Podcasts about mobile gaming

Pushing the boundaries of what's possible in gaming often means embracing unproven technologies and building in the fog of innovation. In this episode, host Devin Becker is joined by Marco van den Heuvel, co-founder of Beam, to explore what it means to operate at the bleeding edge of gaming infrastructure. Marco shares the origins of Beam and its evolution into a gaming-focused ecosystem built around frontier tech that includes blockchain, AI, and beyond. The episode covers how Beam is navigating past the noise to uncover the practical, long-term opportunities these technologies can offer game developers and players alike.The discussion also unpacks how AI fits into Beam's broader vision, the future of esports from a tech-powered perspective, and what it will take for blockchain to hit the hype cycle “plateau of productivity.” Devin and Marco dig into the real hurdles in tech adoption, from developer onboarding to ecosystem incentives, while also speculating on what might lie ahead from AR to brain-computer interfaces. If you're interested in where the games industry might be headed next and how to prepare for it, this episode offers a grounded look at the intersection of emerging tech and gaming.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 week's episode features Valve announcing a bunch of new hardware--but no new Steam Deck and no Half-Life 3...yet--and games: Dark Quest 4, Simon the Sorcerer Origins, Extremely Powerful Capybaras, Folly of the Wizards, The Cabin Factory, Twilight Parade: Moonlit Mononoke, and Beaked Buccaneer. Anyway and as always, thank you for watching or listening, I hope you enjoy this here episode, and I hope you have a wonderful wonderful rest of your day. (And if you haven't already, or are a listener and not a watcher, please like, subscribe, hit the bell, and all that jazz; it may not seem like much, but it goes a long way in helping support the show and site in general. I would appreciate it greatly.)

EVE Online is one of the longest-standing MMOs of all time, celebrating its 22nd anniversary since its launch in 2003. In this episode, host Alexandra Takei, Director at Ruckus Games, sits down with CCP Games' CEO Hilmar Petursson to unpack how the Icelandic studio still maintains one of gaming's most complex live worlds, a single universe that has generated over $1B in lifetime revenue and 25 million players. Hilmar walks through CCP's four eras: the pre-Steam founding years, the Steam transition, Pearl Abyss's acquisition, and the studio today, revealing how an original team of thirty developers pioneered player-driven economies, massive social coordination, and a forever game. The conversation then turns to EVE Frontier, CCP's new blockchain-powered spin-off built on the Sui network. Hilmar explains why he believes blockchain is the next natural step in EVE's evolution, not as a trend, but as a means to true player ownership and another step in the direction of a forever game: persistence that is independent of the company, its servers, and its original creators.The episode closes on the state of the industry today from Hilmar's perspective – why attention and discovery are gaming's hardest problems and how developers can learn from EVE's social design to build long-lasting worlds.We'd also like to thank Lysto for making this episode possible! Lysto is revolutionizing how game development teams collect and act on real player feedback with its AI-powered playtesting insights. Learn more about how you can get bias-free feedback at https://lysto.gg/?utm_source=naavik&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=adIf 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 week on NPC, Brendon, Federico, and John explore where mobile phone gaming is heading and reflect on what Nintendo's latest earnings report means for the Switch 2, before Brendon shares his first impressions of the Miyoo Mini Flip Also available on YouTube here. Links and Show Notes The Latest Portable Gaming News OneXFly Apex and AYANEO Pocket Vert Follow-Up OneXFly Apex Strix Halo handheld gaming PC to sell for $1399 and up during crowdfunding AYANEO Releases Details on the Pocket VERT Redmagic's Liquid-Cooled Phone Redmagic's liquid-cooled gaming phone starts at $749 Nintendo is Killing It Nintendo is raising its Switch 2 sales expectations Nintendo is getting the Switch ready for retirement In Other News Valve will finally turn off the Steam Deck's screen while it's downloading games Samsung has a new line of microSD Express cards for the Switch 2 Miyoo Mini Flip The Miyoo Mini Flip might be what everyone has been asking for all along Miyoo Mini Flip Review: STILL GOT IT Topics Subscribe to NPC XL NPC XL is a weekly members-only version of NPC with extra content, available exclusively through our new Patreon for $5/month. Each week on NPC XL, Federico, Brendon, and John record a special segment or deep dive about a particular topic that is released alongside the "regular" NPC episodes. You can subscribe here: https://www.patreon.com/c/NextPortableConsole Leave Feedback for John, Federico, and Brendon NPC Feedback Form Credits Show Art: Brendon Bigley Music: Will LaPorte Follow Us Online On the Web MacStories.net Wavelengths.online Follow us on Mastodon NPC Federico John Brendon Follow us on Bluesky NPC MacStories Federico Viticci John Voorhees Brendon Bigley Affiliate Linking Policy

Wie baust du Mobile Games, die nicht nur Spaß machen, sondern auch auf jeder Plattform funktionieren und sich selbst tragen? In dieser Episode sprechen wir über Mobile Gaming: von der Idee über den Game Loop bis zur Monetarisierung. Mit dabei ist Fabi Fink, Game Lead bei Lotum. Lotum steht für Social Casual und Puzzle Hits wie Quiz Planet und Word Blitz, hat die Marke von 1 Milliarde Installationen geknackt und spielt technisch die gesamte Klaviatur von Web bis Native.Wir klären, warum Mobile inzwischen rund die Hälfte des Gaming-Umsatzes ausmacht und ordnen Hypercasual, Casual, Midcore und Hardcore mit vielen Beispielen ein. Wir zeigen, was Mobile heute bedeutet: Native Apps in App Store und Play Store, aber auch Games als Facebook Instant Games sowie Integrationen für Reddit, Discord, TikTok und Netflix. Du erfährst, wie Social Loops auf Plattformen funktionieren, warum asynchrones Multiplayer ein Growth-Hebel ist und was Viralität gegenüber klassischer User Acquisition auszeichnet.Technisch gehen wir tief rein: Warum Lotum für viele Titel auf Vue.js setzt und Game-UX wie eine hochinteraktive Web-App denkt. Wir sprechen über Performance-Details, GPU-freundliche Animationen und warum beim WordBlitz-Core Plain JavaScript die Nase vorn hat. Im Backend wird es handfest mit WebSockets, Redis-Clustern und Realtime-Events in der Google Cloud. Dazu kommen Tools und Plattformen wie Nakama (Open Source Backend for Games) und SpacetimeDB, plus eine ehrliche Kostenstory rund um Firebase.Natürlich geht es auch ums Geld: Ads vs. In-App Purchases, Hybrid-Modelle, ROAS über 180 Tage und was erfolgreiche Titel wirklich auszeichnet. Wir teilen KPI-Realität, A/B-Testing-Erkenntnisse, warum kleine UX-Texte große Effekte haben können und welche Schwelle ein Spiel bei Lotum erreichen sollte, um weiterverfolgt zu werden.Wenn du wissen willst, wie moderne Mobile Games entstehen – technologisch, produktseitig und monetär – schnapp dir diese Episode.Unsere aktuellen Werbepartner findest du auf https://engineeringkiosk.dev/partnersDas schnelle Feedback zur Episode:

This week's episode features a couple game delays--including another delay for Grand Theft Auto 6--and games: Biped 2, Painkiller, Bloodshed, Ultimate Zombie Defense, and CORALINA. Anyway and as always, thank you for watching or listening, I hope you enjoy this here episode, and I hope you have a wonderful wonderful rest of your day. (And if you haven't already, or are a listener and not a watcher, please like, subscribe, hit the bell, and all that jazz; it may not seem like much, but it goes a long way in helping support the show and site in general. I would appreciate it greatly.)

