Podcasts about video gaming

Tokyo Game Show happened this last week, and while once a non-factor in Japan, Microsoft is making efforts to show their progress in Japanese developed and targeted game releases. We go over the announcements in Microsoft's latest event, and get excited of course about a new Forza Horizon title! However, with the political situation in the US continuing to lead to high prices, will Microsoft have any chance of success? We talk about all this and much more in another week of the longest running gaming podcast, Orange Lounge Radio!   Also in the News:   * Sony State of Play Announcements from This Week * Niantic x Kojima Collaboration, and what the Press is Getting Wrong * EA Likely to Go Private (confirmed after broadcast) * Bowser Leaving Nintendo, the Real One   All this and more on the show where EVERY gamer has a voice-- Orange Lounge Radio! LIVE on the VOG Network, Sunday nights at 6 Pacific, 9 Eastern www.vognetwork.com Mailbag: participate (at) orangeloungeradio dot com

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.

The Xbox is forced to raise it's prices again, which leaves the question will anyone be buying them this holiday season? Has Microsoft already begun to implement a strategy to keep the Game Pass sales flowing even without the Xbox sales full speed ahead this holiday season? We discuss this news, our gaming weeks, highlight a classic game, and so much more on another week of the longest running video game podcast, Orange Lounge Radio!   Also in the News:   * Borderlands 4 Continued Performance Reports * Yoshi-P to stay with FFXIV * Metroid Prime 4 Budget * Football Manager 26 to add Women's Football/Soccer   All this and more on the show where EVERY gamer has a voice-- Orange Lounge Radio! LIVE on the VOG Network, Sunday nights at 6 Pacific, 9 Eastern www.vognetwork.com Mailbag: participate (at) orangeloungeradio dot com

"One of the greatest challenges we face as African gamers has always been the right representation."The video game industry in the United States is bigger than Hollywood and the music industry combined. But Africa? Africa is the fastest-growing gaming market in the world, six times the global average. In this episode of Limitless Africa, hosts Claude Grunitzky and Dimpho Lekgeu meet with African gaming leaders and American investors who are betting big on the continent's youth, talent, and mobile-first habits. From Grammy-winning rapper Nas to Silicon Valley giants like Google and Andreessen Horowitz, US backers are helping African studios like Carry1st scale. But it's not just about growth. It's also about representation. With insights from Dom Eromosele of Carry1st and Jay Shapiro of Pan Africa Gaming Group, we explore how collaboration between Africa and America could create a powerful and secure future for global gaming.Plus: The old school hip hop legend investing in African gaming.

Gaming & fatherhood are the main topics this week with the amazing Dan Belgrave! Dan & Mike have collaborated in the past on GCC, the podcast Superheroes For Dummies and more, but this week they're honing-in on two incredibly important aspects of Dan's life; being a dad and video games! In their discussion, they talk about the challenges of fatherhood and the balancing of time one must adhere to, while also talking about the many incredible things that come along with it. After talking about Dan's son, the duo move into video-game-territory in more detail, including early memories of gaming, why they love it, Ghosts of Tsushima, and so much more – this is one for the gamers and the dads! Find Dan on IG @dark_ronin84 and @black_blur84 or on TikTok @manlikedan84. Dan is involved in a new collaborative podcast project, which will be launching very soon, so keep your eyes & ears peeled! Dan was last on GCC all the way back on episode 115, so dive into the back catalogue to listen! Previous episodes of GCC have included Tony (A.R.) Farina talking about his Sense & Sensibility adaptation, Seth Singleton talking about Comics Lit, celebrating Where I'm From 200 with Alyson Shelton, interviews & reviews from the Forbidden Worlds Film Festival and discussing The Intergalactic Empire Of Wakanda novel with its author, Suyi Davies Okungbowa! All Patreon supporters have been receiving bonus episodes, including reviews on A Clockwork Orange, Thunderbolts, Venom 3 and more, as well as early access! Support at www.patreon.com/GenuineChitChat or https://ko-fi.com/GenuineChitChat If you're a Star Wars fan, check out Star Wars Chit-Chat for Mike's in-depth reviews, breakdowns & things you missed episodes for Andor, The Clone Wars and more, on any podcast app or on YouTube: https://podfollow.com/starwarschitchat & https://youtube.com/@starwarschitchat Guest Spots: Talking Child's Play, after watching it for the first time, on the 20th Century Geek: https://pod.fo/e/32462c Another episode of Disney Discussions is out where Mike & Dan spoke about Lilo & Stitch 1 & 2 with Megan, Ria & guest Natalie! https://tinyurl.com/2bs7kker Mike has been on the 20th Century Geek podcast, reviewing Superman '78, Superman II, the Super/Man documentary and Superman 2025! https://pod.fo/e/2bea07 Find all of Mike's social media & other links at https://linktr.ee/GenuineChitChat Please review/rate, subscribe and share – it helps the show out an incredible amount!

