Afleveringen
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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 onboarding new co-hosts so if you're interested in giving it a try, contact us at [email protected] Workshop and 1-1 coaching inquiry at [email protected] Next networking event in Berlin on April 25th: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/rise-and-play-x-starberry-x-metacore-networking-brunch-tickets-861332878827?aff=oddtdtcreatorWe're back in May! In the meantime, enjoy the evergreen top content from the previous episodes:
91. Founder Jens Begemann's Retrospective on Running Wooga For Over A Decade
90. Solving the Team Culture Map Puzzle with Jen Donahoe
77. Master Emotionally Charged Conversation
59. How to Plan and Nurture Your Career in Games with Miska Katkoff and Sophie Vo
52. Running your 1:1 in a modern workplace (remote) - with Marko Kecman
43. Coaching episode: Tamara Rose Morales, On Examining Your Life Script
32. What You Did Not Know About UX- with Devon Wyland, Head of UX at Solsten
💌 Don't forget to subscribe to Rise and Play for further news: https://www.riseandplay.io/blog
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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 development?
Jamie Smith, with over 13 years of experience working on AAA titles like Tom Clancy's The Division, FIFA, and Call of Duty, discusses his career journey, the transition from production roles to a leadership position, and the importance of team autonomy, cross-discipline collaboration, and decision-making structures in delivering successful game projects. The conversation sheds light on the balance between creative direction and the multitude of factors influencing game design, including technical limitations, publisher expectations, and market comparison, aiming to provide valuable insights for improving management skills and understanding the complexity and legacy of AAA game development.
More about Jamie's work and open AAA design learnings: https://youtu.be/q250xvbn9hg?si=kOEbYofqAGMJzVeH
02:42 The Evolution of a Game Designer, from IC to Leader
12:01 Leading Teams and Defining Quality in AAA Game Design
17:00 Navigating Conflicts and Priorities in Game Development
23:35 Adopting a Holistic Approach to Game Design
29:57 Reflecting on 13 Years in AAA Game Development
💌 Don't forget to subscribe to Rise and Play for further news: https://www.riseandplay.io/blog
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Zijn er afleveringen die ontbreken?
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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 market.
Through Charmie's journey from working on Samurai Siege Live Ops to leading the highly successful music game Beatstar, we uncover insights on how to innovate within various game genres, and the importance of research, marketing, and adapting to the market. Beatstar has grossed over $125m and has attracted over 60m players since its launch in September 2021.
Key takeaways: the significance of direct player engagement, the strategic necessity of market research before genre selection, and the pivotal role of diverse team adaptability in meeting contemporary gaming demands.
01:35 Charmie Kim: A Trailblazer in Game Design and Leadership
06:00 Tracing Charmie Kim's Journey from Fashion to Game Design
15:47 The Strategic Shift at Space Ape Games: Exploring New Genres
20:32 Innovating in the Music Game Genre with BeatStar
32:06 The Importance of Market Research in Modern Game Development
37:13 Concluding Thoughts and the Future of Game Development
💌 Don't forget to subscribe to Rise and Play for further news: https://www.riseandplay.io/blog
⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ If you enjoyed today's episode make sure to rate it on Spotify, leave a review on Apple Podcasts, or simply share it with a friend.
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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 successfully a studio is a rare story we hear of these days!
Derk shares insights on the importance of self-awareness, empathetic communication, and aligning one's core being with their professional roles. The discussion delves into the pitfalls of rapid scaling, the benefits of retreats for personal and leadership development, and the significance of creating a supportive and creative company culture.
01:37 The Genesis of Paladin Studio: A 20-Year Journey
03:50 Navigating the Early Days and the Shift to Entertainment Games
09:20 The Evolution of Leadership and Business Strategy
16:14 The CEO's Dilemma: Balancing Creativity and Business and Finding Balance
23:20 Embracing Creativity Beyond Work
24:11 The Synergy of Creative and Business Minds
26:13 The CEO Role Reimagined: Co-CEO for Creative Freedom
26:25 Navigating Operational and Strategic Challenges
28:33 The Transformative Power of Retreats
35:26 Leadership as a Journey of Self-Discovery
39:59 Cultivating a Culture of Shared Values
💌 Don't forget to subscribe to Rise and Play for further news: https://www.riseandplay.io/blog
⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ If you enjoyed today's episode make sure to rate it on Spotify, leave a review on Apple Podcasts, or simply share it with a friend.
