Episode Summary

In this episode of Player Driven, host Greg engages in an insightful conversation with Josh Plotnek, Head of Content at Keewano, diving deep into the significance of actionable insights derived from game data analytics. The discussion highlights how understanding player behavior through data can drastically improve player experience and game performance. Josh shares practical tips for studios of all sizes, emphasizing how AI-driven analytics can help uncover hidden issues, transforming raw data into meaningful actions.

Guest Information

 * Name: Josh Plotnek [https://www.linkedin.com/in/joshua-plotnek/]
 * Role: Head of Content at Keewano
 * Expertise: Data Analytics, Content Strategy, Game Development Insights
 * Company: Keewano [https://keewano.com/]

About Keewano

Keewano is a groundbreaking analytics platform that leverages advanced AI to provide actionable insights into player behavior, enabling gaming studios of any size to enhance player experience, retention, and engagement.

Key Takeaways

 1. Data Alone Isn't Enough (07:35)
    Collecting data is the starting point; real value comes from understanding the "why" behind player behavior to make impactful decisions.
 2. Recognizing Frustration vs. Engagement (20:08)
    Player frustration can be either positive (engaging) or negative (leading to churn). Analyzing "recovery behaviors" helps studios differentiate and respond effectively.
 3. Start Small, Then Scale Your Analytics (14:39)
    Smaller studios can utilize accessible tools like Unity Analytics and Firebase, gradually scaling to more sophisticated AI-driven analytics solutions as they grow.
 4. Leveraging AI to Uncover Hidden Issues (11:27)
    Advanced analytics powered by AI can identify complex problems within games, such as pinpointing an item missed in earlier levels that causes significant churn later on.
 5. Future of Analytics: Conversational and Accessible (49:34)
    The future of data analytics is making complex insights conversational, allowing anyone on the team to ask direct questions and receive clear, actionable answers.

Resources Mentioned

 * Keewano Blog
 * Unity Analytics
 * Firebase

Listen and Learn

Tune into the full episode to discover more about turning your game data into powerful insights and actionable strategies to enhance player satisfaction and loyalty.

How AI Analytics Can Boost Your Player Retention with Josh Plotnek

 Guest: Ayla Derrick, Founder & Creative Director at Cave Bear Games
️ Host: Greg Posner


🔹 Episode Summary:
What happens when a former teacher with no game dev background builds a studio of junior developers and releases a cozy solarpunk game on Steam? You get Plantasia — a passion-driven project built on heart, hustle, and clear values.

Greg sits down with Ayla Derrick to talk about the origin of Cave Bear Games, the lessons learned from launching on Steam, and the importance of leading with empathy in the indie space.

🔑 Key Topics & Timestamps:

[00:02:00] From Teacher to Game Developer: Ayla’s Unlikely Start
Discover how Ayla Derrick pivoted from teaching to game dev and built a successful studio with no prior experience.

[00:07:00] Building a Studio of Juniors — and Making It Work
Learn how a team of junior developers created a game on Steam under Ayla’s leadership, proving that passion beats pedigree.

[00:13:00] Designing Plantasia for the Bottom Third of Your Screen
Explore the design of Plantasia, a solarpunk idle game intentionally built to sit on the bottom of your screen.

[00:20:00] Going Viral, Going Live: The Early Access Launch Story
Hear the inside story of how Cave Bear’s Plantasia launched on Steam after a viral moment turned their studio real.

[00:27:00] Leadership by Teaching: Why Studio Culture Matters
Discover how Ayla applies classroom leadership to studio culture and why it keeps her team motivated and growing.

🗣️ Quotes:

“We didn’t mean to become a studio. We just went viral, and suddenly we had to be one.”

“The pillars were communication, education, and passion. That’s what kept us together.”

🔗 Links:

 * Cave Bear Games [https://cavebeargames.com/]
 * Wishlist Plantasia on Steam
 * Ayla on LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/ayla-derrick/]

How Ayla Derrick Built a Junior-Led Game Studio and Launched Plantasia

🧠 Episode Description:

In this episode of Player Driven, we sit down with Jason Wasserman and Vincent Nguyen, the co-founders of Nice Gang, to dive into their journey from major animation studios like Blue Sky (Ice Age, Rio, Ferdinand) to launching their own game studio and original IP, Eighth Era.