I had an interesting conversation with one of my 4th-grade boys about bar dips and cat poop smelling rooms...it's worth a listen. Hopefully, people will be enlightened about the dangers of video gaming...Music Credit: @mattbradfordmusic

Nintendo surprised us all with a new Direct this last week, focusing heavily on the 40th anniversary of Super Mario Bros. Of course, that isn't the only thing in gaming celebrating an anniversary. Grow older with all of us at Orange Lounge Radio as we reflect on this news and so much more on another week of the longest running video game podcast, Orange Lounge Radio!   Also in the News:   * Controversial new Patent by Nintendo * Borderlands 4 Launch Reception * Acclaim Direct Announcements * Switch 2 Accessory Maker Settles   All this and more on the show where EVERY gamer has a voice-- Orange Lounge Radio! LIVE on the VOG Network, Sunday nights at 6 Pacific, 9 Eastern www.vognetwork.com Mailbag: participate (at) orangeloungeradio dot com

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.

We're here, but do we want to be?! It's time to take a look at the first games from 1983 and find out just what we're in store for! Reviews include Cluster Buster by Data East, Ixion by Sega, BC's Quest for Tires from Sierra On-Line, and Moria by Koeneke & Todd Jr.Website -https://historyofvideogamespodcast.comYoutube - https://www.youtube.com/@historyofvideogamespodcast1994Twitter - https://twitter.com/HistoryofVideo1Email - historyvgpodcast@gmail.comHosts - Ben & WesMusic - Arranged and recorded by Ben

Join hosts Tim Wood and our very own Willem as they dive into the thrilling world of branching narratives in game development. Discover how stories come alive in every twist and turn and what it really takes to craft unforgettable, dynamic adventures.Learn more about usJoin the next episode of the Indie Game Lunch Hour LIVE every Wednesday at 12pm EST on our Discord channel to answer your own burning questions and be immortalized in the recordings.

Hollow Knight: Silksong actually released after much anticipation this week, and gamers everywhere celebrated by bringing down many storefronts due to the demand for this much anticipated game. We take feedback from chat on this game and the continued popularity of "Metroidvania" titles. Rob catches up from our week off with what happened for him at Dragon Con, and we run down the rest of the week's news!   All this and more on the show where EVERY gamer has a voice-- Orange Lounge Radio! LIVE on the VOG Network, Sunday nights at 6 Pacific, 9 Eastern www.vognetwork.com Mailbag: participate (at) orangeloungeradio dot com

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

Gamescom happened this week, and the Opening Night Live event brought us many new trailers and game announcements. We take time at the top of our show to dissect all of the news and announcements from this large show in Europe. The news doesn't stop there though, as we have a show in between down weeks as Rob heads off to Dragon Con this Labor Day weekend! All this gaming news and much more on another week of the longest running video game podcast, Orange Lounge Radio!   Also in the News:   * Call of Duty Dev on AI Use * Kirby Air Riders Direct * Roblox to Crack Down on User Content * Steam New Review Display Process   All this and more on the show where EVERY gamer has a voice-- Orange Lounge Radio! LIVE on the VOG Network, Sunday nights at 6 Pacific, 9 Eastern www.vognetwork.com Mailbag: participate (at) orangeloungeradio dot com Note: No Show August 31st

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.

What's old is new again, as we get word that some of the minds behind RedOctane, who once brought us music game peripherals and the original Rock Band, is coming back to form RedOctane Games. Though details on any game release are sparse, as long time music game fans, what do we hope to see in a new game? We discuss this, and much more in the week of video games on another week of the longest running video game podcast, Orange Lounge Radio!   Also in the News:   * Nintendo Indie Showcase * Survey on Physical vs. Digital Games by Nintendo * Evercade to add RARE and ZX Spectrum Games * PEAK Expansion   All this and more on the show where EVERY gamer has a voice-- Orange Lounge Radio! LIVE on the VOG Network, Sunday nights at 6 Pacific, 9 Eastern www.vognetwork.com Mailbag: participate (at) orangeloungeradio dot com

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.

