Hendrik Klindworth

The mobile gaming landscape welcomes a new player: Juicy Button Games! Based in Limassol, Cyprus, this studio has already secured a promising $3 million in funding led by The Games Fund (TGF). Juicy Button boasts a powerhouse founding team. Alexander Kravchuk (creator of mobile strategy hit Total Battle), Anton Sinelnikov (design director of Pixel Gun 3D), and Aleksandr Zaytsev (co-founder of Mighty Party developer Panoramik) bring a combined track record of success. Their previous titles have reportedly garnered a staggering $180 million to $220 million in revenue and a massive player base with 43 million to 190 million downloads across their lifetimes. The studio isn't wasting any time setting its sights on a new challenge. Their debut project will be a 4X strategy game designed specifically for mobile platforms. This genre is currently dominated by Chinese developers, but Juicy Button aims to break the mold and become a "worthy European challenger." This sentiment aligns with TGF's vision. Ilya Karpinskiy, co-founder of the VC firm, sees immense potential in Europe's game development scene. "We want to connect outstanding gaming founders from overlooked regions with the global industry," says Karpinskiy, highlighting the firm's mission to bridge the gap between talented European developers and the international gaming market. Juicy Button Games, with its experienced team and ambitious goals, is definitely a name to watch in the mobile strategy space. Can they dethrone the current giants and reign supreme? Only time will tell, but their journey promises to be an exciting one. (source: https://lnkd.in/e94ebWGv)

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NEW GAME TRENDING SUPERMARKET SIMULATOR (ROUND 2) In April, I published a post about the new trend of supermarket simulators 🛒 in the games industry. There I mentioned that this trend emerged on Steam (by Valve corporation) under the title "Supermarket Simulator", developed by Nokta Games. The trend quickly spread to the mobile market and spawned some hits, such as "Supermarket Manager Simulator" by Polish studio Digital Melody Games. 🇵🇱 At that time, the games that took advantage of this trend reached around 35MM downloads and US$512k in IAP revenue. What has happened since then? 🤔 Well… some gaming studios have read my post 🤣 and launched their versions of supermarket simulators. And studios that had already developed supermarket simulators, either in a different version to Nokta's game, also took advantage of the trend. 📈 (This is the case with "Hypermarket 3D", a Hypercasual simlutator published by Sunday and developed by Suji Games) The trend is still hot! 🔥 "Manage Supermarket Simulator" by Zego Studio has jumped to the top of the charts in recent weeks. 🔝 According to AppMagic, since March the supermarket trend has generated around 69MM downloads and US$1.1MM in IAP revenue in the mobile gaming market. Here's a list of the five most downloaded mobile games (from March to June 12th): 🥇 “Supermarket Manager Simulator” by Digital Melody Games. 🥈 "Hypermarket 3D" published by Sunday and developed by Suji Games. 🥉 “Manage Supermarket Simulator” by Zego Studio (iKame Global). 4º - “Retail Store Simulator” by Kosin Games. 5º - “Supermarket Simulator Game 3D” by Emir Tarek (Peace Games Studio). 👇 Scroll through the slides below to see some details about these games. 👇 - X - I've put together a list of the 30 most downloaded market simulator games in recent months. Interested in it? 🤔 Then follow the step-by-step instructions in the comments and access my private AppMagic dashboard. - X - This research was supported by Cost Center. Cost Center is a tech company that offers a powerful suite of tools for Mobile Publishers to optimize UA campaigns. 💪 Its portfolio includes amazing clients such as Amanotes and Lihuhu. 🏆 Do you like it? 🤩 Call my friend Yi Ting Ho She'll show you a demo. 😉 #gaming #gamedevelopment #HypercasualByCarlosPereira

