Podcasts about pc gaming

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

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

The guys have been hard at work globetrotting heading into the latest iRacing Downshift. Find out what everybody's been up to before we take a deep dive into all the awesome new content and features coming in the 2026 Season 3 build, from the BMW M2 Racing that all members will receive automatically to the exciting new Qualcomm Circuit and even Dirt AI. Plus, we check in on our top esports series.

Tony is reunited with Friend of the Podcast, Twitch Streamer, and React Content YouTuber Nick Ruhle! The two go over all the big announcements from the PlayStation State of Play, Summer Game Fest, Day of the Devs, TwitchCon EU, and Minecraft Live amongst other things. They don't cover the Xbox showcase as that will be done next week. They Also recap all the rest of the Gaming News from the last 2 weeks, and upcoming game releases!Follow Tony: https://www.twitch.tv/tonysgameloungeYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TonysGameLounge--------------------------------------------------------Follow Nick: https://www.twitch.tv/nickruhleYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@nickruhle_--------------------------------------------------------This Weeks Episode was Edited by Mike: https://www.instagram.com/heyitsmikeye/Join the Official Tony's Game Lounge Discord: https://discord.gg/xXyvjaCsXp

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

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

The Doom soundtrack has been inducted into the Library of Congress's National Recording Registry! Stern Pinball has announced their new pinball machine based on the Transformers cartoon series, and why you don't need to spend thousands of dollars to play it. Sony has announced that they will no longer be porting their single-player games to PC, keeping them PS5 exclusive. Then we talk about more thoughts on Forza Horizon 6 as the seasonal objectives start coming in. Then we talk to Jamie from OLR about Momocon's vtuber meet and greet setup and the Transformers Pinball.

Austin and Stephen are talking new star wars and new 007!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 346:00 - Main Discussion1:24:30 - Top 102:23:00 - Outro and Special Bedtime Reading from Stephen

00:37 — ДНК Героев. 12:49 — Последствия торопливого пиратства. 22:21 — Повышение пенсионного возраста для ведьмаков. 32:16 — Call of Duty уже давно потерялась. 36:59 — Сохранять и преумножать. Stop Killing Games 39:51 — Оскорбительные логотипы. 42:32 — Fable ищет окно, чтобы выйти. 44:56 — Иван Сугроб деперсонифицируется. 47:47 — Император выглядит на все 40к. 49:17 — Quantic Dream закрыли Spellcasters Chronicles. 50:00 — Средства для ухода за кожей лица по методу Bloodborne. 53:25 — Ubisoft хотят вкласть в ИИ. 55:01 — 007 First Light стартовала с двух ног. 59:12 — Джедая ждут новые приключения. 01:00:25 — Рыцарь, мышь, лопата, пиксель. 01:02:35 — Mixtape. Плёнку зажевало. 01:23:23 — Саахан героически угорела. 01:34:46 — Beyond Good and Evil - хорошо состарившаяся свинья. 01:37:01 — Directive 8020 пускает пузыри в космической жиже. 01:44:01 — Пара мыслей о Phantom Liberty. 01:46:09 — Outer Worlds 2 стала неожиданным алмазом. 01:55:41 — Кинцо: возвращение Клиники и Человек Паук Нуар. 02:00:54 — Сцена после титров: тайные виды на гору Фудзи по-баварски.

In this episode, host Mekel Kasanova reviews the PlayStation State of Play for 2026, discussing the showcased games, the future of handheld gaming PCs, and the ongoing controversies surrounding character designs and gaming discourse. The conversation highlights the excitement for upcoming titles like Marvel's Wolverine and Tomb Raider, while also addressing the toxicity in gaming discussions and the challenges of navigating opinions in the current gaming landscape. In this conversation, Mekel Kasanova discusses the current state of gaming discourse, highlighting its toxicity and the challenges of expressing opinions in a polarized environment. He reflects on the evolution of gaming culture, the future of handheld gaming devices, and the Nintendo Switch 2's capabilities. Kasanova emphasizes the importance of stepping away from social media and embracing real-life experiences, advocating for a balanced perspective on gaming and life.#playstation #stateofplay #gaming

Josh is grinding through Final Fantasy Tactics. Nick is digging Mina the Hollower. The bros also continue the latest book club with Splinter Cell: Double Agent and discuss the game's themes of failure to pass the torch and the chaos that ensues. 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...

