Sebastian Park believes user-generated content (UGC) will drive the next frontier in gaming. He’s betting on this belief with the new startup he cofounded, Infinite Canvas: a user-generated content publisher. Let’s use the McKinsey SCR (situation-complication-resolution) framework to characterize his thesis on UGC gaming. Or at least my interpretation of his … [Read more...] about Why User-Generated Content is the Future of Games
Strategy
Entertainment IP in Games | Learn from the Best!
Hold up! How did Epic get Batman shooting guns in Fortnite?What are some of the biggest mistakes licensees make with big IP?What do typical IP deal structures look like?What are some crazy horror stories of IP gone wrong?How do you even get a big IP deal? Do you want the answers to these questions, plus a lot more, and war stories from some of the most experienced and … [Read more...] about Entertainment IP in Games | Learn from the Best!
The Path to Mastery: How to Become a Kensei (剣聖)
There was a time I wondered: “What do I ultimately want to do with my life?” Does having an easy job, a nice family, and a big house define a life well lived? Is that success? There was a time when two roads diverged in my career, and I considered: “Should I choose the path of difficulty or comfort.” Many of you may be making a similar decision in your own life. Should … [Read more...] about The Path to Mastery: How to Become a Kensei (剣聖)
Game Industry M&A in 2022
Is Game Industry M&A in 2022 in Trouble? Last year, I believed that the nature of game industry consolidation was at the cusp of significant change. Two posts that addressed some of the significant changes occurring: The Warning | Game Companies Face Structural Transition in 2021Four Growth Paradigms: Zynga, Applovin, Skillz, and Jam City Part 1 and Part … [Read more...] about Game Industry M&A in 2022
How To Be A Great Games Company CEO!
Now this, I thought, was a rare opportunity for wisdom. I looked into the faces of 6 game studio CEOs staring back at me on Zoom. All very successful. All incredibly smart and capable. And then I asked my question: What should the responsibilities for a games studio CEO be? While I received some very similar responses, I was surprised by some of the very different … [Read more...] about How To Be A Great Games Company CEO!
On Rooster Cages and Rise of The White Tiger: India F2P Games Conference
In the new age of F2P gaming, a power shift has been occurring, changing game development dynamics. Key Trends: Rise of Emerging Countries: Former game development geographies better known for low-cost production and content pipelines such as China, Turkey, and Poland have now become centers of excellence and clusters for world-class talentCost Structure: Lower … [Read more...] about On Rooster Cages and Rise of The White Tiger: India F2P Games Conference
On Opposing Perspectives, Secrets, and The Future of Blockchain Gaming
In today’s newsletter, I’m happy to present to you a really great discussion on the future promise and opportunity of blockchain gaming… Hold up! “Didn’t you just present the bear case for blockchain gaming to us just last week?”, you may ask? On Opposing Perspectives Actually, yes. A really great discussion with one of the smartest guys I know Lars Doucet: Key … [Read more...] about On Opposing Perspectives, Secrets, and The Future of Blockchain Gaming
Key Challenges to Blockchain Gaming
Hey Blockchain gaming, meet the bear! Actually, in this case, the bear I’m talking about is one of the most insightful and smartest people in gaming I know: Lars Doucet. Even further, unlike your typical douche bag executive fast talker, Lars is conversely a deep thinking technologist with a really solid understanding of the technology and theory behind blockchain and … [Read more...] about Key Challenges to Blockchain Gaming
The Future of PC Gaming
We live in one of the most vibrant and exciting moments in history for gaming: The expansion of mobile gaming, the emergence of F2P and live-operated business models, the democratization of game development, cloud gaming, disks to digital, and much, much more. Amidst the massive changes occurring in the gaming industry, PC gaming has continued to thrive and grow. In … [Read more...] about The Future of PC Gaming
Trip Hawkins on The New High Score | Past and Future of Video Games
Netflix recently released a video series, High Score, covering the history of the video games industry. Although not the focus of the series, the documentary covered some of the iconic innovations from the industry’s past. Each of the major innovations covered dramatically increased the size of the video games market. What are some trends we can take away in … [Read more...] about Trip Hawkins on The New High Score | Past and Future of Video Games
An Epic Game of Chicken
Well that escalated quickly… Epic’s recent move to force competition in the Apple and Google App Stores has now gone full nuclear warfare. According to this court filing from Epic, Apple now not only threatens Fortnite but potentially any game using Unreal Engine: “By August 28, Apple will cut off Epic’s access to all development tools necessary to create … [Read more...] about An Epic Game of Chicken
Starting a New Game Studio | 3 CEOs Who Raised Millions!
Watch Now! Speakers We are joined by the founders and CEOs of 3 recently funded game studios: Antti Hattara, CEO of StarBerry ($1.3M led by ByFounders)Emily Greer, CEO of Double Loop ($2.5M led by London Venture Partners)Travis Boatman, CEO of Carbonated ($8.5M led by Andreessen Horowitz) Discussion Focus Today we’ll be talking about what it takes to start a … [Read more...] about Starting a New Game Studio | 3 CEOs Who Raised Millions!
The Economy of the Metaverse | Interview with Epic CEO Tim Sweeney
A lot has been written, and there has been a lot of discussion about, the potential for a huge new gaming and virtual world paradigm which many are calling the Metaverse. However, very little has been written or yet discussed about how such a platform needs to work. More specifically, in a future Metaverse platform, what kind of economy will be required to support a healthy … [Read more...] about The Economy of the Metaverse | Interview with Epic CEO Tim Sweeney
Games Industry M&A Outlook 2020: Who’s Getting Acquired Next?
Today we discuss the current state of M&A aka mergers & acquisitions in the games industry. We deconstruct the drivers behind a lot of recent activity in acquisitions. Further, there seems to be an open question now of whether the current trend can continue or not. However, Zynga seems to indicate the M&A gravy train continues. Alternatively, will we see a major … [Read more...] about Games Industry M&A Outlook 2020: Who’s Getting Acquired Next?
Epic Games $18B Valuation: Too High or Too Low?
The recent announcement that Sony has invested $250M for a 1.4% stake in Epic Games suggests the valuation of Epic now stands at $17.86B. It was earlier reported that Epic would seek to raise $750M in total under a separate deal which would suggest a valuation of over $18B if that additional deal closes as well! How much of Epic’s valuation is based on … [Read more...] about Epic Games $18B Valuation: Too High or Too Low?