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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
(The SPOOKY BOIZ) - Austin, Justin, and special guest Joshua W are discussing Horror genre favorites, reviewing some recent tv and movies, and more!Don't forget to follow us on socials; you can find us everywhere via our link - https://lnk.bio/rXxW - Also, www.movigapodcast.comTime codes:1:00 - Top 329:00 - Main Discussion1:27:00 - Wrap-up
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.
Stephen, Asia, and Brian are discussing Peacemaker (with Spoilers), Tron 3, BF6 and More!Don't forget to follow us on socials; you can find us everywhere via our link - https://lnk.bio/rXxW - Also, www.movigapodcast.comTime codes:1:00 - Top 336:00 - Peacemaker53:00 - PEACEMAKER *SPOILERS*1:15:00 - Tron 3 and BF6 Discussion1:50:00 Wrap-up
Josh finally finished Clair Obscur, so we had to talk about it.In lieu of ratings and reviews we say … FUCK THE ALGORITHM, TELL A FRIEND!We have a new website! Come check it out! https://www.smashinggametime.com/Thank you to Alex Marvin Clark for our opening theme Hunt Him Down. https://soundcloud.com/lizardbeach?ut...
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.
Stephen, Austin, and Brian are discussing Ghost of Yotei. Don't forget to follow us on socials; you can find us everywhere via our link - https://lnk.bio/rXxW - Also, www.movigapodcast.comTime codes:1:00 - Top 340:00 - Main Discussion 1:33:00 - Wrap-Up
Nick and Josh are back to finish the Robocop bookclub. Josh has also finished act 2 of Clair Obscur (Spoiler Warning). The bros also share a touching memory about their friend, Ricardo.In lieu of ratings and reviews we say … FUCK THE ALGORITHM, TELL A FRIEND!We have a new website! Come check it out! https://www.smashinggametime.com/Thank you to Alex Marvin Clark for our opening theme Hunt Him Down. https://soundcloud.com/lizardbeach?ut...
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.
The entire Crew is back for our Youtube debut. Catch up with what we've been up to for the last month, and witness a fun playthrough with the new Dungeon Box RPG.Don't forget to follow us on socials; you can find us everywhere via our link - https://lnk.bio/rXxW - Also, www.movigapodcast.comTime codes:1:00 - Top 31:18:00 - Main Discussion 1:49:00 - Wrap-Up
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.
Just when you think it may be a great week to celebrate games, here comes a huge gaming business deal that has the potential to change the fortunes of a major gaming publisher. Announced on Monday, EA was taken private for $55 billion by the Saudi Arabia Private Investment Fund and two other private investment firms. Sean and Marc discuss what this could mean for EA, its employees, and could some of EA's big franchises could go down in the wake of this. There was a major gaming convention this weekend in the Tokyo Game Show, which featured a State of Play from PlayStation, a TGS Showcase from Xbox, Annapurna Interactive having a mini showcase, a PC Gaming showcase, and much more. The duo discusses their favorite announcements from some of the shows. Plus, Sean and Marc have both been playing Hades 2, Marc's been playing Silent Hill F, the Xbox ROG Ally & Xbox ROG Ally X have official prices and already sold out in many places, Doug Bowser is retiring at Nintendo, and another developer talks Game Key Cards, and more on this edition of Video Games 2 the MAX. You can also watch this episode in video form on the W2M Network Youtube Channel, please give us a like, comment on the episode, and give the channel a subscribe and follow as well: https://youtube.com/live/cAgrrUqdBdw
Episode 83: Intel and Nvidia have formed a partnership, but because APUs are not that relevant to desktop PC gamers, we discuss whether this deal will actually impact gaming significantly. Also, we put Intel's Arc GPUs into our GPU rankings, and chat about some newsCHAPTERS00:00 - Intro00:33 - Intel and Nvidia APU team up, but gamers don't use APUs37:00 - We add Intel Arc GPUs to the rankings45:38 - Ryzen 7 9800X3D drops in price49:52 - RX 9070 BIOS mod52:01 - Updates from our boring livesSUBSCRIBE TO THE PODCASTAudio: https://shows.acast.com/the-hardware-unboxed-podcastVideo: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCqT8Vb3jweH6_tj2SarErfwSUPPORT US DIRECTLYPatreon: https://www.patreon.com/hardwareunboxedLINKSYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Hardwareunboxed/Twitter: https://twitter.com/HardwareUnboxedBluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/hardwareunboxed.bsky.social Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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.
Josh has finally reached the end of act 1 in Clair Obscur and he is in pain. SPOILERS ahead. Nick has a PS5 now and he's got some thoughts on Astro's Playroom. Robocop: Rogue City Book Club continues with gentrification, , police pensions, and an obnoxious boss fight.In lieu of ratings and reviews we say … FUCK THE ALGORITHM, TELL A FRIEND!We have a new website! Come check it out! https://www.smashinggametime.com/Thank you to Alex Marvin Clark for our opening theme Hunt Him Down. https://soundcloud.com/lizardbeach?ut...
