Player Driven

In this episode of the Player Engage podcast, host Greg Posner interviews Ivan Zaguirre from SocialPoint. Ivan shares his nine-year journey at SocialPoint, discussing his various roles and the recent release of their new game, Top Troops. Ivan emphasizes the importance of understanding the gaming audience and tailoring the product to their tastes and preferences. He also highlights the significance of metrics in measuring success and making data-driven decisions. Ivan touches on the challenges of product management in the gaming industry and the need for effective communication and alignment within teams. He concludes by encouraging aspiring product managers to embrace the role and prioritize early product-market fit and audience feedback. 

Overall, this episode provides valuable insights into the product management process in the gaming industry, highlighting the importance of metrics, audience understanding, and effective communication. Listeners gain a deeper understanding of the challenges and strategies involved in creating successful player experiences.

Guests:
Sharon Fisher, Keywords Studios
Chris James, Modulate

Episode Summary: This episode of Player: Engage Podcast with Greg Posner, featuring Sharon Fisher from Keywords Studios and Chris James from Modulate, delves into the mental health challenges faced by content moderators. It highlights the importance of self-awareness, emotional management, and the need for adequate support systems to mitigate the effects of moderating disturbing content. The guests share valuable insights and strategies, drawing from their professional experiences and collaborations with mental health experts, to help moderators navigate these challenges effectively.

Key Topics & Highlights:

• Understanding the Moderator's Mindset: Exploring the comprehensive framework developed by the speaker, in collaboration with their mental health care team, to address the challenges faced in the role of a moderator. This includes regular self-check-ins and emotional management strategies.
• The Initial Reaction - Dissociation: Discussion on the common response of dissociation when moderators are exposed to disturbing content, highlighting the temporary benefits and the risks of prolonged detachment.
• Maintaining Self-Connection: Insights into the speaker's personal framework for managing emotional states and staying connected with oneself while dealing with disturbing content.
• Therapeutic Techniques for Moderators: The use of cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) and dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), as well as trauma-focused therapy techniques, to manage emotions and maintain self-awareness.
• The Cumulative Impact of Toxic Content: Delving into the psychological and neurological effects of regularly moderating disturbing content, and the importance of recognizing and managing these cumulative impacts to prevent burnout.
• Supporting Moderators: Discussion on the necessity for adequate support, tools, and resources for moderators, including technology's role in content filtering and the importance of escalation pathways.

In this engaging episode of the Player Engage podcast, host Greg Posner sits down with Mike Gallagher, founder of Untitled Ad Lab. Mike's career, spanning from film and television to pivotal roles at EA, HyperHippo, and Hothead Games, has centered around community engagement, marketing, and user acquisition in the gaming industry.

• Journey into Gaming: Mike shares his transition into the gaming world, underscoring the significance of networking and maintaining connections. He reflects on his time working with popular franchises like NHL and UFC, and how these experiences fueled his passion for gaming.
• Founding of Untitled Ad Lab: Mike discusses the inception of Untitled Ad Lab, aimed at providing scalable, cost-effective community and marketing services for game studios. He delves into the challenges of demonstrating the value of community work and maintaining a sustained presence.
• Services and Strategies: Untitled Ad Lab's array of services includes community management, graphic design, video production, and social media management. Mike highlights the importance of understanding the target audience, engaging them with tailored content, and fostering a symbiotic relationship between the game and its community.
• Goals and Aspirations: With a clear vision for the future, Mike expresses his enthusiasm for helping studios expand their communities and connect with players. He outlines ambitious goals for Untitled Ad Lab, including global expansion and building communities that captivate a billion gamers.

Join us for this insightful conversation, where Mike Gallagher shares his expert insights into community engagement, marketing, and user acquisition, illuminating the ever-evolving landscape of the gaming industry.

In this episode, we are joined by Nigel Franks and Kristie Dale from Snowed In Studios, a distinguished studio within the Keywords family. They dive into the nuances of crafting unforgettable player experiences, discussing the key challenges, cutting-edge technologies, trends, and best practices in the gaming industry.

Nigel Franks, serving as the studio production director at Snowed In Studios, offers his valuable expertise in game development project management. Kristie Dale, on the other hand, as a producer provides insights into the varied job opportunities in the gaming sector, covering roles from artists to customer support to digital media.