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TOP SOFT LAUNCHES NEW LEGO GAMES With the challenges of new privacy policies, using IP has been a key UA strategy in mobile games in recent years. IPs endemic to the gaming industry have been performing well, such as “Candy Crush”🍬 and “PUBG”🪂. But there are non-endemic IPs that are well received by the gaming audience, such as soccer (”EA Sports”), board games (”Monopoly GO”), and cartoons (”Pokémon GO”). Now imagine a mobile game with an endemic IP of almost 1.2 billion downloads combined with one of the most iconic brands in kids' culture. 🤯 This one is… ✨ "LEGO® Hill Climb Adventures" ✨ Developed by Fingersoft in partnership with the LEGO Group, "LEGO® Hill Climb" is a 3D version of "Hill Climb Racing". With a well-polished game art. 🎨 Moments of competition, like "Hill Climb Racing 2". 🏁 But keeping the famous brake-acceleration balance mechanics. 🚗 The game also features in-depth gameplay, including a building narrative. 🛠️ These features aim to take advantage of the hundreds of millions of downloads and the 22.8% D30 retention rate of the classic "Hill Climb". 🎯 👇 Scroll through the slides below and see for yourself. 👇 Released globally on May 28, "LEGO® Hill Climb" has achieved nearly 500k downloads, with a 33% share in the US market. However, this wasn't Lego's only recent launch. They extended their partnership with Irish game studio StoryToys 🇮🇪 (part of Team17 Group PLC), releasing 2️⃣ more titles: ✨ LEGO® DUPLO® PEPPA PIG ✨ & ✨ LEGO® DUPLO® DOCTOR ✨ In the first one, Lego builds yet another product with the world-famous (including my daughter 👨‍👧💓) character Peppa Pig 🐷, celebrating a partnership begun in January with Hasbro and Merlin Entertainments. The second game is a very child-friendly job simulator. 🥼🩺 Both are games from the DUPLO® brand aimed at preschool children. Is the games market demanding IP? No problem, Lego is in. 🤩 All mobile data from AppMagic. 💯 - x - This research was supported by Cost Center. Cost Center is a tech company that offers a powerful suite of tools for Mobile Publishers to optimize UA campaigns. 💪 Its portfolio includes amazing clients such as Amanotes and Lihuhu. 🏆 Do you like it? 🤩 Call my friend Yi Ting Ho. She'll show you a demo. 😉 #marketing #lego #gaming #gamedevelopment #HypercasualByCarlosPereira

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More fascinating estimates here as we pass the halfway point of the year

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Dear Stretch Network Partners, Please allow me to inform you about additional changes that will take place in the global network on July 8. 🍀 All Heads-up tables will be removed 🍀 Badugi cash tables will be removed 🍀 Sonic cash tables will become 6-max 🍀 The minimum buy-in for Sonic Omaha cash tables will be 20 BB 🍀 Sonic Omaha 7 card cash tables will be added These changes apply only to cash tables and only to our Global Network. In your local networks, you decide your product strategy, but we would be happy to assist you in managing your local networks as well. If you need our help, please contact us. The above-mentioned changes are part of the new strategy for the Stretch Network Global Network, which prioritizes the comfort of novice players and casual traffic to maintain the proper balance of our ecosystem between amateurs and professionals. Caring for the ecosystem of the Global Network is our priority. The changes we are implementing now and will continue to implement will significantly improve the user experience for your players, extend their LTV, ARPU, and, of course, Revenue.

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Match3 is not the best game economy. I know some who would say it’s not even economy! Also, digital board games are just video games with terrible UX. Listen to the episode for more on these hot takes from me and the fellas.

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Did you know... That Besitos/ KashKick is more than just a platform for gaming companies? We work with companies of many verticals in driving sales, leads, subscriptions, and more. And with our MAU consistently increasing, we can satisfy the needs of many companies in helping them acquire quality users/clients that they covet. Message me, text me, call me, whatever, to find out more about why many companies are looking at KashKick as a must for their UA needs!

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From Sensortower's Q1 mobile market update...spending up on iOS 11.5% but Apps up 18% while Games up only 5.6%. Android spending was grew only 5.3% but all growth came from Apps while Games declined. In terms of share of wallet, Apps are taking share from Games on mobile.

