• Black representation in gaming and game development• Advice for aspiring composers• Chase's future goals• The strangest sound-making instrument he has ever createdFollow the NickMoses05 Gaming Podcast for gaming news, interviews, industry conversations and debates from the world of video games.Watch NickMoses05 on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCRP7jR1vqgdNwUIXH6r8uZASupport the show

This episode covers the Naavik Digest newsletter published on Sunday, August 2nd. In this week's issue, we discuss the decline of platform-led gaming in China through the lens of Alibaba's likely sale of Lingxi Games, the studio behind Three Kingdoms Tactics.You can read the newsletter (with even more sections and visual detail) here: https://www.naavik.co/digest/the-structural-failure-of-platform-led-gaming-in-chinaMeet 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

As studios contend with layoffs, hiring freezes, longer development cycles, and a growing supply of experienced talent outside traditional roles, fractional work is emerging as a potential middle ground between full-time hiring and conventional consulting. Host Devin Becker is joined by Aaron Bush, co-founder and Managing Partner of Naavik, to discuss why the company expanded from research and advisory into fractional talent, what meaningfully separates fractional leadership from contracting or staff augmentation, and how these engagements work in practice. They examine which roles fit the model, why senior talent dominates the supply pool, how studios retain knowledge after an engagement ends, and whether increased reliance on fractional experts could weaken the industry's pipeline for developing junior talent. The conversation also considers whether this is a temporary response to the current employment cycle or an early sign of studios becoming smaller permanent teams supported by flexible specialists.Check out Naavik's Fractional Talent Network: https://naavik.co/fractional-talent/ We'd 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. 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, July 26th. In this week's issue, we examine how a new generation of creators and internet-native IP — sometimes memes or worlds that no one owns — are starting to take the entertainment world by storm in new ways.You can read the newsletter (with even more sections and visual detail) here: https://www.naavik.co/digest/how-online-fandom-is-rewriting-the-ip-playbookCheck out Naavik's fractional talent network: https://naavik.co/fractional-talent/ Meet 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.

In this episode, Jon Bruford and Fintan Costello meet industry expert Patrick Jay about trust in gambling, customer experience, and the future of gaming regulation. They explore how trust impacts regulation, customer loyalty, and industry innovation.It's a jolly good episode, and one that is brought to you by our sponsors GLI, Optimove, and World Gaming. More info and links to their worlds of wonder is after the episode info below. Things we discuss in said episode, in a list: Customer trust as the root of regulation and industry healthThe importance of seamless customer journeys and quick payoutsThe impact of regulation driven by trust issuesInnovation cycles in gaming and bettingThe role of customer experience in brand and product differentiationChapters (but add about 30 seconds because of our beautiful music):00:00 Introduction and episode overview01:53 Sponsorships and industry partnerships06:56 Introducing Patrick J. and his background11:00 The core argument: industry fighting the wrong war14:11 Customer trust as the root cause of regulation17:46 The impact of trust on regulatory actions21:59 Customer service and trust: lessons from Amazon25:49 Building customer trust through fast payouts29:52 Simplifying user journeys and product focus34:01 The importance of focus and avoiding shiny object syndrome37:57 Experience as the core of product and brand41:52 Comparing airline apps: British Airways vs EasyJet44:45 The pace of change in AI and challenger brands49:55 The value of focus and simplicity in innovation53:20 The role of trust in the betting experiencePatrick on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/patrick-jay-1493694/Resources & Links:As ever, we thank all of our sponsors for their vibrant and excellent support that makes all of this… magic… possible.Optimove, who turn customer data into something special, with tools that make businesses just plain work better. Optimove, your support helps us to keep creating content for an industry that probably thinks we disappeared years ago.Then of course there is Clarion Gaming, no hang on World Gaming, providers of the magnificent ICE expo and iGB Live! in London. There is simply nobody better at what they do.And the new-ish-est members of the family, the excellent Gaming Laboratories International. GLI is a world-class Testing, Inspections and Certification company committed to delivering the highest quality land-based, lottery, and iGaming testing and assessment services, working in more than 710 jurisdictions.For more information, visit gaminglabs.com.The Gambling Files podcast delves into the business side of the betting world. Each week, join Jon Bruford and Fintan Costello as they discuss current hot topics with world-leading gambling experts.Website: https://www.thegamblingfiles.com/Subscribe on Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3A57jkRSubscribe on Spotify: https://spoti.fi/4cs6ReF Subscribe on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheGamblingFilesPodcast Fintan Costello on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/fintancostello/ Jon Bruford on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jon-bruford-84346636/ Follow the podcast on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-gambling-files-podcast/ Sponsorship enquiries: https://www.thegamblingfiles.com/contact/ Get our newsletter: https://thegamblingfilestldr.substack.com/

