Podcasts about Gaming industry

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

Send us Fan MailConnect with the Podcast: @FilthyRaine Connect with Gafiltha: @Gafiltha Connect with Raine: @RaineShadow Ko-Fi Raine's Twitch Raine's YouTube Channel Etsy Shop Link (Use Code Podcast for 20% off) MakerPlace Shop Link (Use Code Podcast for 20% off) PatreonRaine's Discord bot Sources: Games to PlayMarathon Season 2Witcher 3: Songs of PastParalivesSteamYouTube DemoMina the HollowerSteamReviewStoriesBungieDestiny 2 Final UpdatePetition for D3Marathon RoadmapAssassin's Creed HexeLeaksCanned Items

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.

India's gaming industry is facing fresh uncertainty after the Supreme Court upheld massive retrospective tax demands, while consumer spending at bars, pubs and online platforms is picking up again. Korean ramen brands are expanding aggressively in India as the Korean wave grows stronger. Meanwhile, the West Asia crisis is affecting poultry exports, global tech listings are drawing Indian investors towards Wall Street, and AI is rapidly reshaping the future of edtech. From luxury retail expansion to wellness-driven manufacturing growth, here's a simple breakdown of the latest business, economy and technology trends shaping India. Tune in for all this and more on this episode of Editor's Pick.

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.

Spin the wheel, roll the dice, play your hand — the world of online gaming is all about calculated risk and reward.Now it's the operators' turn to think about risk. From July 2027, they fall under AMLA's new AML rulebook.Host Robin Lycka is joined by Sam Stenius, Head of AML at PAF, to ask: is the gambling/gaming industry in for an AML wake-up call?They discuss the current challenges facing the sector, what AMLA's oversight will change, and whether the industry is ready for what's coming round the corner.Producer: Matthew Dunne-MilesEditor: Dominic DelargyVideo: Loïs Dunford____________________________________The Laundry explores the complex world of financial crime, anti-money laundering (AML), compliance, sanctions, and global financial regulation.Hosted by Marit Rødevand, Fredrik Riiser, and Robin Lycka, each episode features in-depth conversations with leading experts from banking, fintech, regulatory bodies, and investigative journalism — dissecting headline news, unpacking regulatory trends, and examining the real-world consequences of non-compliance.The Laundry is proudly produced by Strise.Get in touch: laundry@strise.aiSubscribe to our newsletter, Fresh Laundry, here. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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.

In this episode, host Kalie Moore sits down with Julia Palatovska, Co-Founder and CEO of Dorian, to explore one of the most underappreciated shifts in entertainment: the convergence of user-generated content, interactive storytelling, and female-first fandoms. As microdrama consumption explodes globally, Julia argues that the real opportunity isn't just in passive viewing but in turning audiences into creators and stories into interactive, monetizable experiences. She breaks down how Dorian is building a no-code platform that enables creators from cosplayers to webcomic artists, to launch games, iterate in real time, and generate meaningful income through free-to-play mechanics typically reserved for professional studios.They also dive into why most UGC platforms fail to translate creation into commercial success, how Dorian shifted from volume to unit economics, and what it takes to build a true creator marketplace from scratch. Along the way, Julia challenges long-standing assumptions in gaming from the industry's blind spot around women players to the over-indexing on mechanics over narrative and shares why human-made content still outperforms AI in creator-driven ecosystems. The conversation ultimately paints a picture of a new kind of platform: one where the next billion-dollar IP for Gen Z women might not come from a studio, but from a solo creator with a laptop and a deeply engaged fandom.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.Who's On:Guest - Julia Palatovska: https://www.linkedin.com/in/palatovska/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 is the audio version of the Naavik Digest newsletter published on May 3rd, 2026. This week, we examine what direction China's gaming giants are taking following the decline of the traditional Anime-Gacha ARPG model.You can read the newsletter (with even more sections and visual detail) here: https://www.naavik.co/digest/beyond-gacha-why-chinas-gaming-giants-are-pivoting-to-lifestyle-sims Meet with Naavik at the Nordic Game 2026: https://naavik.typeform.com/to/Jc5cl7eY Our most recent AI x Gaming newsletter: https://naavik.substack.com/p/kraftons-radical-ai-transformation 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, host Kalie Moore sits down with Terry Lee, CEO of Fusebox Games, to unpack one of the most overlooked but powerful business models in mobile gaming: interactive fiction built on licensed IP. While much of the industry chases scale through mechanics or ads, Fusebox has quietly built a $30M+ business by turning hit TV shows like Love Island into living, evolving games with some of the highest payer conversion rates in mobile. Terry shares how the studio transformed from a one-season-per-year content cycle into a high-frequency content machine, why writing (not tech), is their true competitive moat, and how they've engineered a system where narrative, data, and monetization continuously inform each other in real time.They also explore what makes fandoms move seamlessly between TV and games, how Fusebox approaches community (including its complicated relationship with Reddit), and why the team is expanding beyond romance-driven gameplay into broader storytelling formats with IP like Big Brother and The Traitors. Along the way, Terry offers candid insights on leadership, scaling under pressure, and navigating the role of AI in creative industries - arguing that the real advantage won't come from replacing talent, but from amplifying it.We'd also like to thank modl.ai for making this episode possible! Using a combination of computer vision, reasoning models, and feedback loops, modl:QA+ autonomously explores builds, detects bugs, and generates actionable reports that sync directly with your existing workflows. To learn more, visit modl.ai.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 - Terry Lee: https://www.linkedin.com/in/terry-lee-296a089/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.Links Mentioned:https://www.amazon.com/CEO-Sixteen-Lessons-Career-Level/dp/B0G49VV3R8

