Guest: Andrew Wagner, Author of Economics of Online Gaming and Founder of Wagner Road Capital
CoHost: Lewis Ward, Research Director @ IDC

🎙 Episode Summary
What happens when a high schooler treats an MMORPG like a business case study? Andrew Wagner joins Player Driven to share how his time playing Eternal Lands turned into a crash course in economics, strategy, and systems thinking. From building a ruthless guild to influencing the game’s developer roadmap, Andrew didn’t just play — he disrupted.

We talk about market incentives, reputation management, and the blurry line between capitalism and corruption, both in games and in the real world. If you’re building economies, managing communities, or just love a good player-driven story, this one’s for you.

🧠 Highlights with Timestamps

2:34 — Learning economics through RuneScape-style gameplay
Andrew shares how Eternal Lands introduced him to core economic principles like supply and demand, specialization, and market incentives — all before he took a single college class.

7:59 — Embracing the villain role to change the game
Instead of rebuilding his guild’s reputation, Andrew leaned into their “bad guy” image, creating a strategy that ignored perception and focused purely on market disruption.

14:16 — How gaming shaped his real-world investment career
From managing a guild to managing portfolios, Andrew explains how the lessons from in-game economies now guide how he evaluates companies and competition in the financial world.

30:10 — Building an in-game advisory board of real experts
With rocket engineers and bankers in his guild, Andrew leveraged real-world insights to refine his strategy — proving that the best guilds function like startups.

49:50 — When players capture the dev team
Andrew recounts how a former guild member joined the dev team and created a secret mine just for them, triggering a real example of regulatory capture inside the game.

 * Check out Andrews Book: https://www.amazon.com/Economics-Online-Gaming-Introduction-Economic-ebook/dp/B084Z77PSW
 * Andrews Website: https://www.wagnerroadcm.com/
 * Andrews Substack: https://wagnerroadcm.substack.com/
 * LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/atwagner/

🎧 CTA
If you’ve ever seen the real world reflected in your favorite game, this episode will stick with you. Subscribe to Player Driven and share your favorite lesson learned from gaming.

The Economics of Gaming: How One Player Broke an MMO  and Launched a Career

What if you only had one digital life across all games... would you still cheat?
In this episode, we dig into the world of online cheating, digital accountability, and the business of fair play with Andrew Wailes from PlaySafe ID.

What started as a casual gaming session with friends led to a bold idea  one that could reshape how studios deal with cheaters and protect their communities.

🔍 Here's what we get into:

The cheating economy is real
Some cheat developers make more money than the games they’re exploiting. We explore the underground networks fueling this industry and why traditional bans aren’t working.

One identity to rule them all
Andrew introduces PlaySafe ID, a system that gives each player a single anonymized identifier across games. It keeps players accountable without exposing their personal info.

Game economies, broken by bots
Cheaters ruin more than just competitive play. They crash in-game markets, devalue rewards, and destroy core gameplay loops. We talk through the impact on long-term retention.

Reddit as the proving ground
A low-budget Reddit campaign helped Andrew validate the idea and attract thousands of pre-registrations before a single studio integration went live.

From kitchens to code
Andrew’s path to gaming wasn’t straight. He went from Michelin-starred pastry chef to founder of a gaming trust and safety platform. He shares the lessons that transferred from fine dining to startup life.

💡 Key takeaways:

 * Cheating doesn’t just hurt games, it destroys trust and drives players away
 * Accountability doesn’t have to mean giving up privacy
 * Studios want to fight back, but they’re outmatched by organized cheating rings
 * Solving this problem could unlock stronger communities and more sustainable games

🎯 This episode is for:

 * Developers, LiveOps leads, and support teams dealing with bad actors
 * VCs and founders looking at trust and safety as the next big frontier
 * Players who are sick of losing to cheaters and wondering if anything will change
 * Anyone interested in how tech, ethics, and community all collide in online games

This one hits hard. Fair play matters more than ever. Listen now and be part of the change.
🎧 Available wherever you get your podcasts

One Account, One Life: Can This Fix Online Gaming

Episode Summary:

In this episode, we're joined by Alex Seropian, a true legend in the gaming industry and the co-founder of Bungie, the studio behind Halo. Alex is now the founder of Look North World, a company focused on creating experiences within the Fortnite ecosystem using Unreal Editor for Fortnite (UEFN).  Alex discusses the evolution of the gaming industry, from the era of physical game distribution to today's platform-driven economy.  He shares his insights on where innovation in gaming is headed, the challenges of discoverability, and the paramount importance of building a strong community.  This conversation is a must-listen for anyone interested in the future of game development, user-generated content, and the ever-changing landscape of interactive entertainment.