With Season 2 of Eighth Era launching today, Jason and Vincent share how lessons from animation shaped their game design approach, the importance of creative partnerships, and why building a long-term community matters more than ever.

If you care about worldbuilding, player loyalty, and creating original stories in a crowded market, this episode is a must-listen.

🗝️ Key Takeaways:

 * How experience at Blue Sky and Disney influenced the way Nice Gang operates today.
 * The real skills Jason (business, scaling) and Vincent (visual worldbuilding) bring to the team.
 * Why original IP is the foundation of everything they are building with Eighth Era.
 * How they see opportunities for Eighth Era to expand beyond gaming (animation, collectibles, more).
 * Their approach to growing a loyal community for the long-term, not just at launch.

🕒 Timestamps:

 * 00:00 – Intro + Season 2 Launch
 * 02:00 – Meet Jason and Vincent: Backgrounds + Skills
 * 07:00 – Lessons from Animation: What Carried into Game Development
 * 15:00 – Founding Nice Gang: The Why and How
 * 22:00 – Building a Creative Partnership That Lasts
 * 28:00 – Worldbuilding Eighth Era: Staying Original
 * 36:00 – Thinking Beyond the Game: The Future of the IP
 * 43:00 – Building a Long-Term Player Community
 * 48:00 – Final Advice and Where to Follow Nice Gang

From Ice Age to Eighth Era How to Build Games That Outlast Trends

Summary:
In this episode, Greg chats with AJ Leece, the founder of Brekade, a studio transforming security training into engaging, story-driven video games. From his roots in ethical hacking to building games like “Fishing Expedition” and “SecOps Chaos,” AJ shares how he's gamifying the most dreaded parts of corporate training—and why that's the future of workplace education.

Key Takeaways:

 * Gamifying corporate training turns passive learners into active participants.
 * Boring topics (like InfoSec) come to life when wrapped in story and play.
 * You don’t need to be a full-stack developer to build great games—just curiosity and courage.
 * Player feedback = gold. AJ evolved his product based on student reactions.
 * “Productive laziness” is a feature, not a bug—automate the boring to unleash creativity.

Top Moments:

 * 04:52 — The D20 That Started It All: How AJ turned a dull compliance class into a D&D-inspired tabletop game.
 * 13:44 — Goombas and Burnout: A sneak peek at “SecOps Chaos,” AJ’s synthwave burnout simulator for security pros.
 * 19:40 — Cheap Wings, Big Ideas: AJ’s midweek pub sessions and the notebook that fuels his creativity.
 * 25:34 — Changing Perception, One Game at a Time: Why mid-sized companies are the sweet spot for gamified training.
 * 42:26 — Turning Weakness into a System: AJ shares how he built an app to capture ideas on the fly—his secret weapon against creative blockers.

Guest Links:

 * Brekade Website [https://www.brekade.com/]
 * AJ Leece on LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/ajleece]

Gamifying Corporate Culture: Turning Boring Training into Playable Stories w AJ Leece

User-generated content (UGC) has become a transformative force in the gaming industry, giving players the tools to shape their favorite games and developers new ways to engage their communities. In this episode of the Player Driven Podcast, Scott Reismanis, founder of Mod.io, dives into how his platform is breaking barriers and expanding opportunities for players, creators, and studios alike.

Key Takeaways

1. UGC’s Role in Expanding Gaming Lifecycles

Baldur’s Gate 3 has seen over 50 million mod downloads in its first year, with 40% of its player base engaging with mods—double the industry average. Scott explains that mods keep games fresh, encouraging players to return for new experiences, whether it’s simple cosmetic tweaks or major gameplay changes. Console players, in particular, have embraced mods, often consuming more content than their PC counterparts.

2. Breaking Down Barriers for Console Modding

Traditionally, console ecosystems were closed off to modding due to strict certification processes and security concerns. Mod.io changed the game by partnering with PlayStation, Xbox, and Nintendo, bringing mods to consoles for the first time. This shift has allowed console players to experience UGC at a scale previously reserved for PC gaming, with games like Baldur’s Gate 3, SnowRunner, and Skater XL leading the charge.