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

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

007 First Light ist da und betritt den Gaming-PC mit kontroverser und nicht problemfreier Technik. Was dahinter steckt und dass der Titel trotzdem etwas zu bieten hat, besprechen Fabian und Jan in dieser Episode im Detail. Ebenfalls ein Thema: Die Radeon RX 9070 GRE, die allem Anschein nach kurz vor der Veröffentlichung steht - 1:1 in der schon seit Ende 2025 in China verfügbaren 12-GB-Version. Na das kann ja was werden?! Über Nvidias ersten Treiber der 600er Generation ohne Control Panel, aber mit ersten Hinweisen auf DLSS 5 geht es im Anschluss zu deutlichen Preissteigerungen beim Valve Steam Deck OLED (bis zu +37 %!), bevor Sonys Entscheidung, Single-Player-Titel der eigenen Studios wieder exklusiv auf der PlayStation zu behalten, und eure Meinung dazu Thema sind. Viel Spaß beim Zuhören!

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

Email us your ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠questions and topic ideas to the podcast here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.Support ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Boss Rush on Patreon⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.PlayStation may be pulling back from PC releases, Capcom just hit a massive Resident Evil milestone, and IO Interactive prepares for 007 First Light.This week on the Boss Rush Podcast⁠, ⁠Corey Dirrig⁠ and ⁠LeRon Dawkins⁠ discuss reports suggesting Sony is pulling back on bringing its blockbuster single-player, narrative-driven experiences to PC. They break down what this means for upcoming titles like Ghost of Yōtei and Marvel's Wolverine, why PC sales might not have met Sony's expectations, and how multiplayer live-service titles fit into the new equation. Plus, they discuss Capcom's financials as the company celebrates a massive milestone, continuing its historic record-breaking run, with the Resident Evil franchise officially clearing 200 million lifetime sales. This and more on the Boss Rush Podcast. Join the ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Boss Rush Network Community Discord⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.Follow the Boss Rush Network on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠X/Twitter⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Bluesky⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Threads⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, and ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.Thanks for your continued support of the Boss Rush Podcast and the Boss Rush Network! If you listen on podcast services, leave us a 5 star rating and a nice review or comment. If you're listening to this episode on YouTube, subscribe to the channel, like the video, leave a comment, and hit the bell so you don't miss an episode posting. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Visit our website for more great content⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ from Boss Rush and our community.

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

Austin, Stephen and Brian are talking about Sony price changes, Batman 2, Lego LOTR 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 - Main Discussion1:20:30 - Honorable Mention/Wrap-Up

Pokemon or Yu-Gi-Oh? Console Gaming or PC Gaming? Anime subs or dubs? Paul, Alec, and even Larry return this week to play "This or That" with all of their favorite nerdy hobbies!

