ByteAction

In this episode of ByteAction, I sit down with Miikka Luotio, VP Europe at Appcharge and a games industry operator with more than 20 years across development, production, publishing, partnerships and D2C commerce.

We talk about the early days of mobile games, why Finland produced such a strong generation of studios, and what has changed now that the market is more crowded, more expensive and harder to break into. Miikka shares a frank view on publishing deals, why studios need proof rather than a polished pitch deck, and why chasing the latest trend rarely beats building something players genuinely want.

We also get into D2C, what Appcharge is building for game publishers, and why a direct-to-player strategy is about much more than putting up a web shop.

Finally we touch on discoverability, direct-to-consumer gaming, payments, AI and where he thinks the games industry is heading next.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction

01:32 Growing up in Finland and discovering games

03:41 Quake modding, game school and the early Finnish games scene

07:54 First games role at Frozenbyte

09:46 Learning to make mobile games at Digital Chocolate

16:10 Career moves and the boom years of mobile free-to-play

22:23 Discoverability, attention and the appeal of simple games

28:55 From production to publishing

34:00 What a healthier publisher-developer relationship looks like

40:08 Funding game studios: data, product and avoiding hype cycles

44:50 Why Turkey has become a games hotspot

48:45 The industry reset: consolidation, cost and discoverability

55:54 Appcharge and the case for D2C

01:04:50 Why D2C is about more than a web shop

01:10:39 The future of distribution, discovery and game business models

01:21:17 Persistence and relationships: career advice from Miikka

01:26:00 Close

In this episode of ByteAction, I sit down with Guillaume Rambourg, a true operator of the games industry who’s quietly helped shape some of the biggest brands in gaming. Guillaume started his career in a QA department at CD Projekt during the final stretch of The Witcher 1, went on to help build GOG, opened CD Projekt’s US office, he then moved to Riot Games to launch their Paris office and get the company closer to players across Europe. Most recently, he was brought into Respawn (EA) to build a European publishing team for Apex Legends.We talk about what it’s actually like to build teams and offices from scratch, why Riot’s long hiring process actually makes more sense than people think, and why self-awareness and a growth mindset matter more than raw talent. Guillaume shares what “player-first” really means in practice, and why a lot of live service games fail.We also talk extensively about leadership, hiring, esports, community building, novelty in games, and where the industry is heading next. This one is part career story, part leadership masterclass, and part honest reflection on what it takes to build things that actually last in games.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Guillaume

03:00 Guillaume's Journey in Gaming

05:58 Early Influences and Career Switch

09:14 The Growth of CD Projekt

11:48 Cultural Shifts at CD Projekt

15:01 The Launch of The Witcher 3

17:50 Establishing the US Office

20:50 Transition to Riot Games

23:57 Building the Paris Office at Riot

27:06 Understanding Player Needs at Riot

30:04 Conclusion and Future Aspirations

34:03 The Evolution of eSports Management at Riot

37:10 Recruitment Standards and Criteria at Riot

41:39 Diversity and Team Chemistry in Hiring

46:39 Leadership Style and Clarity in Decision Making

51:45 Keys to Successful Live Service Games

57:28 The Future of Gaming: Trends and Predictions

01:01:42 Advice for Aspiring Game Industry Professionals

In this episode of the ByteAction Podcast, we sit down with Christian Gascons, COO and co-founder of Games for a Living (GFAL), to explore the journey of building sustainable gaming studio, their upcoming launch of Diamond Dreams, and how their team is redefining the match3 space.From Christian’s start at Blizzard Entertainment, to co-founding a studio in Barcelona, to building highly player focused games, this episode dives into the realities of the gaming industry today➡️ If you’re into gaming, startups, Web3, or entrepreneurship, this is an episode you won’t want to miss.0:54 – Welcome to the Podcast1:18 – Announcing the early launch of Diamond Dreams2:20 – Why launch now? Timing & market conditions2:28 – Who is Christian Gascons?3:20 – Early career: from Blizzard to VR studies6:25 – Founding Games for a Living & the vision8:30 – Building infrastructure before launching Diamond Dreams9:35 – The founding team & creative leadership11:45 – Raising $1.2M with just a PowerPoint13:00 – Making Web3 gaming accessible & optional14:10 – Why “game first” matters in blockchain gaming15:01 – Physical jewelry linked to in-game collectibles16:45 – How the gameplay & collectibles work18:20 – Digital collectibles vs NFTs20:20 – Building community, influencer program & Proof of Lux campaign23:35 – The hardest challenges: legal, compliance & iteration27:05 – Free-to-play, user acquisition & market realities28:18 – Gaming industry downturn & layoffs30:22 – The role of a COO in a gaming startup33:37 – Leadership style & company culture36:12 – Lessons from 13 years as an entrepreneur39:35 – Why fun matters more than graphics42:19 – Retention & what makes players come back44:00 – Future vision for Games for a Living45:02 – Leaving a mark in Web3 gaming46:10 – Advice for young people entering the gaming industry-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------https://gfal.com/

In this episode I’m joined by Darius Misiukevicius - Product Owner at Honeygain - the largest crowdsourced web-intelligence network.