3. The Business Case for UGC

Mod.io collaborated with Simon Carlos of GameDiscoverCo to analyze UGC’s financial impact. The results are clear: games with UGC see a 23% revenue increase over five years, retain 90% more players, and even boost paid DLC sales by up to 26%. UGC not only enhances player engagement but also creates opportunities for studios to better understand what their audience wants through player-created content trends.

4. How Mod.io Supports Developers and Players

Implementing modding isn’t just about enabling creativity; it’s also about maintaining quality and safety. Mod.io offers automated content scanning for malware and inappropriate material, customizable curation settings for studios, and community reporting tools to flag problematic mods. For developers, this means greater control over their games’ ecosystems while giving players the freedom to create and share.

5. The Future of UGC in Gaming

Scott envisions a future where games become platforms for creators, allowing indie developers to launch full-fledged titles as mods within larger games. This approach could solve one of the biggest challenges for indie creators—finding an audience—while providing established games with fresh, high-quality content. As Scott says, “You don’t have to democratize creation—you just have to enable imagination.”

Featured Guest

Scott Reismanis is the founder of ModDB and Mod.io. With over 20 years of experience in the gaming industry, Scott has helped bring UGC to the forefront of modern gaming, enabling players to create and share content across platforms.

Memorable Quotes

“UGC isn’t competition; it’s an opportunity to deepen engagement and extend a game’s lifecycle.”

“You don’t have to democratize creation—you just have to enable imagination.”

Relevant Links

Explore Mod.io: www.mod.io [https://www.mod.io]

SPONSOR:
Check out Nexys Mobile and the Red Magic 10 Pro: https://www.nexysmobile.com/redmagic

ENCORE Revolutionizing Gaming with UGC: How Mod.io Leads the Way with Scott Reismanis

Episode Summary

Shaun Laker joins Greg to discuss his journey in the gaming industry, from breaking into QA at EA to leading major AAA projects. They dive into the evolution of producers in game development, the importance of community management, and how Game Guardians is using AI to revolutionize QA testing. Shaun also shares his entrepreneurial challenges and insights into the future of game development.

Key Takeaways & Timestamps

1. Breaking Into the Gaming Industry

03:27 – A high school gym teacher introduced Shaun to EA, setting him on his career path.
04:26 – Started in QA at EA, working on games like James Bond: Everything or Nothing and NBA Street.
05:41 – Early QA days felt like Grandma’s Boy—pizza, long hours, and tight-knit teams.

2. Lessons from AAA Studios

07:33 – Every studio operates differently, but profitability often dictates creative freedom.
08:17 – Studios like Respawn thrived due to strong leadership and a focus on quality.
17:48 – Key lessons: Avoid crunch, communicate clearly, and establish strong development pillars.

3. The Role of Community & Engagement

14:18 – Community management varies—Plants vs. Zombies had a supportive fanbase, while Gears of War was more intense.
16:36 – Community managers are the frontline of player feedback, taking in both praise and criticism.
17:03 – A strong community presence can make or break a game’s long-term success.

4. Game Guardians & AI in QA

21:26 – Game Guardians was founded to tackle inefficiencies in game QA.
22:51 – AI-driven automation solves major QA challenges: reducing repetitive testing, supporting live-service games, and catching hard-to-find bugs.
24:13 – AI isn’t replacing QA testers but augmenting their capabilities, allowing them to focus on higher-value tasks.

5. Entrepreneurship & Personal Growth

26:38 – The idea for Game Guardians took shape after Shaun’s layoff from Respawn.
30:51 – The biggest struggle as a founder: learning to unplug and avoid burnout.
50:20 – Advice to his younger self: Pick battles wisely and set better boundaries to maintain mental health.

The Next Frontier in Game Development: AI-Powered Testing with Shaun Laker

🎧 Episode Summary:

In this episode, Shawn Layden unpacks the creative crisis in AAA development, why $100M+ game budgets are unsustainable, and how developers can reclaim innovation through constraint. Joined by industry analyst Lewis Ward, we talk indie survival, pricing psychology, the rise of Switch 2, and the real reasons games no longer feel “complete.”