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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 based in London, dedicated to creating innovative interactive stories for a broad and mature audience. They are the crreators of the original interactive drama As Dusk Falls , a new take on narrative games which received unanimous reviews (9/10 IGN, 9/10 GameSpot, 9/10 Steam).
We cover the evolution of the AAA industry, the growth of representation of women in gaming, the journey of starting a new AAA studio and the significance of having a clear vision and being persistent with it. Caroline had a strong vision of a new kind of AAA narrative games she wanted to make for a mature audience (mothers, non gamers, spouses), and supported by a highly experienced diverse team, she materialized that vision successfully with their first title As Dusk Falls.
01:16 Interior Night Studio: A Female-Led Game Development Studio
02:21 The Journey of the Studio Founders: From Game Designers to Studio Leaders
06:26 The Birth of Interior Night: A Leap of Faith into Entrepreneurship
09:44 The Making of 'As Dust Falls': A Unique Interactive Narrative Experience
18:54 The Impact of 'As Dust Falls' on Players: A New Approach to Gaming
22:01 The Journey of Funding and Building a Game Studio
30:38 Reflections on Leadership and the Future of the Gaming Industry
💌 Don't forget to subscribe to Rise and Play for further news: https://www.riseandplay.io/blog
⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ If you enjoyed today's episode make sure to rate it on Spotify, leave a review on Apple Podcasts, or simply share it with a friend.
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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 passion for the planet and business together and found TreesPlease Games.
TreesPlease Games raised $8M in seed funding in 2023: https://mobilegamer.biz/treesplease-games-gets-8m-in-seed-funding-reveals-debut-game-longleaf-valley/
Laura shares about the process of navigating the challenges of starting a company as an initial solo founder, raising funds, assembling a team, making a game that aligns with the company's environmental mission, and managing the operational demands of achieving the company's goals. The team at Trees Please is proud to have planted nearly a million trees through their gaming activity and first casual puzzle title Longleaf Valley. Despite various challenges, TreesPlease aims to continue creating environmentally-themed casual puzzle games, with plans to launch more in 2024.
Learn more about TreesPlease reforestation project:
https://www.treespleasegames.com/real-tree-planting
https://www.edenprojects.org/
01:03 Laura's Journey into Entrepreneurship
03:34 The Birth of TreesPlease Games
05:23 Challenges and Triumphs of Starting a Company
06:57 The Importance of a Supportive Network
07:32 Balancing Motherhood and Entrepreneurship
10:01 Building the Founding Team
10:26 Securing Initial Funding
12:23 The Journey of Building Longleaf Valley
17:35 The Impact of Longleaf Valley, planting 1,000,000 trees
36:51 The Future of TreesPlease Studio
💌 Don't forget to subscribe to Rise and Play for further news: https://www.riseandplay.io/blog
⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ If you enjoyed today's episode make sure to rate it on Spotify, leave a review on Apple Podcasts, or simply share it with a friend.
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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 interviewed over a hundred gaming founders, CEOs, and leaders. Relevant topics ranging from the necessity of creative tension and disciplined decision-making in leadership, the four critical phases of development for startup companies as compared to a human life cycle, and the importance of knowing one's purpose in their role as founders or CEOs, and at the different growth and decline phases. Many practical and philosophical insights from the book are highlighted.
