Best LiveOps Podcasts (2024)

1
137. How To Market Your Game With Music 32:08

44m ago32:08

32:08

In this episode, host Sophie Vo interviews Eric Tan, a highly experienced executive with 17 years in the entertainment and music industries. Eric shares his journey from being a business executive to embracing his role as a creative executive, his experiences and struggles in the gaming and music industries, and his insights on the importance of mu…

1
136. Boosting Team Results With Empathy - With Amy Graves 44:05

8d ago44:05

44:05

In this episode hosted by Nina Kim, we delve into the leadership journey of Amy Graves, an experienced marketing strategy specialist who has led social media marketing for game studios such as Natural Motion, Epic Games, the Irregular Corporation and Square Enix. Amy discusses her transition from film to games, her journey from a behind-the-scenes …

1
Episode 58: User Acquisition Blueprint: Harnessing User-Generated Content for Effective UA 29:48

21d ago29:48

29:48

In this episode of the Mobile Games Playbook, we explore the power of UGC to effectively acquire users (UA). UGC is a goldmine for mobile game marketers, but how do you leverage it for maximum impact? Join our expert guests, Nicole Danser, Senior Manager of Creative Strategy & Production at Liftoff Influence, and Sydney Bruce, Creative Account Stra…

1
135. Building Game Conferences With Love At DevGAMM 40:31

23d ago40:31

40:31

⭐️ Exclusive partnership promotion: Get DevGAMM tickets 15% off with the promo code: devgamm15 ⭐️ In this episode, Sophie welcomes Maria Chyrvona, the CEO of DevGAMM, to discuss the evolution of the gaming conference since its inception in Ukraine in 2008. They dive into the personal and professional experiences that shaped DevGAMM, including navig…

1
134. The Transformative Power Of Coaching And Self Discovery 36:19

1M ago36:19

36:19

What is the impact of coaching and what should you expect when you receive coaching? Some even ask: What is the ROI of coaching? In this special coaching episode, host Sophie Vo sits down with Hannah Mattil, the Senior Team Lead for Research Operations at PlaytestCloud. They reflect on Hannah’s personal and professional growth over six months of le…

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133. Sunny Lab: Bringing Sparks Of Hope In Every Play 40:05

2M ago40:05

40:05

In this new episode, we sit down with Charlotte Gailledreau, a French game studio founder, narrative RPG enthusiast, and ex-Game Lead at the Oh Bi Bi and Gumi studios. Charlotte shares the story of founding her game studio, Sunny Lab, in 2022 alongside her associate Hugo Sahuquet. They discuss their journey from mobile to console & PC gaming, the s…

1
Chinese Gaming Giants: Tencent vs. Netease | Pixels & Profits 1:00:55

2M ago1:00:55

1:00:55

We dive deep into the fierce competition between Tencent and NetEase—two titans shaping the global gaming landscape. Discover how these companies are navigating the challenges of the Chinese market and their strategies for international expansion. We also share our personal experiences about Tencent and provide insider insights you can't find anywh…

1
Mastering F2P Cosmetics Monetization in Games 59:12

2M ago59:12

59:12

Anton Bernstein, CEO of Pocket Worlds, discusses the intricacies of cosmetics monetization in free-to-play games. Learn about player motivations, game design considerations, primary vs. secondary markets, and cultural differences in monetization strategies. Gain valuable insights on key metrics and best practices for successful cosmetic-based reven…

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Episode 56: Beyond the Hype - Building a Winning UA Strategy for Your Mobile Game 27:22

2M ago27:22

27:22

Join us as we break down the best ways to build a winning User Acquisition (UA) strategy for your mobile game. This episode of the Mobile Games Playbook is about all things UA. In the crowded mobile gaming market, cutting through the noise and figuring out how to acquire users can be challenging. Join our expert guests, Kentaro Sugiara, Senior Perf…

1
132. Taking Your Studio's Fate Into Your Own Hands 56:44

2M ago56:44

56:44

This story serves as an inspiring example for all independent studios considering their funding options in 2024, reminding us that collective willpower and fearlessness can be as powerful as more seniority and money. In this episode of Rise and Play, guest host Shelby Moledina returns. Shelby is a Game Director and Film Director with 30+ titles shi…