Whether you’re building a studio, publishing your first title, or just care about where gaming is headed, this one’s for you.

🧠 5 Key Takeaways:

 1. Constraint is the Mother of Creativity
    Shawn argues that early tech limits forced creative brilliance. Today’s boundless tech might actually dilute focus. “Discipline is more valuable than horsepower.”
 2. The AA Tier Has Collapsed
    The middle class of game development is disappearing. Studios either go ultra-lean indie or mega-budget AAA. Shawn says we must revive sustainable $20M–$80M games.
 3. Game Pricing is Outdated
    The $59.99 model hasn’t budged in decades — even as dev costs skyrocket.
 4. “No One’s Coming to Save You”
    Indie devs need to act like entrepreneurs. That means tighter budgets, faster shipping, and proving the team can actually deliver. Don’t wait for publishers, move first.
 5. Game Completion = The New Differentiator
    Shawn misses the joy of rolling credits. He believes more studios should return to crafted, finishable games. Not just endless live ops.

🔗 Relevant Links & Mentions:

 * 🎤 Shawn Layden on LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/shawnlayden/]
 * 📊 Lewis Ward, IDC [https://www.linkedin.com/in/lewis-ward-77b7696/]
 * 🎮 Girls Make Games Scholarship Fund [https://www.gmgsf.org/]
 * 🧵 More from Player Driven [https://playerdriven.io/]

Sponsor:

Nexys Mobile - Check out the RedMagic 10 Pro, the ultimate gaming phone exclusively on Nexys Mobile with plans starting as low as $25 a month! Check it out here: www.nexysmobile.com/redmagic [http://www.nexysmobile.com/redmagic]

Constraints, Creativity, and the Collapse of AA with Shawn Layden

Episode Summary: In this insightful episode, Greg sits with Tim Smith to discuss COHEZION, a community-focused tool designed to streamline player engagement and community analytics. Tim shares his journey from gamer to entrepreneur, highlighting how his platform helps studios understand and leverage their community data for increased player retention and satisfaction.

Key Takeaways (with timestamps):

 * Community-Driven Development (07:10): Engaging communities early significantly boosts loyalty and advocacy.
 * Value of Data (17:07): Leveraging qualitative and quantitative data from player feedback provides deeper insights into community needs.
 * Optimizing Workflow with Automation (35:09): Automation reduces burnout by streamlining tasks, allowing community managers to focus on meaningful player interactions.
 * Early Community Building (07:46): Building communities early in the development cycle is critical to long-term game success.
 * Importance of Feedback Loops (37:39): Keeping players informed on issue resolution enhances satisfaction and trust.
 * Evolving Role of Community Managers (12:07): Today's community managers require diverse skill sets, from analytics to direct community engagement, highlighting the importance of supportive tools.

Notable Quotes:

 * "In traditional SaaS, they would kill for this amount of data." – Tim Smith
 * "Community managers are your allies; you just need to get them the information so they can bring it to the appropriate sources." – Greg

Links:

 * Connect with COHEZION: COHEZION Website [https://www.COHEZION.ai/]

This weeks episode is sponsored by Nexys Wireless. Check out the REDMAGIC Pro 10 - www.nexysmobile.com/redmagic [http://www.nexysmobile.com/redmagic]

Boost Player Retention Through Smart Community Management with Tim Smith

Episode Summary

In this powerful and deeply personal episode, Sonya Haskins (Head of Programming at Augmented World Expo) shares her unexpected path into the world of XR—from a homeschool mom and non-gamer to a competitive VR esports athlete and community advocate. Joined by Lewis Ward (Research Director at IDC), we explore her inspiring story of healing through VR, battling harassment in immersive spaces, and her vision for more inclusive, player-driven virtual worlds.

This one’s raw, real, and packed with insights on XR safety, community building, and the untapped power of play.