We talk about the the origins and evolution of HoneyGain, a platform that allows users to share their unused internet bandwidth for monetary rewards.

Darius shares insights into the B2B model, user education, and the challenges faced during the company's growth, especially during the pandemic. Finally, we explore the importance of leadership, team dynamics, and the future of AI in business, while also touching on the startup culture in Lithuania and the values that drive personal and professional growth.

0:00 Introduction

07:07 Understanding the B2B Model

12:54 Evolution of HoneyGain's Product

16:55 Challenges and Timing of Launch

21:17 User Trust and Security Concerns

23:43 Diversity in Platforms and Services

24:51 Solving Problems for Game Studios

25:32 Future Developments and Personal Impact

26:39 Navigating Leadership Responsibilities

27:20 The Essence of Leadership Skills

28:13 Proud Moments in Team Development

29:01 Unlocking Potential in Others

30:40 Core Values in Family and Business

32:28 Hiring for Soft Skills vs. Hard Skills

35:24 The Importance of Mutual Respect in Work Relationships

37:21 Open Communication in Team Dynamics

40:19 Building a Tech Company in Lithuania

42:21 The Future of AI in Business

45:27 Fueling Energy and Passion in Leadership

46:16 Advice for Aspiring Entrepreneurs

https://www.honeygain.com/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/misiukevicius-darius/

In this episode I’m joined by Rafał Bieniek - co-founder & CEO of Metashift Labs.

We discuss Rafał’s journey in game development, the challenges of starting a studio, and the importance of community engagement. He shares insights on transitioning from a side project to a full-time endeavor, the dynamics of working with investors versus publishers, and the innovative concepts behind their upcoming game. The discussion also touches on the future of game development, the role of AI, and advice for aspiring developers.

00:00 Introduction and Personal Background

03:17 Journey into Game Development

05:46 Starting a Game Studio

08:19 Transitioning from Side Hustle to Full-Time

10:53 Hiring and Team Growth

13:25 Working with Publishers vs. Investors

15:55 New Game Development Approach

18:15 Innovative Game Concept

20:51 Connection Between Players and Characters

23:16 Game Mechanics and Strategy

25:54 Conclusion and Future Plans

26:26 Validating Ideas Early in Game Development

28:37 Finding Your Niche in Game Design

31:33 Building a Community Around Your Game

34:10 The Current State of the Game Industry

39:41 Leveraging AI in Game Development

42:40 Creativity Within Constraints

44:50 Personal Gaming Preferences and Inspirations

48:24 Future Aspirations for Metashift Labs

https://metashiftlabs.com/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/rafbie/

https://dominusautoma.com/

In this episode I’m speaking to Antek Krowicki, and Zach Howe - the co-founders of Nyx Studios. Nyx Studios is a multimedia entertainment company. They’re currently promoting their first tabletop game Havoc: Gen Zero (The Nyxlands of Havoc), which just wrapped up its successful Kickstarter campaign after raising 572% of its goal.

We talk about designing with storytelling at the core, building worlds inspired by literary sci-fi and strategy classics, and why community-driven creation is the future of indie games.

We also discuss Antek’s and Zack’s journey from writers to worldbuilders, and how a dream project launched in a Telegram group became a Kickstarter success and a growing game universe.

00:00 Building Bonds: The Power of Friendship in Gaming

06:17 The Genesis of Havoc: Founding a Game Company

09:12 From Writers to Game Designers: A Unique Journey

11:56 Inspiration Behind Havoc: Games and Literature

15:03 The Evolution of Havoc: Naming and Universe Building

17:50 The Future of Havoc: Expanding the Universe

20:50 What Makes a Game Successful? Insights from the Industry

23:17 The Art of Game Design: Iteration and Improvement

26:07 Creating a Rich Universe: The World of Havoc

29:01 Gameplay Mechanics: Understanding Havoc

31:53 Kickstarter Success: The Journey to Funding

38:41 Building a Thriving Community

40:17 The Evolution of Community Engagement

43:17 Insights on the Gaming Industry

49:57 Team Dynamics and Collaboration

51:59 Imagining a Future with Unlimited Resources

56:29 Balancing Work and Personal Life

01:02:17 Future Plans for Nyx Studios

01:06:20 Advice for Aspiring Game Developers

https://enterhavoc.com/

https://www.linkedin.com/company/nyx-studios-games/about/

In this episode of ByteAction, I speak with Hanin Fakhriddin - a mobile marketing expert whose journey spans across Gameloft, Ubisoft, and beyond. From pre-smartphone gaming to leading high-impact launches like Hungry Dragon and Might and Magic: Elemental Guardians she shares her insights on how mobile games are brought to market, and what makes them thrive.

