Deconstructor of Fun
TWiG 241: Web3 Like a Phoenix, FIFA’s Rebrand Scores a Goal, and Tiktok’s Truth
Thu Jul 20 2023Description
The episode covers various topics including Spotify's new feature, funding for Gardens game, challenges in the gaming industry, blockchain integration, EA's decision to move away from FIFA, Sony and Microsoft's future strategies, and TikTok's influence on gaming. Insights include the impact of Google's restrictions on loot boxes, monetization challenges in NFTs, and the potential of partnerships in the gaming industry.
Insights
Gardens Game Funding
$4.5 million funding raised by Gardens team in 2021
Challenges for Smaller Games
Smaller games struggle to compete against big-budget games
Valuation Concerns for Gardens
$400 million valuation of Gardens may not align with expected returns for investors
Google Play's Stance on NFTs
Google Play allows game developers to integrate NFTs into their apps starting December 7th
Sarir as a Solution to Google's Restrictions
Sarir is a counter to Google's restrictions on loot boxes in gaming
EA's Move Away from FIFA
EA's decision to move away from FIFA did not have a major impact on the stock price
Sales Impact of EA's Decision
Sales of the game may initially suffer due to skepticism, but loyal players will likely return
Sony's Investment in Gaming R&D
Sony plans to invest $2.13 billion in gaming research and development
Challenges for Sony's Live Service Games
Sony's move into live service games may not be as successful due to the nature of their existing IPs
TikTok's Influence on Gaming
Gamers are highly active on TikTok, with three trillion views of game content in 2022
Chapters
- Spotify's New Feature and Gardens Funding
- Challenges for Gardens Game and Valuation Concerns
- Venture Capital and Potential Risks for Gardens
- Gardens' Future and Market Challenges
- FunPlus, Transcend, and Valuations
- Collaborations, Acquisitions, and Withdrawals
- Blockchain in Games and Google Play's Stance
- NFTs, Monetization, and Google's Restrictions
- Sarir and Google's Restrictions on Loot Boxes
- EA's Decision to Move Away from FIFA
- Sales Impact and Future of EA Sports
- Sony and Microsoft's Future Strategies
- Partnerships and Challenges in the Gaming Industry
- TikTok's Influence on Gaming and User Acquisition
- Tips for Making Games 'TikTok-able'
Spotify's New Feature and Gardens Funding
00:11 - 06:36
- Spotify introduces a new feature for listeners to leave comments and engage with the community
- The team behind Gardens raised $4.5 million in funding in 2021
Challenges for Gardens Game and Valuation Concerns
00:11 - 06:36
- Gardens team needs additional funding of $70 million to complete the game
- Revenue from the game may not cover all development costs
- Valuation of Gardens at $400 million may not align with expected returns for investors
Venture Capital and Potential Risks for Gardens
00:11 - 06:36
- Early investors in Gardens are likely positive about their investment
- Smaller games struggle to compete against big-budget games
- $70 million additional funding needed for Gardens
Gardens' Future and Market Challenges
00:11 - 06:36
- $70 million additional funding required to bring Gardens to market
- Revenue from the game may not cover all development costs
FunPlus, Transcend, and Valuations
06:07 - 13:11
- FunPlus and Transcend feel positive about their valuations
- $4.9 billion acquisition of Scopely by Savvy Games Group
- Sony signs 10-year deal with Microsoft to keep Call of Duty on PlayStation
Collaborations, Acquisitions, and Withdrawals
06:07 - 13:11
- Stumble Guys collaborates with MrBeast
- Roblox allows developers to offer subscriptions and faces demands for more diversity
- Sega withdraws from blockchain gaming due to lack of understanding
Blockchain in Games and Google Play's Stance
12:46 - 19:09
- Dead is a term that wants attention, but it's paused and may have a future with Mastercard's innovation sprint
- Blockchain in games is nascent and different from crypto
- Google Play allows game developers to integrate NFTs into their apps starting December 7th
NFTs, Monetization, and Google's Restrictions
18:49 - 24:49
- NFTs are primarily used for peacocking and showing off possessions
- Monetizing investments in NFTs is limited
- Google's restrictive stance on gambling makes their involvement in NFTs interesting
Sarir and Google's Restrictions on Loot Boxes
24:33 - 30:47
- Sarir is a counter to Google's restrictions on loot boxes in gaming
- Crypto gaming platforms will need to move off-platform to succeed
EA's Decision to Move Away from FIFA
30:20 - 37:02
- EA's decision to move away from FIFA did not have a major impact on the stock price
- The core of EA's brand equity lies in securing licenses for leagues, teams, and players
Sales Impact and Future of EA Sports
36:42 - 42:45
- Sales of the game may initially suffer due to skepticism, but loyal players will likely return
- FIFA is a crucial revenue source for EA, generating around two billion dollars annually
Sony and Microsoft's Future Strategies
42:19 - 48:58
- Sony plans to invest $2.13 billion in gaming research and development
- Microsoft may focus on Game Pass and acquiring top developer talent
Partnerships and Challenges in the Gaming Industry
48:34 - 54:38
- The Call of Duty mobile version developed by King received negative feedback
- Sony's move into live service games may not be as successful due to the nature of their existing IPs
TikTok's Influence on Gaming and User Acquisition
54:20 - 1:00:56
- Gamers are highly active on TikTok, with three trillion views of game content in 2022
- Brands can leverage TikTok by engaging with user-generated content and fostering a positive community
Tips for Making Games 'TikTok-able'
1:00:26 - 1:05:10
- To make a game 'TikTok-able,' communicate the core loop in a simple way
- Create cap cut templates, branded effects, and voting stickers for players to engage with