02:00 The Author's Gaming and Entrepreneurial Journey
05:28 The Process of Writing the Book
06:31 The Value of the Book
07:04 The Process of Interviewing Companies
08:43 The Structure and Purpose of the Book
14:48 The Importance of Discipline in Success
25:47 The Role of a CEO in a Gaming Company
29:47 Solutions and Challenges in Leadership
30:40 The Role of a CEO and the Importance of Support
33:40 The Struggles of Leadership and the Need for Self-Care
36:04 The Dynamics of Co-Founders and Team Composition
38:32 The Importance of Conflict and Challenge in Team Building
51:12 The Role of a CEO in Different Phases of a Company
54:48 Understanding Your Purpose As a CEO or Founder
Get your copy on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/UP-DOWN-companies-succeed-others-ebook/dp/B0CR4D417V
💌 Don't forget to subscribe to Rise and Play for further news: https://www.riseandplay.io/blog
⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ If you enjoyed today's episode make sure to rate it on Spotify, leave a review on Apple Podcasts, or simply share it with a friend.
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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 Rojas, who climbed the ranks in her career from product marketing at Gameloft to Head of Studio, ultimately becoming the co-CEO at Uken Games. How does someone become a co-CEO/CEO? What does this role imply, and what should one consider before taking on those responsibilities?
The role of co-CEO has emerged more and more in the gaming industry as we recognize that the demands of a CEO role might become overwhelming as the company scales.
04:01 Veronica's Journey into the Gaming Industry
07:34 The Challenges of Starting a Gaming Startup With No Funding and Experience
15:32 Transitioning from Startup to Corporate
24:03 The Role of Product Marketing in Gaming
25:46 Joining UKEN and Rising to Co-CEO
37:05 The Challenges of Being a Co-CEO
💌 Don't forget to subscribe to Rise and Play for further news: https://www.riseandplay.io/blog
⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ If you enjoyed today's episode make sure to rate it on Spotify, leave a review on Apple Podcasts, or simply share it with a friend.
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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 is to build a diverse and inclusive community of the most talented, experienced, and creative independent game developers in the world. Their portfolio includes noteworthy emerging studios such as Lightforge Games, Superbloom, and Gardens.
We discuss the importance of diversity in the gaming industry, how a team that reflects its audience increases the potential for success, and the role of founders' community building in nurturing success.
Wallick shares her gaming journey leading her to the investment side, the vision for 1Up Venture, and the unique community-centered approach they bring to venture capitalism.
02:19 Kelly's Journey into the Gaming Industry
04:37 The Birth and Growth of Indie Megabooth
06:42 Transitioning to 1Up Venture
10:30 Investment Decision-Making at 1Up
20:45 Betting on Diverse Teams
21:27 Investment Structure and Strategy
22:14 Building a Founders Community within the Gaming Industry
27:16 Challenges and Successes in Community Building from a Venture Side
39:31 How to connect with 1Up
💌 Don't forget to subscribe to Rise and Play for further news: https://www.riseandplay.io/blog
⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ If you enjoyed today's episode make sure to rate it on Spotify, leave a review on Apple Podcasts, or simply share it with a friend.
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"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 face in attaining it. Miska shares his personal experience navigating his sense of achievement, dealing with external validation, and the value he places on self-reliance. He discusses the importance of understanding personal values and setting personal goals instead of adopting those prescribed by others. He also encourages listeners to seek therapy as a tool for understanding oneself and promoting mental health. We also touch on the role money plays in their definitions of success.
Link to the MindJournal mentioned in the episode.
00:47 Discussing the Concept of Success
01:38 External Success vs Internal Success
06:24 The Role of Comparison in Success
07:47 The Importance of Setting Personal Goals
11:05 The Role of Money in Defining Success
21:18 The Impact of Material Possessions on Happiness
24:27 The Importance of Therapy in Stressful Times
24:55 The Role of Therapy in Personal Growth
25:54 The Impact of Stress on Personal Relationships
27:13 The Struggles of Startup Life
28:17 The Power of Normalizing Therapy
28:38 Overcoming Prejudices and Resistance to Therapy
29:31 The Importance of Mental Training
30:56 The Journey of Self-Discovery through Therapy
31:24 The Role of Coaching in Personal Development
34:48 The Impact of Upbringing on Success Drive
37:34 The Importance of Self-Realization and Serving Others
44:18 The Power of Journaling and Self-Reflection
45:33 The Persistence of Internal Issues Despite Success
💌 Don't forget to subscribe to Rise and Play for further news: https://www.riseandplay.io/blog
⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ If you enjoyed today's episode make sure to rate it on Spotify, leave a review on Apple Podcasts, or simply share it with a friend.