Send us Fan MailTonight on the NickMoses05 Gaming Podcast, we ask one of the biggest questions in gaming right now: is your game playing you?This episode breaks down the rise of psychological privacy DLC, AI-powered player profiling, and whether games are heading toward a future where players may have to pay extra just to avoid being studied, tracked, and monetized.We also dive into the future of Xbox and ask whether the Xbox Series X is really dead, or if Microsoft has simply moved beyond the traditional console war into a platform-first future built around Game Pass, PC, handhelds, cloud gaming, and digital libraries.Plus, we cover a full Gaming Gone Wild lineup, including collectible card thefts, online gaming safety concerns, a video game hangout that turned into a criminal case, and an illegal gaming room raid. Then we lighten things up with Dude, I Got the Munchies, Game of the Week featuring The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remastered.Topics include:Gaming Gone Wild Is Your Game Playing You? Psychological Privacy DLC Is Xbox Series X Dead? Dude, I Got the Munchies Game of the Week: The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remastered Drop your thoughts and let me know: are games becoming smarter for the player, or smarter at playing the player?Follow NickMoses05: YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@NickMoses05 Twitch: https://www.twitch.tv/NickMoses05 TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@nickmoses05yt Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nickmo05 X: https://twitter.com/nickmo05 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/NickMoses0502:16 - Gaming Gone Wild (All Stories)31:27 - Is Your Game Playing You?54:21 - Is Xbox Series X Dead?1:11:57 - Dude I Got the Munchies1:35:48 - Game of the Week (Oblivion Remastered)Support the show

£30m is being invested in the games industry in the UK, mainly to help develop ideas for the next big games. But will this government funding benefit women, in an industry where just 16% of leadership roles in UK studios are held by women and women-founded studios receive less than 3% of total investment? Nuala McGovern is joined by Marie-Claire Isaaman, CEO of Women in Games, and Kirsty Ridgen, CEO of FuturLab studios and Deputy Chair of the UK Video Games Council.The use of illegal, unregistered children's homes in England has surged by more than 370% in five years, according to a new report, Hidden Children: An investigation into Unregistered Children's Homes, published by Commonweal Housing and written by Public First. To discuss some of the reasons behind this, the implications and what can be done, Nuala is joined by Fraser McLean, Policy and Communications Manager for the charity Commonweal Housing and Rebekah Pierre, Deputy Director of the charity Article 39, who fight for children's rights in England.Sheer fashion – that is clothing with a see-through element - is having a moment. Actors Nicole Kidman, Gwyneth Paltrow and Naomi Watts have all worn it recently. And all of these women are over 50. So, what's the appeal? And is there judgement of women of a certain age wearing ‘invisible clothes?' Nuala is joined by Deborah Joseph, former editor of Glamour magazine and Kassia St Clair, a cultural historian to talk about the latest trend for see-through materials.'Men's health to get 60% more new funding than women's' - that's a headline in the Times newspaper today, comparing the women's health strategy, published by government earlier this month with the men's health strategy that was launched last November. Rosie Taylor is an independent investigative journalist reporting on women's health in the UK who worked on this for the Times and she joins Nuala.