About Our Guest:

Alex Seropian is the founder of Look North World and has an extensive history in the gaming industry.  He co-founded Bungie, was part of Industrial Toys, and worked at Disney.  He is now focused on building user-generated content and experiences within Fortnite.

 * Look North World: https://www.looknorth.world/
 * The Fourth Curtain Podcast: https://www.thefourthcurtain.com/

Key Topics Discussed:

 * [02:11] The Future of Innovation in Gaming: Alex shares his thoughts on where new and innovative ideas in the gaming industry will come from, highlighting platforms that support experimentation and risk-taking.
 * [05:10] Discoverability in a Crowded Market: A discussion on the challenges of getting your game noticed on platforms like Steam versus UEFN and Roblox.
 * [10:05] What Defines a "Good" Game?: The conversation explores how the definition of a quality game has evolved and how generational differences impact what players find engaging.
 * [12:41] Creating Games for Younger Generations: Alex talks about his approach to creating content that appeals to him while also building a diverse team to create games for various audiences.
 * [14:42] The Player Feedback Loop: How Look North World launches numerous games and uses player feedback to iterate and improve their experiences in a live service environment.
 * [18:15] Company Pillars and Adapting to New Platforms: Alex discusses Look North World's founding principle of exceeding player expectations and how they've adapted that philosophy to the realities of the UEFN platform.
 * [20:54] The Importance of Community: Alex emphasizes that building a direct relationship with players is a top priority for Look North World, as important as the IP they create.
 * [25:08] The Early Days of Halo and Multiplayer: Alex reflects on the explosion of the Halo community and the surprising ways players connected to play online before the widespread availability of Xbox Live.
 * [35:34] What Excites Alex Most About the Gaming Industry: From the advent of 3D graphics and the internet to the current "platform economy" where creativity is happening within larger game ecosystems.
 * [47:16] Alex's Podcast, The Fourth Curtain: Alex plugs his own podcast where he interviews other luminaries in the game industry.

The Future of Gaming is User-Generated: A Conversation with Look North World's Alex Seropian

Episode Overview:
In this episode, Greg Posner interviews Fiene Ziegler, Senior Community Management Specialist at InnoGames. Fiene shares her journey into gaming, insights on merging community management with social media, the importance of data-driven strategies, and her vision for the future of player engagement. Her experience sheds light on how to effectively manage online communities in a dynamic industry and adapt to new platforms to reach a wider audience.

Topics: Community Management, Social Media Strategy, Gaming Industry Trends, Player Engagement

Key Takeaways:

 1. Journey to Gaming and Community Management
    Fiene shares her unique journey from studying law to entering the gaming industry as a community manager. Her initial involvement was volunteer-based, leading her to a full-time role at InnoGames, where she manages community engagement for titles like Forge of Empires. Her background adds depth to her role, as she balances passion for gaming with the objectivity needed for community management.
 2. Importance of Game Knowledge and Player Perspective
    Fiene emphasizes the value of knowing the game inside and out, even as a manager. By actively playing Forge of Empires, she stays in touch with the player experience, offering insights to developers and community managers. Her expertise positions her as a resource within InnoGames for game-related decisions, showing how deep product knowledge can enhance community relations and drive engagement.
 3. Social Media and Community Strategy
    Fiene discusses the blending of community management with social media strategy, a trend she’s championed at InnoGames. Platforms like TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube are essential for player engagement, though InnoGames finds certain platforms, like Facebook, more effective for its demographic. Fiene advocates for tailored content that resonates with current players while reaching new audiences organically.
 4. Leveraging Data and KPIs in Community Engagement
    With a data-driven approach, Fiene and her team monitor KPIs like engagement, reach, and active player response to measure campaign effectiveness. She uses tools like Power BI to track data, helping her strategize content and engage players more effectively. Her focus is to balance entertaining existing players while reaching out to potential players through innovative, data-backed campaigns.
 5. Future Goals and Constant Learning
    Fiene talks about her career aspirations, expressing an interest in furthering her skills in social media and marketing. With a passion for learning and self-improvement, she highlights the significance of acquiring diverse skills—like using Premiere Pro and Canva—to stay current in a fast-evolving industry. Her commitment to growth serves as an inspiration for others in community management and social media roles.