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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 to UA consultancy, his unique approach to providing value to the audience, the evolution of his content creation, and his definition of success. He emphasizes being true to oneself, maintaining authenticity, and cherishing the flexibility provided by being a solopreneur.
If you need help marketing your game, you should reach out to Matej: https://lancaric.me/
Follow his podcast on UA: two-and-a-half gamers.
00:35 Guest Introduction: Matej Lancaric
00:59 Matej's Journey in the Gaming Industry
03:35 Transition to Solopreneurship
05:10 The Power of Authenticity
05:50 The Leap into the Unknown
05:59 The Challenges of Going Solo
06:46 The Importance of Being Yourself
08:13 The Journey of Starting a Newsletter
08:41 The Reality of Launching Games
10:54 The Value of Sharing Knowledge
13:13 The Struggles of Being Criticized
19:50 The Evolution of Content Sharing
22:29 The Importance of Feedback in Solo Work
22:55 Building a Unique and Playful Brand
23:51 The Birth of the Dancing Unicorn and Two and a Half Gamers
24:59 The Evolution of Content Creation and Branding
27:05 The Role of Happiness and Authenticity in Personal Branding
32:46 The Challenges and Rewards of Being a Solopreneur
33:32 Defining Success as a Solopreneur
39:43 The Art of Time Management and Content Creation
41:42 Reflections on the Journey and Future Aspirations
💌 Don't forget to subscribe to Rise and Play for further news: https://www.riseandplay.io/blog
⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ If you enjoyed today's episode make sure to rate it on Spotify, leave a review on Apple Podcasts, or simply share it with a friend.
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In this episode, Mika Tammenkoski, the CEO and co-founder of Metacore shared the evolution of his gaming company since its inception in 2020. From a small team prototyping smartwatch games to novel merge mechanics, the company has grown to 190+ members.
The studio’s first global hit game Merge Mansion already has over 50 million players. Metacore is one of the fastest growing game companies in Europe, with EUR 129 million in revenue in 2022 and a team of 190 professionals. The company has raised EUR 180 million in funding from Supercell and is one of their portfolio companies.
Mika talks about the company's early meetings and experiences, his personal journey into the gaming industry, and the decision to shift focus from new technologies to more established gaming markets.
He also sheds light on the company's culture and the vital importance of a robust talent acquisition strategy. Furthermore, Mika provides insights on Metacore's expansion plans, with a new studio in Berlin and operations extending to other games.
00:00 Introduction and Background of Metacore
00:31 Interview with Mika, CEO and Co-founder of Metacore
01:48 Mika's Journey into the Gaming Industry
04:47 Mika's Experience at Digital Chocolate
08:08 Founding of Everywear Games and Transition to Metacore
10:28 Challenges and Learnings from Previous Ventures
17:06 The Birth of Merge Mansion
18:49 The Testing and Iteration Process of Merge Mansion
23:55 Reflections on the Development Process
27:10 The Journey of Game Development and Company Growth
28:06 Challenges and Learnings from Global Launch
28:43 Understanding the Role of Story and Advertising in Gaming
29:37 The Evolution of Company Culture
30:37 Influence of Other Cultures and the Importance of Adaptability
32:40 The Importance of Talent Acquisition and Internal Growth
34:33 Reflections on Company Growth and Expansion
34:59 The Importance of Defining and Evolving Company Culture
43:18 Looking Forward: Future Aspirations and Expansion Plans for Metacore
47:33 Challenges and Strategies in Scaling Skills and Leadership
48:03 The Role of Community in the Gaming Industry
53:50 Closing Thoughts: The Importance of Inspiration and Continuous Learning
💌 Don't forget to subscribe to Rise and Play for further news: https://www.riseandplay.io/blog
⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ If you enjoyed today's episode make sure to rate it on Spotify, leave a review on Apple Podcasts, or simply share it with a friend.