During his more than 15 years overseeing New Hampshire's gambling industry, Charlie McIntyre, executive director of the New Hampshire Lottery and Gaming Commission says, “We went from the Flintstones to the Jetsons. Now we do full-fledged gaming. There are 14 casinos we now regulate. You can now do sports betting both in person as well as on your app or on a website. You can play our games through our app or website. You can bet on horse racing now through your phone. It is the full gamut of gambling.”    

CHECK OUT THE PATREON! - https://www.patreon.com/ThePogcastPod On this episode of the Pogcast we talk through games like Vampire Crawlers, Soulmask, and Windrose. We also talk about how the gaming industry markets games now and we discuss how Jesse came back to Tarkov and has been enjoying it. Check it out! Timestamps 00:00:00 - Intro Banter 00:03:39 - AITA? 00:15:47 - Vampire Crawlers & Soulmask 00:23:25 - Windrose 01:08:53 - Jesse Enjoying Tarkov Again 01:40:42 - AITA Part 2 01:48:28 - Sleep Token Check out JesseKazam Twitch: http://Twitch.tv/jessekazam YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/jessekazam Twitter: http://Twitter.com/jessekazam Discord: https://discord.gg/jessekazam Check out Veritas Twitch: http://Twitch.tv/Veritas YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@VeritasGames Twitter: http://twitter.com/veriitasgames Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/2S6iwClVoSNnpOcCzyMeUj Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

This is the audio version of the Naavik Digest newsletter published on April 26th, 2026. This week, we dive into Unity's ongoing turnaround, the promise of Vector (its ad platform), and what comes next as AI evolves game development.You can read the newsletter (with even more sections and visual detail) here: https://www.naavik.co/digest/unitys-ad-driven-turnaroundLet 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 Nicolas Vizioli (Founder of Lemonade) to unpack what “AI coding for UGC in Roblox” actually looks like in practice, ranging from how Lemonade plugs into Roblox workflows to why Roblox is a uniquely interesting target compared to broader “vibe coding” for apps. Nicolas shares early results, where the product is (and isn't) competitive with Roblox's native tools, and how AI-assisted development has changed over the time he's been building in this space. They also zoom out to where AI fits across UGC platforms, what impact it's already having on Roblox creators, and what needs to happen, both technically and culturally, to reach the next phase of AI-powered UGC game development.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 is the audio version of the Naavik Digest newsletter published on April 19th, 2026. We examine the exploding number of mobile games made with AI, exploring how advances in generative AI and vibe coding are affecting the market and whether these additions are still just “AI slop” games.You can read the newsletter (with even more sections and visual detail) here: https://www.naavik.co/digest/is-the-era-of-mobile-ai-slop-games-hereSensor Tower's Action & Strategy Report: https://sensortower.com/report/gaming-deep-dive-action-and-strategy?utm_source=naavik&utm_medium=partner&utm_campaign=&utm_content=newsletterNaavik's AI x Gaming newsletter's first issue: https://naavik.substack.com/p/navigating-ais-execution-era-in-gaming  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.

It can feel like modern game development competes to ship the best game with the smallest possible team. We constantly hear stories about breakout titles built by a handful of developers, but that narrative is often incomplete. Behind many “tiny teams” sits a much larger layer of co-development, outsourcing, and external support across engineering, art, QA, localization, and more. In this episode, host Alexandra Takei, VP at Medal, sits down with Ninel Anderson, founder and CEO of Devoted Studios, to go under the hood of that hidden layer of game development. The two unpack what co-development actually is, where the line sits between co-dev and outsourcing, and why a risk-averse market has pushed more studios toward fractional resourcing and flexible external partnerships. They also discuss a core misconception in the market: that external partners are mainly about finding cheaper labor, when in reality the real advantage often comes from better pipelines, stronger process design, and access to the right talent globally. Finally, the episode explores how Devoted thinks about staffing and capacity, and why communication training is core to the company's culture.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. Watch the episode: YouTube ChannelFor more episodes and details: Podcast WebsiteFree newsletter: Naavik DigestFollow us: Twitter | LinkedIn | WebsiteSound design by Gavin Mc Cabe.

