The direct-to-consumer (D2C) model is expanding beyond traditional webshops and into the world of user-generated content (UGC), especially on PC and console. In this episode, host Devin Becker is joined by Liam Wiltshire, General Manager at Tebex, to explore how the evolution of private servers, mods, and community-run experiences is shaping new monetization strategies. Liam shares the origin story of Tebex and its integration within the broader Overwolf ecosystem, highlighting how D2C strategies for games like Minecraft, Rust, and Ark differ fundamentally from those in mobile gaming.

The conversation covers the nuances of player relationships in D2C models, including the absence of platform payment rails and notification systems, and how that impacts engagement and monetization design. Devin and Liam also dig into emerging e-commerce strategies such as loyalty systems and upsells, and how Tebex is bringing these tools to individual creators and modders. The episode concludes with a look at industry shifts from regulatory changes to evolving platform policies, and how studios can future-proof their monetization strategies as D2C continues to grow across platforms.

We’d like to thank Heroic Labs for making this episode possible! Thousands of studios have trusted Heroic Labs to help them focus on their games and not worry about gametech or scaling for success. To learn more and reach out, visit https://heroiclabs.com/?utm_source=Naavik&utm_medium=CPC&utm_campaign=Podcast 

If you like the episode, please help others find us by leaving a 5-star rating or review! And if you have any comments, requests, or feedback shoot us a note at [email protected].

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Sound design by Gavin Mc Cabe.

In this episode, host Kalie Moore talks with Dmitri Johnson and Mike Goldberg, co-founders of Story Kitchen, the production company behind major game-to-screen adaptations spanning Sonic the Hedgehog, Tomb Raider, Streets of Rage, and more. We explore how transmedia is evolving in a UGC-first world, where players don’t just consume IP, they shape it, and why Roblox worlds are starting to look less like “games” and more like living franchises.

The conversation dives into what actually makes a game adaptable (and when it shouldn’t be touched), how Story Kitchen stays aligned with developers and communities, and why they don’t chase heat even when a title is exploding. Dmitri and Mike also unpack Story Kitchen’s producer-first business model, the realities of timing and greenlight power in Hollywood, and what UGC creators should focus on if they ever want their worlds to travel beyond the platform.

We’d like to thank Overwolf for making this episode possible! Whether you're a gamer, creator, or game studio, Overwolf is the ultimate destination for integrating UGC in games! You can check out all Overwolf has to offer at https://www.overwolf.com/.

We’d also like to thank Lightspeed Venture Partners for making this episode possible! With its dedicated gaming & interactive media practice, the firm invests from an over $6.5 billion pool of early and growth-stage capital. If you’re interested in learning more, go to https://gaming.lsvp.com/.

If you like the episode, please help others find us by leaving a 5-star rating or review! And if you have any comments, requests, or feedback shoot us a note at [email protected].

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Sound design by Gavin Mc Cabe.

Generative AI has made major leaps since we last explored its use in game QA, and this episode dives into how that progress is reshaping the field. Host Devin Becker is joined again by Christoffer Holmgård and Julian Togelius, co-founders of modl.ai, to unpack how recent advances in computer vision and agent behavior are enabling fully no-code QA testing workflows. We discuss the shift from traditional code-integrated systems to screen-seeing, input-driving AI agents, and the technical breakthroughs that finally made this approach viable. The conversation also explores the types of bugs and edge cases this new method catches, and the surprising ways it differs from prior tools.

The conversion also goes deeper into what this shift means for studios. Julian and Christoffer highlight how QA roles are evolving when testers can direct powerful AI agents without needing engineering resources. They also examine the line between automation and augmentation, arguing for the enduring value of human testers while outlining where AI can dramatically improve speed, coverage, and reporting. From auto-generating reproduction steps to fitting into broader ecosystems of AI coworkers, this episode offers a grounded, forward-looking take on how AI is transforming QA from the inside out.