Kids are missing out because of a shortage of teachers - and childcare places...So your teen wants to be a video game developer - encourage that - ts a huge industry....Anna's honesty box bakery - so successful she's quit her day job & lots more Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Nintendo brought us a new direct this week, with announcements from third parties about more titles coming to the Switch 2 and original Switch this year. Of course, if you still haven't picked up an original Switch, you'll soon be paying more for it in the US due to "market conditions", a nice way to not draw a tweetstorm full of ire on the underlying reasons. We give our impressions on the Nintendo Direct along with our live chatters and much more on another week of the longest running video game podcast, Orange Lounge Radio!   Also in the News:   * Updates from EVO (Fighting Game Updates) * Latest Credit Card Processor Drama - Voices are being Heard! * Early PlayStation 6 Rumors * Game Pass Growth, and how it didn't seem to Impact Layoffs   All this and more on the show where EVERY gamer has a voice-- Orange Lounge Radio! LIVE on the VOG Network, Sunday nights at 6 Pacific, 9 Eastern www.vognetwork.com Mailbag: participate (at) orangeloungeradio dot com

Today we're joined by the incredible Osama Dorias! Game designer, educator, and all-around industry force! From working on hits like Gotham Knights and For Honor to building programs and platforms that uplift marginalized voices, Osama is doing game dev with heart. This convo is packed with passion, purpose, and serious design wisdom.Learn more about OsamaLearn more about usJoin the next episode of the Indie Game Lunch Hour LIVE every Wednesday at 12pm EST on our Discord channel to answer your own burning questions and be immortalized in the recordings.

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.

Large Payment Processors have threatened to stop with big storefronts like itch.io and Steam unless certain NSFW games are delisted. With resources strained at some online stores, a big wave pulled down a broad stroke of games that may not have actually been NSFW, leaving many confused. We discuss this controversy in the industry and what gamers are doing to fight back, as the line of what is NSFW could be vague for some. We discuss all this and much more in gaming news on another week of the longest running video game podcast, Orange Lounge Radio! Also in the News: * Pokemon Presents recap * The Chinese Room goes Independent * Xbox Price Cuts Q4 Releases * Pacman branded Atari 2600+ All this and more on the show where EVERY gamer has a voice-- Orange Lounge Radio! LIVE on the VOG Network, Sunday nights at 6 Pacific, 9 Eastern www.vognetwork.com Mailbag: participate (at) orangeloungeradio dot com

This week we're standing on our soapboxes and declaring our gaming hot takes. 0:00 - Intro 4:31 - Moment with Mogan 10:17 - Our Video Game Hot Takes 24:30 - Listener Submissions 30:48 -Hot Takes Part 2 LINKS: Subscribe: - YouTube (https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCi14dFb-OyPcOS2pt4ZKP7g?sub_confirmation=1) - Podcast services: (https://teamchatpodcast.com/where-to-listen/) Join our Discord (https://discord.gg/jkh48jk) Support the show and get perks! (https://www.patreon.com/teamchatpodcast) Follow TCP on social media: - Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/TeamChatPodcast/) - Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/teamchatpodcast/) - Twitter (https://twitter.com/TeamChatPodcast) Follow the hosts: - Jerrett (https://twitter.com/jtwilson) - Mogan (https://twitter.com/MoganATX)

Microsoft ended the sale of Movies and TV shows via the Xbox platform this week, which for a company that put a lot into multimedia at one time came as quite a surprise. We talk about why Microsoft pulled back from these sales, and if other gaming companies involved might follow suit. Also, what's up with the large entertainment companies that can't seem to work with better with the different sub companies? Could gamers be getting more value? We discuss this and much more on another week of the longest running video game podcast, Orange Lounge Radio!   Also in the News:   * Layoffs at Studio that made Oblivion Remastered * Game Made out of Coldplay Viral Moment * Candy Crush Allegedly Using AI for Level Development * A Second Secret Switch Online Playtest   All this and more on the show where EVERY gamer has a voice-- Orange Lounge Radio! LIVE on the VOG Network, Sunday nights at 6 Pacific, 9 Eastern www.vognetwork.com Mailbag: participate (at) orangeloungeradio dot com

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.