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

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

Update on our week:   Andy and Daniel discuss the Chicago White Sox and their hesitation to sign a new player in Munetaka Murakami despite him having scored over 10 home runs, with 4 being in one game alone. Here is to hoping for a continued good season for the local ball team.   Andy brings up the current JP Morgan lawsuit involving alleged sexual harassment in the workplace. The guys give their take on how this is becoming more common in the workplace often involving the wealthy and people in positions of power.   Daniel beats Assassin's Creed Origins on the PS5, and unfortunately, he did not enjoy it as much as other games within the AC franchise. Noel talks about having beat the 1st game and looking forward to a early sequels, but he has avoided some of the more recent offerings, as they have not been so well received.   Daniel has finally joined the PC Gaming community and started out his gaming journey with GTA IV, using mods that really enhance the look and feel of the game, updating the quality for the modern audience.   Andy and Daniel talk about CM Punk being involved in another incident where 911 emergency services were called. CM Punk pushed an apparent fan who was asking for an autograph which prompted the fan to call the police to press charges against CM Punk.   Noel talks about the new Resident Evil movie teaser trailer and the guys discuss how the previous adaptations have not panned out and the hope for this to be a fresh new start to a better showing for the RE franchise on film.   Noel gives an in-depth review of the new horror movie Hokum, a creepy supernatural movie set in Ireland. The horror movies of 2026 have not disappointed and this newest showing keeps the momentum going.   Article for the week:   Sony Has Global Plans For PlayStation Age Verification - Report https://www.gamespot.com/articles/sony-has-global-plans-for-playstation-age-verification-report/1100-6539507/ Warning: May have Strong Language and Content.   ========== Thank you to everyone who enjoys what we do.  If you like what we do, please spread the word of our show. Email questions or suggestions to ffnquestions@gmail.com ========== Follow us on TWITTER (X) https://twitter.com/FreeFormNetwork Follow us on FACEBOOK https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61557790516078 ========== Free Form Network and all our podcast are available on many platforms including STITCHER, ANDROID, IPHONE, IPAD, IPOD TOUCH and PODBEAN   IPHONE, IPAD & IPOD TOUCH http://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/free-form-network/id995998853 SPOTIFY https://open.spotify.com/show/0QKRhkXDmQ9cxItaiu49Vy IHEART RADIO https://www.iheart.com/podcast/338-free-form-network-94075820/ TUNE IN RADIO http://tunein.com/radio/Free-Form-Network-p784190/ PLAYER FM https://player.fm/series/3326348 TUMBLR https://freeformnetworkpodcast.tumblr.com/ WORDPRESS https://freeformnetwork.wordpress.com/ YOUTUBE https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCj0LNZRJHyW7sQwM5ZdOCQg DEEZER https://www.deezer.com/us/show/1857582 PODCHASER https://www.podchaser.com/podcasts/free-form-network-97539 PODCAST ADDICT https://podplayer.net/?podId=2920676 PANDORA https://www.pandora.com/podcast/free-form-network/PC:53088 AMAZON MUSIC https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/41213756-a9ad-46bc-8d6c-ea2d30bd2fb9/free-form-network LISTEN NOTES https://www.listennotes.com/podcasts/free-form-network-free-form-network-ElG1hW2tS3v/ GOOGLE PODCAST https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9mZWVkLnBvZGJlYW4uY29tL2ZyZWVmb3JtbmV0d29yay9mZWVkLnhtbA PODBEAN DESKTOP http://freeformnetwork.podbean.com/ PODBEAN MOBILE http://freeformnetwork.podbean.com/mobile   ========== Free Form Radio - Episode 271- 05/17/2026 Hosted by Daniel, Andy and Noel ==========   FREE FORM NETWORK

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

Nick and Josh are back (like for real this time. Nick and Josh both share recent podcast guest appearances. Josh catches us up on his latest platinum trophies in Final Fantasy 3 and 4. Nick finished Renanimal and talks about some games he's been playing for the GG Tribune. There's a bunch of news to catch up on as well. Finally, the boys pick a new book club game for the summer.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...

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

Austin and Brian are chatting about Star Wars and then talking about all of the best star wars games, shows, and movies!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 331:15 - Dungeon Box Game59:30 - Game

In this episode, host Kalie Moore sits down with Julia Palatovska, Co-Founder and CEO of Dorian, to explore one of the most underappreciated shifts in entertainment: the convergence of user-generated content, interactive storytelling, and female-first fandoms. As microdrama consumption explodes globally, Julia argues that the real opportunity isn't just in passive viewing but in turning audiences into creators and stories into interactive, monetizable experiences. She breaks down how Dorian is building a no-code platform that enables creators from cosplayers to webcomic artists, to launch games, iterate in real time, and generate meaningful income through free-to-play mechanics typically reserved for professional studios.They also dive into why most UGC platforms fail to translate creation into commercial success, how Dorian shifted from volume to unit economics, and what it takes to build a true creator marketplace from scratch. Along the way, Julia challenges long-standing assumptions in gaming from the industry's blind spot around women players to the over-indexing on mechanics over narrative and shares why human-made content still outperforms AI in creator-driven ecosystems. The conversation ultimately paints a picture of a new kind of platform: one where the next billion-dollar IP for Gen Z women might not come from a studio, but from a solo creator with a laptop and a deeply engaged fandom.We'd also like to thank Medal.tv for making this episode possible. If you're a PC gamer and want to clip your moments or a studio, publisher, or marketer looking to reach a high-quality gaming audience and get your game in front of the right players, check out all Medal has to offer at https://grow.medal.tv.If you like the episode, please help others find us by leaving a 5-star rating or review! And if you have any comments, requests, or feedback shoot us a note at podcast@naavik.co.Who's On:Guest - Julia Palatovska: https://www.linkedin.com/in/palatovska/Host - Kalie Moore: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kaliemoore/ Watch the episode: YouTube ChannelFor more episodes and details: Podcast WebsiteFree newsletter: Naavik DigestFollow us: Twitter | LinkedIn | WebsiteSound design by Gavin Mc Cabe.