Additionally, we explore the impressive talent and brainpower within the Keywords Network. As we collectively work on some of the world's most prominent games, the passion and talent within our network of game creators and entrepreneurs are truly remarkable.

This episode is essential for anyone interested in gaining a deeper understanding of the gaming industry, acquiring insights from industry veterans, and discovering the exciting career opportunities available.

Be sure to listen to this episode on our podcast platform or visit our website for more information. And don't forget to subscribe to the Player Engage podcast for future episodes, including an intriguing conversation with Mike Gallagher from Untitled Ad Lab about the marketing dynamics in gaming.

In this episode of the Player Engage podcast, Greg interviews Jamie Smith, the principal game designer at People Can Fly. Jamie shares his extensive experience in the gaming industry, having worked on popular games such as The Division, Far Cry, and Call of Duty: Vanguard. He explains the role of a principal game designer, which involves overseeing the core player experience and collaborating with directors to bring their vision to life.

Jamie discusses the importance of communication and collaboration within game development teams, emphasizing the need for regular discussions and feedback. He also delves into the concept of the "3Cs" (character, control, camera) and how they shape the player experience in every game. Jamie highlights the significance of game feel and marginal innovation, where small design choices can greatly enhance the overall gameplay.

He emphasizes the importance of loving the player and creating a satisfying and immersive experience. Overall, this episode provides valuable insights into the world of game design and the factors that contribute to creating unforgettable player experiences.

Strap in, gamers and futurists! 🎮🚀 This episode of Player Engage Podcast, titled "Beyond Pixels: Navigating the Future with Renz Chong," dives into the riveting world of gaming innovation with the CEO of BreederDAO. Host Greg explores how Renz's strategies are setting new standards in the gaming metaverse, sustainability, and community engagement. Tune in for a visionary journey beyond the game screen!

In this episode of the Player Engaged podcast, Greg interviews Lauren Wade, Head of Player Communications at Kolibri Games. They delve into her role encompassing customer support, community management, and localization within the mobile game studio. Lauren shares insights from her extensive experience across various gaming disciplines and how they converge in her current role. The discussion illuminates the distinctive challenges and prospects within player communications, offering valuable perspectives for gaming enthusiasts and professionals alike. Tune in to discover the day-to-day intricacies of leading player communications.

Join Greg as he sits down with James Batchelor from gamesindustry.biz to discuss the profound impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on the gaming world. Amidst the initial boom in sales and investments during lockdowns, the industry now grapples with a market correction leading to significant layoffs. As companies big and small navigate these challenges, there's a talent reshuffle that might be a silver lining for indie studios. Transitioning to mobile gaming, despite the tech leaps allowing AAA titles on devices like iPhone 15 Pro, there's an uphill battle in monetization. With the ubiquity of free-to-play games and the unique nature of mobile gaming, creating immersive experiences becomes a complex task. Tune in for an insightful conversation as Greg and James unpack the nuances of the gaming industry's evolution in this post-pandemic era.

Greg and Mat Ombler discuss the transformative impact of AI on the music landscape, especially within the gaming industry. Recognizing the intimidation many face when approaching traditional musical instruments, they spotlight how AI tools are democratizing the creative process, allowing even those without formal training to craft dynamic video game compositions. While underscoring the ethical considerations—like avoiding plagiarism—the duo champions AI's potential for enhancing productivity and innovation. The broader implications of AI in the job market are also tackled, with a positive spin: rather than replacing human roles, AI can amplify and streamline tasks, as exemplified in the gaming music realm. Listeners are urged to embrace AI's advancements, master its tools, and engage in meaningful discourse about its multifaceted influence on our industries and lives.

In this episode, host Greg Posner talks with Tim Bennison of Hothead Games about the foundational elements that fuel innovation within the gaming industry. Tim sheds light on the concept of cross-pollination, co-development, and work-for-hire arrangements. He explains how integrating diverse ideas and technologies can lead to groundbreaking advancements in game development. Tim also discusses Hothead Games' commitment to work-for-hire projects, underscoring how it allows the company to broaden its range and expertise while aligning with its focus on employee well-being. From the benefits of diverse talent pools to the importance of employee satisfaction, this episode provides a comprehensive look at the mechanisms driving innovation at Hothead Games. It's a must-listen for anyone interested in the interplay between corporate culture, co-development, and technological evolution.