1
131. Sophie Vo Breaking Barriers On Building Networks, Studios and Businesses 35:12

3M ago35:12

35:12

In this inspiring episode, we switch roles with Shelby Moledina, as our new co-host on the show who interviews Sophie Vo to share her journey of breaking barriers within the gaming industry, focusing on building inclusive and conscious game companies and studios. Sophie discusses her experiences in establishing key projects like Rise and Play, her …

1
130. Building Immersive Ad Tech During Game-ageddon With AdInMo COO Joanne Lacey 40:39

3M ago40:39

40:39

Share your opinion on the future of game monetization in their market research survey with a chance to win Gamesforum tickets! In this episode of Rise and Play, new cohost Tiffany Keller joins the podcast. Tiffany has spent the past decade in product management across several billion dollars plus earning franchises at three of Gaming’s top five acq…

1
Brawl Stars Godzilla Event Product Roundtable Discussion | Liquid & Grit x Gamemakers 53:37

3M ago53:37

53:37

We partnered with Liquid & Grit to discuss the Brawl Stars Godzilla event, which had a massive impact on Brawl Stars' revenue and downloads. - Highest weekly revenue ever - 59% revenue increase and 107% downloads increase 3Wo3W We review the event and discuss the implications and lessons learned. Discussion Outline: 00:00 - Introduction of the roun…

1
Episode 57: Mobile Gaming in 2024: A Mid-Year Deep Dive 39:23

3M ago39:23

39:23

Join us as we discuss the first half of 2024 and examine the trends dominating the mobile landscape so far. This episode of the Mobile Games Playbook is a mid-year deep dive. From Supercell’s comeback with Squad Busters to the emergence of hybrid casual and other core gameplay types, there are lots of lessons to learn from 2024 mobile trends. Join …

1
129. Crystin Cox on Leadership, LiveOps, and Navigating Cultural Differences in the Gaming Industry 40:15

3M ago40:15

40:15

We're excited to have on this episode a new podcast host at Rise and Play: Nina Kim. Nina is a Senior game designer who previously worked on games like Merge Dragons, Cozy Grove, and Sea of Thieves. With a deep interest in wholesome mechanics and approaches to well-being, Nina strives to contribute to nurturing creative teams within the industry. L…

1
128. VC & Mobile Fundraising: We're ROAS Positive, KPIs Look Great, And It Is Still Not Enough? 38:29

4M ago38:29

38:29

In this new episode, we interview Charlotte Lavergne, who shares her journey co-founding Supercosi Games in 2020, a mobile studio focused on evergreen games. Charlotte shares the context of bootstrapping the company in 2020 until they raised 2M€ in 2022. She also discusses the challenges of raising seed/Series A funding through VCs in 2024, despite…

1
127. Funding Studio Camelia in 2024: How To Run A Successful Kickstarter Campaign 39:54

4M ago39:54

39:54

In this episode, we delve into an inspiring conversation with Emma Delage, CEO of Studio Camelia. Emma shares her journey from working at Ubisoft Paris to founding her own independent game studio based in Montpellier, France. We cover the challenges and wins of starting a new game company, focusing on JRPGs, and navigating the complexities of fundr…

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126. Inside Pok Pok: Reimagining Digital Play For Kids 44:40

5M ago44:40

44:40

How to combine games and education, and is there a case for it? We interview Melissa Cash, co-founder and CEO of PokPok, a company creating educational and engaging digital content for children. They discuss the challenges and strategies of developing non-addictive, educational content for young children, focusing on the importance of designing too…

1
Rise and Fall of Embracer Group | Implications for the Future of Games M&A 54:43

4M ago54:43

54:43

0:00 Intro1:42 Background on FunPlus2:35 Embracer Group - Historical context and current status, including breakup6:06 Why did Embracer break up? What form of game industry consolidation makes sense?7:40 When do company synergies make sense for game studio consolidation?9:40 Comparison of Zynga vs. Embracer M&A strategy, Zynga’s historical M&A cont…

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125. CEO Olya Caliujnaia's Diary: Start Your Company From 'Who', Then 'What' 30:31

