Player Driven

Key takeaways from the episode include:

• Insights from Games Accessibility Hub:  Learn how the organization assists game studios in creating accessible  games through knowledge sharing, assessments, and user testing with  disabled gamers.
• Examples of Accessibility in Action:  Discover how major games like "The Last of Us Part II" and "Forza  Motorsport" have set new standards in accessibility, allowing even  visually impaired players to fully enjoy gaming.
• The Business Case for Accessibility:  Understand the return on investment (ROI) for incorporating  accessibility in games, including increased loyalty and broader market  reach.

For anyone interested in the intersection of  gaming and accessibility, this episode provides a deep dive into how  inclusivity can be embedded into game design from the outset. To hear  more about the challenges and triumphs in making games accessible, and  to learn how you can contribute to this important cause, listen to the  full episode on the Player: Engage podcast.

In this enlightening episode of the Player: Engage podcast, host Greg is joined by Olli Mäntylä, a pivotal figure in the gaming industry. Olli, who serves as the director of the Game Development World Championship (GDWC) and the founder and CEO of Ace Lagoon, shares an in-depth look into the workings of the GDWC. He explains how the championship is not just a competition but a platform that allows developers from around the globe to showcase their games. Olli emphasizes that the GDWC is designed to be accessible to game developers of all levels, from indie to more established studios, and discusses the variety of prizes that range from industry recognition to substantial funding and publishing deals.

The conversation also delves into the challenges and intricacies of organizing such a massive event, including the process of game submission, judging, and feedback. Olli reveals that he personally plays over 2,000 games a year to ensure a fair and comprehensive evaluation process. He also discusses the new initiatives by Ace Lagoon, like the Pipelines project, which aims to connect developers with publishers and funding opportunities.

• Global Participation: Learn how developers worldwide can enter their games, regardless of the development stage.
• Judging Insights: Discover the unique challenges of judging thousands of games and how biases are managed.
• Pipelines Initiative: A new opportunity for developers to secure funding and support.

For a deeper understanding of these topics and to get a firsthand account of the behind-the-scenes efforts that go into organizing a global game development competition, tune into this episode of Player: Engage.

In this episode of the Player: Engage Podcast, host Greg is joined by Christine Dart, the Global Head of Marketing at Helpshift and a Marketing Leader at Keywords Player Engagement. Christine shares her extensive experience in B2B marketing within the video game industry, discussing her dynamic strategies that have led to significant growth in revenues and leads. She also delves into her personal journey from mechanical designer to marketing maven, highlighting her transition through various roles and the importance of adaptability and continuous learning in marketing.

Key takeaways from this episode include:

• The nuances between B2B and B2C marketing and how foundational marketing principles apply across both.
• Insights into the evolving roles within marketing departments, such as the integration of customer marketing and the shift of business development roles under marketing umbrellas.
• Christine's approach to leadership in marketing, emphasizing the importance of alignment with company goals, understanding team dynamics, and the power of effective delegation.

For a deeper dive into how marketing strategies can drive business success and the importance of aligning marketing efforts with broader business objectives, tune into this episode of the Player: Engage Podcast. Discover Christine Dart's expert strategies and learn how to apply them to your own marketing efforts for measurable success.

In this insightful episode of the Player: Engage Podcast, host Greg delves into the intricate world of backend game services with tech visionary Patrick Twohig. As the fractional CTO of Wheelhouse and founder of Elements, Patrick shares his extensive experience in streamlining the delivery of high-quality streaming content and developing interactive applications for both Web 2 and Web 3 spaces. The conversation takes a deep dive into the complexities of backend services, the importance of DevOps, and the potential of Web3 in gaming, all while touching upon Patrick's unique lifestyle of living on a sailboat and his passion for gaming.

Key takeaways from this episode:

• The role of backend services in gaming and how they impact player experience.
• Insights into the future of Web3 gaming and digital ownership.
• The significance of DevOps in ensuring game stability and success post-launch.