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.
Nick is addicted to Ball X Pit, a concoction from the sick mind behind Mr. Sun's Hatbox. Josh has restarted Expedition 33 and still has no idea about the end of act 1 (the poor child). The bros then get into the second week of Robocop: Rogue City book club, where they explore the tech takeover of the police force and the unpredictability from the machines, that are supposed to be a source of predictability. In lieu of ratings and reviews we say … FUCK THE ALGORITHM, TELL A FRIEND!We have a new website! Come check it out! https://www.smashinggametime.com/Thank you to Alex Marvin Clark for our opening theme Hunt Him Down. https://soundcloud.com/lizardbeach?ut...
Nick gives his latest thoughts on Hauntii. Josh shares his latest physical media haul. The bros then finish up with the first week of Robocop: Rogue City Book club and wouldn't you know it; Josh has already 100 precented the game…In lieu of ratings and reviews we say … FUCK THE ALGORITHM, TELL A FRIEND!We have a new website! Come check it out! https://www.smashinggametime.com/Thank you to Alex Marvin Clark for our opening theme Hunt Him Down. https://soundcloud.com/lizardbeach?ut...
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
We had to record this one a bit early due to everyone's crazy schedules right now, but the 2025 Season 4 preview show is right here! Learn more about the new content and features coming in the September build, plus we've got a fun collection of stories on what we've all been up to since the last show. All the fun we've been up to recently is right here!Greg Hill's August dev blog: https://www.iracing.com/iracing-development-update-august-2025/INDYCAR x iRacing Studios 2026: https://iracingstudios.com/iracing-studios-to-produce-standalone-indycar-video-game-in-2026/iRacing Arcade: https://iracingarcade.com/See the NASCAR 25 cover reveal: https://nascar25.com/cover-reveal/
In this episode of JK! Games!, we're wrapping up our playthrough of Tiny Bookshop with our official Video Game Book Club review.Jerica and Kayla break down the story, characters, shopkeeping systems, cozy atmosphere, and whether this indie delivers as a must-play for management game fans. We share our final verdicts, listener responses, and reveal our next Book Club pick.JK! Games! is a gaming podcast where we bring you the news and reviews we care about — and with our Video Game Book Club (VGBC), we dive deep into one game at a time. Whether you're chasing every side quest or just here for the vibes, you belong in the conversation.Timecodes:00:00:00 – Start00:10:58 – Listener Question of the Week (Favorite Cozy/Management Game)00:22:00 – Jerica on Silksong00:33:30 – Normal Mode: Setting the Stage for Tiny Bookshop Review00:44:20 – Expert Mode: Tiny Bookshop ReviewListener Question of the Week:What cozy or management game has been your favorite and why?Next Game:Our next Video Game Book Club pick is Titanfall 2 — join us in Discord to play along!Follow and play with us! @JKGamesPodcast Discord Twitch Youtube Insta Bsky
Although there's not much lore in this AU, there are a ton of champions. Well, there are a ton of heroes but not as many Muzak lovers, and we all agree that needs to change. There's much, dare we say, potential here? More skins, comics, a small game? Could be funnnn... -------- bit.ly/loreheadmerch https://league-of-loreheads.simplecast.com Twitter! https://twitter.com/loreheads Twitch! twitch.tv/loreheads Patreon! https://www.patreon.com/leagueofloreheads Join our Discord! https://t.co/o21E0W4C8z Song Title: Dragon Trainer TristanaArtist: League of LegendsCourtesy of Riot Games https://na.leagueoflegends.com/en-us/news/community/riot-music-creator-safe-guidelines/Image by Yuri_B from Pixabay - book with sparkles
Austin, Stephen, and Brian are discussing Gamepass recent revenue report, Spiderman: BND news, and more!Don't forget to follow us on socials; you can find us everywhere via our link - https://lnk.bio/rXxW - Also, www.movigapodcast.comTime codes:1:00 - Top 349:00 - Main Discussion 1:29:00 - Wrap-Up
Josh shares his thoughts from the second weekend of the Battlefield 6 Open Beta. Nick feels like all the wheels aren't spinning in Wheel World. The bros look at some new game announcements from the opening night of Gamescom. Finally the bros reveal the Book Club Game of September, which YOU VOTED ON. In lieu of ratings and reviews we say … FUCK THE ALGORITHM, TELL A FRIEND!We have a new website! Come check it out! https://www.smashinggametime.com/Thank you to Alex Marvin Clark for our opening theme Hunt Him Down. https://soundcloud.com/lizardbeach?ut...
