STARTUPNATION.SN’s Post

At the end of October, after six fulfilling years, I turned the page on my PlayStation chapter. I’m founding a business with a mission to help leaders and investors in gaming, media and technology build their businesses, bring new bets to market, and grow. In a few months I’ll share more about this new venture but for now, some reflection: I had a remarkable journey at PlayStation. I built, grew and led businesses at a world leader in games & entertainment – how cool is that!? I’m so grateful to have been put in a position to guide new and emerging businesses. In my reflection of this chapter, my mind keeps coming back to the following question; How much should you utilize your heart in your leadership toolbelt? When so much of what we do is measured, distilled into inputs for rows and columns and then pressurized, it’s easy for people to lose sight of the humans around them and the responsibility to act like one. My role often involved being the person to frame the challenge or the destination, to distill complex issues, or to simply cut through the noise for the C-suite, other leaders or within my teams – there is so much noise when you are doing really challenging, hairy, ambitious things like launching and growing businesses and entering new markets. You have to earn people’s trust along the way, you can’t assume it. I focused on creating an environment of growth centered around (sometimes hammering) strong fundamentals, connecting people, unlocking ideas, and taking informed risks along a clear vision – and much of what I set out to do personally I accomplished (with the help of so so many). All the reps I got, the lessons collected, and the relationships built have been invaluable. I’m proud to have played a small part in many people’s journey. Thank you, everyone. So, back to the heart question; from my experience, I’d say you should use a heaping dallop more than you think you should, especially in a globally and digitally distributed environment. It’s okay to be vulnerable, it can be a major asset. We spend so much time working. Might as well use it to go out and try to create a positive impact with a little heart. It’ll likely create the moments you’ll carry with you after your chapters turn. Thoughts? [image credit: Midjourney & it’s interesting take on my likeness in some shoe-less, hand-warped, parallel universe of me in my new founder role]

FROM FARMVILLE FRENZY TO MOBILE GAMING MASTERY : THE ZYNGA STORY. Chapter 10: Acquisition and Future Prospects. On January 10 , 2022, Take-Two Interactive announced its intention to acquire the company in a cash-and-stock deal with a value of $12.7 billion, with Take-Two acquiring all outstanding shares of Zynga at $9.86 apiece . Both shareholders of the companies approved the merger on May 19, 2022, and the closing of the transaction took effect on May 23, 2022. The Zynga's future prospects hinged on its ability to adapt to evolving trends, capitalize on successful titles, and maintain a strong presence in the competitive mobile gaming landscape. Zynga continued to explore new avenues for growth, potentially through additional acquisitions, partnerships, or the development of innovative game concepts. The success of ongoing and future initiatives would determine Zynga's trajectory in the coming years. The gaming industry itself was in a state of constant evolution, with emerging technologies, changing player preferences, and global market dynamics shaping its course. For Zynga, staying at the forefront of these developments would be crucial for sustaining success. #startup #strategy #gaming

BREAKING NEWS: Microsoft Breaks Barriers on its $75 Billion Acquisition Journey! Microsoft has just surged past a major regional regulatory roadblock in its relentless pursuit of a jaw-dropping $75 billion acquisition – none other than the gaming giant, Activision Blizzard! The Fortune 500 American video game titan that holds the keys to Candy Crush, Call of Duty, and World of Warcraft, among other digital treasures, is on the brink of becoming a part of Microsoft's empire. But here's the plot twist that will leave you on the edge of your screens. The U.K. Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) initially slammed the brakes on Microsoft's ambitions. For over a year and a half, the tech behemoth has been locked in fierce negotiations with competition authorities worldwide. In this awe-inspiring showdown of corporate strategy, Microsoft and Activision's leadership teams have not only defied odds but have set an incredible example. They've laid bare the invaluable lessons and skills that today's leaders must wield to conquer markets and soar to the pinnacle of success. Join me on this exhilarating journey through the world of high-stakes business as we unravel the secrets to leadership excellence! Dive into my latest Forbes article and discover how Microsoft's game-changing move holds the keys to leadership mastery.