How will the game industry adapt? Are we hurtling towards a gig economy? In this powerful conversation, we sit down with Trent Kusters, co-founder and studio head of League of Geeks, to talk about the future of our industry. Trent takes us on a deep, honest exploration of the game industry's current state, from platform power struggles and algorithmic curation to the erosion of full-time game dev careers.  This vital conversation goes beyond just metrics, delving into the human element, sustainability, and the legacy we're creating for the next generation of talent. Here's what we'll learn in this episode: - The emergence of a game dev gig economy - Full-time game dev jobs are becoming more rare - How power is consolidating with platform distributors - Indie success is now a scary prospect, with a lot less clarity - Why Leaders need sound financial foresight and tight governance - How algorithm-driven curation misses humanity and judgment - Why it takes 10 years to make a game studio Resources mentioned: Doughnut Economics by Kate Raworth: https://www.amazon.com/Doughnut-Economics-Seven-21st-Century-Economist/dp/1603586741 Insomniac Games Founder, Ted Price | The AIAS Game Maker's Notebook Podcast: https://youtu.be/5NaHG3T35vs?feature=shared Creating a Rhythm-Action Game with Hi-Fi Rush Director John Johanas | AIAS Game Maker's Notebook: https://youtu.be/eFtGxFnOwtY?feature=shared Matthew Ball's Presentation: The State of Video Gaming in 2025: https://www.matthewball.co/all/stateofvideogaming2025 Shams Jorjani's "The Business of Video Games" featuring Xalavier Nelson Jr.: https://www.podbean.com/ew/pb-jyh9a-18333d4 Learn more about Trent Kusters: League of Geeks Website: https://leagueofgeeks.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/trentkusters/ X (Twitter): https://twitter.com/trentkusters Recommended games to check out! I Am Your Beast: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A4RHkNCLtIU&ab_channel=IGN Town To City: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XRY-RgWh6hg&ab_channel=IGN Caves of Qud: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2c6burNvtsU&ab_channel=KitfoxGames Want to know when you'll be done? Master game and software estimation so you can make better decisions sooner. Learn more in our Advanced Estimation Course: https://www.buildingbettergames.gg/advanced-estimation-course Connect with us: Ben's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/benjamin-carcich/  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/building-better-games/  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/buildingbettergames/#  Website: https://www.buildingbettergames.gg  YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCZpMT-dUwQR-R4Mb4uub6Sw   #GameDev #GamingIndustry #GameDevelopment #GameStudio #GameIndustryInsights  

Piracy websites are being cracked down on by the American Government, but what are some of the reasons that drive people to pirate? We discuss this part of the industry that has an impact, even if it's something that's not openly discussed often. There's other news to get into as well, as our gaming backlogs grow this summer with all of the gaming sales and bundles. All this and much more make up another week of the longest running video game podcast, Orange Lounge Radio!   Also in the News:   * Romero Games was Not Closed by Microsoft * Digital Xbox Games Now with Accessibility Tags Expected for other Platforms * Ubisoft Still Laying Off after $1.25 Billion Investment * Nintendo Vouchers to End   All this and more on the show where EVERY gamer has a voice-- Orange Lounge Radio! LIVE on the VOG Network, Sunday nights at 6 Pacific, 9 Eastern www.vognetwork.com Mailbag: participate (at) orangeloungeradio dot com

Pim de Witte, founder and CEO of Medal, joins Aaron Bush to discuss his journey building a leading platform for capturing and sharing gaming moments. From running Soulsplit (the most popular Runescape private server) as a teenager to navigating early pivots at Medal, Pim shares what sparked his entrepreneurial path, how Medal evolved from a game studio into a social content ecosystem, and what drove the platform's explosive and enduring growth over the past several years.The conversation also dives into how Medal continues to scale, adapt, and innovate. Pim opens up about founder lessons, moving with high velocity, the future of digital content, the role of M&A in Medal's success, and what it's now like running two companies. Whether you want to learn from an incredible founder or better understand the world of online gaming content, this is a wide-ranging conversation worth your time.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 TikTok for making this episode possible. Whether you're launching or scaling, TikTok supports full-funnel growth with creative impact, always-on engagement, and advanced measurement. Learn more at https://bit.ly/tiktokmorelevelsIf 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 - Pim de Witte: https://www.linkedin.com/in/pimdw/ 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.

Our guest in this compelling episode is Elaine Uskowski—speaker, author, and online coach—who turned her personal crisis into a global mission to raise awareness about video gaming addiction. When her own son fell into the grip of gaming dependency, Elaine took action, transforming pain into purpose. She shares insights from her books, Seeing Through the Cracks and Cyber Sober: A Caregiver's Guide to Video Gaming Addiction, offering practical advice for caregivers, warning signs to look out for, and strategies for navigating this growing digital health concern.