Previous episode with Modl.ai: https://naavik.co/podcast/ai-powered-quality-assurance/

We’d like to thank Heroic Labs for making this episode possible! Thousands of studios have trusted Heroic Labs to help them focus on their games and not worry about gametech or scaling for success. To learn more and reach out, visit https://heroiclabs.com/?utm_source=Naavik&utm_medium=CPC&utm_campaign=Podcast 

We’d also like to thank Neon – a merchant of record with customizable webshops optimized for conversion – for making this episode possible! Neon is trusted by some of the biggest names in gaming and can help you sell direct without the typical overhead. To learn more, visit https://www.neonpay.com/?utm_source=naavik 

If you like the episode, please help others find us by leaving a 5-star rating or review! And if you have any comments, requests, or feedback shoot us a note at [email protected].

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World models are rapidly becoming AI’s next frontier, and in this episode we break down why. Host, Alexandra Takei, Director at Ruckus Games, sits down with Pim de Witte, founder of General Intuition and Medal, to explore how billions of gameplay videos can power a new class of embodied agents. Pim explains the fundamental gap between language models, which describe the world, and world models, which simulate the world, capturing how objects and agents move, react, and evolve in space and time. The conversation digs into why video games are an ideal training ground, including but not limited to consistent first-person perspectives, action labels (if you design your data set that way), and optical fidelity that platforms like YouTube can’t provide.

Pim walks through General Intuition’s technical approach, why cross-game training unlocks more human-like behavior, and the specific limitations still unsolved, such as multiplayer consistency, long-horizon coherence, and the cost of large-scale inference. They explore what studios can expect from embodied agents: bots trained on human behavior that they hope to be tunable by designers and ideal for developers who want to embrace and build around this tech to either develop new game genres or make it a bedrock of their production process. If you are interested in learning about a company with a unique approach to world models and embodied agents, this is a must-listen to close out 2025. 

We’d like to thank Lysto for making this episode possible! Lysto is revolutionizing how game development teams collect and act on real player feedback with its AI-powered playtesting insights. Learn more about how you can get bias-free feedback at https://lysto.gg/?utm_source=naavik&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=ad

If you like the episode, please help others find us by leaving a 5-star rating or review! And if you have any comments, requests, or feedback shoot us a note at [email protected].

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Sound design by Gavin Mc Cabe 

On this episode, host David Taylor dives into one of the most eventful stretches the Fortnite Creative / UEFN ecosystem has seen in months. Epic has rolled out a wave of major updates — from monetization changes to discovery shifts — and today we unpack what they mean for creators, studios, and the future of the platform.

David is joined by two fantastic guests. Chad Mustard, COO of JOGO Studios, returns to the show after another breakout year as one of the top 10 developers on Fortnite by total plays. Chad brings a studio-level perspective on building hit experiences, navigating updates, and scaling inside a fast-evolving ecosystem. He’s joined by Jon Jungemann, better known as SleightedSloth, a leading creator in the Tycoon genre and one of the most thoughtful voices on systems design, monetization, and the economics of UEFN.

Together, the group breaks down the rise of Steal the Brainrot and what that breakout moment signals for developers — from production trends to player behavior to what “success” looks like in today’s marketplace. They also explore the wave of M&A activity beginning to emerge inside Fortnite Creative and what kinds of deals are actually happening behind the scenes.

From there, the conversation shifts to the biggest structural changes Epic has introduced: in-island item sales (and why they might be the single biggest unlock for creators to date), the rollout of UA Rewards and Paid Campaigns, and the latest adjustments to Discovery. We dig into how these tools reshape studio strategy, how developers are adapting their designs, and what all of this means for long-term sustainability on the platform.

We’d like to thank Overwolf for making this episode possible! Whether you're a gamer, creator, or game studio, Overwolf is the ultimate destination for integrating UGC in games! You can check out all Overwolf has to offer at https://www.overwolf.com/.

We’d also like to thank modl.ai for making this episode possible! Using a combination of computer vision, reasoning models, and feedback loops, modl:QA+ autonomously explores builds, detects bugs, and generates actionable reports that sync directly with your existing workflows. To learn more, simply visit https://www.modl.ai/.

