Escuchar The Gaming Playbook w/ Harry Phokou

In this episode of The Gaming Playbook, I sit down with Peter Fodor, founder and CEO of AppAgent, a top-tier mobile marketing agency behind games from Supercell, Netflix, and Scopely. Peter shares the unfiltered truth about why most mobile games fail to scale, the critical mistakes studios make, and how to win in today's privacy-first, saturated market. Expect deep dives into:- How to test game ideas before writing a single line of code - The role of creative frameworks and hooks in ad success - Why LiveOps is the future of monetization - Managing remote creative teams without losing your mind - How AI is reshaping mobile game marketing and who should be scared Whether you're a mobile dev, a UA manager, or building the next breakout title, this episode will make you rethink your strategy from the ground up. Connect with Peter: LinkedIn: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/petrfodor/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/petrfodor/]⁠ Connect with Harry: LinkedIn: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/hphokou/⁠ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/hphokou/⁠] Youtube: ⁠ ⁠https://www.youtube.com/@hphokou⁠ [https://www.youtube.com/@hphokou⁠] Instagram: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/hphokou [https://www.instagram.com/hphokou] Get exclusive podcast recaps & industry tips – Sign up for the Gaming Rally Newsletter! http://http//gamingrally.net/ [http://http//gamingrally.net/] Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and drop your thoughts in the comments. Chapters: 00:00 Introduction 02:04 The State of Mobile Gaming Post-COVID 05:20 The Biggest Mistakes Mobile Studios Make 07:35 How Small Teams Can Pre-test Game Ideas 10:13 Increasing LTV through LiveOps 14:13 Are IP & Influencer Collabs Only For Big Studios? 16:41 Testing IPs & Understanding Your Audience 18:31 The Power of Creative Frameworks 23:00 Lessons from Walking Planet & Player Surveys 27:15 Timeless Creative Principles (AIDA, KISS) 30:42 Why Most Game Ads Fail at the Hook 32:32 Hooks vs. Storytelling: The Key Mindset Shift 35:04 Managing Creative Teams Remotely 39:17 Frameworks: Who Builds Them And How? 43:37 How to Build Systems Collaboratively 46:07 Hiring Creatives: What to Look For 49:28 AppAgent’s Future & Vision 53:39 AI's Impact on UA, Creative Production & Future Roles 58:02 Advice to Young People Entering Games 59:44 Final Thoughts For The Mobile Games Industry #MobileGameMarketing #GameDevTips #UserAcquisition #CreativeStrategy #MobileGames2025

Ever feel like your writing isn’t landing the way you want? Whether you’re posting on LinkedIn, crafting a sales page, or trying to grow an audience, better writing leads to better results. In this episode, I sit down with Matt Barker, a copywriter who’s helped businesses generate over $3M through content. We talk about what really makes writing work - without the fluff, fake authority, or overhyped promises. - How Matt went from corporate marketing to solopreneurship - Why most people write the wrong way online - and how to fix it - The secret to writing content that attracts, nurtures, and converts - How to avoid the “scamfluencer” trap and build real authority - What top creators do differently to make their writing stand out If you’ve ever wanted to write better, grow an audience, and turn words into results, this episode is for you. Connect with Matt: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mattjbarker1/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/mattjbarker1/] Newsletter: https://www.mattbarker.xyz/newsletter [https://www.mattbarker.xyz/newsletter] Connect with Harry: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hphokou/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/hphokou/] Youtube: ⁠ https://www.youtube.com/@hphokou [https://www.youtube.com/@hphokou] Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hphokou [https://www.instagram.com/hphokou] Get exclusive podcast recaps & industry tips – Sign up for the Gaming Rally Newsletter! gamingrally.net [gamingrally.net] Like, comment, and subscribe for more deep dives into copywriting, content marketing, and personal branding. Chapters: 00:00 Introduction 01:26 Matt’s Transition from Corporate to Solopreneurship 09:23 The Difference Between Writing Online & High School Writing 12:34 How To Start Writing 16:24 How to Get Better at Writing (Practical Steps) 23:15 Strategic Writing vs. Creative Writing 26:13 Crafting a Content Strategy That Works 28:57 Overcoming Boredom and Staying Consistent 32:48 The Two Main Goals of Writing on LinkedIn 35:43 The Power of Emotional Storytelling in Copywriting 39:44 The "Scamfluencer" Trend & Why It’s Misleading 42:12 How Long Does It Take to Master Online Writing? 45:42 Unexpected Side Benefits of Writing 47:35 Matt’s Future Plans & Advice to His Past Self 52:32 - Where to Follow & Connect with Matt #Copywriting #ContentMarketing #Ghostwriting #PersonalBranding #LinkedInGrowth