Mark Pincus, the visionary founder of Zynga, has a powerful philosophy that every organization should embrace: Proven, Better, New. This portfolio strategy involves investing in safe, low-ROI investments (proven), medium-risk investments with higher impact (better), and high-risk investments with the highest potential impact (new). While most companies excel at investing in proven and better ideas, they often struggle with the "new" category. High-potential impact ideas are frequently met with skepticism and resistance because they carry a higher risk of failure. However, what many organizations do not recognize is that failure is an integral part of the innovation process. As leaders, one of our most critical responsibilities is to push our organizations to invest in high-investment ideas, even if they might fail. At Zynga, Mark Pincus exemplified this mindset. In one meeting, he asked us, "Why are we [Zynga games] not in every Starbucks?" While one of my peers started to question the idea, Mark replied, "I know this is an out-of-the-box idea, but if it works, it'll make us millions ... so go look into it, gather some data, and let me know if it can potentially work." Mark's response demonstrates the essence of the "Proven, Better, New" philosophy. He acknowledged that the idea was unconventional but recognized its potential for significant returns. By encouraging us to investigate and gather data, he pushed us to explore something new and innovative. Embracing the "Proven, Better, New" philosophy fosters a culture of innovation and growth within organizations. It encourages teams to think beyond the status quo and explore new opportunities, even if they seem risky at first. Remember, the path to success is often paved with failures, but those failures provide invaluable lessons that lead to breakthrough innovations. As you reflect on your organization's investment strategy, ask yourself: Are we investing enough in high-potential impact ideas? Are we embracing the possibility of failure as a necessary step towards innovation? By adopting Mark Pincus' "Proven, Better, New" philosophy and encouraging your team to investigate unconventional ideas, you can position your organization for long-term success and growth. https://lnkd.in/gzj7Fhbx #innovation #growth #leadership #investment #strategy

FROM FARMVILLE FRENZY TO MOBILE GAMING MASTERY : THE ZYNGA STORY. Chapter 8: Continued Challenges. Despite strategic moves and acquisitions, Zynga continued to grapple with challenges in retaining player interest and competing in a rapidly changing gaming landscape. The company faced increased competition, evolving player preferences, and the need for continuous innovation to stay relevant. The dynamics of the gaming industry demanded constant adaptation, and Zynga found itself navigating a landscape where trends could shift swiftly. The challenge of creating games that captured and retained the attention of players in an oversaturated market became increasingly complex. During this chapter, Zynga explored various strategies to address these challenges. This included ongoing efforts to enhance user engagement, introduce new game mechanics, and explore emerging technologies. However, the path to sustained success proved elusive, requiring the company to reassess and refine its approaches. This chapter in Zynga's story highlights the inherent difficulties in the gaming industry, where success is contingent on staying ahead of trends and consistently delivering experiences that resonate with players. The narrative underscores the ongoing need for innovation and adaptation to navigate the competitive and dynamic landscape of the gaming market. #startup #strategy #gaming

🎮OneVerse Gaming Expands Portfolio with Calling Station and BatBall11 Acquisitions. 📜Summary: - OneVerse Gaming, a Metaverse and gaming tech startup, has acquired online poker platform Calling Station and fantasy sports platform BatBall11 to enhance its gaming offerings. - These acquisitions are part of OneVerse's strategy to consolidate the gaming ecosystem and bring various gaming players together. - The company plans to make seven to eight more acquisitions in both real-money gaming (RMG) and casual gaming categories, alongside an additional investment of INR 250 crore ($31 million) across its portfolio. 💼Key Details: - The financial terms of the acquisitions were not disclosed, but the buyout terms ensure retaining the management teams of Calling Station and BatBall11. - The combined user base of the two acquired companies stands at 1.4 million, indicating a significant expansion of OneVerse's gaming audience. - The acquisitions align with OneVerse's focus on metaverse-centric gaming, aiming for seamless integration of networks and players for immersive gaming experiences. 🔄Strategic Insights: - OneVerse's CEO, E. Paul Micheal, emphasized the efficiency and high growth trajectory of the acquired companies, highlighting their value in enhancing the overall gaming portfolio. - Dhyanesh Sundarmurthy, Co-head of RMB Capital India, sees the acquisitions as ideal assets for OneVerse's gaming ecosystem, promising immersive transactional experiences within the online gaming realm. 🚀Industry Challenges and Outlook: - The acquisitions come at a challenging time for the Indian online gaming startup ecosystem, facing regulatory hurdles such as the 28% GST levied on online game bets. - Despite challenges, OneVerse's expansion efforts signal confidence in the long-term growth potential of the gaming industry, with strategic acquisitions positioning the company for continued success in the evolving gaming landscape. 1verse | BATBALL11 #OneVerseGaming #GamingAcquisitions #Metaverse #OnlineGaming #GrowthStrategy #GamingEcosystem #IndustryChallenges #FutureOutlook #StartUpNews #BusinessNews #MicroShots #NewsUpdates