In this episode, host Kalie Moore talks with Zach Letter, Co-founder & CEO of Wonder Works Studio, the makers of hit Roblox experiences, including three SpongeBob titles this year. We dig into how creator roots shape game design and distribution, how influencer-native teams launch differently, and Wonder Works' long-term bet on licensed IP.The conversation dives into launching without paid UA, weekly live-ops that drive creator content, and when brands should integrate into hit experiences versus build standalone worlds. Zach also shares what makes an IP “Roblox-ready,” how transmedia loops amplify impact across YouTube, Discord, and merch, and why he believes UGC's rise is unstoppable.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/.We'd also like to thank Lightspeed Venture Partners for making this episode possible! With its dedicated gaming & interactive media practice, the firm invests from an over $6.5 billion pool of early and growth-stage capital. If you're interested in learning more, go to https://gaming.lsvp.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 - Zach Letter: https://www.linkedin.com/in/zachary-letter-0769b893/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

Monopoly Bingo: How Hasbro turned nostalgia Into RevenueToday, we dig into Monopoly Bingo - the latest Hasbro IP game climbing the charts.

This week's episode features rumors of the next Xbox removing the paywall for online multiplayer, Kojima almost maybe making a Matrix game, and games: Reus 2, Amanda the Adventurer 2, Halloween 1985, REDEX, Blaster Force 3000, and Science Skaters. Anyway and as always, thank you for watching or listening, I hope you enjoy this here episode, and I hope you have a wonderful wonderful rest of your day. (And if you haven't already, or are a listener and not a watcher, please like, subscribe, hit the bell, and all that jazz; it may not seem like much, but it goes a long way in helping support the show and site in general. I would appreciate it greatly.)

In this episode, host Alexandra Takei, Director at Ruckus Games, sits down with Robert van Hoesel, co-founder and CEO of First Look, now part of Pragma, to explore how studios can own and scale their player relationships. Robert's journey from founding a SaaS company to building First Look began with one simple insight: game studios are some of the most passionate users a software builder could serve, and the games industry desperately needs the dream stack for connected distribution, player communications, and analytics. First Look acts as a CRM for games, helping studios streamline playtesting, gather player feedback, and grow grassroots communities. The pair discusses why these capabilities have become essential as publishers pull back, competition increases, and self-publishing becomes the norm. Robert shares how First Look enables small teams to punch above their weight by automating data capture across platforms like Steam and Discord, transforming scattered playtest feedback into actionable insights, and shares the full suite of offerings First Look provides for studios today.They also unpack First Look's acquisition by Pragma and what it means to unify the backend and frontend of game development. The episode closes with practical advice for studios: start community-building early, close the feedback loop with players, and reward engagement to create sustainable, loyal audiences.We'd also like to thank Levellr — the Discord community intelligence platform — for making this episode possible. Learn more about unlocking real-time community insights at levellr.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

Repost d'un épisode publié initialement en avril 2023Plus de deux ans après sa première diffusion, on vous propose de redécouvrir cet épisode consacré au Steam Deck, la console portable de Valve (les créateurs de Steam).Un épisode qui, deux ans plus tard, reste étonnamment actuel. Parce qu'entre-temps, le Steam Deck a confirmé son positionnement et sa place dans le paysage du jeu vidéo, s'imposant comme une vraie console PC, loin des simples machines hybrides ou gadgets d'expérimentation.À l'époque, on parlait déjà de son confort, de sa praticité et de son intérêt pour un certain type de joueur : celui ou celle qui aime encore jouer, mais qui doit composer avec un quotidien bien rempli.On y abordait aussi cette modularité si particulière au Steam Deck, ce mélange entre liberté du PC et simplicité de la console, et ce que ça change dans la vie d'un parent gamer.Parce qu'être daron ou daronne gamer, c'est aussi avoir grandi avec d'autres machines, d'autres générations de consoles. Et le Steam Deck, quelque part, réunit tout ça : la nostalgie du rétro-gaming, la puissance du PC, et la praticité d'une console portable. C'est une machine qui ne perd pas ton temps, qui ne t'impose pas dix menus de réglages avant de lancer un jeu, mais qui t'offre une vraie expérience, adaptée à ton rythme.Bonne écoute

This week's episode features some Nintendo and Xbox nonsense, Dreams of Another, NASCAR 25, Pinball FX - Williams Pinball: Scared Stiff, Pinball FX - Williams Pinball: Elvira and the Party Monsters, Murder Inc, Acre Crisis, and MOUTHOLE. Anyway and as always, thank you for watching or listening, I hope you enjoy this here episode, and I hope you have a wonderful wonderful rest of your day. (And if you haven't already, or are a listener and not a watcher, please like, subscribe, hit the bell, and all that jazz; it may not seem like much, but it goes a long way in helping support the show and site in general. I would appreciate it greatly.)

As digital platforms evolve, so too does the business of tabletop RPGs (TTRPGs). In this episode, host Devin Becker sits down with David Scott, CEO of Evil Genius Games, to explore the intersection of analog and digital in the TTRPG space. David shares his perspective on where the market currently stands, the evolving role of virtual tabletops, and how Evil Genius is adapting its publishing model to bridge physical and digital experiences. From post-COVID shifts in player behavior to the rise of Virtual Tabletops (VTTs) like Roll20 and Foundry, the conversation examines how platforms are reshaping distribution, play, and monetization strategies.The discussion also covers how TTRPG companies can integrate digital offerings without cannibalizing physical sales of books, miniatures, and accessories. David offers a candid look at what's working (and what isn't) when it comes to building sustainable business models in this hybrid space. Finally, we explore the opportunities for smaller TTRPG IPs to make the leap into digital gaming, the potential of platforms like Roblox to support roleplaying, and how ongoing challenges like tariffs may influence the industry's trajectory in the next few years.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 Lysto for making this episode possible! Lysto is revolutionizing how game development teams collect and act on real player feedback with its AI-powered playtesting insights. Learn more about how you can get bias-free feedback at https://lysto.gg/?utm_source=naavik&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=adIf 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 week's episode features BALL x PIT, Formula Legends, DUCK: Dangerous Ultimate Cartridge Kidnapper, Otherwar, Scurge: Hive, and Kotenok. Anyway and as always, thank you for watching or listening, I hope you enjoy this here episode, and I hope you have a wonderful wonderful rest of your day. (And if you haven't already, or are a listener and not a watcher, please like, subscribe, hit the bell, and all that jazz; it may not seem like much, but it goes a long way in helping support the show and site in general. I would appreciate it greatly.)