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Governments Target Gaming Addiction with Time Limits & Spend Curbs Is gaming getting out of hand? Governments are exploring: * Time caps to limit gaming sessions (like China's 1 hour rule for minors) * Spend restrictions to curb in-game purchases Read here: https://lnkd.in/dPeGfejh #GamingAddiction #DigitalWellness #GameCloud #LolzSoft

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📃 𝗢𝗽𝗲𝗻 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗿𝗮𝗰𝘁 𝗣𝗼𝘀𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀 𝗶𝗻 𝗚𝗮𝗺𝗶𝗻𝗴!! 🎮 Here is our list of European Gaming Contracts across all disciplines, see below 👇 TL:DR: Contracts with European Studios open to Consultants based in Europe Remote - Sweden 🏡 Remote - Europe 🌍 Hybrid - Stockholm 🏢 Reach out to Paul Hackett for: 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗱𝘂𝗰𝘁 𝗗𝗶𝗿𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗼𝗿 - 𝟲 𝗠𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗵𝘀 🏡 Interviewing 𝗝𝗮𝘃𝗮 𝗕𝗮𝗰𝗸𝗲𝗻𝗱 𝗗𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗹𝗼𝗽𝗲𝗿 - 𝟲 𝗠𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗵𝘀 🏡 Interviewing Reach out to Andy Bargh for: 𝗧𝗲𝗰𝗵 𝗔𝗻𝗶𝗺𝗮𝘁𝗼𝗿 - 𝟲 𝗠𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗵𝘀 🏡New Job 𝗔𝗻𝗶𝗺𝗮𝘁𝗼𝗿 - 𝟲 𝗠𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗵𝘀 🏡Applicants Needed Reach out to Melanie Lindsey for: 𝗝𝗮𝗽𝗮𝗻𝗲𝘀𝗲 𝗦𝗽𝗲𝗮𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗖𝗼𝗺𝗺𝘂𝗻𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝗦𝗽𝗲𝗰𝗶𝗮𝗹𝗶𝘀𝘁 - 𝟲 𝗠𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗵𝘀 🌍Interviewing 𝗖𝗼𝗺𝗺𝘂𝗻𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝘀𝘂𝗹𝘁𝗮𝗻𝘁 - 𝟮 𝗠𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗵𝘀 𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗿 𝗦𝘂𝗺𝗺𝗲𝗿 🌍Interviewing 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗱𝘂𝗰𝗲𝗿 - 𝗣𝗮𝗿𝘁 𝗧𝗶𝗺𝗲 🌍Interviewing 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗱𝘂𝗰𝗲𝗿 - 𝟯 𝗠𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗵𝘀 𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗿 𝗦𝘂𝗺𝗺𝗲𝗿 🏢Applicants Needed 𝗢𝘂𝘁𝘀𝗼𝘂𝗿𝗰𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗠𝗮𝗻𝗮𝗴𝗲𝗿 - 𝟲 𝗠𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗵𝘀 🏢Applicants Needed 𝗟𝗼𝗰𝗮𝗹𝗶𝘀𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗠𝗮𝗻𝗮𝗴𝗲𝗿 - 𝟲 𝗠𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗵𝘀 🏢Applicants Needed 𝗦𝘁𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝗠𝗮𝗻𝗮𝗴𝗲𝗿 - 𝟲 𝗠𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗵𝘀 🏢New Role! 𝗦𝗿. 𝗔𝗳𝗳𝗶𝗹𝗶𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗠𝗮𝗻𝗮𝗴𝗲𝗿 - 𝟭𝟬 𝗠𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗵𝘀 🌍New Role! Reach out to Aarronn Campbell for: 𝗦𝗲𝗻𝗶𝗼𝗿 𝗖++ 𝗚𝗮𝗺𝗲𝗽𝗹𝗮𝘆 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗴𝗿𝗮𝗺𝗺𝗲𝗿 - 𝟲 𝗠𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗵𝘀 🌍Applicants Needed 𝗚𝗮𝗺𝗲𝗽𝗹𝗮𝘆 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗴𝗿𝗮𝗺𝗺𝗲𝗿 - 𝗡𝗼𝗲𝘀𝗶𝘀 𝗚𝗨𝗜 𝗘𝘅𝗽. - 𝟲 𝗠𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗵𝘀 🌍Applicants Needed 𝗦𝗲𝗻𝗶𝗼𝗿 𝗖++ 𝗚𝗮𝗺𝗲𝗽𝗹𝗮𝘆 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗴𝗿𝗮𝗺𝗺𝗲𝗿 - 𝟲 𝗠𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗵𝘀 🌍Interviewing Reach out to Adam Miller-Bettridge for: 𝟯𝗗 𝗖𝗵𝗮𝗿𝗮𝗰𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗔𝗿𝘁𝗶𝘀𝘁 - 𝟲 𝗠𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗵𝘀 🌍Interviewing 𝗠𝗮𝘁𝗰𝗵𝟯 𝗚𝗮𝗺𝗲 𝗔𝗿𝘁𝗶𝘀𝘁 - 𝟲 𝗠𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗵𝘀 🌍Applicants Needed Reach out to Sol Bate for: 𝗦𝗲𝗻𝗶𝗼𝗿 𝗨𝗻𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝗗𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗹𝗼𝗽𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝘅 𝟰 - 𝟲 𝗠𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗵𝘀+ 🏢Applicants Needed - Must be Stockholm Based Reach out to Heather Nicholls for: 𝗦𝗲𝗻𝗶𝗼𝗿 𝗗𝗲𝘃𝗢𝗽𝘀 𝗘𝗻𝗴𝗶𝗻𝗲𝗲𝗿 - 𝟲 𝗠𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗵𝘀+ 🏢Interviewing for Post Summer 𝗦𝗲𝗻𝗶𝗼𝗿 𝗔𝗻𝗮𝗹𝘆𝘁𝗶𝗰𝘀 𝗘𝗻𝗴𝗶𝗻𝗲𝗲𝗿 - 𝟲 𝗠𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗵𝘀+ 🏢Applicants Needed for Post Summer Reach out to Mia Elizabeth for: 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗻𝘁/𝗟𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗹 𝗗𝗲𝘀𝗶𝗴𝗻𝗲𝗿 - 𝟲 𝗠𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗵𝘀+ 🌍Applicants Needed 𝗘𝗰𝗼𝗻𝗼𝗺𝘆 𝗗𝗲𝘀𝗶𝗴𝗻𝗲𝗿 - 𝟲 𝗠𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗵𝘀+ 🌍Applicants Needed 𝗦𝗲𝗻𝗶𝗼𝗿 𝗩𝗙𝗫 𝗔𝗿𝘁𝗶𝘀𝘁 - 𝟲 𝗠𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗵𝘀 🌍Applicants Needed Follow Evolution Recruitment Gaming as we have more roles coming in all the time! 💪 Share this with your network for those looking for their next gig! ▶️