This is the audio version of the Naavik Digest newsletter published on May 3rd, 2026. This week, we examine what direction China's gaming giants are taking following the decline of the traditional Anime-Gacha ARPG model.You can read the newsletter (with even more sections and visual detail) here: https://www.naavik.co/digest/beyond-gacha-why-chinas-gaming-giants-are-pivoting-to-lifestyle-sims Meet with Naavik at the Nordic Game 2026: https://naavik.typeform.com/to/Jc5cl7eY Our most recent AI x Gaming newsletter: https://naavik.substack.com/p/kraftons-radical-ai-transformation Let us know what you think by sending us a note at podcast@naavik.co.Watch our episodes: YouTube ChannelFor more episodes and details: Podcast WebsiteFree newsletter: Naavik DigestFollow us: Twitter | LinkedIn | WebsiteSound design by Gavin Mc Cabe.

In this episode of the Day One Patch Podcast, we dive into the growing concerns around PC gaming performance on Windows and why even Microsoft seems to be rethinking its approach. With Linux-based systems like SteamOS gaining traction, is Windows starting to lose its edge for gamers?We also cover Valve's latest Steam Controller details, including pricing, features, and what it could mean for the future of PC gaming hardware. Plus, Strauss Zelnick weighs in on pricing for Grand Theft Auto VI and what players should expect when it finally launches.And in this week's Video Game Fun Fact, Matt breaks down the fascinating story of the 3DO - a unique console platform that allowed multiple manufacturers to build their own systems, leading to one of gaming's most ambitious (and expensive) experiments.

Justin, the Birthday Boy is joined by Brian, Austin, and Stephen to talk about what's been going on lately, and the gang all plays Dungeon Box for Justin's Birthday!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 347:15 - Dungeon Box Game1:50:30 - Wrap-up

In this episode, host Kalie Moore sits down with Terry Lee, CEO of Fusebox Games, to unpack one of the most overlooked but powerful business models in mobile gaming: interactive fiction built on licensed IP. While much of the industry chases scale through mechanics or ads, Fusebox has quietly built a $30M+ business by turning hit TV shows like Love Island into living, evolving games with some of the highest payer conversion rates in mobile. Terry shares how the studio transformed from a one-season-per-year content cycle into a high-frequency content machine, why writing (not tech), is their true competitive moat, and how they've engineered a system where narrative, data, and monetization continuously inform each other in real time.They also explore what makes fandoms move seamlessly between TV and games, how Fusebox approaches community (including its complicated relationship with Reddit), and why the team is expanding beyond romance-driven gameplay into broader storytelling formats with IP like Big Brother and The Traitors. Along the way, Terry offers candid insights on leadership, scaling under pressure, and navigating the role of AI in creative industries - arguing that the real advantage won't come from replacing talent, but from amplifying it.We'd also like to thank modl.ai for making this episode possible! Using a combination of computer vision, reasoning models, and feedback loops, modl:QA+ autonomously explores builds, detects bugs, and generates actionable reports that sync directly with your existing workflows. To learn more, visit modl.ai.If you like the episode, please help others find us by leaving a 5-star rating or review! And if you have any comments, requests, or feedback shoot us a note at podcast@naavik.co.Who's On:Guest - Terry Lee: https://www.linkedin.com/in/terry-lee-296a089/Host - Kalie Moore: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kaliemoore/ Watch the episode: YouTube ChannelFor more episodes and details: Podcast WebsiteFree newsletter: Naavik DigestFollow us: Twitter | LinkedIn | WebsiteSound design by Gavin Mc Cabe.Links Mentioned:https://www.amazon.com/CEO-Sixteen-Lessons-Career-Level/dp/B0G49VV3R8

This is the audio version of the Naavik Digest newsletter published on April 26th, 2026. This week, we dive into Unity's ongoing turnaround, the promise of Vector (its ad platform), and what comes next as AI evolves game development.You can read the newsletter (with even more sections and visual detail) here: https://www.naavik.co/digest/unitys-ad-driven-turnaroundLet us know what you think by sending us a note at podcast@naavik.co.Watch our episodes: YouTube ChannelFor more episodes and details: Podcast WebsiteFree newsletter: Naavik DigestFollow us: Twitter | LinkedIn | WebsiteSound design by Gavin Mc Cabe.