Are AI games right around the corner? In our second-ever live audience show, host Alexandra Takei, Director at Ruckus Games, sits down with Serge Kynstautas, Head of Engineering at Gardens Interactive, a venture-backed startup building a social online shared fantasy adventure game, and Meir Wasserman, Head of Engineering at 2K Technology. Shooting live from the 3rd annual Pragma Online Services Summit, the trio dives into two critical topics impacting the predominantly technical engineering audience: AI and talent. They discuss AI use cases and tool stacks, how they balance context, security, and flexibility, and how they guide engineering teams in a rapidly changing environment. They also discuss talent in engineering in the new economy – given pressures to do more with less, is the engineering scope and team size being shaved down? Are teams opting for safer, proven tech or looking to innovate? How are engineering leaders bringing along those who may be more reluctant to adopt AI tools in their workflows? That and so much more – including a contentious lighting round and spicy audience Q&A. If you want perspective on the future of AI in games and the subsequent cascading effects on talent, this episode is a must-listen. We'd also like to thank Lightspeed Venture Partners for making this episode possible! With its dedicated gaming & interactive media practice, the firm invests from an over $6.5 billion pool of early and growth-stage capital. If you're interested in learning more, go to https://gaming.lsvp.com/.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.

This week's episode features Blood of Mehran, Piggly Pagly Boom, Super Mining Mechs, Super Long Cat, Squish Machine, and Buildest. Anyway and as always, thank you for watching or listening, I hope you enjoy this here episode, and I hope you have a wonderful wonderful rest of your day. (And if you haven't already, or are a listener and not a watcher, please like, subscribe, hit the bell, and all that jazz; it may not seem like much, but it goes a long way in helping support the show and site in general. I would appreciate it greatly.)

In this episode, host David Taylor sits down with two fantastic guests to explore why large entertainment companies are increasingly paying attention to Roblox, how they're experimenting on the platform today, and what they'll need to see to fully commit. Chris Petrovic is the Chairman and Chief Business Officer of FunPlus, one of the largest privately held companies in the gaming sector. Chris is a veteran executive in digital entertainment and gaming with leadership roles across major mobile game companies like Zynga, Kabam, and GameStop. Doug Rosen is the former SVP of Games and Emerging Media at Paramount. Doug led games teams across some of the world's biggest brands, and he brings deep experience in how IP holders evaluate and engage with emerging platforms like Roblox, Minecraft, and Fortnite Creative.We dig into the strategic framing of Roblox inside large companies and how success is measured. Finally, we look ahead at the challenges, opportunities, and what role Roblox could play in shaping the next generation of entertainment franchises.We'd also like to thank Levellr — the Discord community intelligence platform — for making this episode possible. Learn more about unlocking real-time community insights at levellr.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.

Frank Cifaldi, Ash Parrish, and Brandon Sheffield cover Silent Hill f, the sacrifice of EA to the monster of private capital, and thirty PlayStation hot takes. Hosted by Esper Quinn, with Frank Cifaldi, Ash Parrish, and Brandon Sheffield. Edited by Esper Quinn, original music by Kurt Feldman. Watch episodes with full video on YouTube Discuss this episode in the Insert Credit Forums SHOW NOTES: Laparoscopy “Don't you dare throw chunks.” Tetris Effect Lumines Arise Silent Hill f Hollow Knight: Silksong Rhythm Heaven 1: Y'all playin' that Hilf? (05:29) Silent Hill series Al Yang Konami Kingdom Hearts series Lucy James Pyramid Head 2: EA got bought. That's not good, right? (14:53) Video gamer Electronic Arts to be bought in largest-ever private equity buyout valued at $55 billion EA's new owners are making “a huge bet” on generative AI cost-cutting to help repay a $20 billion loan, claims report Madden series Battlefield series EA Sports FC series Rockstar finally fixed the disastrous GTA remastered trilogy years after it released BioWare The Sims series Xbox One Xbox ROG Ally 3: What do you think the CEO of Nintendo of America does? (21:03) Nintendo Of America President Doug Bowser Announces Retirement Reggie Fils-Aimé Sega Genesis Mother 3 Pokemon GO 4: Which real world non-extinct animal is presented as the most powerful in video games?(24:39) Lion Wolf Gorilla Donkey Kong Shark Red Dead Redemption II T-Rex Komodo dragon Dragon Grizzly bear Legendary Axe Golden Axe Tiger Tokyo Jungle 5: What is a “real gamer?” (26:35) CSI: Crime Scene Investigation Sam Bankman-Fried Super Smash Bros. series Legend of Zelda series Valorant Counter-Strike Words With Friends Wordle Spelling Bee Zach Gage Puzzmo 6: Are there protest video games? (32:02) 1000xRESIST Mouthwashing Jack Thompson This War of Mine Spec Ops: The Line Disco Elysium itch.io Despelote Consume Me Hades II Ghost of Yōtei LIGHTNING ROUND: 30 Years of PlayStation (42:02) Recommendations and Outro (52:51): Brandon: Kimimi the Game Eating She-Monster, Coyote Media, skip the commentary track for Blood of Heroes, Makeruna! Makendou 2 - Versus Menu Music Frank: Silent Hill f, Coyote Media Ash: Log off, get your uterus checked out if you have a uterus Esper: J2ME, DoCoMo i-mode, KDDI ezWeb, etc. The Mobile Gaming of ol' thread, Women Wearing Shoulder Pads (i actually watched this the day after recording but since I write the show notes i'm going to recommend it here, it's less than 2 hours to watch the whole first season and it's incredible) This week's Insert Credit Show is brought to you by patrons like you. Thank you. This week's horrible buzzer was sent in by Matt McNeely. Thanks! To submit your own horrible buzzer, send an original recording no longer than two seconds in mp3 or wav format to show@insertcredit.com, and maybe we'll use it on the show! Subscribe: RSS, YouTube, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and more!