Josh shares his early thoughts from the first weekend of the Battlefield 6 Open Beta. Nick is liking the new season of Fortnite, even if it is just a bit too much like Helldivers 2. Finally the bros pick out their contenders for Book Club Game of September, which you can vote on here: https://bsky.app/profile/smashinggametime.bsky.social/post/3lwax6dguoc23In lieu of ratings and reviews we say … FUCK THE ALGORITHM, TELL A FRIEND!We have a new website! Come check it out! https://www.smashinggametime.com/Thank you to Alex Marvin Clark for our opening theme Hunt Him Down. https://soundcloud.com/lizardbeach?ut...
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.
You know what my favorite thing about Shurima is? I don't know. But it's not Azir. And thankfully, we didn't have to talk about him much in this episode! Truly, even the Wiki wasn't interested in that guy. Shurima is the largest region in Runeterra, so naturally, we rambled on for 90 minutes. It has a ton of history and champions not only from Shurima, but many who have connections there. Including the Black Rose. So maybe we'll get some new lore soon? -------- WE HAVE MERCH!bit.ly/loreheadmerch Twitter! twitter.com/loreheads Discord! https://t.co/o21E0W4C8z?amp=1 Twitch! twitch.tv/loreheads Patreon! https://www.patreon.com/leagueofloreheads Song Title | Dragon Trainer TristanaArtist | League of LegendsCourtesy of Riot Games https://na.leagueoflegends.com/en-us/news/community/riot-music-creator-safe-guidelines/Image by Yuri_B from Pixabay - book with sparkles
Austin, Stephen, and Brian are discussing Gamepass recent revenue report, Spiderman: BND news, and more!Don't forget to follow us on socials; you can find us everywhere via our link - https://lnk.bio/rXxW - Also, www.movigapodcast.comTime codes:1:00 - Top 345:00 - Main Discussion 1:13:00 - Wrap-Up
Nick and Josh return after recovering from GOTYSO. Nick shares how annoying it is to talk about Clair Obscur on Reddit. Josh bought more physical games, and finally the bros catch up on all the news they missed. In lieu of ratings and reviews we say … FUCK THE ALGORITHM, TELL A FRIEND!We have a new website! Come check it out! https://www.smashinggametime.com/Thank you to Alex Marvin Clark for our opening theme Hunt Him Down. https://soundcloud.com/lizardbeach?ut...
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.
As we slowly sift our way through the stories in this novel, it's making me miss our regularly scheduled lore drops. Except these are all actually really good? Or maybe we're just suckers for scrappy Zaun folks. --- WE HAVE MERCH!bit.ly/loreheadmerch Twitter! twitter.com/loreheads Discord! https://t.co/o21E0W4C8z?amp=1 Twitch! twitch.tv/loreheads Patreon! https://www.patreon.com/leagueofloreheads Song Title | Dragon Trainer TristanaArtist | League of LegendsCourtesy of Riot Games https://na.leagueoflegends.com/en-us/news/community/riot-music-creator-safe-guidelines/Image by Yuri_B from Pixabay - book with sparkles
Austin, Stephen, and Brian are discussing some Literally Just Superman - Spoilers included!Don't forget to follow us on socials; you can find us everywhere via our link - https://lnk.bio/rXxW - Also, www.movigapodcast.comTime codes:1:00 - Top 332:00 - Main Discussion 1:14:00 - Wrap-Up
Nick is solo this week and ranking all 10 episodes of Rank and Morty season 8.In lieu of ratings and reviews we say … FUCK THE ALGORITHM, TELL A FRIEND!We have a new website! Come check it out! https://www.smashinggametime.com/Thank you to Alex Marvin Clark for our opening theme Hunt Him Down. https://soundcloud.com/lizardbeach?ut...
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.