Episode Summary:
In this episode, Fiene Ziegler provides a comprehensive look at what it means to manage and grow a gaming community. She offers practical insights into blending community engagement with social media strategies, leveraging data for decision-making, and building credibility through in-depth game knowledge. For gaming professionals and community managers alike, her journey and strategies are both inspiring and actionable, showcasing the impact of a well-rounded approach to community engagement.

ENCORE: Blending Community and Social Media: Insights with Fiene Ziegler of InnoGames

📖 Episode Summary:

This episode of Player Driven, in collaboration with Community Clubhouse, dives into the future of kids' gaming and digital safety. Greg speaks with Karin Johnson, co-founder of Magic Potion Games and a former leader at Club Penguin and Fortnite, along with Kieran Donovan, founder of K-ID and a regulatory compliance expert. Together, they explore how studios can build engaging, age-appropriate games while staying ahead of global compliance challenges. From the development of Imagine Island to the regulatory maze K-ID helps developers navigate, this is a must-listen for anyone creating games for younger audiences.

🔑 Key Topics Covered:

 * The rise of Imagine Island as a spiritual successor to Club Penguin
 * Why building “kids-first” (not just kid-appropriate) matters
 * How K-ID simplifies global compliance across age bands, chat, and monetization
 * Best practices for launching safe online games with embedded trust and safety
 * The business value of early compliance and community-focused design
 * How emerging web game platforms are helping studios reach more players

💡 Highlight Quotes:

“We’re not just building a safe game, we’re building one our own kids would play.” – Karin Johnson
“Compliance is no longer optional. It’s a foundation for smart monetization and trust.” – Kieran Donovan
“The rules are evolving fast. One week it’s Europe, the next it’s Indonesia. Studios need to plan now.” – Greg Posner

📌 Resources & Links:

 * Magic Potion Games [https://www.magicpotiongames.com/]
 * K-ID [https://www.k-id.com/]

🎯 Who Should Listen:

 * Game designers building for Gen Alpha
 * Studio leads exploring COPPA and GDPR-K compliance
 * LiveOps and trust and safety professionals
 * Community managers seeking to scale safe social play
 * Parents curious about the future of kid-friendly gaming

📣 Call to Action:

Enjoyed the conversation? Subscribe to Player Driven for more episodes that blend player experience, safety, and smart business strategy. Leave a review and share this episode with fellow game developers, educators, and community leads.

From Club Penguin to Imagine Island: Building Games That Last a Generation

Guest: Julie Banta, Director of Engineering, Build & Release at Respawn Entertainment

Summary:
In this episode of Player Driven, Greg sits down with Julie Banta, Director of Engineering at Respawn, to explore the underappreciated world of build and release operations. From her unlikely start in finance and insurance to helping manage one of the world’s top live service games, Julie shares her unique journey, the role of real-time feedback in LiveOps, and how a great team culture can make or break success.

They discuss:

 * What Build & Release actually does in a live service game like Apex Legends
 * Navigating fast-turnaround bug fixes and cross-platform coordination
 * How to connect your past experiences to break into the gaming industry
 * Leadership, burnout, and the importance of a people-first team
 * The need for diversity and inclusivity in both dev teams and the games themselves

Timestamps:

 * 07:00 – From finance to EA: career pivots and transferable skills
 * 16:00 – The pressure and complexity behind LiveOps launches
 * 29:00 – Fast feedback loops and using Reddit as a QA tool
 * 40:00 – How Julie leads her team with empathy and trust
 * 46:00 – Women in gaming and why representation matters
 * 54:00 – Advice for indie devs and those breaking into the industry