Frank Cifaldi, Ash Parrish, and Brandon Sheffield cover Silent Hill f, the sacrifice of EA to the monster of private capital, and thirty PlayStation hot takes. Hosted by Esper Quinn, with Frank Cifaldi, Ash Parrish, and Brandon Sheffield. Edited by Esper Quinn, original music by Kurt Feldman. Watch episodes with full video on YouTube Discuss this episode in the Insert Credit Forums SHOW NOTES: Laparoscopy “Don't you dare throw chunks.” Tetris Effect Lumines Arise Silent Hill f Hollow Knight: Silksong Rhythm Heaven 1: Y'all playin' that Hilf? (05:29) Silent Hill series Al Yang Konami Kingdom Hearts series Lucy James Pyramid Head 2: EA got bought. That's not good, right? (14:53) Video gamer Electronic Arts to be bought in largest-ever private equity buyout valued at $55 billion EA's new owners are making “a huge bet” on generative AI cost-cutting to help repay a $20 billion loan, claims report Madden series Battlefield series EA Sports FC series Rockstar finally fixed the disastrous GTA remastered trilogy years after it released BioWare The Sims series Xbox One Xbox ROG Ally 3: What do you think the CEO of Nintendo of America does? (21:03) Nintendo Of America President Doug Bowser Announces Retirement Reggie Fils-Aimé Sega Genesis Mother 3 Pokemon GO 4: Which real world non-extinct animal is presented as the most powerful in video games?(24:39) Lion Wolf Gorilla Donkey Kong Shark Red Dead Redemption II T-Rex Komodo dragon Dragon Grizzly bear Legendary Axe Golden Axe Tiger Tokyo Jungle 5: What is a “real gamer?” (26:35) CSI: Crime Scene Investigation Sam Bankman-Fried Super Smash Bros. series Legend of Zelda series Valorant Counter-Strike Words With Friends Wordle Spelling Bee Zach Gage Puzzmo 6: Are there protest video games? (32:02) 1000xRESIST Mouthwashing Jack Thompson This War of Mine Spec Ops: The Line Disco Elysium itch.io Despelote Consume Me Hades II Ghost of Yōtei LIGHTNING ROUND: 30 Years of PlayStation (42:02) Recommendations and Outro (52:51): Brandon: Kimimi the Game Eating She-Monster, Coyote Media, skip the commentary track for Blood of Heroes, Makeruna! Makendou 2 - Versus Menu Music Frank: Silent Hill f, Coyote Media Ash: Log off, get your uterus checked out if you have a uterus Esper: J2ME, DoCoMo i-mode, KDDI ezWeb, etc. The Mobile Gaming of ol' thread, Women Wearing Shoulder Pads (i actually watched this the day after recording but since I write the show notes i'm going to recommend it here, it's less than 2 hours to watch the whole first season and it's incredible) This week's Insert Credit Show is brought to you by patrons like you. Thank you. This week's horrible buzzer was sent in by Matt McNeely. Thanks! To submit your own horrible buzzer, send an original recording no longer than two seconds in mp3 or wav format to show@insertcredit.com, and maybe we'll use it on the show! Subscribe: RSS, YouTube, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and more!

This week's episode features Xbox being Xbox like only Xbox can Xbox, Turbo Overkill, Platypus Reclayed, Airborne Justice, Notice Me Leena-senpai!, Electronics Puzzle Lab 2, and Cat Needs. Anyway and as always, thank you for watching or listening, I hope you enjoy this here episode, and I hope you have a wonderful wonderful rest of your day. (And if you haven't already, or are a listener and not a watcher, please like, subscribe, hit the bell, and all that jazz; it may not seem like much, but it goes a long way in helping support the show and site in general. I would appreciate it greatly.)

In this episode, host Kalie Moore talks with Charlie Blackstock, Co-founder & CEO of Remix.gg, the “TikTok of games” where anyone can instantly play and remix community-built titles. They discuss why instant, zero-install games resonate with Gen Z and Millennials, how AI is lowering the barrier to creation and enabling culture-speed hits, and how Web3 rails can power creator monetization at scale. The conversation gets tactical on distribution, dives into the possible future of on-chain creator earnings, and how to create a platform for both Web2 and Web3 gaming audiences. We'd 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 We'd also like to thank Lightspeed Venture Partners for making this episode possible! With its dedicated gaming & interactive media practice, the firm invests from an over $6.5 billion pool of early and growth-stage capital. If you're interested in learning more, go to https://gaming.lsvp.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 - Charlie Blackstock: https://x.com/0xChuckstock 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 week's episode features my random TGS thoughts, Frostpunk 2, Next of Kin: Fidelity, Rally Arcade Classics, Tiny Lands, King of Ping Pong: MEGAMIX, Psycho Dream, Sky of Destruction, and Candylands Journey. Anyway and as always, thank you for watching or listening, I hope you enjoy this here episode, and I hope you have a wonderful wonderful rest of your day. (And if you haven't already, or are a listener and not a watcher, please like, subscribe, hit the bell, and all that jazz; it may not seem like much, but it goes a long way in helping support the show and site in general. I would appreciate it greatly.)

With the games industry in constant evolution, it's important to occasionally pause and take stock of where things stand. Host Devin Becker is joined by Aaron Bush, Managing Partner and Co-Founder at Naavik, for a wide-ranging check-in on market trends, strategic moves from platform holders and investors, and how the current landscape might evolve from here. The conversation explores Epic's latest expansion of user-generated content monetization, plus Meta's recent AR updates and what it might mean for the future of digital interactivity. The episode rounds out with a look at current console strategies – including the success of the Switch 2, Xbox's identity crisis, and how PlayStation fits into the broader picture – and a discussion about the fragmentation of the gaming investment industry.We'd like to thank Lightspeed Venture Partners for making this episode possible! With its dedicated gaming & interactive media practice, the firm invests from an over $6.5 billion pool of early and growth-stage capital. If you're interested in learning more, go to https://gaming.lsvp.com/.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.

This week's episode features my belated Nintendo Direct thoughts, Bad Cheese, Back to the Dawn, A Dream About Parking Lots, Luto, Hot Stakes Casino - American Roulette, Monstrous Lovers, The Nameless City, and God of Weapons. Anyway and as always, thank you for watching or listening, I hope you enjoy this here episode, and I hope you have a wonderful wonderful rest of your day. (And if you haven't already, or are a listener and not a watcher, please like, subscribe, hit the bell, and all that jazz; it may not seem like much, but it goes a long way in helping support the show and site in general. I would appreciate it greatly.)

Mobile publishing is a beast of its own, built on speed, data, and above all, user acquisition. In this episode, host Alexandra Takei, Director at Ruckus Games, sits down with Asi Burak, Chief Business Officer of Tilting Point, to unpack the future of mobile publishing and why UA financing has become one of the most talked-about trends in gaming today.Tilting Point, a top 50 global mobile publisher, recently launched a $150M UA fund this past March. In the past, TP made its name scaling live titles with marketing muscle and pioneering UA financing before it was industry standard. Today, that model has become mainstream. Asi explains how this structure works (non-dilutive, risk-sharing, and predictable) and why even large developers now see it as a smart capital allocation tool rather than just a lifeline for smaller studios. The conversation also covers ATT's seismic impact on mobile, Tilting Point's pivot from third-party publishing to 3rd party UA financing and first-party acquisitions, and how IP-driven strategies amplify UA effectiveness. We discuss what is attractive today in UA financing and how to effectively structure an organization to run two parallel investment pillars. 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  We'd also like to thank Lysto — the AI-native playtesting platform helping game studios capture unbiased player feedback and convert it into structured, actionable insights. Learn more about how you can get bias-free feedback at https://lysto.gg/?utm_source=naavik&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=adIf 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 week's episode features OFF, No Rest for the Wicked, DUCKSIDE, Beat 'Em Up Collection (QUByte Classics), Curse Rounds, Fling to the Finish, Overpowered 1 - Mars Infestation, and Ash Pines: The Motel. Anyway and as always, thank you for watching or listening, I hope you enjoy this here episode, and I hope you have a wonderful wonderful rest of your day. (And if you haven't already, or are a listener and not a watcher, please like, subscribe, hit the bell, and all that jazz; it may not seem like much, but it goes a long way in helping support the show and site in general. I would appreciate it greatly.)

This week's episode features Vlad Circus: Curse of Asmodeus, Best Served Cold, Makis Adventure, and SF3RA. Anyway and as always, thank you for watching or listening, I hope you enjoy this here episode, and I hope you have a wonderful wonderful rest of your day. (And if you haven't already, or are a listener and not a watcher, please like, subscribe, hit the bell, and all that jazz; it may not seem like much, but it goes a long way in helping support the show and site in general. I would appreciate it greatly.)