We discuss the evolution of marketing in games, the role of community building, testing strategies before launch, and why data and psychology are at the heart of great marketing. Hanin also offers a candid look at her shift into freelancing and the challenges (and joys) of teaching, consulting, and staying ahead in a fast-paced industry.

Whether you’re a dev, a marketer, or just curious about how mobile games succeed, this episode is a masterclass in mobile growth marketing.

Link to Hanin’s mobile marketing academy:

https://hanin-fakhriddin-s-school.teachable.com/?preview=logged_out

00:00 Introduction
03:15 The Roles of Networking and Graphics in Game Development 

09:30 Turning Creative Visions into Playable Realities
16:40 Tackling "Impossible" Problems in Game Programming
22:50 The Secrets to Great Multiplayer Games
29:10 Remote Work: Challenges and Opportunities in Game Development
35:45 VR Gaming: The Next Frontier?
41:20 How to Break Into Game Development—and Thrive?
36:45 Balancing Innovation with Market Demand
46:55 Predictions for the Future of Gaming Technology

In this episode, I’m speaking with two incredibly talented programmers, Nikita and Michal, who’ve worked on some of the most challenging aspects of game development, including networking, rendering, and creating multiplayer systems for AAA games like Six Days in Fallujah and Saints Row 3 Remastered.

Together, we uncover the intricate craft of game programming and its pivotal role in shaping the experiences we all enjoy as gamers.

They share insightful stories about overcoming "impossible" technical problems and what it truly means to succeed as a senior programmer in today’s fast-evolving gaming industry.

Finally, we explore the human side of game development—working remotely, building meaningful connections with teams across the globe, and maintaining passion for gaming in a demanding industry. Whether you’re a budding developer or a gaming enthusiast, this episode is packed with behind-the-scenes insights and practical advice from two industry veterans.

00:00 Introduction
03:15 The Roles of Networking and Graphics in Game Development
09:30 Turning Creative Visions into Playable Realities
16:40 Tackling "Impossible" Problems in Game Programming
22:50 The Secrets to Great Multiplayer Games
29:10 Remote Work: Challenges and Opportunities in Game Development
35:45 VR Gaming: The Next Frontier?
41:20 How to Break Into Game Development—and Thrive
46:55 Predictions for the Future of Gaming Technology

In this episode, I’m speaking with Gabriele Aimone - COO and Co-Founder of TIFO, a gaming startup focused on enhancing fans engagement, as well as a strategic advisor at Systems Heavy. We dive into his journey through the gaming industry, starting from his early days at Supercell, where he witnessed the rapid growth of mobile games like Clash of Clans.

We also discuss his path from finance to gaming, the challenges he faced, and how he found his calling in team operations and company culture. He shares valuable insights into the process of raising funds, navigating today’s tough investment landscape, and the importance of finding the right investor-partner fit.

Finally, we explore future trends in gaming, like the potential for transmedia experiences. This episode is packed with practical advice for anyone in the industry, from founders to aspiring developers.

00:00 Introduction
02:53 Breaking into the Gaming Industry
06:44 Supercell and the Mobile Gaming Boom
09:50 Career Transitions and Burnout
14:20 Challenges of Raising Funds Today
20:10 The Value of Staying True to Your Vision
27:44 Future Trends: Transmedia in Gaming
31:00 Building Effective Teams for Startups
36:45 Balancing Innovation with Market Demand
41:00 Insights for Young Professionals Breaking In

In this episode I'm speaking to Dino Patti - Founder @ Coherence - a network engine, platform and a series of tools to help anyone create a multiplayer game and a Co-Founder of Playdead.

We talk about his journey in the gaming industry, the creation of Limbo. We also discuss Coherence, how the company powers the multiplayer gaming and the importance of creating experiences that last.

Lastly we touch on the topic of raising money in the industry, the role of publishers, and the keys to launching a successful game.

It was a great conversation, and I hope that you will all enjoy it, and take something away from it.

00:00 Introduction

04:17 Game Development

06:44 Starting Playdead and the Challenges Faced

09:27 Securing Funding and Hiring the First Employee

12:53 Pitching to Investors and Publishers

17:17 The Vision Behind Limbo and its Execution

19:49 Development Timeline

24:45 The Impact of Unity and the Changing Gaming Landscape

26:48 Raising Money for Game Development

40:46 The Keys to Success in the Gaming Industry

47:13 The Role of Publishers in Community Building

49:12 Emphasizing Uniqueness and Innovation in Game Design

52:24 Prioritizing Gameplay over Monetary Success