5M ago30:31

30:31

In this episode, we interview Olya Caliujnaia, the CEO and co-founder at Sanlo.io, on a mission to help game businesses thrive revenues. Olya shares her entrepreneurial journey, from growing up in a family of resilient entrepreneurs, to eventually founding her own company in the gaming industry. Before Sanlo, Olya managed product and growth at Play…

1
124. What I Wish I Knew Before Fundraising in 2024 31:45

5M ago31:45

31:45

We continue our short series on fundraising in games in 2024, following the journey of Sophie Vo, founder of Rise and Play and CEO of Kylan, a new studio created in 2024. In this episode hosted by Clair Rozain, Sophie shares what she wishes she had known before fundraising and how she would approach it a second time with all she has learned: start …

1
123. VC Fundraising: The Do's and Don'ts From Founders Who Raised 41:24

5M ago41:24

41:24

In this episode focused on fundraising, we hear the stories of three powerful women and founders who raised with VCs in seed and round A between 2015 and 2023. All you need to know while you are fundraising with VCs in 2024, and asking yourself, is this the right path for you? Julia Palatovska, Dorian Games, $19M raised. Aurora Klæboe Berg, Megacoo…

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The Frontier of AI NPCs with Convai's CEO | Purnendu Mukherjee 1:06:02

5M ago1:06:02

1:06:02

Purnendu Mukherjee, CEO of Convai, shares insights into innovative approaches to developing human-like AI characters that can intelligently interact with users, perform actions, and engage in natural and responsive conversations. This discussion sheds light on the future of interactive gaming, educational tools, and real-world applications of AI NP…

1
Episode 55: From Niche to Global - Top Tips to Cracking the Lucrative Japanese Mobile Market 31:55

5M ago31:55

31:55

Join us as we explore the ever-evolving Japanese mobile market. In this episode, we set our sights on the lucrative world of Japanese mobile games. We’ll dive into player preferences, effective monetization strategies, and the cultural nuances that influence this thriving market. Join industry experts Teemu Palomäki, Chief Games Analyst, and Sonja …

1
122. Co-Founder Shelby Moledina's Diary: Founding And Closing Double Loop Games 1:00:48

5M ago1:00:48

1:00:48

It takes courage to build a game company. It takes courage to decide to close a company. It takes double courage to talk about it and share the learnings. In this episode, we follow the journey of Shelby Moledina, co-founder of Double Loop Games, from the aspiring start in 2019 to the difficult decision to close the company in 2023. Shelby shares t…

1
121. Why I Founded A Company At The 'Worst' Time Of The Industry 40:12

6M ago40:12

40:12

Is that a crazy idea to start a new game company in 2024?! We are resuming the podcast in May, tackling the multiple challenges of building a new company/studio and surviving in 2024. We kick off this new season, with the journey of Sophie Vo, founder of Rise and Play and first-time CEO of a game company. Sophie shares her process of becoming a CEO…

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Embracer vs. Ubisoft: A Deep Dive into Two Struggling Gaming Giants (Pixels & Profits) 1:18:49

6M ago1:18:49

1:18:49

We compare two major gaming companies, Embracer and Ubisoft, on this episode of Pixels and Profits. ✅ Business performance ✅ Valuation ✅ Future outlook of both companies We analyze their strategies, financials, and potential for growth. Timeline Summary: 00:00 - Introduction to the topic and overview of Embracer's business 03:00 - Discussion of Emb…

1
120. News Announcement For Rise And Play! 6:03

6M ago6:03

6:03

In this special episode, Sophie Vo shares a heartfelt thank you to the community for their loyalty and support over the past three years, and reveals a major personal update: the start of her new game company, Kylan. This new venture will lead to a short break in podcast content, but we assure listeners that this is just a brief hiatus! We are onbo…

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Episode 54: Unlocking LiveOps Success - Lessons from Mobile GameDev Award Winners 43:38

6M ago43:38

43:38

Discover the strategies that drive award-winning LiveOps! In this episode, we analyze the Mobile GameDev Award winners, revealing their secrets to boosting engagement and revenue. Join host Jon Jordan and GameRefinery experts Erno Kiiski, Kalle Heikkinen, and Jiri Saarinen as they break down the essential components of successful LiveOps. Learn how…