We break down Epic Plane Evolution – Voodoo's hypercasual throwback hit that's pulling in ~$150K/day in ad revenue with over 100K daily downloads.Key insights:Gameplay: Players start with a broken cardboard plane and unlock wings, tails, and rockets through upgrades. Controls are intentionally clunky — planes crash often, driving engagement and retries.Monetization: Heavy use of rewarded ads (“convert or die” mechanic) and interstitial spam. iOS users see gems + VIP purchases, while Android has no gems at all, leading to 80–85% of revenue coming from iOS.Retention: Despite frustration, average playtime is ~13 minutes/day across 3 sessions, powered by the addictive slingshot mechanic.Revenue Mix: Estimated $150K/day, 80–84% ads, minimal IAP. VIP subscriptions and gem bundles exist only on iOS.Creative Strategy: Basic hypercasual creatives (gates + plane gameplay). Some gameplay ads actually teach players how to steer — a sign of design flaws.Market Context: Falls under “Arcade Driving” genre, sitting alongside Hill Climb Racing & Traffic Rider. Current run rate ~$10M annually, but easily cloneable. Vietnam devs likely to copy/expand with IAP depth.Future Potential: If Voodoo adds events/meta (e.g. Legend of Slime style), this could evolve from hypercasual into hybrid-casual. But for now, it's a hypercasual money-printing surprise hit.Takeaway: Epic Plane Evolution proves hypercasual isn't dead — it just needs the right loop, frustration, and ads.Get our MERCH NOW: 25gamers.com/shop--------------------------------------PVX Partners offers non-dilutive funding for game developers.Go to: https://pvxpartners.com/They can help you access the most effective form of growth capital once you have the metrics to back it.- Scale fast- Keep your shares- Drawdown only as needed- Have PvX take downside risk alongside you+ Work with a team entirely made up of ex-gaming operators and investors---------------------------------------For an ever-growing number of game developers, this means that now is the perfect time to invest in monetizing direct-to-consumer at scale.Our sponsor FastSpring:Has delivered D2C at scale for over 20 yearsThey power top mobile publishers around the worldLaunch a new webstore, replace an existing D2C vendor, or add a redundant D2C vendor at fastspring.gg.---------------------------------------This is no BS gaming podcast 2.5 gamers session. Sharing actionable insights, dropping knowledge from our day-to-day User Acquisition, Game Design, and Ad monetization jobs. We are definitely not discussing the latest industry news, but having so much fun! Let's not forget this is a 4 a.m. conference discussion vibe, so let's not take it too seriously.Panelists: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Jakub Remia⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠r,⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Felix Braberg, Matej Lancaric⁠Podcast: Join our slack channel here: https://join.slack.com/t/two-and-half-gamers/shared_invite/zt-2um8eguhf-c~H9idcxM271mnPzdWbipgChapters00:00 Introduction to Epic Plane Evolution04:08 Gameplay Mechanics and Challenges11:39 Monetization Strategies and Ad Revenue14:10 Unexpected Success and Future Improvements18:15 The Decline of Banner Ads21:13 Analyzing Competitor Strategies24:14 User Acquisition and Monetization Trends28:24 Creative Strategies in Mobile Gaming32:16 Future of Mobile Gaming and Audience Engagement---------------------------------------Matej LancaricUser Acquisition & Creatives Consultant⁠https://lancaric.meFelix BrabergAd monetization consultant⁠https://www.felixbraberg.comJakub RemiarGame design consultant⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/jakubremiar---------------------------------------Please share the podcast with your industry friends, dogs & cats. Especially cats! They love it!Hit the Subscribe button on YouTube, Spotify, and Apple!Please share feedback and comments - matej@lancaric.me

This week's episode features Helldivers 2, 1989 After the War, CORE.SYS, Death Kid, and Prison Alone. Anyway and as always, thank you for watching or listening, I hope you enjoy this here episode, and I hope you have a wonderful wonderful rest of your day. (And if you haven't already, or are a listener and not a watcher, please like, subscribe, hit the bell, and all that jazz; it may not seem like much, but it goes a long way in helping support the show and site in general. I would appreciate it greatly.)

With AI taking over the tech industry, its role in game development is slowly shifting from novelty to potential necessity. Host Devin Becker sits down with Francois Courset, Senior Consultant at Naavik with experience around using AI in game development, to explore the current and near-future landscape of AI in game creation. The conversation covers everything from Francois' high-level perspective on AI's role in the industry to specific tools that are already proving useful, alongside those that show promise but still need refinement.The episode dives into where AI is making the biggest impact today, such as content generation and workflow automation, as well as less obvious areas that might benefit from AI with more maturity or experimentation. Francois also weighs in on whether studios should build internal AI expertise or lean on external support, and what developers should be doing now to prepare for what's coming. The episode wraps with a rapid-fire round on the worst, best, and most exciting AI use cases in games.Whether you're hands-on in production or thinking strategically about the future, this episode provides a grounded look at AI's growing role in game development.We'd like to thank Levellr — the Discord community intelligence platform — for making this episode possible. Learn more about unlocking real-time community insights at levellr.com.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=naavikIf 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 one's for the shooter heads. Host Phil Black (ex-DICE) is joined by Chris Sides (ex-Bungie) and longtime strategist Chris Anjos (ex-Activision) to dig into the decade-long arms race between Battlefield and Call of Duty. The muzzles are off.Chapters:02:01 Meet the Experts03:54 Historical Context: Battlefield and Call of Duty Sales13:04 Battlefield's Comeback: Beta Impressions16:06 Gameplay Mechanics: Evolution and Innovations32:21 Progression Systems: Challenges and Solutions43:31 Core Gameplay and Player Feedback44:55 Product Management in Gaming52:25 UGC and Portal in Battlefield01:02:04 Mobile Gaming and Its Impact01:08:09 The Future of FPS Games01:16:41 Final Thoughts and Recommendations

This week's episode features Viewfinder, Dorfromantik, Zooparasite, Faye Falling, and GOST of Time. Anyway and as always, thank you for watching or listening, I hope you enjoy this here episode, and I hope you have a wonderful wonderful rest of your day. (And if you haven't already, or are a listener and not a watcher, please like, subscribe, hit the bell, and all that jazz; it may not seem like much, but it goes a long way in helping support the show and site in general. I would appreciate it greatly.)

This week's episode features Destiny 2: The Edge of Fate, Hyperspaced, Cook Serve Forever, Morgan: Metal Detective, Pinball FX - Williams Pinball Volume 9, and Pokettohiro. Anyway and as always, thank you for watching or listening, I hope you enjoy this here episode, and I hope you have a wonderful wonderful rest of your day. (And if you haven't already, or are a listener and not a watcher, please like, subscribe, hit the bell, and all that jazz; it may not seem like much, but it goes a long way in helping support the show and site in general. I would appreciate it greatly.)