To get a comprehensive understanding of how backend services can make or break a game, and to hear Patrick's expert take on the evolution of Web3 in the gaming industry, tune in to this episode of Player: Engage Podcast. Discover the tools and strategies that could shape the next generation of gaming by listening to the full conversation.

Don't miss out on the valuable lessons shared by Patrick Twohig – listen to the episode now for a deeper exploration of these topics.

In this episode of the Player: Engage Podcast, Greg sits down with Emily Pierron from Nightmarket Games to delve into the intricacies of her role as a producer and the importance of psychological safety within gaming studios. Emily shares her journey from Eventbase to Nightmarket Games, providing insights into the unique responsibilities of a producer in different studio environments. She emphasizes the significance of organization and supporting team members to ensure they have what they need to succeed.

Listeners will gain a deeper understanding of:

• The transition from project management to overseeing studio operations and the challenges of remote work.
• The concept of psychological safety in the workplace and its impact on team innovation and productivity.
• Practical strategies for improving communication and fostering a positive studio culture, including the implementation of a "single source of truth" for project information.

For a closer look at how Emily Pierron is shaping the culture at Nightmarket Games and her approach to enhancing team dynamics, tune in to this episode of the Player Engage Podcast. Discover the actionable steps you can take to create a psychologically safe environment and why happiness is key to driving productivity in game development.

To learn more about Emily's perspective on psychological safety and her vision for the future of Nightmarket Games, listen to the full podcast episode.

Welcome to another exciting episode of Player: Engage Podcast! In this episode, we dive deep into the gaming industry with our special guest, Pasqual Batalla, COO of Sandsoft. Pasqual shares his journey from engineering to leading a gaming company, the growth of gaming in Barcelona, and the future of Sandsoft.

• Pasqual's unexpected path to becoming the COO of a gaming company.
• The rise of the gaming industry in the MENA region and Barcelona's role as a tech hub.
• Sandsoft's mission, vision, and strategy for the future.
• The importance of fostering a people-first culture in the gaming industry.
• Pasqual's insights on the evolution of gaming and the challenges and opportunities ahead.

Pasqual Batalla, COO of Sandsoft

• Formerly at Socialpoint and Ad Science
• Passionate about supporting the economic, social, and cultural life of Barcelona.
• Enjoys playing casual games and social games with his kids.

Don't forget to subscribe and leave a review if you enjoyed this episode. Stay tuned for more insights into the gaming world on Player: Engage Podcast!

• Bertrand's diverse background from Boston Consulting Group to Amazon, and his role in bringing technology to healthcare at Novartis.
• The energy and excitement of GDC and the gaming industry's potential for innovation.
• Bertrand's aspirations as a young man and his path to becoming a key figure in the gaming world.
• The parallels between developing AAA games and bringing new drugs to market.
• Keywords' approach to AI and ethical considerations in its deployment.
• The importance of human expertise in an increasingly tech-driven industry.
• Keywords' balance of autonomy and cohesion among its studios.
• The gaming industry's resilience and the opportunities ahead in 2024.
• Keywords' role in supporting the industry's growth and the concept of "Imagine More."

• Breakfast routine: Cereal and fruit.
• Go-to drink: Martini or Diet Coke.
• Last game played: Eleven on VR.
• Recent book: Fiction by Alan Cumming.
• Favorite Tennis Open: Wimbledon.

• Keywords Studios Website
• Keywords on LinkedIn
• Bertrand on LinkedIn

• Gemma's Journey: Discover Gemma's transition from real money gaming to social gaming and her pivotal role in introducing VIP programs to Zynga.
• Understanding VIP Programs:  Learn what VIP programs are, their importance beyond gaming, and how  they can enhance customer relationships across various industries.
• Building Relationships:  Gemma discusses the significance of human interaction in VIP programs  and how it can lead to increased retention and monetization.
• Data-Driven Decisions: Find out how data science plays a crucial role in tailoring VIP experiences and promotions to player preferences.
• Starting Small: Gemma shares valuable advice for indie studios on initiating VIP programs and the importance of direct player communication.
• Collaboration with Product Teams: Gain insights into how VIP feedback can influence game development and improve player satisfaction.
• ROI and Business Case: Gemma explains how to justify investment in VIP programs and measure their success.
• Social Power Players:  The conversation touches on the emerging trend of treating influencers  as VIPs due to their ability to attract and retain players.
• Personal Touch:  Gemma shares heartwarming stories of how games and VIP programs have  touched players' lives, emphasizing the human element in gaming.