We catch up from a planned week off last week, as Rob was attending the Southern Fried Gaming Expo, where he got to participate on a few panels. We catch up on the latest with Donkey Kong Bananza as revealed by Nintendo in a direct, then talk about some early Switch 2 sales figures. Are third parties making similar mistakes to what they made with the Wii-U? We discuss, and throw in plenty of stories from this week as well. All this and more make up another episode of the longest running video game podcast, Orange Lounge Radio!   Also in the News:   * Layoffs Rumored for Microsoft Xbox * AI's impact on the industry on multiple fronts * Wikipedia to add games * Mario Kart 64 Ported to PC   All this and more on the show where EVERY gamer has a voice-- Orange Lounge Radio! LIVE on the VOG Network, Sunday nights at 6 Pacific, 9 Eastern www.vognetwork.com Mailbag: participate (at) orangeloungeradio dot com

When Elaine Uskoski received a chilling email from her son, she knew something was deeply wrong. He had stopped attending university classes, missed deadlines, was sleeping all day, barely eating, and had been gaming for up to 16 hours a day. What began as a fearful drive to pick him up from campus became the beginning of a life-altering journey, not just for her son's recovery, but for Elaine's new purpose: helping families across the world understand and address video gaming addiction.Now an internationally recognized coach, speaker, and author of Cyber Sober, Elaine joins us to share her story of heartbreak, healing, and hope, offering insight into a modern addiction that many still don't recognize.Highlights:

In this episode, host Alexandra Takei, Director at Ruckus Games, sits down with Mac Reynolds, co-founder and CEO of Night Street Games and Night Street Records, and Matthew Berger, Game Director at Night Street Games. Together, they unpack the journey of building Last Flag — a zany 5v5 hero shooter with capture-the-flag at its heart and music embedded deep in its DNA. From a scrappy prototype built with an outsourced team to a 50+ person studio, they share lessons on pivoting engines, refining the core loop, and innovating within the oversaturated PC shooter market. They discuss how music shapes gameplay moments, creates immersion, and differentiates Last Flag from typical shooters — and in a first-ever moment at Naavik, we share exclusive music tracks straight from the game itself. The conversation also explores parallels between the business of music and gaming industries, what game devs can learn from music artists, and the realities of cutting through noise on Steam for a new IP. After listening, watch the trailer and sign up to playtest here. 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 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.

On this episode, host David Taylor sits down with Dan Bunting, the former Studio Head of Treyarch and one of the key creative leaders behind the Call of Duty franchise. With over 18 years at Treyarch, Dan helped shape some of the most iconic moments in FPS history — from the introduction of Zombies mode in World at War to the rise of the Black Ops series.We explore how Call of Duty became the dominant FPS franchise, and how Treyarch carved out its own identity through bold design decisions, narrative risk-taking, and constant innovation. Dan shares behind-the-scenes stories from the early 2000s to the modern era, reflecting on the key audience insights, design shifts, and tech evolutions that influenced Treyarch's approach.We also dive into his transition from studio leadership to entrepreneurship and investing, his outlook on the next decade of Call of Duty, and what excites him most about the future of the gaming industry.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.

Finally after nearly a year of striking, it appears the gaming voice actors strike may be near it's end, with a suspension declared this week. Could Fortnite have accelerated this bargening process? We talk about this at the top of our show along with news out of Sony. The PlayStation 5 has been one of it's most successful consoles, so why do they keep doing layoffs at studios? Much seems to be riding on one of their upcoming titles. We talk about all this and much more on another week of the longest running video game podcast, Orange Lounge Radio!   Also in the News:   * Mindseye Launch is a Mess * Silent Hill 1 Remake Confirmed * Gradius V to become a More Rare Title * Splatoon Updates   All this and more on the show where EVERY gamer has a voice-- Orange Lounge Radio! LIVE on the VOG Network, Sunday nights at 6 Pacific, 9 Eastern www.vognetwork.com Mailbag: participate (at) orangeloungeradio dot com

Josh and Gerald share thoughts on the success of the live-action remake of How To Train Your Dragon and if this means more people are heading back to the movie theaters. The guys also talk about some of the June video game announcements, and which ones have us looking forward to with great excitement. They also discuss the recent releases of MindsEye, Splitgate 2, and Dune: Awakening, and how one has avoided controversy, one hasn't, and which game just wasn't ready to be debuted. All this, and will the upcoming Harry Potter series on HBO be able to find an audience? The guys are back as they talk the weekend box office, video games, and more on this Father's Day Edition of the Pop Culture Cosmos!Gear up with your favorite Pop Culture Cosmos shirts and gifts in our TeePublic store at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.teepublic.com/user/pop-culture-cosmos⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.Questions for us? Hit us up at popculturecosmos@yahoo.com or @popculturecosmo on Twitter! Don't forget to Follow, Like, and Subscribe to our shows and leave us that 5-star Review on Apple Podcasts and Spotify!⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Presented by ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Pop Culture Cosmos⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, Zero Cool Films, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ThriveFantasy⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠,  the novel Congratulations, You Suck (available for purchase ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠HERE⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠), ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Lakers Fast Break⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Pop Culture Cosmos⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Inside Sports Fantasy Football⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Dom-ination Sports Nation⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The Happy Hoarder⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, and ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Retro City Games⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠!

