Game Changers

Is your mobile game studio struggling to stand out? Stillfront CEO Alexis Bonte gets real about the brutal competition, why AI is now a survival tool, and how a laser-focused strategy can keep players—and profits—from walking away. This is direct advice for developers navigating today's tough market, from someone who's built and sold a game company and now leads a major group.

The mobile game scene is incredibly competitive. Developers are fighting to get noticed, retain players, and manage rising user acquisition costs. It's a crowded, fast-moving space.

Broad strategies and simply throwing money at ads or new tech like AI won't cut it anymore. Alexis argues that studios must make tough choices: focus on what truly works and leverage AI to genuinely enhance the player experience. The alternative? Becoming another casualty in a market that increasingly favors the focused few.

🎯 KEY EPISODE TAKEAWAYS:

⚠️ THE MOBILE GAUNTLET [0:06:45]:

"Now I think it's a thousand times harder if you're doing mobile free to play... what you need to succeed in mobile games in terms of development, speed, quality of life, operations, scaling your game with performance, marketing and all that, it's just massive."

This starkly defines the challenge. Understand why the barrier to entry and success in mobile F2P has skyrocketed. Must-watch segment. 👀

✨ AI OR OBSOLETE? [0:21:51]:

"This is simply about one thing is making your game better and making the player experience better. So if AI serves you in doing that and you're not embracing it and others are, you’re going to lose."

This is the core message on AI: adapt it for player benefit, or risk becoming irrelevant. This changes everything about prioritizing AI.

⚡ SMARTER RETENTION [0:40:59]:

"I don't believe in cross promotion across a whole portfolio... I don't think a Match 3 player you're gonna cross promote to a strategy game. It's not gonna happen... On the other hand, within my big game franchises... like the Supremacy franchise... if you're playing our 1914: World War 1 game and we're seeing that you're starting to potentially churn... why don't you try our Conflict of Nations: World War 3 game."

Get the actionable strategy for effective cross-promotion that actually works, by focusing within relevant game universes. Save this timestamp. 🔖

CHAPTERS:

00:00 - From Startup Exit to Gaming CEO

03:49 - Lessons from Building and Selling eRepublik

05:36 - Why Launching a Studio Today Is 1000x Harder

08:14 - The Case for Mobile Free-to-Play in 2025

10:28 - How Stillfront’s Studios Are Using AI Today

13:51 - Game Design Breakthroughs Using AI Partners

14:58 - Balancing Personalization With Shared Gaming Moments

19:00 - Navigating Creative Resistance to AI Tools

23:08 - Leading Stillfront Through a Strategic Pivot

29:37 - Benefits and Challenges of Being a Public Games Company

36:12 - Why Stillfront Is Doubling Down on Top Franchises

40:45 - Smarter User Acquisition Through Focused IP and Cross-Promotion

47:03 - Why Original IP Still Matters in a World of Franchise Fatigue

🔗 CONNECT WITH KONVOY & STILLFRONT:

• Konvoy: https://www.konvoy.vc/

• Jason Chapman LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jasondchapman/

• Stillfront Group: https://www.stillfront.com/en/

• Alexis Bonte LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alexisbonte/

Welcome to our latest episode of the Konvoy Newsletter podcast, your go-to source for insights at the intersection of gaming and finance. Today, we're diving into the world of Grand Theft Auto VI, a game set to redefine cultural and financial milestones in the gaming industry.

Episode Highlights:

A Global Gaming Phenomenon:

• Grand Theft Auto (GTA) stands among gaming icons like Super Mario and Pokémon.
• Anticipated to generate $7-8 billion within 60 days of release.

Game Development Insights:

• Launch postponed to May 26, 2026, maintaining soaring hype.
• The first trailer garnered 250 million views, and the second amassed 90 million views in just two days.

Revolutionary Features:

• Fictional Miami (Vice City) revisited with state-of-the-art graphics and AI.
• Gameplay innovations include drones, hacking, and dynamic environments.
• Potential for an in-game social media platform akin to TikTok.

Empowering User Creators:

• Expanded user-generated content with potential creator incomes for modders and map-makers.

In-game Economics:

• A virtual stock market allowing players to earn through their gaming achievements.

Monetization Strategy:

• Estimated price of $80 with additional monetization through battle passes and in-game purchases.
• Take-Two Interactive expected to recover its $2 billion development cost within 3 days.

Projected Impact:

• Expected sales of 15 million copies on day one.
• Aiming for 65 million copies within two months, potentially setting the record for the largest entertainment launch.

Cultural and Digital Evolution:

• GTA VI is primed to usher in a new era of interactive entertainment, blending gameplay, social engagement, and creator economies.

In this episode of Game Changers, Jason Chapman explores how an innovation from Pixar—OpenUSD—laid the groundwork for a revolution in 3D content creation. From blockbuster films to immersive gaming experiences, the process of building digital worlds is notoriously fragmented. Jason breaks down how OpenUSD is becoming the universal translator across tools and teams, enabling smoother collaboration, faster iteration, and richer creativity. Drawing parallels to past tech standards like TCP/IP and SQL, this episode unpacks why OpenUSD might be one of the most important developments in the future of digital creation.

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In this episode of Game Changers, Josh Chapman explores how artificial intelligence is becoming more than just a tool for kids — it’s evolving into a curious, patient, and ever-present companion.

We unpack how AI is showing up in childhood spaces, from tutoring apps that adapt in real-time to emotional support robots like Milo that help kids practice social interaction. With studies showing big gains in both academic performance and engagement, it’s clear this tech is here to stay — but not without tradeoffs.

From affordability and accessibility to concerns around screen time, emotional development, and safety, we dive into the guardrails that matter: child-tuned models, age-verification systems, and platforms like Plotago and Bedtimestory.AI that turn imagination into interactive stories.

In a world where kids never stop asking “why,” AI might just be the new co-pilot for curiosity — as long as it’s built with care.

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In this episode of Game Changers, Jackson Vaughan explores the rising power of IP licensing in today’s gaming landscape—why it’s becoming essential for discoverability, and how developers are using it to drive growth across mobile, PC, and console.

We unpack the challenges facing studios today, from rising ad costs to shrinking visibility, and spotlight how familiar brands and characters can give games a vital edge. With examples from Monopoly Go! to Scopely’s billion-dollar strategy, we look at how licensed IP is helping developers cut through the noise, reach high-value players, and extend a game’s lifecycle.

Plus, we dive into the growing trend of major IP holders like Disney and LEGO partnering with trusted studios instead of building in-house—and why that’s a smart play in a high-risk market.

In a world of endless content, IP isn’t just a shortcut to attention—it’s a serious business strategy.

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