Start To Play’s Post

As you have probably already read elsewhere, the R42 | Games Hub & Accelerator 2024 started this week and Team Nava Games is part of it, and we would also like to make a brief statement about it. 🤓 The 9-month event, aiming towards start-ups with a focus on gaming or gamification, kicked off last Wednesday for a total of 11 teams with the kick-off event and the first of three Deep Dive Days at the Gecko Two GmbH location in Leipzig-Plagwitz. After getting to know the other participants, our co-founders held an elevator pitch in front of numerous industry representatives on the first day. The first step was to present our ambitious studio, going into more detail about the values, goals and structure of our team. 👌 In addition to the numerous workshops, the highlight of the second day was the evening GameDev meeting on the topic of AI, which led to an interesting discussion. We also caught up with our great coach Yuna Avetysyan from R42, who will provide us with significant support in the development of the demo for our pilot project Planted Memories. On the third day, we intensified the topic of pitching. In a 5-minute pitch, we were able to deliver very well and receive valuable feedback for future pitches to investors and publishers. 🙏 The time between the workshops was always used for networking, where we put Team Nava Games on the map of the video games industry landscape as a new studio with big ambitions and we were also able to make very important contacts. 🚀 Overall, the first Deep Dive Days were a very enriching experience, where you could always feel that every participant will do their best to further develop the Central German gaming landscape. Incidentally, our grateful Startup Class has given itself its own name: R42-Good Vibes 24. 🥳 For further links, check the comments below. #teamnavagames #videogames #gamedevelopment #gamesaccelerator [copyright Gecko Two GmbH]

Next-Gen or NG "Next-gen," short for "next-generation," refers to products or technologies that bring major improvements over their earlier versions. These innovations often introduce advanced features, better functionality, or new ideas that change industries. For example, a company launching a new video #game might design it for a next-gen console, emphasizing the significant leap in gaming capabilities. In the world of #domain names and online branding, the .ng ccTLD is a great fit for "next-gen." The abbreviation "NG" aligns naturally with the concept of next-gen, making it a #smart and memorable choice for VC-backed tech startups, AI-driven gaming platforms, or tech disruptors aiming to represent progress and innovation. While .ng is officially Nigeria’s country code, its repurposed use as "next-gen" gives it global appeal, resonating with forward-thinking brands around the #world. Please, invest wisely.

🌟 We're thrilled to announce that Audiomob are joining Gamesforum San Francisco 2024 as Global Sponsors! 🎮 Founded by ‘Forbes 30 Under 30’ awardees Christian Facey and Wilfrid Obeng, Audiomob is a leading global adtech solution provider for the mobile gaming market. Backed by some of the largest investors in adtech, such as Google, LightSpeed Ventures, and Makers Fund, Audiomob has raised over $16 million in funding and is valued at over $110 million. 🕹️ Audiomob's patented technology allows game developers to seamlessly insert audio adverts into their games. By focusing on audio-only adverts, developers can monetize their games without disrupting the player’s gaming experience. This creates a better ad ecosystem for developers, advertisers, and players. One that gives players more control over when and how they experience in-game ads, encouraging them to Play OnTM uninterrupted for longer. 🎧 Audiomob's industry-leading ad solutions earned it the StartUp of the Year award in 2022. In the same year, Audiomob received a nomination for the renowned Drum Awards, in collaboration with Proctor & Gamble. 🎟 Register now 👉 https://lnkd.in/eHzckQEk #gamesforumsf2024 #gamesforum #mobilegaming #admonetization #mobilemarketing #adtech #productmonetization #alternativegrowth #useracquisition

Xsolla, a global video game commerce company, acquire LF.Group , a leading provider of digital solutions for the gaming community. This strategic partnership aims to transform the way creators interact with gamers and manage transactions across platforms, providing advanced technology to enhance the experience for both creators and players. LF.Group is committed to supporting gamer connectivity through its solutions, most notably its advanced bot technology within Discord, which is key to the announced acquisition. This technology streamlines interactions and transactions within the gamer community, which aligns with Xsolla’s strategy to support game developers and publishers by enabling them to efficiently monetize their content. David Stelzer, Alexey Moiseenkov, Aleksandr Agapitov, Chris Hewish, Dmitri Bourkovski, Anton Zelenin, Berkley Egenes, Moin Moinuddin Read more - https://lnkd.in/gsvdGxEg To share your startup story write us on - [email protected] #xsolla #videogamecommerce #LFGroup #technology #acquisition #developers #news #startup