1
119. Applying Agile Development To AAA Game Design - with Jamie Smith 38:32

7M ago38:32

38:32

In this episode, we interview Jamie Smith, a principal game designer at People Can Fly, about the challenges and insights into design leadership for AAA development. While agile development with quick feedback loop is common for mobile games, it is not for AAA! So how do you combine the mindset of agility and traditionally long and siloed AAA game …

1
Game Developer Conference (GDC) 2024 Recap: Themes, GDC Talks, Takeaways, and Rumors 1:16:32

7M ago1:16:32

1:16:32

We discuss key themes & trends, critical takeaways, GDC panels/talks, and rumors from GDC 2024. OUTLINE:0:00 Intro2:35 VC, publisher investment in gaming is down3:50 Moving to tighter efficiency in game development7:05 More pain coming, 3-6 more months of industry rationalization15:30 UA deterioriation since beginning of year17:17 AI & Liveops key …

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118. Growing Beatstar Into A $125M hit - with Game Lead Charmie Kim 38:34

7M ago38:34

38:34

In this episode, we deconstruct the success of Beatstar, from the lens of design and company culture at Space Ape Games, with our special guest Charmie Kim, Game lead at Space Ape Games. We explore the evolution of game development from first-mover advantages beginnings to the complex, research-driven approach necessary in today's competitive marke…

1
Atomic Scaling with Ludovic Bodin | Lessons From the Games Industry to the World! 48:09

7M ago48:09

48:09

Ludovic Bodin is an entrepreneur, investor, and now author of the book Atomic Scaling. Ludovic has learned lessons from the titans of the games industry and created a framework he believes can be applied to any other industry.Learn more about the lessons from Supercell, Valve, Zynga, and others and how they can apply to your games studio or company…

1
Liveops Lessons from Temple Run & Bejeweled Blitz ft. Eve Chang 27:12

7M ago27:12

27:12

Eve Chang shares her invaluable experiences and lessons from working on iconic mobile games like Temple Run and Bejeweled Blitz. Get ready for a session full of actionable insights and strategies that could redefine your approach to game development and live operations.Outline:[00:00] Introduction to Eve Chang and Overview[01:10] Eve Chang's Journe…

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117. Inside Paladin Studios: A 20-Year CEO Journey With Derk De Geus 42:07

7M ago42:07

42:07

We interview Derk De Geus, co-CEO and Co-Founder of Paladin Studio to explore leadership lessons learned over two decades in the gaming industry. The episode covers the genesis of Paladin Studio, its transition from a service company to a game development studio, and how it navigated challenges and growth without external investment. Bootstrapping …

1
Nvidia - On the way to becoming the world's most valuable company | Pixels & Profits #9 52:57

7M ago52:57

52:57

Matthew Kanterman, Joseph Kim, and Brian Peganoff discuss Nvidia as well as gaming related offerings from the company: Nvidia business overview Future growth drivers Valuation Competitive landscape Future outlook

1
116. Inside Interior Night: Building Innovative Stories For Mature Audiences 40:19

7M ago40:19

40:19

Different teams make different games, for different audiences, In this episode, we interview the duo Caroline Marchal and Charu Desodt, respectively CEO and Studio Director at Interior Night, to share their journey building an innovative AAA studio from scratch. Interior Night is an independent game studio formed by Quantic Dream and Sony veterans …

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115. Laura Carter CEO's Diary: Leading A Purpose-Driven Gaming Company in 2024 40:46

8M ago40:46

40:46

In this episode, we follow the journey of Laura Carter, CEO and co-founder of TreesPlease Games, with the mission to bring a positive impact on the planet, through games. After a stellar career at companies such as Natural Motion, Square Enix, The Walt Disney Company and PlayStation Studios, Laura decided in 2019 to take a leap and bring her passio…

1
The Measurement Crisis (in mobile UA) | #1 of 5 in State of Measurement Series 50:16

8M ago50:16

50:16

We are seeing severe impacts around privacy and the ability to measure any post-device ID kind of fingerprinting world. So, we wanted to put together a five-part series helping advertisers understand the measurement crisis and the different tools and measurement signals available.#1. The first podcast in the series will be the overview of the measu…

1
Philosophy: Escaping the doom loop 15:08

8M ago15:08

15:08

Doom loops are a cycle of self reinforcing negative decisions and behaviors that lead to bad outcomes. In this episode I talk about my own experience trying to break my doom loop impacting both my professional and personal life.