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What would happen if someone leaked their company's full compensation information to the entire company? That's how you can evaluate your readiness to move your company toward an open salaries policy, or not. In the future of work, where more and more employees will prioritize transparency and equality, open salaries are poised to become a standard for Gen Z in Western cultures. If you want to remain competitive in the long term and hiring talents, you may want to consider embracing open salaries.
In this episode, Matt Schembari, CEO at Lightforge Games, shares the research on open salaries and the current state of the open salary movement and provides concrete benefits and challenges from Lightforge's experience practicing open salaries over the past three years.
You can find additional resources from Matt's GDC 2023 talk here.
As a recognition for their effort in pioneering a better culture for the game industry, Lightforge Games received the 2024 Game Changers Awards by Lightspeed and Gamesbeat.
Topics covered:
Why open salaries make sense in specific contexts and how to determine if it applies to your situation. Steps to initiate open salary practices if you haven't already. Establishing a company with open salaries from the ground up. Exploring the pros and cons of open salaries, including potential pitfalls. Embracing a coaching culture for leaders and employees.💌 Don't forget to subscribe to Rise and Play for further news: https://www.riseandplay.io/blog
⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ If you enjoyed today's episode make sure to rate it on Spotify, leave a review on Apple Podcasts, or simply share it with a friend.
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🇮🇳 SPECIAL INDIA SERIES 🇮🇳
In this last episode of the series, we unleash India's gaming potential from an investment point of view with Vivek Ramachandran, early-stage investor at Matrix Partners.
We dive into the exciting world of game development and explore the potential of the Indian market.
We discuss the growth of the media and entertainment sector, the rise of mobile gaming, and the opportunities for global distribution. Vivek also shares insights into the challenges and opportunities for game development in India, the talent ecosystem, and the importance of quality and cultural context in game design.
Whether building for the Indian audience or targeting the global market, this episode offers valuable insights for game developers and investors.
Additional IGDC resources on building a VC backable studio in India: https://youtu.be/0y-h1WqUJXI?feature=shared
Topics Discussed:
- Introduction of guest Vivek and his background in entrepreneurship, business, investment, and gaming.
- The growth and potential of the Indian market in the media and entertainment sector.
- Overview of India's digital landscape, including the impact of networking infrastructure and increased accessibility to entertainment.
- The rise of mobile gaming in India and its success due to free-to-play models and improved internet access.
- Opportunities and challenges in game development in India, including talent, game design, scaling, and user acquisition.
- The potential for India-native gameplay formats and adapting games for different audiences.
- The role of Matrix Partners in supporting early-stage game developers and the billion-dollar opportunity in the Indian gaming market.
- Importance of quality, storytelling, and cultural context in game development.
- Localization challenges in a country with multiple languages and the need for a strategic approach.
- Insights for both Indian and international game developers looking to enter the Indian market and partner with Matrix Partners.
💌 Don't forget to subscribe to Rise and Play for further news: https://www.riseandplay.io/blog
⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ If you enjoyed today's episode make sure to rate it on Spotify, leave a review on Apple Podcasts, or simply share it with a friend.
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🇮🇳 SPECIAL INDIA SERIES 🇮🇳
In this episode, we follow the journey of Ram Reddy, CEO and co-founder at QuriousBit, and former product leader at Play Simple, which was acquired by MTG in 2021 for $510M.
QuriousBit was founded end of 2022 and raised its funding of $2 million from gaming-focused venture capital firm Lumikai and early-stage investor General Catalyst.
The studio is taking a fresh and innovative approach, both in game design and distribution, to achieve category-leading success in the highly competitive global casual gaming market, given current market conditions. Think of it as a mix of Tetris and Sudoku, with a lot of unique puzzle elements.