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Supermarket Manager Simulator by Digital Melody Games already passed 15 Mil. downloads in nearly 1 month from launch and did more than $1 Mil in overall revenue 🤑. Why are we talking about it? read the interesting story bellow 😎 The game is a mobile fast follow of the new popular steam PC game Supermarket Simulator 🛒 by Nokta Games, which was released on 20th of Feb, with 32K very positive reviews. The mobile game was released around a month after it in a very rudimentary state, basically using mostly just free asset store packs I would guess. But the main core loop is there and its 1:1 with the PC game 💻. The game is actually a first person 3D game, where you really need to do all the work around the supermarket 🛍. Stock the shelves, order more groceries if they run out, checkout customers and give them back the change (pro tip - round everything 😅 or you will die of clicking) and walk a lot of course. Interestingly this very tangible core loop really captures the fantasy of running your own supermarket, which gives the game so much appeal even in its rudimentary state. This is another example how some core gameplays can be easily translated from PC to mobile 📲 and scale there even faster - similarly to Vampire survivors - Survivor.io case. Because its already popular on steam and approved by user reviews there, you can be sure that the core is solid, then you just need to adapt it for mobile platform. Join us as we talk about all of these with 🦩 Matej showing the UA strategy of 1 creative and Felix improving the ads revenue on the spot 😁. Data based on Sensor Tower, thanks for the support 🤗 📺 Watch on YouTube: https://lnkd.in/d2Vb2zrS 🎧 Listen on Spotify: https://lnkd.in/d2nk4gqf 🗣 Join the discussion in our slack channel: https://lnkd.in/eCfTUdu9 #gamedev #gamedevelopment #gamedesign #gameindustry #mobilegames #mobilemarketing #mobileadvertising #userexperiencedesign #userexperience #gamedeveloper #games #gameart #ads #creative #casual #hypercasual #supermarket