🔑 5 Key Takeaways

 1. VR as a LifelineSonya discovered VR in 2017 and credits it with helping her manage chronic pain, regain physical independence, and even lose 40 pounds—all while seated, gaming daily.
 2. Esports as EmpowermentStarting in Echo Arena, Sonya became one of the top players—despite being a middle-aged woman in a male-dominated space. She proved that skill, not stereotype, determines success.
 3. Toxicity in VR is Real—But FixableShe shares harrowing experiences of harassment and doxxing, but also offers hope: community-led moderation, tools like ToxMod, and peer pressure can shift the culture.
 4. Why Gorilla Tag WorksThe smash-hit XR game owes much of its success to player autonomy and a dev team that listened from day one. Players invent their own rules—just like on a playground.
 5. AWE's New Gaming HubSonya teases a massive new initiative debuting at AWE: a full-on Gaming Hub featuring a Games Pavilion, dev stage, networking events, and hands-on VR experiences. Gamers, take note—June in Long Beach is going to be big.

🧠 Topics Covered

 * How a VR headset at Best Buy changed Sonya’s life
 * Using Echo Arena to recover from physical limitations
 * Sexism and harassment in early XR environments
 * The evolution of moderation and safety tools in VR
 * Gorilla Tag’s runaway success and community-first model
 * The future of AWE and why gaming is taking center stage
 * Personal resilience, reinvention, and the human side of tech

🔗 Resources & Mentions

 * AWE (Augmented World Expo): https://www.awexr.com [https://www.awexr.com/]
 * Lewis Ward, IDC: XR & gaming industry insights [https://www.idc.com/getdoc.jsp?containerId=PRF001992]
 * Sonya's Handle: Hasko7 across social platforms (Twitter, LinkedIn, BlueSky, Facebook)'

Sponsor: 

🎮 This episode is brought to you by Nexys Mobile – the only wireless carrier built for gamers, by gamers. Whether you’re grinding ranked or exploring open worlds on the go, Nexys delivers ultra-low latency, unlimited data, and reliable performance when it matters most. No contracts. No throttling. Just pure mobile power for the player in all of us.

Level up your connection at nexysmobile.com [https://nexysmobile.com/]

How Sonya Haskins' Unique Journey Helped to Redefine Expectations about XR

🎙️ Guest: Tim Cook, Head of Solutions at Spectrum Labs
📌 Topic: The Future of Trust & Safety in Gaming

Episode Overview

In this episode of the Player Driven Podcast, we dive deep into the world of trust & safety, audience building, and AI-driven moderation with Tim Cook, Head of Solutions at Spectrum Labs. Tim shares how AI is revolutionizing content moderation, the impact of data-driven decision-making in gaming, and why community management is more than just banning bad actors—it’s about fostering positive engagement.

Key Takeaways:

1️⃣ AI & Trust & Safety – How Spectrum Labs helps detect toxicity and positive behaviors in user-generated content across gaming, dating, and social platforms.
2️⃣ Understanding the "Movable Middle" – Why segmenting online communities into positive users, neutral users, and toxic users helps shape safer gaming spaces.
3️⃣ The Future of AI in Gaming – Tim explores how generative AI will shape player engagement, content creation, and moderation strategies while tackling ethical concerns.

Why Listen?

✔️ Learn how data and AI are shaping trust & safety in gaming.
✔️ Discover best practices for building healthier online communities.
✔️ Get insights on how gaming companies can measure and reward positive behaviors.

ENCORE - How AI Technology is Helping Detect Toxic Behaviors in Gaming Communities with Tim Cook

Welcome to Player Driven, the hub where gaming insights and community collide.

We believe that behind every great game is a thriving community and an unforgettable player experience. Whether it’s building inclusive environments, exploring the latest tech, or diving into the art of storytelling, our mission is simple: to empower the creators, communities, and players that make the gaming world extraordinary.

What We’re About:
🎮 Insightful Conversations – Through our podcast and community clubhouse, we bring industry leaders, creators, and innovators together to explore the cutting-edge of gaming.
🌍 Player-Centric Focus – From accessibility to trust and safety, we champion the initiatives that keep players at the heart of the industry.
📈 Data Meets Creativity – With a knack for combining KPIs with compelling narratives, we highlight strategies that don’t just work but resonate.
🤝 Community Building – We celebrate what makes the gaming community special: its people. From indie developers to AAA veterans, every voice matters here.

Join us as we explore what drives games, empowers communities, and defines success in the ever-evolving gaming landscape.

Your Game. Your Story. Your Community.

Greg

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