Send us Fan MailGaming is changing… and not everyone is ready for what's coming next.In this episode of the NickMoses05 Gaming Podcast, we break down the biggest shifts happening in the gaming industry right now—from emotional microtransactions that could change how games monetize players, to the “Gameslop” storefront crisis flooding platforms with AI-generated content.We also dive into wild real-world gaming-related stories in Gaming Gone Wild, take a look at Knockout 2: Wrath of the Karen as our Game of the Week, and wrap it all up with another intense round of Choose Your Fate.If you care about the future of gaming, this is one you don't want to miss.00:00 – Intro01:41 – Gaming Gone Wild (Pokémon shooting, Roblox case, more)28:43 – Emotional Microtransactions (The Next Gaming Controversy)44:08 – Gameslop Storefront Crash (AI flooding gaming)57:40 – Dude I Got the Munchies1:13:28 – Game of the Week: Knockout 2 Wrath of the Karen1:18:59 – Choose Your FatePlease leave a review of the podcast and let us know how you feel about it.  It would be much appreciated.  Support the show

This is the audio version of the Naavik Digest newsletter published on April 12th, 2026. We dig into the past, present, and future of music games – exploring the nuances of licensing, mobile winners, Fortnite's music evolution, Duolingo's new focus, the upcoming launch of Stage Tour, and more.You can read the newsletter (with even more sections and visual detail) here: https://www.naavik.co/digest/music-games-and-the-setlist-problem 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 gaming industry generates more revenue than music and film combined. It is the birthplace of innovations now used across entertainment, advertising, and AI. It is a fantastic sector for non-technical founders to flourish. And most business leaders know almost nothing about it. In this episode, Sophia Matveeva speaks with Jen Glennon, editor at Polygon, one of the leading publications covering the games industry, for an accessible and surprising introduction to a sector that is reshaping technology and culture. Listen to learn: How gaming became the world's largest entertainment sector, with projected revenues of $564 billion in 2026 Why Fortnite makes $6 billion a year from a free game — and what that model means for every business thinking about digital monetisation Why Mark Zuckerberg's metaverse missed what gaming had already built —— and why that's a lesson in understanding markets before you enter them What the Hollywood studio model tells us about how gaming companies are built, funded, and acquired Timestamps:     00:00 - Introduction: The high-risk, high-reward nature of gaming 02:52 - Why the gaming industry is so huge 04:45 - Who actually plays games? Demographics revealed 06:08 - Gaming as innovator: AI and creative tech 08:02 - Innovations from gaming: Unreal Engine and visual effects 09:12 - Paths to founding gaming companies 12:19 - Funding models: Kickstarter vs venture capital 14:19 - The exit strategy: Getting acquired 16:03 - Geographic hubs: California, Japan, and emerging markets 18:00 - Revenue models: Micro-transactions and whales 19:47 - Mark Zuckerberg and the metaverse: Lessons from gaming 21:36 - Closing and resources   Free AI Mini-Workshop for Non-Technical Founders Learn how to go from idea to a tested product using AI — in under 30 minutes. Get free access here: techfornontechies.co/aiclass   Follow and Review: We'd love for you to follow us if you haven't yet. Click that purple '+' in the top right corner of your Apple Podcasts app. We'd love it even more if you could drop a review or 5-star rating over on Apple Podcasts. Simply select "Ratings and Reviews" and "Write a Review" then a quick line with your favorite part of the episode. It only takes a second and it helps spread the word about the podcast.   Listen to Tech for Non-Techies on: Apple Spotify YouTube Audible Pandora   Transcript: https://www.techfornontechies.co/blog/inside-the-gaming-industry-what-every-business-leader-should-know