Links:

 * Connect with Julie on LinkedIn
 * Learn more about Respawn and Apex Legends
 * More episodes at playerdriven.io/podcast

Managing LiveOps at Scale: Inside Respawn’s Build & Release Team with Julie Banta

Mike Pappas discusses Modulate's Toxmod, a sophisticated voice AI that analyzes emotional nuance and behavioral dynamics in online interactions. Initially focused on combating toxicity and promoting positivity in gaming, the technology is now expanding to address fraud and challenges like deepfakes. Mike emphasizes the importance of transparency with users, collaboration with studios based on their codes of conduct, and a privacy-centric approach focusing on behaviors, not individuals.

Key Themes & Insights:

 * Advanced  Voice Analysis: Toxmod interprets emotion, nuance, and behavioral impacts in voice, not just words, to identify harmful or positive interactions.
 * Studio Collaboration & Transparency: Modulate tunes Toxmod to studio-specific guidelines, with studios making final decisions. Open communication with players about moderation is crucial.
 * Privacy-Conscious Moderation: The system focuses on identifying harmful or positive behaviors exhibited by users, rather than building profiles of individuals.
 * Expanding Beyond Gaming: Originally for gaming toxicity, Modulate's tech is now being applied to detect fraud and improve interactions in other sectors, like call centers.
 * Addressing Evolving Threats: The technology can help identify synthetically generated audio often used in scams, treating it as a form of fraud when coupled with problematic behavior.

Resources Mentioned:

 * Modulate: modulate.ai [https://modulate.ai/]

Subscribe to Player Driven for more insights and share this episode!

The Sound of Safety: How Modulate is Cleaning Up Voice Chat & Beyond with Mike Pappas

📖 Episode Summary:

In this episode, we delve into the evolving landscape of mobile game monetization with Chip Thurston, Head of Gaming at FastSpring. We explore the implications of the Apple vs. Epic ruling, the shift towards direct-to-consumer (DTC) strategies, and how webshops are becoming essential for game studios aiming to retain more revenue and foster stronger player relationships.

🔑 Key Topics Covered:

 * Impact of the Apple vs. Epic ruling on mobile payments
 * Transition from app store reliance to DTC models
 * Advantages of integrating webshops for game studios
 * Understanding the Merchant of Record model
 * Strategies for scaling monetization efforts

👤 About Our Guest:

Chip Thurston is the Head of Global Partnerships at FastSpring, a leading e-commerce platform for software and digital products. With extensive experience in digital monetization, Chip provides valuable insights into optimizing revenue streams for game developers.

📌 Resources & Links:

 * FastSpring Official Website [https://fastspring.com/]
 * Meet Chip on LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/thurstonchip/]

📣 Call to Action:

Enjoyed the episode? Subscribe to our podcast for more insights into the gaming industry's evolving monetization strategies. Don't forget to leave a review and share this episode with fellow developers and industry professionals.

30% No More? Why Every Studio Should Be Rethinking Mobile Monetization

In this episode, Greg sits down with Jim Welch, a composer turned developer turned studio founder whose creative journey spans Dragon Ball Z trailers to launching a party game in the spirit of Jackbox. We explore Jim’s path from audio to entrepreneurship, the founding of The Devhouse Agency, and why his team is now investing in original IP. From creative leadership to WebGL distribution strategy, this episode is packed with insights for anyone building in games, immersive tech, or creative services.

🧠 Key Takeaways:

