M&A Outlook in 2023, D&D's Debacle, Paid vs. Organic UA in 2022, SEA Freezes Salaries, China Licenses Spark S. Korean Gaming Stocks Hello! I hope your New Year is getting off to a good start. I know it’s a bit past the New Year, but I also wanted to share this post which some folks found helpful. I know I have. William Barclay wrote the original daily … [Read more...] about Market Wire | January 9, 2023
New World for Gaming Startups in 2023
Jason Chapman (Konvoy Ventures) and Josh Lu (a16z) discuss the new gaming startup and funding environment. Welcoming a New World in 2023! As we begin 2023, I can’t help but feel we live in a very dynamic, changing, and confusing time. From a gaming startup’s perspective, there’s a lot to think about: From an opportunity perspective, we have a lot of … [Read more...] about New World for Gaming Startups in 2023
Market Wire | Jan 2, 2023
Year in Numbers 2022, Uber Drivers and IAP, Corruption at Tencent, Embracer Bull or Bear?, & YouTube Demonetizes Violent Gaming Content Happy New Year! Well, folks, 2023 is here. 2022 was a really huge challenge for me personally, but I was very humbled and grateful for the many opportunities, lessons learned, and the gift of great adversity to overcome. Wishing … [Read more...] about Market Wire | Jan 2, 2023
Market Wire | December 19, 2022
12 Most Anticipated Games 2023, Apple Won't Surrender 30%, $2B and $3B Games in 2023, Tim Sweeney: Politicians Should Fear Apple's Power, Playtika Lays off 610. Good morning. It’s been a bit since I recorded any original content, but I recently recorded 4 podcasts in the past week or two. First of all, I was interviewed by Matej Lanceric and his “two & a half … [Read more...] about Market Wire | December 19, 2022
Market Wire | December 12, 2022
FTC files to block Microsoft ATVI acquisition, PUBGM hits $9B, Best Selling Games of November, Elden Ring Director "No Idea" Why Successful, Apple Offers More IAP Price Options. Good morning from Bangalore, India. We’ve got a great event coming up this Saturday. John Kelly, Creative Director at Playsimple, will give another talk on F2P game economy: If you’re in … [Read more...] about Market Wire | December 12, 2022
F2P Panel Q&A: RTS, Predictions, Culture, and More!
Eric Kress (Deconstructor of Fun), Tim Morten (Frost Giant), and yours truly answer USC Advanced Games Business' students questions. Thanks for subscribing to GameMakers. Hope you enjoy some interesting questions, which I list below: 0:00 Intro 0:09 Can Future Games Industry Outcomes Be Accurately Predicted? 4:05 How Ready is the Market for RTS? How to … [Read more...] about F2P Panel Q&A: RTS, Predictions, Culture, and More!
Market Wire | November 28, 2022
Warzone vs. Battlefield, Phil Spencer Interview, FTC to Challenge Microsoft Acquisition of Activision Blizzard, Indian vs. Chinese Gaming Market, & Pokemon Scarlet & Violet Good morning. I don’t know about you guys, but boy, was last week rough! Lol. Having said that: I survived, and life goes on. Another day is another day to get better. Looking … [Read more...] about Market Wire | November 28, 2022
F2P Game Monetization: Good vs. Evil
Tim Morten (Frost Giant), Eric Kress (Deconstructor of Fun), and Ed Zobrist (USC Lecturer, former Epic) talk about the future of F2P monetization It was just a joke! Sometimes I don’t realize how much of a tech/Silicon Valley/India bubble I’m in. After losing subscribers and getting many messages telling me the “A Fork in the Road” link in the last … [Read more...] about F2P Game Monetization: Good vs. Evil
Market Wire | November 21, 2022
We're trying something new. Want to see weekly gaming market data and news? Good morning. Welcome to a new segment focusing on gaming market data and news hitting your inbox every Monday. I decided to start this since many of you find my philosophical writing too snoozy. By the way, I hate you! But the market is the market, so here we go… Top 10 … [Read more...] about Market Wire | November 21, 2022
The Case for Good “Assholes”
Not everything is as it may seem. Sometimes, someone who may be perceived as an asshole, may be your best friend. It may even be someone who considers you to be family. “Better are the wounds of a friend, then the deceitful kisses of an enemy.” -Proverbs 27:6 So many companies today have promoted the importance of having a “no assholes” policy for employees. And yet, … [Read more...] about The Case for Good “Assholes”
This Above All: Be True
On the criticality of understanding what your life's objectives are and staying true to yourself. Also, why companies shouldn't all be the same. This above all: to thine own self be true,And it must follow, as the night the day,Thou canst not then be false to any man. -Polonius, from Shakespeare’s Hamlet What is your ultimate objective in life? Every person should … [Read more...] about This Above All: Be True
How to Install Company Values & Culture ft. Stoffer Touborg | Philosophy Friday #21
Communication isn't enough, the values on the website and hung on a poster on the wall isn't enough In a survey of game studio CEOs late last year, company culture was voted the single most critical CEO priority, more than funding, strategy, or even people. Wow! Company culture also had the lowest variance, meaning most of the game company CEOs surveyed … [Read more...] about How to Install Company Values & Culture ft. Stoffer Touborg | Philosophy Friday #21
Mr. Beast, Tesla AI Day, and the Future of Game Development: Small Vector Creation is Coming!
The world's greatest YouTube creator demonstrates the potential for future game creators I was 3 hours in when I realized what was becoming painfully obvious: Holy shit! This guy is a fucking genius, and he barely had a high school education. I’m talking about Mr. Beast. Lessons Learned from Mr. Beast I’ve casually followed Mr. Beast for many years as a fan of … [Read more...] about Mr. Beast, Tesla AI Day, and the Future of Game Development: Small Vector Creation is Coming!
How to Argue Constructively (Philosophy Friday #20)
Specific techniques to focus on seeking truth and Riot vs. Zynga discussion with Drew Levin Trevor stopped suddenly. His breathing was a little uneven, and he was distraught. Trevor looked up, and as his eyes scanned the faces of the other people involved in the discussion, his eyes met mine for a brief moment. As he looked away, I could see an expression of embarrassment … [Read more...] about How to Argue Constructively (Philosophy Friday #20)
Building a F2P Liveops “Playbook” ft. Matt Emery
Matt Emery "The Mobile Games Consultant" shares his secrets to driving meaningful improvements in F2P liveops Back in November of 2010, during the early days of F2P gaming, Zynga sued Playdom for stealing its trade secrets, specifically Zynga’s Liveops “playbook.” Last fall Zynga sued rival gaming developer Playdom (recently acquired by Disney) for an array of … [Read more...] about Building a F2P Liveops “Playbook” ft. Matt Emery