Host Devin Becker sits down with Aaron Bush (Managing Partner & Co-founder of Naavik) for a grounded look at how games are using AI today, separating real production wins from the hype. They map where the industry is right now and then dig into concrete examples across the pipeline: Capcom's ideation and efficiency gains, Pearl Abyss using placeholder assets during development on Crimson Desert, Embark and Nexon's work across experiential data, coding, and voice, and Krafton's experiments with AI co-playable characters and workflow optimization. The conversation also covers the less glamorous (but high-impact) uses like Live Ops content production in mobile (story, levels, art, balance, cutscenes), automated QA like King's AI testing for Candy Crush Saga, rapid prototyping, and the broader tooling layer that's reshaping how games get made.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

This is the audio version of the Naavik Digest newsletter published on April 5th, 2026. We explore Epic Game's strategic shake-up in the wake of its latest layoffs, including its reorientation on UGC creators, Fortnite's stagnation, the looming Disney IP implementation, and what else may come next.You can read the newsletter (with even more sections and visual detail) here: https://www.naavik.co/digest/epics-strategic-shake-up 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.

Send us Fan MailThis week on the NickMoses05 Gaming Podcast, we break down some of the wildest stories and hottest debates happening in gaming right now.We start with Gaming Gone Wild, covering real-world stories connected to gaming, including a shocking incident at a Pokémon store in Tokyo, a string of Pokémon card robberies in Chicago, and how gaming machines are becoming major targets for crime.Then we dive into the news that OpenAI is shutting down Sora, the viral AI video platform, and what that means for the future of AI content and gaming.In Back in My Day, we tackle one of the most controversial topics right now — should games cost $100? We break down inflation, development costs, and why you might already be paying that price without realizing it.For Dude I Got The Munchies, we go through the latest wild food drops, including Papa John's new sandwiches, Pizza Hut's hot dog stuffed crust, and some of the craziest fast food experiments out right now.In Game of the Week, we compare Super Meat Boy 3D and the return of Legacy of Kain, breaking down what worked, what didn't, and what happens when classic games try to evolve.And we close it out with Choose Your Fate, putting you in tough gaming scenarios where you have to make the call.If you're into gaming news, debates, and real conversations, this is one you don't want to miss.Support the show

In this episode, host Kalie Moore sits down with Stephen Totilo, founder of Game File and a veteran games journalist with over two decades of experience across MTV News, Kotaku, and Axios to unpack how the media landscape around gaming is rapidly evolving. As traditional outlets shrink and more journalists go independent, Stephen shares what it actually looks like to build a sustainable, subscription-based publication and why he chose to bet on himself rather than join another institution. The conversation explores the shift from institutional media power to individual credibility, and how trust, audience relationships, and direct monetization are reshaping journalism in real time - while also raising new challenges for discovery, sustainability, and the next generation of reporters entering the field.Kalie and Stephen also dive into the realities of running an independent media business, from balancing reporting with entrepreneurship to navigating ethical considerations in a world where sources can also be subscribers. They discuss the growing intersection between journalism, the creator economy, and AI, including how Stephen uses AI tools for transcription and translation to unlock stories that would have previously been inaccessible, while also confronting the rise of “AI slop” in pitches and content. The episode closes with practical advice for game developers and PR professionals on how to work with modern media, emphasizing the importance of storytelling, understanding reporter incentives, and building meaningful relationships in an increasingly fragmented media ecosystem.We'd also like to thank modl.ai for making this episode possible! Using a combination of computer vision, reasoning models, and feedback loops, modl:QA+ autonomously explores builds, detects bugs, and generates actionable reports that sync directly with your existing workflows. To learn more, visit modl.ai.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 - Stephen Totilo: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stephen-totilo-8208a94/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.Links Mentioned:https://www.gamefile.news/https://www.echomark.com/