If you like the episode, please help others find us by leaving a 5-star rating or review! And if you have any comments, requests, or feedback shoot us a note at [email protected].

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Sound design by Gavin Mc Cabe.

Pushing the boundaries of what's possible in gaming often means embracing unproven technologies and building in the fog of innovation. In this episode, host Devin Becker is joined by Marco van den Heuvel, co-founder of Beam, to explore what it means to operate at the bleeding edge of gaming infrastructure. Marco shares the origins of Beam and its evolution into a gaming-focused ecosystem built around frontier tech that includes blockchain, AI, and beyond. The episode covers how Beam is navigating past the noise to uncover the practical, long-term opportunities these technologies can offer game developers and players alike.

The discussion also unpacks how AI fits into Beam’s broader vision, the future of esports from a tech-powered perspective, and what it will take for blockchain to hit the hype cycle “plateau of productivity.” Devin and Marco dig into the real hurdles in tech adoption, from developer onboarding to ecosystem incentives, while also speculating on what might lie ahead from AR to brain-computer interfaces. If you're interested in where the games industry might be headed next and how to prepare for it, this episode offers a grounded look at the intersection of emerging tech and gaming.

We’d like to thank Heroic Labs for making this episode possible! Thousands of studios have trusted Heroic Labs to help them focus on their games and not worry about gametech or scaling for success. To learn more and reach out, visit https://heroiclabs.com/?utm_source=Naavik&utm_medium=CPC&utm_campaign=Podcast 

We’d also like to thank Neon – a merchant of record with customizable webshops optimized for conversion – for making this episode possible! Neon is trusted by some of the biggest names in gaming and can help you sell direct without the typical overhead. To learn more, visit https://www.neonpay.com/?utm_source=naavik 

If you like the episode, please help others find us by leaving a 5-star rating or review! And if you have any comments, requests, or feedback shoot us a note at [email protected].

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Sound design by Gavin Mc Cabe.

EVE Online is one of the longest-standing MMOs of all time, celebrating its 22nd anniversary since its launch in 2003. In this episode, host Alexandra Takei, Director at Ruckus Games, sits down with CCP Games’ CEO Hilmar Petursson to unpack how the Icelandic studio still maintains one of gaming’s most complex live worlds, a single universe that has generated over $1B in lifetime revenue and 25 million players.

Hilmar walks through CCP’s four eras: the pre-Steam founding years, the Steam transition, Pearl Abyss’s acquisition, and the studio today, revealing how an original team of thirty developers pioneered player-driven economies, massive social coordination, and a forever game. The conversation then turns to EVE Frontier, CCP’s new blockchain-powered spin-off built on the Sui network. Hilmar explains why he believes blockchain is the next natural step in EVE’s evolution, not as a trend, but as a means to true player ownership and another step in the direction of a forever game: persistence that is independent of the company, its servers, and its original creators.

The episode closes on the state of the industry today from Hilmar’s perspective – why attention and discovery are gaming’s hardest problems and how developers can learn from EVE’s social design to build long-lasting worlds.

We’d also like to thank Lysto for making this episode possible! Lysto is revolutionizing how game development teams collect and act on real player feedback with its AI-powered playtesting insights. Learn more about how you can get bias-free feedback at https://lysto.gg/?utm_source=naavik&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=ad

If you like the episode, please help others find us by leaving a 5-star rating or review! And if you have any comments, requests, or feedback shoot us a note at [email protected].

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Sound design by Gavin Mc Cabe.

In this episode, host Kalie Moore talks with Zach Letter, Co-founder & CEO of Wonder Works Studio, the makers of hit Roblox experiences, including three SpongeBob titles this year. We dig into how creator roots shape game design and distribution, how influencer-native teams launch differently, and Wonder Works’ long-term bet on licensed IP.

The conversation dives into launching without paid UA, weekly live-ops that drive creator content, and when brands should integrate into hit experiences versus build standalone worlds. Zach also shares what makes an IP “Roblox-ready,” how transmedia loops amplify impact across YouTube, Discord, and merch, and why he believes UGC’s rise is unstoppable.