But the main reason why we're excited to talk to QuriousBit is the approach of how they built the company, focusing on the culture first. Like Netflix or Valve, they started with a culture handbook of 75 pages, that we will share in this episode!
QuriousBit marks the rise of a new generation of Indian gaming studios that want to leave a sustainable trace with their company, and we're excited to be part of it!
Read more at:
https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/tech/funding/gaming-startup-quriousbit-raises-2-million-in-funding-from-lumikai-general-catalyst/articleshow/103993791💌 Don't forget to subscribe to Rise and Play for further news: https://www.riseandplay.io/blog
⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ If you enjoyed today's episode make sure to rate it on Spotify, leave a review on Apple Podcasts, or simply share it with a friend.
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🇮🇳 SPECIAL INDIA SERIES 🇮🇳
In this episode, we go on a captivating journey into the world of gaming and e-sports in India. Joined by Roby John, the CEO of SuperGaming and former co-founder of June Gaming, we discuss the rise of India's gaming industry and the unique player-centric and cultural approach SuperGaming has taken in building its innovative Indo-Futuristic Battle Royale title: Indus.
More about Supergaming: https://www.youtube.com/@supergaming6686
More about Indus: https://www.youtube.com/@IndusGame
Topics Discussed:
- Super Gaming's mission to build India's gaming revolution
- The development of cross-platform games and SuperPlatform
- Roby's background as a teacher and its influence on community-building through gaming
- The journey of building June Gaming (Roby's first company) and the lessons learned
- The success of Mask Gun and the importance of ground insights
- The integration of Indian culture and festivals in their game Indus
- The creation of Indus, an Indo-futuristic battle royale game
- Super Gaming's focus on data, iterative improvements, and community building
- The accessibility of the internet and a young demographic driving the growth of mobile gaming in India
- Super Gaming's approach to creating Indian-specific games and storytelling
- The significance of representation and empowerment in their games
- The incorporation of traditional Indian music and instruments
- The upcoming closed beta release and the excitement of player feedback
- The talent and collective effort behind Super Gaming's games
💌 Don't forget to subscribe to Rise and Play for further news: https://www.riseandplay.io/blog
⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ If you enjoyed today's episode make sure to rate it on Spotify, leave a review on Apple Podcasts, or simply share it with a friend.
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🇮🇳 SPECIAL INDIA SERIES 🇮🇳
What if AI could be the answer to providing quality education for every child in the world? What if we could leverage tech and entertainment to have a social impact at scale?
That's the world problem Rishi and his Supernova AI team try to crack. In the episode, we go deep inside Supernova's fascinating journey, where the team believes that learning should be fun and interactive instead of just being a passive experience. We live in the age of user-centricity, and like every other product, educational experiences need to be a lot more user-friendly.
Targeted toward kids aged 4-12, the company started by Anirudh(Previously Co-Founded Myra Medicine & exited to medlife), Nawin & Maharishi in 2021 aims to redefine the current passive forms of learning by providing super fun & engaging Live Quizzes, “Byte-Sized” lessons & worksheets on CBSE topics. Every time kids come to one of Supernova’s Live Quizzes, they learn & practice a CBSE math skill in innovative 30-minute sessions.
See for yourself about the incredible capabilities of Supernova: https://youtu.be/J_hVsEdzZz8
Supernova raised pre-seed funding of $1.1 million in 2022. The pre-seed round was led by Lumikai VC, with participation from Kae Capital, All In Capital, Goodwater Capital & strategic angel investors.
💌 Don't forget to subscribe to Rise and Play for further news: https://www.riseandplay.io/blog
⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ If you enjoyed today's episode make sure to rate it on Spotify, leave a review on Apple Podcasts, or simply share it with a friend.
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🇮🇳 SPECIAL INDIA SERIES 🇮🇳
In this episode, we sit down with Ojas Vipat, the CEO and co-founder of Mayhem Studio ($20 million raised in a Series A round led by Sequoia Capital), to uncover the untapped potential and lack of awareness surrounding the Indian gaming scene. Ojas shares his journey and what led him to break away from the norm and start his studio. We discuss the development of the gaming market in India, the shift towards more popular genres, and the rise of esports.