This is the audio version of the Naavik Digest newsletter published on March 22nd, 2026. We explore a slightly overlooked area of AI in game development: consumer research. We focus on recent studies aimed at leveraging the vast data within LLMs to replicate human behavior and how we can actually make use of these studies in a practical way. You can read the newsletter (with even more sections and visual detail) here: https://www.naavik.co/digest/llms-for-games-consumer-research 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 Sam Aune (Gaming Analyst at Sensor Tower) to break down Sensor Tower's State of Gaming 2026 report, which covers the current mobile, console, and PC gaming landscape. The conversation spans genre-level signals and platform shifts, such as why 4X strategy bucked mobile's downward trend to what's driving PC's growth. Devin and Sam unpack recent outliers and inflection points like how creator-focused hits outperformed AAA, Battlefield 6's comeback, the rising importance of cross-platform parity for shooters, and what GTA 6 could do to the broader “social” game landscape. They close with the biggest observed behavior change from 2025 to 2026 and a grounded look at what State of Gaming 2027 might imply for teams planning for the next cycle.Read the full State of Gaming 2026 report: https://sensortower.com/report/state-of-gaming-2026?utm_source=naavik&utm_medium=partner&utm_campaign=stateofgaming&utm_content=report 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.

audio from the Independent Labor Club of New York City's 03/21 panel at the NYU Games Center featuring JD Calvelli, Nathan Greyson, and Goran, Svorcan-Mercola. Moderated by Alexander King. To find more info about the ILC check out ILCLabor.com to sign up.Become a supporter of our podcast at www.patreon.com/thiswreckageSong: LDR - Video Games (Live at Stagecoach)

Just last week, we asked about Phil Spencer and why he's been so quiet lately. Now we know why! Also, OneDrive for the Mac is finally going to look like it belongs on the Mac. And Google Chrome finally picks up a split view like the rest of the planet, plus a few other new features. PHIL SPENCER OUT AT XBOX Phil Spencer has retired from Microsoft and his heir-apparent, Sarah Bond, left Microsoft as well Report details the Xbox reorg Ex-Xbox executive issues an old guy shouting at sky assessment New Microsoft Gaming CEO discusses "return to Xbox" Hot-take: This person seems unqualified to run Xbox/MS Gaming, but let's give her a chance Alternative hot-take: She is literally here to wind down this business, which makes no sense... unless there's a spin-off Windows WSJ report sheds some light, and adds a lot of confusion, to Nvidia's Windows PC plans Week D arrived on time this month Preview of March Patch Tuesday updates Network speed test, pan and tilt in Camera settings, sysmon, RSAT improvements, Quick Machine Recovery improvements, WEBP background image support, Emoji 16.0 And you thought the Canary channel was weird already -New builds for Canary, Dev, and Beta. Canary gets features we already saw elsewhere, Dev and Beta get context menu, settings, and Taskbar improvements Paul has published (an incomplete version of) De-Enshittify Windows 11 De-enshittifying Copilot and AI is doable but not yet automated What about the alternatives? Next step: Security and Apps chapters HP revenues up 6.9 percent to $14.4 billion but RAM warning is more dire than expected Apple to add multitouch to MacBook Pro lineup in late 2026. Oh the irony AI Xbox February update brings 1440p streaming to Xbox consoles, updates for Xbox ROG Ally, more Xbox app is delivering post-game recaps on Windows 11 for Insiders EA had the most game downloads on PC and console in 2025, thanks to having the three most popular AAA games of the year (BF6, EA Sports FC 25, and EA Sports FC 26). Microsoft was number two, followed by Take-Two, Ubisoft, and Sony. Fortnite is somehow still the biggest game overall on console, and Counter-Strike 2 (!!!!) is the biggest on PC. 20 million Fortnite players on PS, 15 million on Xbox Tips and picks Tip of the week: OneDrive for the Mac App pick of the week: Google Chrome RunAs Radio this week: SaaS on Multiple Clouds with Steve Buchanan Brown liquor pick of the week: Sons of Vancouver Wheated Rye Whisky Hosts: Leo Laporte, Paul Thurrott, and Richard Campbell Download or subscribe to Windows Weekly at https://twit.tv/shows/windows-weekly Check out Paul's blog at thurrott.com The Windows Weekly theme music is courtesy of Carl Franklin. Join Club TWiT for Ad-Free Podcasts! Support what you love and get ad-free audio and video feeds, a members-only Discord, and exclusive content. Join today: https://twit.tv/clubtwit Sponsors: bitwarden.com/twit zscaler.com/security