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Brian hosts our friend Jeff and they are are talking about what they've been up to and watchin lately. . . that's it. . . nothing 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 321:30 - Game-Time/Wrap-up

Is a game only worth it if you can play it forever, or is "fun" enough? This week on The Inner Gamer, we're diving into the blood-soaked, synth-wave world of John Carpenter's Toxic Commando to see if this vehicle-combat hybrid is the perfect "popcorn game" for your squad. We also head back to the Spire for an early look at Slay the Spire 2, discussing whether the controversial new balance patches are breaking the game or just making it better. Then, we revisit the stars. Three years after launch, Starfield has landed on PS5 with major updates that aim to turn a sterile galaxy into a lived-in home. We wrap things up with a heated roundtable on the "3-Hour Rule"—discussing why the gaming community needs to stop gatekeeping players who don't have 80 hours to spare. Whether you're a parent, a professional, or just someone with a massive backlog, this episode is about finding the games that actually deserve a spot on your hard drive. Show Notes: 0:58 - Housekeeping 2:55 - Toxic Commando Review: Pure, Unfiltered Co-op Joy 33:20 - Slay the Spire 2: Is the Sequel Already Better Than the Original? 1:01:40 - From Sterile to Soulful: How Starfield Found Its Heart (2026 Review) 1:33:25 - The 3-Hour Rule: When Is It OK to Quit a Game? 2:08:21 - Upcoming Video Game Releases Become a part of the conversation! If you donate $1 or more on Patreon you can get exclusive access to the Patreon-only chat and channels on the server. Visit our website to find our social channels, check past podcasts and donate to the show.Subscribe to our YouTube channel to see all of our latest videos as they drop. Credits:"Blue Groove Deluxe" by BlueFoxMusic on audiojungle.netWoman Announcer - Ariana Guerra; Actress"Wisdom" by Super Nostalgia 64

Host Devin Becker sits down with Nicolas Vizioli (Founder of Lemonade) to unpack what “AI coding for UGC in Roblox” actually looks like in practice, ranging from how Lemonade plugs into Roblox workflows to why Roblox is a uniquely interesting target compared to broader “vibe coding” for apps. Nicolas shares early results, where the product is (and isn't) competitive with Roblox's native tools, and how AI-assisted development has changed over the time he's been building in this space. They also zoom out to where AI fits across UGC platforms, what impact it's already having on Roblox creators, and what needs to happen, both technically and culturally, to reach the next phase of AI-powered UGC game development.We'd like to thank Heroic Labs for making this episode possible! Thousands of studios have trusted Heroic Labs to help them focus on their games and not worry about gametech or scaling for success. To learn more and reach out, visit https://heroiclabs.com/?utm_source=Naavik&utm_medium=CPC&utm_campaign=Podcast We'd also like to thank Neon – a merchant of record with customizable webshops optimized for conversion – for making this episode possible! Neon is trusted by some of the biggest names in gaming and can help you sell direct without the typical overhead. To learn more, visit https://www.neonpay.com/?utm_source=naavik If you like the episode, please help others find us by leaving a 5-star rating or review! And if you have any comments, requests, or feedback shoot us a note at podcast@naavik.co. Watch the episode: YouTube ChannelFor more episodes and details: Podcast WebsiteFree newsletter: Naavik DigestFollow us: Twitter | LinkedIn | WebsiteSound design by Gavin Mc Cabe

This is the audio version of the Naavik Digest newsletter published on April 19th, 2026. We examine the exploding number of mobile games made with AI, exploring how advances in generative AI and vibe coding are affecting the market and whether these additions are still just “AI slop” games.You can read the newsletter (with even more sections and visual detail) here: https://www.naavik.co/digest/is-the-era-of-mobile-ai-slop-games-hereSensor Tower's Action & Strategy Report: https://sensortower.com/report/gaming-deep-dive-action-and-strategy?utm_source=naavik&utm_medium=partner&utm_campaign=&utm_content=newsletterNaavik's AI x Gaming newsletter's first issue: https://naavik.substack.com/p/navigating-ais-execution-era-in-gaming  Let us know what you think by sending us a note at podcast@naavik.co.Watch our episodes: YouTube ChannelFor more episodes and details: Podcast WebsiteFree newsletter: Naavik DigestFollow us: Twitter | LinkedIn | WebsiteSound design by Gavin Mc Cabe.

Nick and Josh are back from a small break to talk about a boatload of games and news. Nick is playing a bunch of games for his new satire site, GGTribune.com. Josh finished Resident Evil Requiem (Spoiler alert). We then do Josh's Physical Media Minute of Josh's new additions to his game collection. 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...