• "VIP  is about layering data science and human interaction to develop a  program that is really authentic and true to the players." - Gemma Doyle
• "Keeping and retaining those high-value players is really key to keeping a really healthy game." - Gemma Doyle
• "People  are so happy to talk. I get a lot of feedback from gaming studios that  our players don't want to talk on the phone, you know, but the  submission rate for phone numbers is between the 70 and 85 percentile." -  Gemma Doyle

In this episode of the Player Engage podcast, host Greg Posner and guest Erik Ashby, Senior Director and Head of Product Research at Helpshift, delve into the evolving landscape of gaming technology and player experiences. They kick off the discussion with the buzz around GDC, sharing their excitement for the event and the latest trends in the gaming industry. Erik, with his extensive background at Microsoft and Helpshift, brings a wealth of knowledge to the table, particularly in the realm of AI and its integration into customer service, as highlighted by the recent developments at Klarna.

The conversation then shifts to the future of gaming, exploring the dynamics of games as a service, the impact of subscription models, and the potential shift in gaming experiences with the rise of personal screens within homes. They also tackle the contentious issue of walled gardens in the tech industry, focusing on the Epic vs. Apple lawsuit and its implications for app marketplaces and consumer choice.

Key takeaways from this episode include:

• The transformative role of AI in customer service and its potential to redefine the industry.
• The shifting trends in gaming consumption, from big screens to personal devices.
• The ongoing battle between open ecosystems and walled gardens, with a spotlight on the Epic vs. Apple case.

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Join us on a journey through the pivotal realm of gaming and media accessibility with our special guests, Améliane Chiasson and Jenna. Améliane, an advocate for accessible gaming at Player Research, and Jenna, a live and interactive producer at Descriptive Video Works, share their insights on the challenges and triumphs of creating universally approachable digital content. Discover the innovative strides being made to cultivate a truly inclusive gaming environment.

• Understanding Accessibility: Améliane unfolds the essence of accessibility in the digital world and its significance for diverse gamers.
• Championing Inclusivity: Learn about the intricate mechanisms that make games universally approachable and the dedication required to achieve this.
• Behind the Scenes: Jenna shares her transition from pharmaceuticals and the US Army to ensuring gaming is accessible for all.
• Advancing Accessibility: Amélianediscusses the launch of Player Research's new line of services aimed at helping developers deliver accessible experiences.
• Audio Description in Gaming: Jenna delves into the specialized niche of audio description for gaming, making visual media enjoyable for blind and low vision audiences.
• The Business Case for Accessibility: Améliane highlights the importance of considering accessibility early in game design to avoid unforeseen costs and backlash.
• Personal Journeys: Our guests share their unique paths to becoming accessibility specialists in the gaming industry.
• Accessible Games: Jenna lists games that are playable without vision and discusses the impact of audio description on the gaming experience.

• Subtitles and Closed Captioning: Améliane emphasizes the importance of audio settings and equalizer options for a variety of accessibility needs.
• In-Game Audio Description: Jenna explains how audio description works in games and its benefits for a wider audience, including those with cognitive disabilities.

• Breakfast Choices: Discover what fuels our guests for a day of advocating for accessibility.
• Travel Dreams: Améliane and Jenna share their dream vacation spots, from European cities to sailing on cruise lines.
• Gaming Confessions: Améliane admits to never having seen 'The Lord of the Rings', while Jenna and Greg share their current gaming obsessions.

Accessibility in gaming is not just about doing the right thing; it's about opening up the world of gaming to everyone. Whether you're a developer, a gamer, or just someone interested in the field, there's always something new to learn and ways to contribute to a more inclusive gaming community.