The esports industry has heavily evolved over the past few years, and big moves continue to occur – especially out of Saudi Arabia.In this episode, host Aaron Bush is joined by Mike McCabe, COO of the Esports World Cup Foundation, which runs a massive Riyadh-based annual esports festival. It's gearing up for its second annual event in July, which will host 25 tournaments over 7 weeks with a whopping $70 million prize pool.We chat about the global state of esports, Saudi Arabia's continued ambitions, and where the industry is headed next. We also dig into the Esports World Cup, including its massive scale, logistics, non-profit ambitions, and how it aspires to leave an evergrowing impact on bringing esports mainstream in the future.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 TikTok for making this episode possible. Whether you're launching or scaling, TikTok supports full-funnel growth with creative impact, always-on engagement, and advanced measurement. Learn more at https://bit.ly/tiktokmorelevelsIf 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 - Mike McCabe: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mike-mccabe-600532/ 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.

What a busy week in gaming! For the first time since 2020, we have a launch of a major new console in the Switch 2. We start the show by recapping our experiences with the launch, and discussing the flagship launch game Mario Kart World. However the news didn't stop with a new console launch, as all the big players made headlines this week in the tradition of early June, even without a large trade show. We recap all the announcements with all of our live participants on another episode of the longest running video game podcast, Orange Lounge Radio!   Also in the News:   * Sony State of Play * Summer Game Fest * Xbox Showcase * Other Indie Announcements   All this and more on the show where EVERY gamer has a voice-- Orange Lounge Radio! LIVE on the VOG Network, Sunday nights at 6 Pacific, 9 Eastern www.vognetwork.com Mailbag: participate (at) orangeloungeradio dot com

Apple's forced policy shift following the outcome of its legal battle with Epic Games has opened the door for more flexible Direct to Consumer (DTC) strategies, and game studios are taking notice. Host Devin Becker welcomes Chris Faught, CEO of Neon, to break down what this decision means for developers. Chris clarifies the broader implications of the ruling, the mechanics of implementing DTC models, and how this update impacts developers operating across different genres and regions.The conversation explores how studios should be thinking about DTC integration internally, what practical steps to take next, and how these changes might alter monetization strategies moving forward. Chris also offers insight into how webshops can be used to their full potential, what teams are best suited to act quickly, and where the market is headed over the next 12–24 months. Whether you're already experimenting with DTC or still figuring out how this ruling affects your business, this episode offers a grounded look at what's changing and what to do about 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/.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.Watch the episode: YouTube ChannelFor more episodes and details: Podcast WebsiteFree newsletter: Naavik DigestFollow us: Twitter | LinkedIn | WebsiteSound design by Gavin Mc Cabe.

The Nintendo Switch 2 finally arrives after years of rumors and rumblings. With such an anticipated system, it's no surprise that people are trying to get a sneak peek. Some early console arrivals have led to startup and menu sneak peeks, but not much more beyond that due to a necessary firmware patch on launch day. Summer Game Fest is also on the horizon this week, with gaming news sure to intensify throughout the week. All this and much more news make up another episode of the longest running video game podcast, Orange Lounge Radio! (Recorded June 1st. Date stamped 6/2 due to incorrectly posted audio previously)   Also in the News: * Pokémon Legends Z-A Release Date * Dragon Quest 1-2 HD Confirmed for Switch 2 * Layoffs at Playtonic * Warning about Magnets and Game Key Cards   All this and more on the show where EVERY gamer has a voice-- Orange Lounge Radio!   LIVE on the VOG Network, Sunday nights at 6 Pacific, 9 Eastern www.vognetwork.com   Mailbag: participate (at) orangeloungeradio dot com

This week is our May Roundtable episode and we have four topics to discuss, one of which is a State of the Gaming Industry report from Epyllion, a Venture Capital company reporting to their investors.  Here is the report to view for yourself:  State of Video Gaming by Matthew Ball . We welcome two of our longtime community members that were here well before our community was created as they have their long running gaming podcast: Potato Thumbs Podcast .  We welcome FluffyFingersMD and AdmiralNips.   Welcome to Guardian Down Cast: A Destiny Podcast...if you love to play the game Destiny 2, you've come to the right place.  We're a podcast community full of like minded Guardians who love the game. Have you ever wondered who that gamertag next to you is in a raid?  Where are they from?  How did they find Destiny?  Well, it's our mission to hear the stories of our Destiny community, wherever that may be.  We report the latest updates and news within the game and community and we're a podcast that emphasizes our community, because without it, it's just not the same Destiny.  That's why our show motto is "Guardian Down Cast...your stories, your community...your Destiny.   Kingsleymac on X   Want to leave us a voicemail for the show?   Need a Destiny clan? Join us!   See the show LIVE on YouTube...   ...join in the conversation in our GDC Discord   GDC Instagram   Want to give back to our show and community? Join our Patreon Community!   Check out our brand new site!   Join GDC on X...   Apple Music GDC Song Playlist   GDC Spotify Song Playlist   ToddtheGatr on X      