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Supercell's Squad Busters is off to a great start, topping the charts across Android and iOS stores. The game leans heavily into a particular system more than any other Supercell game before: RNG, or randomness, which I tend to refer to as variable rewards. RNG, or Random Number Generation, in gaming refers to a system or algorithm that generates random values to introduce an element of unpredictability and variety into the game. It is a fundamental feature and mechanic used in many video games to determine various outcomes, such as loot drops, enemy spawns, and procedural generation of game worlds. How this factors into the core moment-to-moment gameplay for Squad Busters Throughout a session in Squad Busters, players build and add to their army through chests they come across. These chests spawn heroes to select from during the match. RNG plays a big role in determining how powerful or weak your army becomes. It also streamlines the gameplay and overall balance, so it is not strictly pay-to-win. Players are always given the choice: run or fight. Variable rewards and a degree of randomness add spice to the moment-to-moment gameplay, enhancing replayability and keeping the experience fresh and new. It ensures that no two playthroughs are exactly the same, which is particularly important in games focused on exploration and discovery, such as Minecraft or Diablo. One of the biggest cons when it comes to a game's reliance on RNG mechanics is evident in competitive games. RNG can sometimes overshadow player skill, leading to frustration among players who feel that luck plays too significant a role in determining outcomes. The higher the randomness, the higher the potential for fun, and it serves an even greater purpose: the dream run, and trying to replicate it. We have all played a game on Call of Duty or perhaps Hades, where everything went our way, and we keep playing those games for the chance get another experience just like it.

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I’m excited to announce the launch of a new series where I'll be sharing my insights and perspectives on the latest developments in the gaming and ad tech industry. In our first piece, I’ll explore the factors behind the Turkish gaming industry's remarkable boom ⬇️ 1. The Turkish government puts money back into the gaming industry - Thanks to the lack of capital gains tax and some employees' exemptions from income tax, money is being reinvested in the games sector. - As announced by Tugbek Olek earlier this year, the government is also covering 50% of two development staff's salaries up to €50k and reimbursing Apple's and Google Play's 30% commission up to 50% and €100k.    2. A young, gaming-focused population  - A 2022 study found that 81% of adults in Turkey play mobile games. And with 44% of the population under the age of 30, a vast majority of the workforce attended Turkish universities and studied abroad – coming back with an international and entrepreneurial mindset. They were able to apply their ideas and create some of the great games companies we see today like Dream Games, Peak, Spyke Games, Masomo and on the hyper/hybrid casual side Rollic, Alictus, Good Job Games and Panteon. 3. International investors  - Building off the support from the government, external investors are becoming more open to investing in Turkey. And with more money coming in, better games will be developed. - If money is kept in the sector, there's a very high chance international companies will reinvest, and now we are seeing the results in the form of a thriving gaming hub. When I started out in the industry in 2012, it was just a matter of time until Turkey became a big name in gaming. Now I'm looking forward to seeing where not only the giants will develop, but also keeping an eye on Fugo Games, Vertigo Games, Fomo Games, Gamegos, Tiramisu Studios and Zuuks Games. 