We’d like to thank Overwolf for making this episode possible! Whether you're a gamer, creator, or game studio, Overwolf is the ultimate destination for integrating UGC in games! You can check out all Overwolf has to offer at https://www.overwolf.com/.

We’d also like to thank Lightspeed Venture Partners for making this episode possible! With its dedicated gaming & interactive media practice, the firm invests from an over $6.5 billion pool of early and growth-stage capital. If you’re interested in learning more, go to https://gaming.lsvp.com/.

If you like the episode, please help others find us by leaving a 5-star rating or review! And if you have any comments, requests, or feedback shoot us a note at [email protected].

Who’s On:

Guest - Zach Letter: https://www.linkedin.com/in/zachary-letter-0769b893/

Host - Kalie Moore: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kaliemoore/ 

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Sound design by Gavin Mc Cabe

In this episode, host Alexandra Takei, Director at Ruckus Games, sits down with Robert van Hoesel, co-founder and CEO of First Look, now part of Pragma, to explore how studios can own and scale their player relationships. Robert’s journey from founding a SaaS company to building First Look began with one simple insight: game studios are some of the most passionate users a software builder could serve, and the games industry desperately needs the dream stack for connected distribution, player communications, and analytics. 

First Look acts as a CRM for games, helping studios streamline playtesting, gather player feedback, and grow grassroots communities. The pair discusses why these capabilities have become essential as publishers pull back, competition increases, and self-publishing becomes the norm. Robert shares how First Look enables small teams to punch above their weight by automating data capture across platforms like Steam and Discord, transforming scattered playtest feedback into actionable insights, and shares the full suite of offerings First Look provides for studios today.

They also unpack First Look’s acquisition by Pragma and what it means to unify the backend and frontend of game development. The episode closes with practical advice for studios: start community-building early, close the feedback loop with players, and reward engagement to create sustainable, loyal audiences.

We’d also like to thank Levellr — the Discord community intelligence platform — for making this episode possible. Learn more about unlocking real-time community insights at levellr.com.

If you like the episode, please help others find us by leaving a 5-star rating or review! And if you have any comments, requests, or feedback shoot us a note at [email protected].

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Sound design by Gavin Mc Cabe

As digital platforms evolve, so too does the business of tabletop RPGs (TTRPGs). In this episode, host Devin Becker sits down with David Scott, CEO of Evil Genius Games, to explore the intersection of analog and digital in the TTRPG space. David shares his perspective on where the market currently stands, the evolving role of virtual tabletops, and how Evil Genius is adapting its publishing model to bridge physical and digital experiences. From post-COVID shifts in player behavior to the rise of Virtual Tabletops (VTTs) like Roll20 and Foundry, the conversation examines how platforms are reshaping distribution, play, and monetization strategies.

The discussion also covers how TTRPG companies can integrate digital offerings without cannibalizing physical sales of books, miniatures, and accessories. David offers a candid look at what’s working (and what isn’t) when it comes to building sustainable business models in this hybrid space. Finally, we explore the opportunities for smaller TTRPG IPs to make the leap into digital gaming, the potential of platforms like Roblox to support roleplaying, and how ongoing challenges like tariffs may influence the industry’s trajectory in the next few years.

We’d like to thank Heroic Labs for making this episode possible! Thousands of studios have trusted Heroic Labs to help them focus on their games and not worry about gametech or scaling for success. To learn more and reach out, visit https://heroiclabs.com/?utm_source=Naavik&utm_medium=CPC&utm_campaign=Podcast

We’d also like to thank Lysto for making this episode possible! Lysto is revolutionizing how game development teams collect and act on real player feedback with its AI-powered playtesting insights. Learn more about how you can get bias-free feedback at https://lysto.gg/?utm_source=naavik&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=ad

If you like the episode, please help others find us by leaving a 5-star rating or review! And if you have any comments, requests, or feedback shoot us a note at [email protected].

Watch the episode: YouTube Channel

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Sound design by Gavin Mc Cabe.