The video game labor market is in crisis, and few understand it better than Amir Satvat. In this episode, host Alexandra Takei, Director at Ruckus Games, sits down with Amir, Tencent BD Director and founder of the world's largest grassroots games career community, to break down the structural shifts reshaping the industry. From layoffs and shrinking remote roles to the rise of low-cost development geographies, the duo discusses a data-backed look into the forces pressuring both employers and workers. The two explore how job supply is increasingly mismatched with demand, particularly at the junior and late-career ends, and how industry preferences are shifting toward mid-career veterans. They discuss Amir's job board (which tracks 3,000+ studios), his army of 2,500 volunteer coaches, and what it takes to future-proof a career in games today. Amir shares why he runs his community for free, why branding and portfolio-building matter more than ever, and why companies must invest in early-career talent if they want a future workforce. With over 130,000 LinkedIn followers and partnerships with GDC, Gamescom, and Overwolf, Amir isn't just observing the market — he's actively reshaping how people find work within it. This episode is essential listening for anyone navigating the uncertainty of employment in the games industry today. We'd like to thank Lysto — the AI-native playtesting platform helping game studios capture unbiased player feedback and convert it into structured, actionable insights. Learn more about how you can get bias-free feedback at https://lysto.gg/?utm_source=naavik&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=adWe'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. Watch the episode: YouTube ChannelFor more episodes and details: Podcast WebsiteFree newsletter: Naavik DigestFollow us: Twitter | LinkedIn | WebsiteSound design by Gavin Mc Cabe.

This week's episode features Date Everything!, There's a Gun in the Office, Kulebra and the Souls of Limbo, Zombie Cure Lab, Alien Breakout, Maiden Cops, and TERASLIDE. Anyway and as always, thank you for watching or listening, I hope you enjoy this here episode, and I hope you have a wonderful wonderful rest of your day. (And if you haven't already, or are a listener and not a watcher, please like, subscribe, hit the bell, and all that jazz; it may not seem like much, but it goes a long way in helping support the show and site in general. I would appreciate it greatly.)

In this episode, host Aaron Bush sits down with Monica Dinsmore, Head of Esports at EA, to unpack her journey from finance and ops to leading esports strategy at one of the world's biggest game publishers. Monica shares behind-the-scenes stories from launching the LEC at Riot Games, navigating the operational chaos of COVID-19, and transitioning to EA to help build and scale their esports vision. The conversation dives deep into how esports strategies differ between EA's franchises (Apex Legends, EA FC, Madden, and more), lessons learned in managing grassroots efforts and keeping competition fresh, and how Monica works cross-functionally with diverse EA leaders and teams. We explore EA's broader esports goals, what might be next, and how the industry can make the most of the emerging “esports spring.”We'd like to thank Levellr — the Discord community intelligence platform — for making this episode possible. Learn more about unlocking real-time community insights at levellr.com.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.Who's On:Guest - Monica Dinsmore: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mldinsmore/ Host - Aaron Bush: https://www.linkedin.com/in/aaron-bush-846b8185/ Watch the episode: YouTube ChannelFor more episodes and details: Podcast WebsiteFree newsletter: Naavik DigestFollow us: Twitter | LinkedIn | WebsiteSound design by Gavin Mc Cabe.

IT'S FINALLY HERE!!! The sisters have been looking forward to Date Everything! for SO long, and it does not disappoint! Join us for a first look at this utterly unique sandbox dating sim that features all (YES we said ALL) your favorite voice actors. Expect us to dive into the punny names, chaotic interactions, and a how much we love the representation in this game.Games discussed: Date Everything, 9 R.I.P., Uma MusumeNone of the games or characters discussed belong to us.Support the show

This week's episode features WUCHANG: Fallen Feathers, Dungeons & Dragons Neverwinter Nights 2: Enhanced Edition, Cattle Country, Forgotten Fields, Afterlove EP, Secret Paws - Cozy Offices, Karma City Police, Demolish & Build 3 - Broken, and Giant Machines 2017. Anyway and as always, thank you for watching or listening, I hope you enjoy this here episode, and I hope you have a wonderful wonderful rest of your day. (And if you haven't already, or are a listener and not a watcher, please like, subscribe, hit the bell, and all that jazz; it may not seem like much, but it goes a long way in helping support the show and site in general. I would appreciate it greatly.)

Former Nexon CEO Owen Mahoney joins Aaron Bush for a candid, wide-ranging conversation about the current and future state of the games industry. While Owen had a successful decade-long run leading one of Asia's most important gaming companies, this episode explores what he's been thinking about since stepping down – namely through his sharp (and sometimes spicy) essays critiquing industry norms and offering a vision for what comes next. We discuss the realities of managing $100M+ budget decisions, the troubling positions of many Western publishers, the benefits of simplifying publisher strategies, and Owen's bullishness on AI. Notably, despite slow industry growth at present, Owen explains why he thinks our industry could triple in size from here. Whether you're an executive, founder, or just fascinated by how games are built and funded, this episode is packed with battle-tested insights and bold predictions. We'd like to thank Lightspeed Venture Partners for making this episode possible! With its dedicated gaming & interactive media practice, the firm invests from an over $6.5 billion pool of early and growth-stage capital. If you're interested in learning more, go to https://gaming.lsvp.com/.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 - Owen Mahoney: https://www.linkedin.com/in/owen-mahoney-11515/ Host - Aaron Bush: https://www.linkedin.com/in/aaron-bush-846b8185/ Watch the episode: YouTube ChannelFor more episodes and details: Podcast WebsiteFree newsletter: Naavik DigestFollow us: Twitter | LinkedIn | WebsiteSound design by Gavin Mc Cabe.

This week's episode features My Friendly Neighborhood, Bridge Constructor Studio, Music Drive: Chase the Beat, Worms Armageddon: Anniversary Edition, Citizen Sleeper 2: Starward Vector, and Neon Noodles. Anyway and as always, thank you for watching or listening, I hope you enjoy this here episode, and I hope you have a wonderful wonderful rest of your day. (And if you haven't already, or are a listener and not a watcher, please like, subscribe, hit the bell, and all that jazz; it may not seem like much, but it goes a long way in helping support the show and site in general. I would appreciate it greatly.)

This week's episode features Ready or Not, Everdeep Aurora, Somber Echoes, Lonely Mountains: Snow Riders, Bambas!, Griffin, Tiny Pixels Vol. 2 - Stormy Knights, All The Words She Wrote, and Kaiju Big Battel: Fighto Fantasy. Anyway and as always, thank you for watching or listening, I hope you enjoy this here episode, and I hope you have a wonderful wonderful rest of your day. (And if you haven't already, or are a listener and not a watcher, please like, subscribe, hit the bell, and all that jazz; it may not seem like much, but it goes a long way in helping support the show and site in general. I would appreciate it greatly.)