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🚀 Explore Real-World Examples from Mr.Beast x Top Troops Influencer campaign or Podcast ads for June's Journey as Alternative Mobile UA Channels for 2024 In today's fast-evolving mobile landscape, sticking solely to Google and Facebook for user acquisition isn't enough. With economic shifts demanding more scrupulous budgeting and quicker payback, diversification isn't just beneficial—it's necessary. 👉 Why Diversify? More channels mean more opportunities for testing, discovering potentially profitable new channels, and not putting all your eggs in one basket. When one channel stumbles, your strategy doesn’t have to. I’m excited to share insights on alternative mobile UA channels that are making waves in 2024. Also, thanks Media Bodies | Influencer Marketing Agency & Vibe.co for additional insights: Influencer Marketing: Discover how collaborations with mega-influencers like Mr. Beast (Jimmy Donaldson) can drive significant engagement and installs, as seen with the Top Troops by Socialpoint, which included custom assets and challenges to maximize ROI. Podcast Ads: Learn from successful podcast campaigns that utilize the trust and intimacy of this medium to boost app installs—insights backed by campaigns like those run by Tactile Games for Lily's Garden or Wooga for June's Journey. Connected TV (CTV): See how brands leverage CTV advertising to effectively reach massive audiences, highlighted by real-time optimized campaigns by Huuuge Games on different platforms. Strategic Partnerships: Gain insights from the unique partnership between Clash of Clans and Chess.com, which cross-promoted content to mutual benefit, boosting user bases significantly. Retail Media Networks: Get a peek at how major brands utilize spaces in retail media, from Amazon Advertising to newer platforms like inflight entertainment systems. These examples aren’t just theories but actionable strategies that have been implemented and tested in the market, offering you a clear pathway to diversify and strengthen your mobile UA efforts. 💬 I’d love to hear about your experiences with these or other innovative UA channels. Have they transformed your approach? What worked and what didn’t? Let’s exchange insights and learn together! 🔄 Engage, Comment, and Share this post to help others in our community stay ahead of the curve in mobile user acquisition strategies! 🔗 Dive deeper into each of these strategies by reading the full article here: The Art of Diversification: Alternative Mobile UA Channels for 2024 https://lnkd.in/dwjeKUNc #UserAcquisition #MobileMarketing #DigitalMarketing #RealWorldExamples #InfluencerMarketing #PodcastAds #ConnectedTV #StrategicPartnerships #TikTokMarketing #RetailMedia #MobileGames

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Super interesting article about Live Game Services, Live Subscriptions and F2P for the console market. This article by Ampere Analysis and GamesIndustry.Biz dives into the evolving business models of the console gaming industry. It highlights the increasing prominence of live service games, free-to-play titles, and subscription services, fundamentally changing how developers bring their creations to market and how revenue is generated. Here are my key takeaways: 👑 Subscription services, while significant, aren't the sole rulers of the market. However, they have become a major player, influencing how some developers approach game development. ⭐ Live service games are the current stars of the show, captivating players with frequent updates and ongoing engagement. These titles often see players returning daily, leading to consistent revenue streams. 🕹 Free-to-play titles, while not as widespread as on mobile platforms, still hold a considerable space in the console market. 🤔 It's worth noting that a small number of publishers hold a dominant position, with their live service games driving a significant portion of the overall playtime in the console space. 💡 This shift in business models presents a more intricate competitive landscape for developers, pushing developers to factor in live service elements, free-to-play structures, and subscription services when planning and launching new games. Full article: https://lnkd.in/ejZC-HNf

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Yesterday, I wrote about the access to talent. Now, it is time to focus on access to funding and support for IP creation. Let's start on building a digital-ready copyright framework. The regulatory fragmentation of the European digital single market area is one of the key market access barriers for European game developers. Consequently, we need a fully harmonised copyright framework. AI-ready copyright framework will be one of the critical debates of the next Commission term. The EU needs a legal framework that keeps human-created copyright-protected content competitive. On the one hand, we need a copyright framework that protects artistic authors. However, the EU must widen its focus to protecting trademark and design rights holders in a digital environment, as these rights are likely to become much more important in the AI-driven world. On the other hand, we need a copyright framework that ensures contractual freedom and freedom to conduct business. These two perspective must be carefully balanced against each other. Lastly, the commission needs to create a specific legal framework for unfair, non-negotiable standard contracts used by AI tool developers. When it comes to funding, the EU needs to increase Creative Europe Media funding for video game development. Furthermore, digital games are an under-exploited driver of innovation. Therefore, the Union should give them a clear cross-cutting role in the new framework programme for research and innovation and introduce a specific R&D funding instrument targeting the games industry. The Union must require member states to introduce specific measures to support new emerging industrial sectors, like the game industry, in their regional smart specialisation strategies. Unlike any other cultural industry, public support for the game industry must currently be notified in Brussels. The Union must make it easier for member states to introduce public support for their local game industry ecosystem. Thus, the Union should broaden the audiovisual state aid exemption under the General Block Exemption Regulation (GBER) to include video games. If you have not done so already, vote! Vote for someone who continues the European support for Ukraine. For more information on the EGDF EP election manifesto, please visit: https://lnkd.in/eXYzVDHv