It can feel like modern game development competes to ship the best game with the smallest possible team. We constantly hear stories about breakout titles built by a handful of developers, but that narrative is often incomplete. Behind many “tiny teams” sits a much larger layer of co-development, outsourcing, and external support across engineering, art, QA, localization, and more. In this episode, host Alexandra Takei, VP at Medal, sits down with Ninel Anderson, founder and CEO of Devoted Studios, to go under the hood of that hidden layer of game development. The two unpack what co-development actually is, where the line sits between co-dev and outsourcing, and why a risk-averse market has pushed more studios toward fractional resourcing and flexible external partnerships. They also discuss a core misconception in the market: that external partners are mainly about finding cheaper labor, when in reality the real advantage often comes from better pipelines, stronger process design, and access to the right talent globally. Finally, the episode explores how Devoted thinks about staffing and capacity, and why communication training is core to the company's culture.We'd also like to thank Overwolf for making this episode possible! Whether you're a gamer, creator, or game studio, Overwolf is the ultimate destination for integrating UGC in games! You can check out all Overwolf has to offer at https://www.overwolf.com/.If you like the episode, please help others find us by leaving a 5-star rating or review! And if you have any comments, requests, or feedback shoot us a note at podcast@naavik.co. Watch the episode: YouTube ChannelFor more episodes and details: Podcast WebsiteFree newsletter: Naavik DigestFollow us: Twitter | LinkedIn | WebsiteSound design by Gavin Mc Cabe.

This is the audio version of the Naavik Digest newsletter published on April 12th, 2026. We dig into the past, present, and future of music games – exploring the nuances of licensing, mobile winners, Fortnite's music evolution, Duolingo's new focus, the upcoming launch of Stage Tour, and more.You can read the newsletter (with even more sections and visual detail) here: https://www.naavik.co/digest/music-games-and-the-setlist-problem Let us know what you think by sending us a note at podcast@naavik.co.Watch our episodes: YouTube ChannelFor more episodes and details: Podcast WebsiteFree newsletter: Naavik DigestFollow us: Twitter | LinkedIn | WebsiteSound design by Gavin Mc Cabe.

Austin, Stephen, and Brian are talking about the new Lord of the Rings news, the Ryan Coogler Animorphs show announcement, 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 346:30 - Main Discussion 1:46:30 - Game-Time/Wrap-up

Host Devin Becker sits down with Aaron Bush (Managing Partner & Co-founder of Naavik) for a grounded look at how games are using AI today, separating real production wins from the hype. They map where the industry is right now and then dig into concrete examples across the pipeline: Capcom's ideation and efficiency gains, Pearl Abyss using placeholder assets during development on Crimson Desert, Embark and Nexon's work across experiential data, coding, and voice, and Krafton's experiments with AI co-playable characters and workflow optimization. The conversation also covers the less glamorous (but high-impact) uses like Live Ops content production in mobile (story, levels, art, balance, cutscenes), automated QA like King's AI testing for Candy Crush Saga, rapid prototyping, and the broader tooling layer that's reshaping how games get made.We'd like to thank Medal.tv for making this episode possible. If you're a PC gamer and want to clip your moments or a studio, publisher, or marketer looking to reach a high-quality gaming audience and get your game in front of the right players, check out all Medal has to offer at https://grow.medal.tv.If you like the episode, please help others find us by leaving a 5-star rating or review! And if you have any comments, requests, or feedback shoot us a note at podcast@naavik.co. Watch the episode: YouTube ChannelFor more episodes and details: Podcast WebsiteFree newsletter: Naavik DigestFollow us: Twitter | LinkedIn | WebsiteSound design by Gavin Mc Cabe

This is the audio version of the Naavik Digest newsletter published on April 5th, 2026. We explore Epic Game's strategic shake-up in the wake of its latest layoffs, including its reorientation on UGC creators, Fortnite's stagnation, the looming Disney IP implementation, and what else may come next.You can read the newsletter (with even more sections and visual detail) here: https://www.naavik.co/digest/epics-strategic-shake-up Let us know what you think by sending us a note at podcast@naavik.co.Watch our episodes: YouTube ChannelFor more episodes and details: Podcast WebsiteFree newsletter: Naavik DigestFollow us: Twitter | LinkedIn | WebsiteSound design by Gavin Mc Cabe.

Austin, Brian, and Stephen are talking about the Crimson Desert, their thoughts on Project Hail Mary, 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 326:00 - Main Discussion 1:37:00 - Game-Time/Wrap-up