In this episode, host David Taylor sits down with The Gang. Originally a team of five entrepreneurs, The Gang was one of the first venture-backed studios to go all-in on Roblox back in 2020. They quickly made their mark with Strongman Simulator, which shot to the top of the Roblox charts and has racked up over 1.5 billion plays.While they started with hit original titles, The Gang soon shifted to building branded experiences for some of the world's biggest entertainment and lifestyle brands — Netflix, Vans, Shrek, Spotify, the NHL, and more. Most recently, they've been expanding beyond Roblox by licensing one of the platform's top IPs, Blade Ball, for a Steam release. The team is also developing an original cross-platform game, Out of Sight. In this conversation, we dive into the team's entrepreneurial journey, what it was like being early builders on Roblox, how the platform has evolved, and what's next as they explore new platforms and formats.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 Lysto — the AI-native playtesting platform helping game studios capture unbiased player feedback and convert it into structured, actionable insights. Learn more about how you can get bias-free feedback at https://lysto.gg/?utm_source=naavik&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=adIf 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 week's episode starts with the death of Nintendo Switch Game Vouchers before getting to what I've been playing with ISLANDERS: New Shores, Klaus Lee - Thunderballs, Exo-Calibre, Chronicles of the Wolf, Dead of Darkness, Dungeons of Paint, Zombies Overloaded, and Dustwind: Resistance. Anyway and as always, thank you for watching or listening, I hope you enjoy this here episode, and I hope you have a wonderful wonderful rest of your day. (And if you haven't already, or are a listener and not a watcher, please like, subscribe, hit the bell, and all that jazz; it may not seem like much, but it goes a long way in helping support the show and site in general. I would appreciate it greatly.)

I wish it wasn't the case, but with the news of layoffs at Microsoft (including layoffs and cancellations at Xbox), I couldn't not talk about it, so I start the show on that downer before getting to what I've been playing with Rooftops & Alleys: The Parkour Game, Warhammer 40,000: Darktide - Arbites Class, How 2 Escape: Lost Submarine, Pinball FX - Tomb Raider Pinball, Maximum Football, Without a Voice, Blankspace, and Clash: Robot Detective. Anyway and as always, thank you for watching or listening, I hope you enjoy this here episode, and I hope you have a wonderful wonderful rest of your day. (And if you haven't already, or are a listener and not a watcher, please like, subscribe, hit the bell, and all that jazz; it may not seem like much, but it goes a long way in helping support the show and site in general. I would appreciate it greatly.)

There isn't much news this week, so, after mentioning a little mishap that forced a rerecording of this episode, I get right to what I've been playing with Star Overdrive, Ruffy and the Riverside, Vessels of Decay, Revenge of the Savage Planet, TETRA's Escape 2, Prehistoric Gal, Neon Apex: Beyond the Limit, and Missing Banban. Anyway and as always, thank you for watching or listening, I hope you enjoy this here episode, and I hope you have a wonderful wonderful rest of your day. (And if you haven't already, or are a listener and not a watcher, please like, subscribe, hit the bell, and all that jazz; it may not seem like much, but it goes a long way in helping support the show and site in general. I would appreciate it greatly.)

This week's episode starts off with a bit of news--including the delay of Marathon and third-party games not selling well on Switch 2--before getting to what I've been playing with REMATCH, The Alters, The Precinct, Preserve, and Garten of Banban 0. Anyway and as always, thank you for watching or listening, I hope you enjoy this here episode, and I hope you have a wonderful wonderful rest of your day. (And if you haven't already, or are a listener and not a watcher, please like, subscribe, hit the bell, and all that jazz; it may not seem like much, but it goes a long way in helping support the show and site in general. I would appreciate it greatly.)

Mikah Sargent and Rosemary Orchard go over Apple's 2025 Design Award winners, exploring groundbreaking apps that showcase the best of Apple's platforms. From AI-powered language learning tools to visually stunning adventure games, these winners represent the pinnacle of mobile innovation and design excellence.Delight and Fun Category CapWords - Revolutionary language learning app that transforms everyday objects into interactive stickers, supporting nine languages with AI-powered photo recognition Balatro - Award-winning poker-inspired deck builder that cleverly teaches poker fundamentals while delivering addictive gameplay across multiple platforms Innovation Category Play - Developer-focused app enabling interactive SwiftUI prototype creation with seamless cross-device syncing between iPhone and Mac PBJ, the Musical - Quirky Shakespeare adaptation telling Romeo and Juliet with condiments as characters, featuring original soundtracks and creative storytelling Interaction Category Taobao - Pioneering Apple Vision Pro shopping experience with photorealistic 3D models allowing users to visualize furniture and products in their actual spaces DREDGE - Atmospheric horror fishing adventure with seamless gameplay continuity across iPhone, iPad, and Mac platforms Inclusivity Category Speechify - Accessibility-focused text-to-speech app supporting 50+ languages and hundreds of voices, designed for users with dyslexia, ADHD, and low vision Art of Fauna - Beautiful wildlife puzzle game featuring vintage-style artwork with full voiceover support and innovative block-based puzzle mechanics Social Impact Category Watch Duty - Critical wildfire tracking app providing real-time evacuation updates and emergency information faster than traditional services Neva - Emotionally resonant adventure game exploring environmental themes through the relationship between a girl and her wolf companion Visuals and Graphics Category Feather - Intuitive iPad app enabling users to transform 2D designs into stunning 3D models using touch and Apple Pencil interactions Infinity Nikki - Visually spectacular open-world adventure game featuring magical outfits, whimsical creatures, and breathtaking rendering quality Shortcuts Corner New "Use Model" action in Shortcuts enables cloud, local, or ChatGPT model integration for AI-powered automation Apple's Shortcuts Gallery now features dedicated Apple Intelligence examples including leftover recipe generation and PDF summarization App Caps Mikah's Pick: Gigapixel AI-powered photo upscaling app that enhances image resolution and quality using sophisticated machine learning models Features standard and low-res enhancement modes plus specialized face recovery for portrait photographs Particularly useful for printing older photos or enlarging images without quality loss Rosemary's Pick: Dark Noise Premium white noise app enabling custom sound mixing with extensive library of ambient sounds Supports audio layering with other apps, iCloud sync across devices, and Siri Shortcuts integration Includes whimsical features like "unnamed goose mode" and developer-friendly privacy controls These show notes have been truncated due to length. For the full show notes, visit https://twit.tv/shows/ios-today/episodes/757 Hosts: Mikah Sargent and Rosemary Orchard