We are happy to announce that Audiomob will be joining Gamesforum Cyprus as Global Partner. Founded by ‘Forbes 30 Under 30’ awardees Christian Facey and Wilfrid Obeng, Audiomob is a leading global adtech solution provider for the mobile gaming market. Backed by some of the largest investors in adtech, such as Google, LightSpeed Ventures, and Makers Fund, Audiomob has raised over $16 million in funding and is valued at over $110 million. Audiomob’s patented technology allows game developers to seamlessly insert audio adverts into their games. By focusing on audio-only adverts, developers can monetize their games without disrupting the player’s gaming experience. This creates a better ad ecosystem for developers, advertisers, and players. One that gives players more control over when and how they experience in-game ads, encouraging them to Play OnTM uninterrupted for longer.   Audiomob’s industry-leading ad solutions earned it the StartUp of the Year award in 2022. In the same year, Audiomob received a nomination for the renowned Drum Awards, incollaboration with Proctor & Gamble. Book your tickets here 👉 https://lnkd.in/d3XDsRj9 #gamesforum #gamesforumcyprus #mobilegaming #mobilemarketing #useracquisition #admonetization

Next week is packed with exciting events for game industry professionals to network, learn, and explore the latest trends shaping our vibrant industry in Los Angeles. I won’t be able to attend all the events, but I’d like to highlight a few great ones. 𝙈𝙤𝙣𝙙𝙖𝙮: ✨ a16z LA Tech Week Kick-Off Join the official opening night event hosted by A16Z to kick off the week with tech and gaming leaders and innovators. With over 1000 events happening in SF and LA this week and next, I have no idea how the A16Z GAMES team is powering through this event marathon - but you guys are the real MVPs! Andrew Lee, Robin Guo, Caitlin Cooke, Macy Mills https://lnkd.in/ghaJeEpn 𝙏𝙪𝙚𝙨𝙙𝙖𝙮: ✨ Online Gaming Services House by Pragma, AWS Mingle with online service experts over drinks and bites at this fun and relaxed happy hour, hosted by Eden Chen and Jeremy Joiner https://lnkd.in/gPDX6Ted? ✨ Gaming Innovators Event by J.P. Morgan, CAA, Cooley, and Porsche A must-attend for aspiring founders and early-stage entrepreneurs. Marc-Lloyd Ramniceanu and Sophie Nazerian from JP Morgan are excellent hosts and will ensure founders a great time with excellent company! https://lu.ma/b1t43u91 𝙒𝙚𝙙𝙣𝙚𝙨𝙙𝙖𝙮: ✨ Demystifying Gaming Startups for Future Founders by 1AM Gaming Thinking of starting your own game studio? Learn from my founder friends, Ian Proulx (1047 Games), Aidan Karabaich (Singularity 6), and Christopher Scholz (Free Range Games) as they share their journeys and insights on building a successful game startup. https://lu.ma/2fgld7qp 𝙏𝙝𝙪𝙧𝙨𝙙𝙖𝙮: ✨Taking Your Game from Zero to One Million by AppsFlyer, Deconstructor of Fun You will learn from top industry founders and executives, including Doug McCracken (a16z Games) and Jen Donahoe (Host of Deconstructor of Fun Podcast) how to leverage marketing optimization best practices to scale games from zero to millions of users. https://lnkd.in/gGkpSVb8? ✨ Planet Play’s Gaming LA by Stash, Google Join a vibrant mix of gaming professionals, from developers, publishers, creators, and investors, at Google's iconic Playa Vista HQ for a night of networking and fun conversations. Kudos to Brent Liang and the Stash team for organizing this fantastic event series. Stay tuned for more! https://lnkd.in/gfv7BX8q 𝙁𝙧𝙞𝙙𝙖𝙮: ✨ LATechWeek Closeout Event by Mantis VC & Lightspeed Venture Partners Connect, network, and celebrate with leading innovators and investors in tech and gaming at the official LA Tech Week closeout event. Thanks to the gaming teams at Mantis and Lightspeed! Moritz Baier-Lentz 🎮, Stephen O'Brien, and Milan K. https://lnkd.in/g5wxXseX Last but not least, a huge thanks to Andrew Chen and Katia Ameri for creating this amazing platform for founders and innovators to connect IRL! (Flashback to the 1st LA Tech Week in 2022) #videogaming #gameindustry #gamedevelopers #videogames

💡Are you the next big innovator in tech? 🇮🇳 Tackling real problems in India? 🚀 Games24x7 Venture, with a corpus of Rs 400 crore, is here to fuel your journey! Catch Bhavin Pandya, Co-founder and CEO, Games24x7, at #TechSparksMumbai2024 as he shares insights with Shradha Sharma on driving technological change from the hinterlands to the high-tech zones! 📹 Tune in now!