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/

The conversation covers personal updates, historical context, game development, gameplay, map design, community feedback, player experience, Chinese influence, and government dishonesty. The conversation delves into the gaming community's retention, competition between Call of Duty and Battlefield, timing and launch strategy, net code and connection issues, weapon balancing and meta, gameplay experience and preferences, game mechanics and positioning, future tech and game environment, and content uploads and feedback.TakeawaysGame development challengesCommunity feedback impact Gaming community retention is influenced by competition and launch strategy.Net code and connection issues impact gameplay experience.Game mechanics and positioning play a crucial role in the gaming experience.Chapters00:00 Introduction and Personal Updates02:34 Discussion on Time Change and Historical Context06:33 Gaming Industry and Game Development13:09 Gameplay and Map Design16:43 Content Creation and Community Feedback20:45 Game Mechanics and Player Experience33:42 Game Content and Chinese Influence34:17 Gaming Community and Retention35:35 Competition Between Call of Duty and Battlefield37:16 Timing and Launch Strategy38:26 Net Code and Connection Issues40:33 Weapon Balancing and Meta43:20 Gameplay Experience and Preferences57:17 Game Mechanics and Positioning01:03:22 Future Tech and Game Environment01:08:48 Content Uploads and Feedback

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.

Welcome back to Save Before Quitting! This month, Ant and Chris sit down to talk about everything they've been playing, from exciting new releases to some highly anticipated titles. We share our thoughts on Mina the Hollower, Empulse, Star Fox, and other games that have been keeping us busy. This episode covers major developments across the gaming industry, including new GTA 6 pre-order details, concerns about console availability during the GTA 6 launch window, Xbox price increases, Steam Machines pricing discussions, Bungie's latest layoffs, Xbox closing multiple studios, and major game delays affecting Fable and Marvel 1943: Rise of Hydra. We also discuss the latest Marvel gaming news, including Marvel's Blade and the leaked details surrounding Project Comet. On the Capcom side, we break down reports that Resident Evil 5 and Resident Evil 6 remakes may no longer be part of the company's current plans. To wrap things up, Ant shares his predictions for Nintendo's future game releases and what fans may be able to expect next. JOIN OUR DISCORD before it becomes abysmal! https://discord.gg/sUhJuSE3 You can now find everything SB4Q related at SAVEBFOREQUITTING.COM! If YOU have a question or comment PLEASE don't hesitate to hit us up at savebeforequitting@gmail.com or any of our contacts down below ⬇️⬇️ Follow us on our social media! Twitter: @saveb4quitting @CJKingAnimation @ANTMAN2K Instagram: @saveb4quitting @cjkingjr @antman2k We're now on TikTok!: @Saveb4quitting Subscribe to our Youtube channel! https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC1BOvAO0528ETmpRIpbdrHQ/ Follow us on Twitch! Twitch.tv/saveb4quitting #GamingNews #VideoGames #GTAVI #GTA6 #Xbox #PlayStation #Nintendo #Steam #Capcom #ResidentEvil #MarvelGames #Fable #Marvel1943 #StarFox #MinatheHollower #GamingPodcast #GamingCommunity #GamingDiscussion #GamingIndustry #SaveBeforeQuitting

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.

Visit cupogo.dev for show notes, Patreon link, Swag, and more!

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.

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