Director Ryan Huh has a fantastic new short documentary for you to explore. Starting Over is the story of four young men engaged in recovery from digital addiction. It is set in the ReSTART Life residential program and can serve as a great conversation starter for families looking to have a good talk about tech. On this episode, Ryan told me what he learned along the way while creating Starting Over. Spoiler: It's got nothing to do with tech and everything to do with empathy. Listen now!!  

In this episode, we chat with the team behind Sweet and Power Sauce (SAPS), a six-person studio born from the joy of game jams and a shared love of traditional art. We'll dive into their upcoming title Whiskers, Wizards, and Wands, a hand-drawn, marker-and-ink adventure where a reluctant feline wizard crafts spells to untangle a chaotic world: merging classic art with modern gameplay in a vibrant isometric space.Learn more abour Sweet and Power Sauce (SAPS)Learn more about usJoin the next episode of the Indie Game Lunch Hour LIVE every Wednesday at 12pm EST on our Discord channel to answer your own burning questions and be immortalized in the recordings.

Microsoft surprised Game Pass subscribers this week with the addition of Xbox Retro Classics, via a partnership with Antstream. What are the pros and cons of this cloud based streaming solution to playing a large catalog of Activison classic games? We discuss this and more, including the surprising news of the sudden announcement of the end of Sony's PlayStation Stars program-- don't forget to check and see if you can redeem points!   Also in the News:   * AI Darth Vader Legal Trouble * Nintendo to Return to Gamescom * Mario Kart World Started as a Switch 1 Game * Switch 2 Games and Mouse Support   All this and more on the show where EVERY gamer has a voice-- Orange Lounge Radio! LIVE on the VOG Network, Sunday nights at 6 Pacific, 9 Eastern www.vognetwork.com Mailbag: participate (at) orangeloungeradio dot com

Africa's gaming market is young, fast-growing, and mobile-first. In this episode, host Alexandra Takei, Director at Ruckus Games, is joined by Cordel Robbin-Coker, CEO of Carry1st, and Temi Afolabi, a lead on XBOX's Global Expansion team, to examine the opportunity and hurdles of scaling games in Africa. They break down Africa's demographics, monetization challenges, and infrastructure gaps. Cordel highlights Carry1st's approach — aggregating payments across nearly 80+ payment methods and pairing African talent with global veterans. Temi emphasizes Africa's creative potential in narrative design, a rising indie class, and shares why XBOX sees the African consumer as attractive. The group compares Africa's market trajectory to China's, though key differences include Africa's fragmentation across language, infrastructure, and regulation. On the development side, they explore co-dev, creator-first pathways, and the long-term role governments may play in accelerating industry growth to build a billion-person market and capitalize on untapped potential and a growing talent base. 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 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.