Mikah Sargent and Rosemary Orchard go over Apple's 2025 Design Award winners, exploring groundbreaking apps that showcase the best of Apple's platforms. From AI-powered language learning tools to visually stunning adventure games, these winners represent the pinnacle of mobile innovation and design excellence.Delight and Fun Category CapWords - Revolutionary language learning app that transforms everyday objects into interactive stickers, supporting nine languages with AI-powered photo recognition Balatro - Award-winning poker-inspired deck builder that cleverly teaches poker fundamentals while delivering addictive gameplay across multiple platforms Innovation Category Play - Developer-focused app enabling interactive SwiftUI prototype creation with seamless cross-device syncing between iPhone and Mac PBJ, the Musical - Quirky Shakespeare adaptation telling Romeo and Juliet with condiments as characters, featuring original soundtracks and creative storytelling Interaction Category Taobao - Pioneering Apple Vision Pro shopping experience with photorealistic 3D models allowing users to visualize furniture and products in their actual spaces DREDGE - Atmospheric horror fishing adventure with seamless gameplay continuity across iPhone, iPad, and Mac platforms Inclusivity Category Speechify - Accessibility-focused text-to-speech app supporting 50+ languages and hundreds of voices, designed for users with dyslexia, ADHD, and low vision Art of Fauna - Beautiful wildlife puzzle game featuring vintage-style artwork with full voiceover support and innovative block-based puzzle mechanics Social Impact Category Watch Duty - Critical wildfire tracking app providing real-time evacuation updates and emergency information faster than traditional services Neva - Emotionally resonant adventure game exploring environmental themes through the relationship between a girl and her wolf companion Visuals and Graphics Category Feather - Intuitive iPad app enabling users to transform 2D designs into stunning 3D models using touch and Apple Pencil interactions Infinity Nikki - Visually spectacular open-world adventure game featuring magical outfits, whimsical creatures, and breathtaking rendering quality Shortcuts Corner New "Use Model" action in Shortcuts enables cloud, local, or ChatGPT model integration for AI-powered automation Apple's Shortcuts Gallery now features dedicated Apple Intelligence examples including leftover recipe generation and PDF summarization App Caps Mikah's Pick: Gigapixel AI-powered photo upscaling app that enhances image resolution and quality using sophisticated machine learning models Features standard and low-res enhancement modes plus specialized face recovery for portrait photographs Particularly useful for printing older photos or enlarging images without quality loss Rosemary's Pick: Dark Noise Premium white noise app enabling custom sound mixing with extensive library of ambient sounds Supports audio layering with other apps, iCloud sync across devices, and Siri Shortcuts integration Includes whimsical features like "unnamed goose mode" and developer-friendly privacy controls These show notes have been truncated due to length. For the full show notes, visit https://twit.tv/shows/ios-today/episodes/757 Hosts: Mikah Sargent and Rosemary Orchard

Mikah Sargent and Rosemary Orchard go over Apple's 2025 Design Award winners, exploring groundbreaking apps that showcase the best of Apple's platforms. From AI-powered language learning tools to visually stunning adventure games, these winners represent the pinnacle of mobile innovation and design excellence.Delight and Fun Category CapWords - Revolutionary language learning app that transforms everyday objects into interactive stickers, supporting nine languages with AI-powered photo recognition Balatro - Award-winning poker-inspired deck builder that cleverly teaches poker fundamentals while delivering addictive gameplay across multiple platforms Innovation Category Play - Developer-focused app enabling interactive SwiftUI prototype creation with seamless cross-device syncing between iPhone and Mac PBJ, the Musical - Quirky Shakespeare adaptation telling Romeo and Juliet with condiments as characters, featuring original soundtracks and creative storytelling Interaction Category Taobao - Pioneering Apple Vision Pro shopping experience with photorealistic 3D models allowing users to visualize furniture and products in their actual spaces DREDGE - Atmospheric horror fishing adventure with seamless gameplay continuity across iPhone, iPad, and Mac platforms Inclusivity Category Speechify - Accessibility-focused text-to-speech app supporting 50+ languages and hundreds of voices, designed for users with dyslexia, ADHD, and low vision Art of Fauna - Beautiful wildlife puzzle game featuring vintage-style artwork with full voiceover support and innovative block-based puzzle mechanics Social Impact Category Watch Duty - Critical wildfire tracking app providing real-time evacuation updates and emergency information faster than traditional services Neva - Emotionally resonant adventure game exploring environmental themes through the relationship between a girl and her wolf companion Visuals and Graphics Category Feather - Intuitive iPad app enabling users to transform 2D designs into stunning 3D models using touch and Apple Pencil interactions Infinity Nikki - Visually spectacular open-world adventure game featuring magical outfits, whimsical creatures, and breathtaking rendering quality Shortcuts Corner New "Use Model" action in Shortcuts enables cloud, local, or ChatGPT model integration for AI-powered automation Apple's Shortcuts Gallery now features dedicated Apple Intelligence examples including leftover recipe generation and PDF summarization App Caps Mikah's Pick: Gigapixel AI-powered photo upscaling app that enhances image resolution and quality using sophisticated machine learning models Features standard and low-res enhancement modes plus specialized face recovery for portrait photographs Particularly useful for printing older photos or enlarging images without quality loss Rosemary's Pick: Dark Noise Premium white noise app enabling custom sound mixing with extensive library of ambient sounds Supports audio layering with other apps, iCloud sync across devices, and Siri Shortcuts integration Includes whimsical features like "unnamed goose mode" and developer-friendly privacy controls These show notes have been truncated due to length. For the full show notes, visit https://twit.tv/shows/ios-today/episodes/757 Hosts: Mikah Sargent and Rosemary Orchard

Mikah Sargent and Rosemary Orchard go over Apple's 2025 Design Award winners, exploring groundbreaking apps that showcase the best of Apple's platforms. From AI-powered language learning tools to visually stunning adventure games, these winners represent the pinnacle of mobile innovation and design excellence.Delight and Fun Category CapWords - Revolutionary language learning app that transforms everyday objects into interactive stickers, supporting nine languages with AI-powered photo recognition Balatro - Award-winning poker-inspired deck builder that cleverly teaches poker fundamentals while delivering addictive gameplay across multiple platforms Innovation Category Play - Developer-focused app enabling interactive SwiftUI prototype creation with seamless cross-device syncing between iPhone and Mac PBJ, the Musical - Quirky Shakespeare adaptation telling Romeo and Juliet with condiments as characters, featuring original soundtracks and creative storytelling Interaction Category Taobao - Pioneering Apple Vision Pro shopping experience with photorealistic 3D models allowing users to visualize furniture and products in their actual spaces DREDGE - Atmospheric horror fishing adventure with seamless gameplay continuity across iPhone, iPad, and Mac platforms Inclusivity Category Speechify - Accessibility-focused text-to-speech app supporting 50+ languages and hundreds of voices, designed for users with dyslexia, ADHD, and low vision Art of Fauna - Beautiful wildlife puzzle game featuring vintage-style artwork with full voiceover support and innovative block-based puzzle mechanics Social Impact Category Watch Duty - Critical wildfire tracking app providing real-time evacuation updates and emergency information faster than traditional services Neva - Emotionally resonant adventure game exploring environmental themes through the relationship between a girl and her wolf companion Visuals and Graphics Category Feather - Intuitive iPad app enabling users to transform 2D designs into stunning 3D models using touch and Apple Pencil interactions Infinity Nikki - Visually spectacular open-world adventure game featuring magical outfits, whimsical creatures, and breathtaking rendering quality Shortcuts Corner New "Use Model" action in Shortcuts enables cloud, local, or ChatGPT model integration for AI-powered automation Apple's Shortcuts Gallery now features dedicated Apple Intelligence examples including leftover recipe generation and PDF summarization App Caps Mikah's Pick: Gigapixel AI-powered photo upscaling app that enhances image resolution and quality using sophisticated machine learning models Features standard and low-res enhancement modes plus specialized face recovery for portrait photographs Particularly useful for printing older photos or enlarging images without quality loss Rosemary's Pick: Dark Noise Premium white noise app enabling custom sound mixing with extensive library of ambient sounds Supports audio layering with other apps, iCloud sync across devices, and Siri Shortcuts integration Includes whimsical features like "unnamed goose mode" and developer-friendly privacy controls These show notes have been truncated due to length. For the full show notes, visit https://twit.tv/shows/ios-today/episodes/757 Hosts: Mikah Sargent and Rosemary Orchard