Today’s guest is Lara Acosta, a personal branding expert, content strategist, and founder of Literally Academy. Lara went from being unemployed in 2022 to becoming the #1 female creator on LinkedIn, amassing over 300,000 followers and generating millions through her personal brand. She now teaches others how to build a standout online presence, create engaging content, and turn their audience into a thriving business. In this episode, Lara shares her journey of building a personal brand as a woman in business and the strategies that helped her grow to over 200,000 followers on LinkedIn. She dives into the power of self-promotion, why most people struggle with content creation, and how to talk with your audience, not at them, using her SLAY framework. If you're a content creator, business owner, or someone looking to build an authentic personal brand, this episode is for you! Connect with Lara: LinkedIn: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/laraacostar/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/laraacostar/] Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@Laraacosta [https://www.youtube.com/@Laraacosta] 𝕏: ⁠https://twitter.com/Laraacostar [https://twitter.com/Laraacostar] Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/laraacostar/ [https://www.instagram.com/laraacostar/] Connect with Harry: LinkedIn: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/hphokou/⁠ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/hphokou/⁠] Youtube: ⁠ https://www.youtube.com/@hphokou [https://www.youtube.com/@hphokou] Instagram: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/hphokou [https://www.instagram.com/hphokou] ⁠Get exclusive podcast recaps & industry tips – Sign up for the Gaming Rally Newsletter!⁠ gamingrally.net⁠ [gamingrally.net⁠] Chapters: 00:00 Introduction 02:37 Building a Personal Brand as a Woman in Business 07:12 Celebrate Wins or Keep Moving? 11:00 How to Celebrate Wins the Right Way on LinkedIn 12:49 Lara’s Cohort Launch: The Power of Self-Promotion 18:29 Talking With Your Audience, Not At Them: The SLAY Framework 23:17 How to Approach Content Creation as a Beginner 31:11 Why Visual Hooks Work (and Why People Get Them Wrong) 37:55 Overcoming Impostor Syndrome as a Creator 43:40 Why Offline Experiences Are the Future of Personal Branding 52:01 Finding Purpose in Business Beyond Money

Today's guest is Hendrik Lesser, president of the European Game Developer Federation and CEO of Remote Control Productions (RCP). Hendrik started out selling and writing about games before spending nearly five years at Take-Two Interactive. In 2005, he founded Remote Control Productions (RCP), which has grown from a small startup into a global network of 16 studios, shipping over 400 projects. Through RCP, he helps developers focus on making great games while handling business operations, and he continues to advocate for the industry through policy, education, and mentorship. In this episode, he breaks down the real challenges facing the gaming industry in 2025, from cash flow struggles to why bad business, not bad games, is what really kills studios. He shares hard-earned lessons on studio leadership, competing with old games, and the biggest risks developers need to watch out for. Hendrik also talks about the power of partnerships, how to make remote teams work, and why strong leadership matters more than ever. Whether you're running a studio, breaking into the industry, or just want a behind-the-scenes look at the business of games, this episode is for you! Connect with Hendrik: LinkedIn: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/hendriklesser/⁠ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/hendriklesser/⁠] Website: ⁠https://rcp.family/⁠ [https://rcp.family/⁠] Connect with Harry: LinkedIn: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/hphokou/⁠ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/hphokou/⁠] Youtube: ⁠ ⁠https://www.youtube.com/@hphokou⁠ [https://www.youtube.com/@hphokou⁠] Instagram: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/hphokou⁠ [https://www.instagram.com/hphokou⁠] Get exclusive podcast recaps & industry tips – Sign up for the Gaming Rally Newsletter! ⁠gamingrally.net⁠ [gamingrally.net⁠] Chapters: 00:00 Introduction 02:16 The Reality of the Gaming Industry in 2025 04:10 Biggest Risks for Studio Leaders This Year 10:20 What Is Remote Control Productions (RCP)? 16:25 The Old Games Problem: Why It’s Harder to Compete 21:46 The Power of Community: RCP’s Approach 23:48 Finding Mentors, Building Community, and the Value of Events 29:41 Why Bad Business Kills Studios, Not Bad Games 34:32 Consensus Culture vs. Strong Studio Leadership 40:19 The Role of Partnerships in Game Development 43:35 Making Remote Collaboration Work 48:06 Why Hierarchy Matters in Remote Teams 53:58 Hendrik’s Favorite Part of the Job 58:58 Balancing Game Development and Gaming Habits 1:05:08 Advice for Gaming Industry Leaders 1:06:42 Words of Wisdom for Aspiring Game Developers 1:08:40 How to Connect with Hendrik

Today’s guest is Ali Farha, a Senior Technical Producer at Star Stable Entertainment. Ali has helped studios build scalable technology, optimize tools, and even port a 12+-year-old game to platforms like Metal, iOS, and Android. With a background in QA and a passion for tech leadership, he’s all about creating high-performing teams and future-proofing game development. In this episode, Ali breaks down what it truly means to be a producer in the gaming industry, sharing how the role adapts to different teams and challenges. He discusses the art of simplifying complexity, balancing long-term vision with immediate priorities, and the difference between coaching and mentoring to empower teams. Ali also shares his personal journey, from breaking into the industry without connections to building skills that set him apart. This episode is perfect for producers, aspiring game developers, or anyone curious about leadership and succeeding in the world of game production. Connect with Ali: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alifarha/ Connect with Harry: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hphokou/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/hphokou/] Youtube: ⁠ https://www.youtube.com/@hphokou Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hphokou Chapters: 00:00 Introduction 00:30 Understanding the Role of a Game Producer 02:52 Mentoring vs. Coaching: How Producers Boost Productivity 07:32 What Makes a Great Game Producer 15:10 Balancing Short-Term Tasks with Long-Term Vision 32:33 Tough Decisions Producers Face: Saying No and Prioritizing 41:01 Breaking into the Gaming Industry: Ali’s Journey 44:21 Tips for Aspiring Game Developers 49:12 Microlearning, Building a Portfolio, and Networking Tips 53:02 Enriching Your Portfolio and Networking 59:11 How to Improve as a Producer 01:03:04 Rapid-Fire Q&A with Ali