1
114. UP, DOWN, UP: Why Some Game Companies Succeed, While Others Fail 41:55

8M ago41:55

41:55

The podcast features Kim Nordström, a gaming industry veteran from Paradox Interactive and King, and the author of 'Up, Down, Up', a book about the life cycle phases of gaming startups. We delve into Kim's analytical approach exploring startup successes and failures, identifying key patterns across companies. Over two years of research, Kim intervi…

1
Philosophy: Doing the hard thing 22:07

8M ago22:07

22:07

At most companies doing the hard thing is uncomfortable and we avoid addressing some of the most critical issues that can mean the difference between success and failure. This is an audio read of my Philosophy Monday newsletter post. If you want to hear an audio version of those posts, let me know! Go to gamemakers.substack.com and comment there an…

1
113. The Emerging Trend Of Co-CEO In Games - with Veronica Rojas 41:06

8M ago41:06

41:06

In 2023, there were 11.89% female CEOs and 8.95% co-founders (reported from 7 different funds) from approximately 400 companies and 1000 founders. It is progress but there is still a long way to go before we see more women accessing positions of CEOs, especially when they are not founding their own company. In this episode, we interview Veronica Ro…

1
112. Diversity: A Strategic Investment Approach at 1Up Ventures 41:29

8M ago41:29

41:29

As the gaming industry is maturing, we become aware of the importance of diversity in audience, teams, and leadership. But what about the investment side? In this episode, we interview Kelly Wallick, the former founder of Indie Megabooth and now a partner at 1Up Ventures, founded in 2019 by Ed Fries (Former Microsoft Vice President). Their mission …

1
Gaming x AI: How Atlas makes models for 3D worlds 200X faster! (ft. CEO Ben James) 34:52

8M ago34:52

34:52

Dive into the future of game development with Joseph Kim as he interviews Ben James, CEO of Atlas, a groundbreaking company at the forefront of integrating AI into the creative process of game design. In this exclusive interview, discover how Atlas's cutting-edge technology is transforming 2D reference images into fully-realized 3D models, propelli…

1
111. Success In Business Will Not Bring You More Happiness - with Miska Katkoff 49:45

8M ago49:45

49:45

"What if I build my own company? What if I have more money? Then, I will be happier!" In this episode, Sophie interviews Miska Katkoff, founder of Deconstructor of Fun and former CEO of Savage Games, to reflect on the journey post-acquisition from PlayStation Studios in 2022. We discuss the definition of success and the common pressures individuals…

1
How Brawl Stars 6X'ed daily revenue ft. 2.5 Gamers + Ken Landen 1:06:49

8M ago1:06:49

1:06:49

Supercell's Brawl Stars recently had a huge surge in downloads and daily revenue. How did they do it? We discuss with Matej Lancaric and Jakub Reimar from 2.5 Gamers and Ken Landen (former Kongregate, Scopely, Blizzard, and Hit Factor PM).

1
110. The Road To Becoming A Solopreneur In Games - with Matej Lancaric 45:01

9M ago45:01

45:01

With thousands of people being laid off in the gaming industry over the past few months, what does it look like to create your own job rather than waiting for the job market to recover? Matej Lancaric, known for his prominent role in UA in Games, shares his journey as a solopreneur on the podcast. We cover Matej's transition from a corporate career…

1
Job losses everywhere except AI - Don't fight it, embrace AI! 4:48

9M ago4:48

4:48

We explore AI's significant impact in tech, especially game development. Let's discuss adapting to AI as a major technological shift, a technological change potentially as big as the impact of the Internet.

1
Palworld's Takuro Mizobe on Lesson's Learned (from Pocket Pair Blog) 9:14

9M ago9:14

9:14

3 days before launching Palworld, Takuro Mizobe from Pocket Pair, published a blog post with the riveting story behind Palworld. Mistakes, lessons learned, and much more. Check it out: https://note.com/pocketpair/n/n54f674cccc40#2251bc9e-24bc-4539-8c0c-df500654bf43

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