But what makes Mayhem Studio stand out? Ojas reveals their mission to build for India, showcasing the rich stories and heritage of the country through immersive gaming experiences. Their latest creation, "Underworld Gang Wars," is a mobile shooter game set in a meticulously crafted map called Dhantara, which pays homage to various locations in India. With over 6 million pre-registered players and positive feedback from closed alpha testing, the game is set to take the gaming world by storm.
More about the game here: https://underworldgangwars.com/
Topics discussed:
- Development of the gaming market in India
- Rise of esports in India
- Mayhem Studio's aim to build India as a gaming powerhouse
- Emerging community of esports in India and specific trends
- Popularity of mobile gaming in India
- India's competitive nature and the popularity of other sports
- Mayhem Studio's journey and formation
- Mayhem Studio's goal of showcasing Indian culture through gaming
- Challenges and opportunities in the Indian gaming industry
- Mayhem Studio's focus on creating a unique gaming experience
- Talent shortage in the gaming industry in India and opportunity for global experts to help
💌 Don't forget to subscribe to Rise and Play for further news: https://www.riseandplay.io/blog
⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ If you enjoyed today's episode make sure to rate it on Spotify, leave a review on Apple Podcasts, or simply share it with a friend.
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🇮🇳 SPECIAL INDIA SERIES 🇮🇳
In this episode, we are joined by Oliver Jones, CEO and co-founder of Bombay Play, one of the leading gaming studios in Bengaluru, India. Oliver shares his journey in the gaming industry before founding Bombay Play, from working at Zynga and Glu to founding his first company Moonfrog Labs (acquired for USD 90 million by Stillfront in 2021).
Oliver talks about the booming gaming ecosystem in India and how companies like Zynga and EA established their studios in the country to leverage local talent. He shares how Moonfrog Labs, his first startup, focused on creating content for the Indian market and eventually gained traction leading to the acquisition by Stillfront.
We dive into the challenges and successes of building a gaming company in India, including the importance of bootstrapping, building a strong team, and focusing on a specific genre. Oliver shares insights on their strategy of creating card games with a social casino twist, targeting a gap in the market. Oliver emphasizes the importance of quick iterations, adapting to the market, and taking bold bets in game development.
Check Bombay Play's latest title Block Heads (a Duel Puzzle Game) in Soft Launch.
Topics Discussed:
- The gaming ecosystem in India
- Building Moonfrog Labs and Bombay Play
- Bootstrapping and generating revenue
- Focusing on specific genres
- Cultural differences and working culture in India
- Creating a purpose-driven culture
- Quick iterations and adapting to the market
- The future of the Indian gaming market
💌 Don't forget to subscribe to Rise and Play for further news: https://www.riseandplay.io/blog
⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ If you enjoyed today's episode make sure to rate it on Spotify, leave a review on Apple Podcasts, or simply share it with a friend.
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This episode is about the inspiring journey of a resilient young entrepreneur, who is committed to cracking the puzzle of fitness to mobile games for GenZ.
In this episode, we interview Jenny Xu, the CEO of Talofa Games, to discuss her journey in the gaming industry and the creation of their unique fitness RPG game, Run Legends.
Jenny shares her background in the industry, including her previous solo-founded company, JC Soft Inc., and being part of the Niantic Kickstarter Program leading to the creation of Talofa Games.
We dive into the details of Run Legends, a co-op fitness RPG game that combines modern gaming with fitness, aiming to surpass existing fitness gaming options. Learn more about the fitness habits and preferences of Gen Z, and what it takes to create a game experience for GenZ.
💌 Don't forget to subscribe to Rise and Play for further news: https://www.riseandplay.io/blog
⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ If you enjoyed today's episode make sure to rate it on Spotify, leave a review on Apple Podcasts, or simply share it with a friend.
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