We've gotten a lot of lore leading up to Yunara's official release, and now we're ready to talk about it in full. Although we're really enjoying the new lore delivery, for Yunara, we're a little confused on what's real and what's not. Do we know this mysterious person? Or this one? OR THIS ONE?! Everything is perhaps a little too mysterious. ----- WE HAVE MERCH!bit.ly/loreheadmerch Twitter! twitter.com/loreheads Discord! https://t.co/o21E0W4C8z?amp=1 Twitch! twitch.tv/loreheads Patreon! https://www.patreon.com/leagueofloreheads Song Title | Dragon Trainer TristanaArtist | League of LegendsCourtesy of Riot Games https://na.leagueoflegends.com/en-us/news/community/riot-music-creator-safe-guidelines/Image by Yuri_B from Pixabay - book with sparkles
Episode 78: Steve gives an update about B850 testing, Tim talks about a new phone that he's bought, and then we chat about whether we've been too negative about the current state of PC graphics cards.CHAPTERS00:00 - Intro00:50 - Steve's B850 Testing Struggles16:44 - Tim Bought a Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 727:41 - Are We Too Negative About PC GPUs?1:21:17 - Updates From Our Boring LivesSUBSCRIBE TO THE PODCASTAudio: https://shows.acast.com/the-hardware-unboxed-podcastVideo: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCqT8Vb3jweH6_tj2SarErfwSUPPORT US DIRECTLYPatreon: https://www.patreon.com/hardwareunboxedLINKSYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Hardwareunboxed/Twitter: https://twitter.com/HardwareUnboxedBluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/hardwareunboxed.bsky.social Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Austin, Stephen, and Brian are discussing some Literally Just Superman - Spoilers included!Don't forget to follow us on socials; you can find us everywhere via our link - https://lnk.bio/rXxW - Also, www.movigapodcast.comTime codes:1:00 - Top 322:00 - Main Discussion 41:37 - *SUPERMAN SPOILERS*1:47:00 - Wrap-Up
With the dust settling on GOTYSO, the bros sat down and tiered out some Sony IP.In lieu of ratings and reviews we say … FUCK THE ALGORITHM, TELL A FRIEND!We have a new website! Come check it out! https://www.smashinggametime.com/Thank you to Alex Marvin Clark for our opening theme Hunt Him Down. https://soundcloud.com/lizardbeach?ut...
Help us by sharing our podcast to your friends and also please review us on Apple Podcast.You can find our social media pages on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/JayNbaypodcast/
Michelle doesn't want to be here and John talks about his toes. Plus Becoming Saint, Lossless Scaling on Steam Deck, dripping beer with DeoxIT vs WD40 specialist Contact Cleaner, Ikea CPC stand, Steam Automation Fest, The Golden Age of PC Gaming, and more. Joing Discord to chat, support, and win games from CDK https://discord.gg/Ab6pxpT
With the dust settling on GOTYSO, the bros sat down and tiered out some Microsoft IP.In lieu of ratings and reviews we say … FUCK THE ALGORITHM, TELL A FRIEND!We have a new website! Come check it out! https://www.smashinggametime.com/Thank you to Alex Marvin Clark for our opening theme Hunt Him Down. https://soundcloud.com/lizardbeach?ut...
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.
Luke and Alex Talk Diablo IV.In this episode, Alex and Luke dive into Diablo IV, Blizzard Entertainment's long-awaited sequel to the legendary action RPG series. Released in June 2023, Diablo IV brings players back to the dark, demon-infested world of Sanctuary with a new open-world structure, seasonal play, and a whole lot of skeleton-clicking chaos.At the time of this recording, Diablo IV holds a Metacritic score of 86. According to HowLongToBeat, the main story clocks in around 26 hours—though depending on your build, your class, or how easily distracted you get by side dungeons, it can stretch much longer.Alex played on both PC and Steam Deck and completed the main questline. Luke stuck to PC and is still meandering through Sanctuary like a cursed tourist. Together, they talk about their first real dip into the Diablo franchise, how the seasonal structure actually works, and why the always-online thing feels just forgivable enough.This episode is unofficially brought to you in part by Disc Golf.Audio Credits: “Cathedral” by Leo Kaliski, from the Diablo IV Original Soundtrack — composed by Leo Kaliski, Ted Reedy, Ryan Amon, and Derek Duke — © Blizzard Entertainment. Includes a voice clip from Diablo I (“Fresh Meat”) — © Blizzard Entertainment. Original theme music owned by Low Five Gaming.Send us a Text Message! We'll respond on our next episode!Support the showVisit us at LowFiveGaming.com.Join the Low Five Discord!Email us at hello@lowfivegaming.com.Low Five Gaming is a Studio Low Five Production.
Austin and Brian are discussing some more Microsoft Layoffs, THPS3+4, and more! Don't forget to follow us on socials; you can find us everywhere via our link - https://lnk.bio/rXxW - Also, www.movigapodcast.comTime codes:1:00 - Top 337:00 - Main Discussion 1:20:00 - Community Discussion/Wrap-Up
Help us by sharing our podcast to your friends and also please review us on Apple Podcast.You can find our social media pages on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/JayNbaypodcast/
Paul gives us an update on Microsoft's exciting software developments that enhance your gaming ecosystem. Learn about the latest Edge Game Assist feature for the Game Bar in Windows 11, and how the Xbox app is becoming the central hub for your gaming needs. I'll also share tips on optimizing your setup with Xbox Accessories, ensuring your controllers and headsets are perfectly configured for peak performance. Host: Paul Thurrott Download or subscribe to Hands-On Windows at https://twit.tv/shows/hands-on-windows Want access to the ad-free video and exclusive features? Become a member of Club TWiT today! https://twit.tv/clubtwit Club TWiT members can discuss this episode and leave feedback in the Club TWiT Discord.