01:22 – Starting with Sound: Jim shares his journey from composing for anime at Funimation to learning code through game jams.
07:27 – Founding Devhouse: Why starting a co-dev studio wasn’t a single moment, but a gradual realization built from side projects and passion.
09:32 – Hiring to Solve Pain: Early hires were engineers just like Jim, generalists who could help him scale his overloaded client work.
14:18 – Specialist vs. Generalist: How Devhouse learned to brand and position its skills clearly as the business matured.
20:30 – First Clients Came from Network: Jim leveraged relationships with former collaborators and positioned himself affordably as a solo founder.
26:29 – Why Build Original IP Now: Diversification and creative satisfaction. Jim didn’t want Devhouse to only live or die by service contracts.
29:02 – Trash Heist — Devhouse’s New Game: A phone-based party game with competitive chaos and second-screen play. Inspired by Jackbox, built to bring people together.
32:54 – Distribution Strategy: WebGL makes cross-platform play possible. Steam is the starting point, but smart TVs and casting are in the conversation.
35:33 – Balancing Client Work and Passion Projects: Dedicated internal teams and careful scoping allow for parallel development of games and service work.
37:16 – Founder Lessons: Sales and people management were the biggest curveballs. Learning to lead and let go is a continuous process.
40:10 – Where Gaming is Headed: Shrinking AAA budgets, a rise in small studio bets, and the growing importance of authentic community building.
45:19 – Call to Action: Trash Heist is dropping soon — Jim encourages listeners to check it out and support indie innovation.

🔗 Resources & Mentions:

 * The Devhouse Agency [https://www.thedevhouseagency.com/]
 * Trash Heist on Steam COMING SOON!
 * Jim Welch on LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/welchjim/]

🙌 Thanks for Listening!

If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe to Player Driven on your favorite podcast app and share it with someone building their own path in the game industry. For more conversations with creators, founders, and innovators in gaming, visit playerdriven.io [https://www.playerdriven.io/].

From Sound to Studio – Building Devhouse with Jim Welch

📖 Episode Summary:

In this episode of Player Driven, Greg chats with two standout voices in gaming operations—Heidi Christine, CMO and Head of Community at Pixels, and Conor McGinley, Customer Support Lead at Twin Harbor Interactive. Together, they unpack what it really takes to grow and sustain vibrant communities while also delivering high-quality support at scale. From automation and self-service to the role of Discord and the realities of Web3 toxicity, this conversation delivers actionable insights for studios of any size.

Whether you’re trying to balance support load with growth, make Discord less chaotic, or simply empower your community to help itself, this is the episode you’ve been waiting for.

🔑 Key Topics Covered:

 * Why support and community must be separated—until they’re not
 * How Pixels scaled from chaos to structure using Discord, Intercom, and "Farmhands"
 * Conor’s take on automation, AI, and when bots actually make sense
 * Handling burnout in small teams and building flexible support flows
 * How Web3 changes the intensity of player behavior and expectations
 * Empowering internal teams and community leaders to move fast without asking for permission
 * Why retention starts with understanding why players spend their time with you

💬 Notable Quotes:

“When you’re growing, Discord becomes chaos fast. It’s not built to handle 100 tickets a day.” – Heidi Christine
“Automation works best when you still own the voice. My bots sound like me.” – Conor McGinley
“Why are players spending their precious hours with us? That’s the question we need to ask every day.” – Heidi Christine

👥 About the Guests:

Heidi Christine is the CMO and Head of Community at Pixels, a Web3 studio known for its vibrant MMO-style farming sim. She’s built a thriving, global player base with decentralized strategies, high player trust, and real-world crypto integration.

Conor McGinley leads customer support at Twin Harbor Interactive, creators of longform strategy games like Supremacy 1914 and Call of War. He’s known for his analytical approach to ticket flows, bot frameworks, and scalable support systems.

📌 Resources & Mentions:

 * Pixels Game [https://www.pixels.xyz/]
 * Twin Harbor Interactive [https://www.bytro.com/]
 * Community Clubhouse [https://www.communityclubhouse.gg/]
 * Imagine Island - Magic Potion Games [https://www.magicpotiongames.com/]
 * HelpShift [https://www.helpshift.com/]

🎯 Who Should Listen:

 * Support and CX leads looking to improve efficiency
 * Community managers overwhelmed by Discord
 * Indie and Web3 studios scaling fast with limited headcount
 * Devs interested in retention, LiveOps, and community-led growth
 * Anyone balancing automation with authentic player connection

📣 Call to Action:

Enjoyed the episode? Be sure to follow Player Driven for more practical takes from the people who power the games you love. Share this with a community lead, support agent, or founder who could use a smarter way to scale.TBD

From Discord to Durable: Scaling Player Support and Community Without Burning Out

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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