Jessica Rovello discusses the growing games market, and it's about to get personalized

"In our workplace we put a big emphasis on having fun because we’re creating fun." In You've Got This this week, CEO & Co-Founder of Arkadium Jessica Rovello shares what appealed to her about gaming as an entrepreneur, the growth in casual games, and answering audience questions on the role of play in the workplace. Don't miss her answers below, along with announcing our next guest Ming S. Zhao, CEO and Co-founder at PROVEN Skincare.

Victoria: "How did you know that interactive content and mobile games were what you wanted to pursue professionally?"

Jessica: "I started Arkadium at 26 in 2001 with my co-founder and husband, Kenny, way before mobile games existed. At the start we just wanted to do something that would be a net positive in the media/entertainment space. We knew that games would have a long tail – that we could create a game once and have it be playable and fresh for years. That definitely appealed to us as young entrepreneurs who were bootstrapping our company."

Victoria: "With 75% of adults aged 45-64 playing games for approximately 16 hours per week, in 2021, how do you see the casual games space continuing to evolve and grow?"

Jessica: "Every year the types of games Arkadium makes, classic casual games, are growing in popularity and time spent – as is the whole games market. On average 10,000 people a day are turning 65. Adults 45 and older make up a massive portion of the US population (40%) but aren’t nearly as catered to as teens and young adults when it comes to gaming, it’s our aim to change that."

Questions from reader Matthew A. Wilson: "What's the role of play in the workplace? What games are you currently playing? (Video games and board games)? And what trends in gaming are you most excited about?"

Jessica: "In our workplace we put a big emphasis on having fun because we’re creating fun. 

"But all workplaces should incorporate some levity and joy into what they do. Employees have more choice now than ever before, and if you’re not creating opportunities for professional growth, connection and the occasional laugh, you’re not going to be able to hire great people."

I play our games every day but right now I’m hooked on Arkadium’s Mahjong Solitaire, Daily Crossword and Price is Right Plinko Pegs. I also play Roblox with my kids and the occasional NBA 2k.

I would say more curious than excited, but I’m very interested to see if play to earn takes off globally and has staying power. Play to earn games use the blockchain to allow players to earn digital assets (think crypto and NFTs) through their in-game engagement, essentially shifting control of in-game economies from developers to players."

Victoria: "What would your advice be for others looking to create in gaming or interactive content?"

Jessica: "Just start! There are tons of resources, courses and communities freely available to aspiring game developers, artists and designers. If you’d like to see what making a game is like before deciding to make a career change, I highly recommend taking part in a local or online game jam for a weekend and seeing if you enjoy it."

Follow Jessica on LinkedIn.

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Next week's guest: Ming S. Zhao

If you're interested in entrepreneurship or skincare, you'll want to get to know Ming S. Zhao, MBA. As the CEO and co-Founder of PROVEN Skincare which uses AI and machine learning technology to scientifically customize and formulate skincare products, she's grown the company while leveraging her experience in partnerships, private equity and strategy consulting. With that in mind, here's what I'll be asking Ming:

• How would you describe your career journey, and the inspiration behind your company?
• Personalization and innovation have been some of the key drivers of PROVEN Skincare's success - as well as delivering results for your customers. What do you see as the most powerful ways to engage with your audience?
• What advice would you have for other founders and those looking to build their own thing, particularly in the direct-to-consumer space?

You're invited to join in the conversation by asking a question for Ming in the comments below, and thank you for being a part of You've Got This.