Naavik Gaming Podcast

The Naavik Gaming Podcast is a business-focused exploration of the companies, trends, strategies and leaders that are defining the future of games. To learn more and see other great content visit www.naavik.co.

Last refreshed: June 30th, 2026 at 12:24 PM

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Episodes

Inside Cannes Lions: What Makes Award-Winning Gaming Campaigns?

In this special episode of the Naavik Gaming Podcast, recorded live from the Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity, host Kalie Moore sits down with fellow Cannes Lions Gaming Jury member Cheryl Platz, author of The Game Development Strategy Guide, and former UX leader at Riot Games, Scopely, Microsoft, and Amazon. Together, they pull back the curtain on what it was actually like judging one of the world's most prestigious creative awards programs, from the multi-stage evaluation proc...

Jun 30, 2026•1 hr 8 min

Naavik Digest: Two Underrated Mobile Development Regions

This episode covers the Naavik Digest newsletter published on Sunday, June 28th. In today’s issue, we uncover two underrated mobile development regions that are flying under the radar — a downloads powerhouse and a small but mighty region punching above its weight. You can read the newsletter (with even more sections and visual detail) here: https://www.naavik.co/digest/ two-underrated-mobile-development-regions Want to explore working with Naavik? Shoot us a note: https://naavik.co/contact-us/ ...

Jun 28, 2026•14 min

What Game Studios Can Learn from the AI Microdrama Boom

In this episode, host Kalie Moore sits down with Angela Yu, Co-Founder and Co-CEO of StoReel, to explore one of the fastest-growing entertainment categories that gaming executives should be paying attention to: AI-native microdramas. While many still think of microdramas as shortened TV shows, Angela argues they have far more in common with mobile games, relying on retention loops, emotional hooks, creator ecosystems, user acquisition economics, and increasingly interactive experiences. She shar...

Jun 23, 2026•48 min

Naavik Digest: 30 Years of Gaming at LEGO

This episode covers the Naavik Digest newsletter published on Sunday, June 21st. In today’s issue, we dive deep into LEGO’s 30-year history, examining its roots, how it is quietly starting to change, and what comes next for the company in gaming. You can read the newsletter (with even more sections and visual detail) here: https://www.naavik.co/digest/ thirty-years-of-gaming-at-lego Want to explore working with Naavik? Shoot us a note: https://naavik.co/contact-us/ Let us know what you think by ...

Jun 21, 2026•16 min

Naavik Digest: The Microdrama Volume vs. Value Paradox

This episode covers the Naavik Digest newsletter published on Sunday, June 14th. In today’s issue, we discuss the current state of microdramas — a category which rapidly evolved from a niche Chinese entertainment phenomenon into one of the fastest-growing mobile content categories in the world — exploring the widening gap between audience expansion and monetization, a trend which raises important questions about the category’s long-term economics. You can read the newsletter (with even more sect...

Jun 14, 2026•23 min

Lessons from Real M&A Transactions: Getting Studios Bought

Gaming M&A is no longer just a story about strategics buying obvious hits. In this episode, Alexandra Takei , VP of Platform Revenue at Medal , sits down with Brogan Keane , Managing Partner at Double Black Capital , to unpack what actually happens when a game studio reaches the end of its company lifecycle: sale, exit, or recapitalization. The conversation breaks down who is buying game companies today, from private equity firms and Korean strategics to non-gaming entertainment companies lo...

Jun 09, 2026•1 hr 5 min

Naavik Digest: Embracer Splits Again

This episode covers the Naavik Digest newsletter published on Sunday, June 7th. In today’s issue, we shine a light on Embracer after the company recently announced it is splitting up again. We look back at the key strategic decisions the company has made and what they might mean for its future. You can read the newsletter (with even more sections and visual detail) here: https://www.naavik.co/digest/ embracer-splits-again Want to explore working with Naavik? Shoot us a note: https://naavik.co/co...

Jun 07, 2026•14 min

How to Reduce Churn and Keep Players Playing

Keeping players playing is getting harder as player attention fragments and expectations rise, so understanding churn has become a core live-ops competency. Host Devin Becker sits down with Elad Levy , Founder & CTO of Dive , to break down how churn is defined (and when it’s actually “permanent”), the behavioral signals that players are drifting toward the exit, and the underlying causes teams can often address before it’s too late. They dig into practical interventions from in-session nudge...

Jun 02, 2026•57 min

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