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Investors: Gaming opportunities are on the rise! The last three years were a Period of Complacency: ▪ Record revenues during the pandemic ▪ Led to over-hiring & less innovation in every way, ▪ With unfortunate layoffs across many AAA studios as a result. The next three years are a Period of Disruption: ▪ New development pipelines with Generative AI & other tech ▪ New distribution platforms with Roblox, Fortnite & more coming ▪ New marketing approaches via Influencers & Community ▪ And the gaming audience is still growing, and global. Layoffs from AAA game studios led to experienced talent on the street, leading to new and interesting Game Dev Startups forming. From this period, multiple new billion dollar game companies will emerge. Recognizing OPPORTUNITY, notable dedicated game investment funds are being announced. THIS MONTH: $1 Billion of new capital for games ◾️ A16Z GAMES announced a 2nd gaming fund of $600 million, beyond previous $75M for Speedrun III applications. ◾️ BITKRAFT Ventures announced a 3rd gaming fund of $275 million. ◾️India’s Centre Court Capital announced new $42MM ◾️As did Turkey’s Laton Ventures with a new $35MM fund AGAINST BACKDROP OF: ◾️Disney investing $1.5 BILLION into Epic Games - gaming ecosystems are the future for the most valuable IP. ◾️Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund earmarking $38 BILLION of investment for gaming and esports - to future proof their economy. LOCALLY: ◾️Closer to home, Georgia benefits from abundant tech & creative talent, low cost of living, biz friendly environment, PLUS specific tax incentives for game development projects.  ◾️Based on my experience, it is a uniquely great place to make uniquely great games. ➨I’m personally very invested in a new Georgia-based game development venture, that will launch under the Ghost Gaming entity. ➨If you are a Qualified Investor and want to learn more about this or other gaming investment opportunities please hit me up directly. * Credit to Joost van Dreunen newsletter & CB Insights for chart Nabil Ismail Asante Bradford Grant Wainscott Andrew Chen Andrew Greenberg Jens Hilgers David Schulman Andrew Steinberg Shachar Oren Brian Zwerner Sean O'Brien Michael Cohn Frank Patterson Joe Yuan Christopher Klaus Randy Davidson Brian Grayson Julian Caggiano Travis S. #gaming #esports #investing #vc #angelinvesting

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Remote Work is here to stay in the games industry, and here is how to make it work for you! As the CEO and co-founder of Simply Sweet Games, having a remote team allows me to live out my dream of residing in a small town outside the city and spending time in my garden. I also cherish my regular trips to Vancouver to see my team and connect in person with colleagues, friends, and family. A remote work model offers significant benefits to everyone on the team, allowing us to schedule our work around our personal lives much more flexibly than if we worked full-time in an office. This is important to us at SSG because we care deeply about life balance. As a business, we save significant money on location costs by not having a permanent physical location, and our team also benefits from reduced commuting costs and the gift of more time for what matters most to them. But let’s be real: working remotely has its drawbacks and challenges. Thoughtful and effective communication is critical to our efficiency and overall success, and we need to trust each other to deliver. It also requires having clearly defined processes for how the work is done and understanding ‘what good looks like’. Examples include sending agendas in advance of meetings, defining performance metrics and KPIs, and clarifying how decisions are made. Building trust and establishing how the work will get done with a remote team takes time. Whenever possible, provide remote teams with regular opportunities to meet in person for shared experiences beyond Zoom. Each team needs to find its own way to establish the best working methods – one size does not fit all! Take time to learn about the cultural diversity of your team and explore together how to best support each other’s ability to thrive and deliver their best. Here are a couple of articles I wrote previously on related topics: Team Building with Remote Teams https://lnkd.in/g3Rj2qpz Best practices to work effectively with distributed teams - culture matters! https://lnkd.in/gR6g63HP And now, it's time to plan my upcoming trip to Vancouver for some team bonding… 😊 😉 #remotework #remoteworklife #workfromanywhere #futureofwork #gameindustry #gamedevelopment #lifebalance #remoteteam #teambuilding #companyculture #remoteworktips #ceothoughts #startuplife #ssg #simplysweetgames #peopleingames #womeninleadership

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