In dieser Folge spricht Daniel Korth mit Moritz Henkel, ETF Product Manager bei VanEck Europe. Moritz gibt einen tiefen Einblick in die Arbeit bei VanEck und erklärt, wie Themen-ETFs entstehen, warum sie höhere Risiken bergen als breit gestreute Fonds und welche Bedeutung das Pure-Play-Prinzip für VanEck hat. Außerdem diskutieren sie die Rolle von Dividenden in der Geldanlage, insbesondere bei Wachstumsthemen, und warum Nachhaltigkeit bei VanEck eine zentrale Rolle spielt. Das Gespräch geht auch auf gleichgewichtete Indizes ein, die als Alternative zu den stark von großen US-Tech-Konzernen geprägten Weltindizes dienen können.Anhand konkreter Beispiele wie dem Gaming & eSports ETF, Defense, dem World Equal Weight und dem brandneuen Quantum Computing ETF zeigt Moritz praxisnah, wie VanEck innovative Portfolios konstruiert.Diese Folge bietet fortgeschrittenen Anlegern fundierte Einblicke in die Chancen und Herausforderungen von Themen-ETFs und liefert wertvolle Impulse für eine differenzierte Portfoliogestaltung. Ein hörenswerter Deep Dive für alle, die ihr Wissen über thematische Geldanlage vertiefen wollen.Außerdem gibt Daniel ganz am Ende noch einen tieferen Einblick in sein Themen-ETF-Portfolio, die Performance und was er aus diesem Versuch mitgenommen hat.Weiterführende Links:Mehr über die VanEck-Philosophie erfahrenMehr zum Video Gaming und E-Sports ETFMehr zum VanEck Defence ETFMehr zum "VanEck Morningstar Developed Markets Dividend Leaders UCITS ETF"Mehr zum VanEck Quantum Computing ETFZum Whitepaper "Dividendenaktien als Kernanlage"Mehr zum World Equal Weight ETFZur Podcast-Folge bei "Der Finanzwesir rockt"Zum Artikel auf ExtraETFPräsentiert von NordVPNDiese Folge wird Dir präsentiert von NordVPN. Ich nutze schon seit längerer Zeit NordVPN und bin begeistert von der einfachen Bedienung. Es verschlüsselt deine Verbindung über seine Server und schützt so deine Daten. Wenn Du jetzt Lust bekommen hast, NordVPN auch mal zu testen, dann gehe auf diese Webseite. Als Finanzrocker-Hörer bekommst du einen Rabatt auf den 2-Jahresplan und 4 Bonusmonate obendrauf. Und das Beste: Mit der 30-Tage-Geld-zurück-Garantie kannst du es risikofrei testen!Hier geht es zum speziellen Angebot. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Fortnite Battle Royale this week introduced a Darth Vader character powered by Gemini AI, allowing lines to be generated in real time that would be said in the likeness of James Earl Jones. Naturally, the internet managed to put this to some horrible use within minutes, which has us questioning why a game like this needed something like this in the first place? Has Epic Games just handed SAG-AFTRA what they need in their STILL ongoing negotiations for AI protections? Is this really what gamers want in the future of games, or what people in boardrooms think we want? We debate this, and discuss much more in gaming news on another week of the longest running video game podcast, Orange Lounge Radio!   Also in the News:   * Bungie Accused of Plagiarizing ... Again * Kojima and the Game Where You Forget * Switch 2 Free Upgrades * Kingdom Hearts Spinoff Canceled   All this and more on the show where EVERY gamer has a voice-- Orange Lounge Radio! LIVE on the VOG Network, Sunday nights at 6 Pacific, 9 Eastern www.vognetwork.com Mailbag: participate (at) orangeloungeradio dot com

Nintendo has a reputation as a bit of a litigious company, and it's probably no surprise that they will continue to go lengths to combat piracy. This could potentially include in the future the "bricking" of Nintendo Switch systems, if the recent user agreement is any indication. What would happen if there was a false positive though? Could this even be possible? We discuss this and much more news, including that from PAX East, on another week of the longest running video game podcast, Orange Lounge Radio!   Also in the News:   * Xbox Branded Handheld Specs Leak * Final Fantasy meets Magic the Gathering * Overwatch Development Team Unionizes * Ecco The Dolphin to Come Back   All this and more on the show where EVERY gamer has a voice-- Orange Lounge Radio! LIVE on the VOG Network, Sunday nights at 6 Pacific, 9 Eastern www.vognetwork.com Mailbag: participate (at) orangeloungeradio dot com

Well, we all knew it was coming, but Microsoft has raised the prices of their consoles, likely in response to the tariff situation in the US. However, they also announced a game price increase to $80, matching Nintendo's recent Mario Kart World price announcement. Is an $80 price tag the new norm? You know LOKI has something to say about that. Also, Rob has some things to say on his recent trip to Super Nintendo World at Universal Fan Fest Nights. All this and more on another week of the longest running video game podcast, Orange Lounge Radio!   Also in the News:   * Two Large Gaming Websites see Significant Changes * Genki Being Sued by Nintendo * Grand Theft Auto 6 Delayed. Are we shocked? * Layoffs at EA :(   All this and more on the show where EVERY gamer has a voice-- Orange Lounge Radio! LIVE on the VOG Network, Sunday nights at 6 Pacific, 9 Eastern www.vognetwork.com Mailbag: participate (at) orangeloungeradio dot com

Nintendo Switch 2 Preorders finally hit the US this week, and we share stories of successes, and things we think could have been done better in the process. It's the first time since 2020 a new console has been available, so it's an exciting week for gamers everywhere. All this and much more gaming news make up another week of the longest running video game podcast, Orange Lounge Radio! Also in the News: * Retro Handheld Stopping US Shipments due to Tariffs * Elder Scrolls 4 Remaster, Yes with Horse Armor * Sonic x Shadow Generations on Switch 2 * Outrun Movie? All this and more on the show where EVERY gamer has a voice-- Orange Lounge Radio! LIVE on the VOG Network, Sunday nights at 6 Pacific, 9 Eastern www.vognetwork.com Mailbag: participate (at) orangeloungeradio dot com