🎮 Nazara Picks Up 8.5% Stake in Web3 Gaming Startup Circle of Games for $500K. 📝 SUMMARY: Nazara Technologies, a listed gaming giant, has acquired an 8.5% stake in Circle of Games (COG), a Web3 gaming platform, for $500K as part of a larger $1 Mn funding round. The investment aims to bolster Nazara's presence in the Web3 and blockchain gaming space. 🔑 KEY POINTS: - Stake Acquisition: Nazara's Dubai-based subsidiary acquired 2,164 shares, constituting an 8.5% stake, in COG for $500K. - Funding Round: The investment was part of a $1 Mn funding round that also involved Swiss non-profit The Hashgraph Association. - Strategic Collaboration: Nazara's stake acquisition is not just about capital investment; it involves strategic guidance, support, and access to Nazara's extensive network to fuel COG's growth. - Expansion Plans: COG intends to utilize the funds to accelerate its go-to-market strategy, enhance platform capabilities, and expand its presence globally. - Future Initiatives: COG plans to launch its native token ($COG) by June 2024 to attract more users to its platform. 🔍 INSIGHTS: - Web3 Gaming Platform: COG is a Web3 casual multi-gaming platform aiming to onboard millions of users onto the Hedera network. - Partnerships: COG leverages partnerships with Web3 projects and ecosystems like Chingari and Solana to access a vast gaming community across various countries. - Acquisitions: Nazara's investment in COG follows its strategy of aggressive acquisitions in the gaming and esports domain, signaling its commitment to expanding its market presence. 💥 IMPACT: - Market Expansion: The investment strengthens Nazara's foothold in the burgeoning Web3 gaming sector, paving the way for future growth opportunities. - Ecosystem Support: COG's collaboration with Nazara and The Hashgraph Association provides it with valuable resources and guidance to scale its operations effectively. 🔮 OUTLOOK: - Future Growth: With Nazara's backing and COG's ambitious expansion plans, the Web3 gaming platform is poised for rapid growth and user acquisition in the coming years. Circle Of Games #NazaraTechnologies #Web3Gaming #CircleOfGames #Investment #BlockchainGaming #GrowthOpportunities #StartUpNews #BusinessNews #MicroShots #NewsUpdates

🎮🛠️ Web3 tech improvements are beginning to catalyze the promise of Fully On-Chain Games. The latest from BITKRAFT Ventures shed light on Fully On-Chain Games (FOCG), a "hard form application" innovation in the gaming industry. Some implications for web3 gaming venture investing: Interoperability: FOCGs leverage blockchain to store game logic and virtual goods, ensuring true permissionless ownership and transparency. This shifts control to players, enabling a decentralized ecosystem where game assets are tradeable and usable across multiple platforms, heralding a new era of interoperable gaming universes. New Business Models: FOCGs disrupt traditional revenue streams by decentralizing control and enabling player-driven economies. In-game items and experiences can be monetized independently by players separate from ad networks, similar to how modding in games has shown demand for user-generated content. I'm excited about mod-to-earn models, in addition to Free (money) to Play models. Early-Stage Opportunities: The infancy of FOCGs represents a prime investment window. Early investments here can capitalize on solving technical and UX challenges, positioning investors at the forefront of blockchain gaming. Cross-Game Ecosystems: Investment in platforms that facilitate asset interoperability across games is crucial. This interoperability is similar to how app stores revolutionized mobile gaming and apps. ⚠️ Some challenges to consider: Technical Hurdles: Issues like latency and high transaction costs pose significant challenges. FOCGs, currently best suited for simpler games, need innovations such as ephemeral chains and battle rollups to improve performance and reduce costs. User Experience: Simplifying blockchain interactions, such as managing wallets and paying gas fees, is essential. Investments in UX improvements will be critical to attract mainstream gamers, who are accustomed to the seamless experiences of traditional games. Game Play: At the end of the day, FOCGs must attract and retain their player communities with fun mechanics. These may enable new social experiences. 🔗 Full insights here: https://lnkd.in/eSRbid-H #Web3 #Gaming #VentureCapital #OnChainGaming #FOCGs

🚀 Exciting times ahead for game developers & Web3 enthusiasts! Our partner AEON is launching the GameOn TON Global Gaming Hackathon—the biggest gaming hackathon in the TON ecosystem! With a $6M prize pool, this is your chance to build something epic. 🌍 #GameOnTON #Web3Gaming  🎮 Why Get Involved?   This isn’t just a hackathon; it’s a journey! AEON and top partners like TON Foundation, Gate.io, MEXC Ventures, and Alibaba Cloud are bringing together global talent to shape the future of gaming on TON. Imagine your game idea funded, launched, and celebrated worldwide.  📅 Key Dates You Don’t Want to Miss   - Nov 1: Dubai Dev Workshop (sign up 👉 lu.ma/dzlonhlr)   - Nov 14: Last Day to Register   - Nov 18: Final Submissions   - Nov 25: Online Closing Ceremony  Think you have what it takes? Join us on the path to innovation.  💥 TVB (TON Valuable Builder) Program  Two tracks designed to support creators:   1. Founder Track: $900K prize pool for the top projects   2. Startup Track: $200K for early-stage teams and students  Whether you’re a solo innovator or a startup, there’s a place for you here!  💸 The Grand Prize Pool   With $6M on the line, plus support from industry giants like MEXC, Gate.io, and Alibaba, winners get more than just cash. There are also boot camps, game dev resources, and cloud support for top projects. Ready to elevate your project? 🔥 Ready to Join?   Submit a working game concept on TON or Telegram that makes a real impact. Judges are looking for creativity, utility, and potential for mass adoption. This is your chance to put Web3 gaming on the map!  Get started today and make your mark: https://lnkd.in/gqXY42ak  #AEON #GameOnTON #TONBlockchain #Web3