The Gaming Industry's Dynamic Growth: Insights and Opportunities. The gaming industry is buzzing with activity and transformations! From impressive revenue growth to strategic partnerships and major acquisitions, there’s a lot to discuss. For example, Playtech has reported a remarkable 74% increase in revenue in the North American B2B market, showcasing the sector's robust growth. Additionally, significant acquisitions like PlayAGS, which Brightstar acquired for $1.1 billion, highlight the dynamic nature of the industry. These developments are reshaping the landscape, offering new opportunities and challenges for companies within the gaming sector. Whether it’s through strategic expansions, innovative partnerships, or market consolidation, the industry is evolving at a rapid pace. How are these trends influencing your strategies or perspectives? 

I am a huge fan of Mr. Bob Iger – the current CEO of The Walt Disney Company. If you are into the art and science of business strategy and leadership, you might want to check out Bob's Masterclass (https://lnkd.in/gS3EmVzH). You rarely get to listen to a leader playing at the game's highest level and experience their thinking. There is so much in his Masterclass that it would take years to unpack, and I keep going back to watch it, learning something new all the time. Anyway, I digress. Epic Games is Disney's latest investment, and it's a doozy. If I'm not mistaken, the current series THE MANDALORIAN (on Disney Streaming and possibly some other shows) uses Epic Games' Unreal Engine in its production. So, this $150 billion investment makes total sense. IMHO. Anyway, you can read for yourself (see below). I do admire the American way of doing things, the take-no-prisoners mentality, and the go-big-or-go-home attitude. It's what makes business so exciting. What do you think? Should we, as Singaporeans, adopt that kind of thinking? Maybe just a little bit? Will it behoove us to risk more? Can it work when our domestic market is so tiny compared to China or America? I know The Chinese have learned it so well that they've quickly surpassed the folks they learned from. But that's a story for another post.

FROM FARMVILLE FRENZY TO MOBILE GAMING MASTERY : THE ZYNGA STORY. Chapter 4: IPO and Stock Fluctuations. In December 2011, Zynga made a significant move by going public with its initial public offering (IPO). The IPO raised over a billion dollars, reflecting the high expectations investors had for the social gaming giant. Zynga's stock was initially priced at $10 per share. However, after the IPO, Zynga faced challenges that led to fluctuations in its stock price. The company's early success was followed by a slowdown in user growth and revenue. The dependency on Facebook as a primary platform also posed risks, as changes in Facebook's policies could impact Zynga's access to its user base. Investors became concerned about Zynga's ability to sustain its initial momentum and replicate the success of games like FarmVille. As a result, the stock price experienced volatility, and Zynga struggled to meet the high expectations set by its IPO. This chapter in Zynga's story highlights the complexities of maintaining success in the rapidly evolving tech and gaming industries. It underscores the challenges faced by companies transitioning from private to public status, especially when dealing with the unpredictable nature of user preferences and market dynamics. The IPO marked a pivotal moment for Zynga, bringing both opportunities and challenges that would shape the company's trajectory in the years to come. #startup #strategy #gaming

🚀 Exciting News from Nazara Technologies Limited 🚀 We're thrilled to unveil our ambitious strategy to earmark US$100 million towards strategic mergers and acquisitions within the gaming industry. This strategic initiative underscores our commitment to strengthening global foothold and catalyzing its evolution into an eminent gaming platform on the world stage. We are on quest to identify opportunities within gaming, esports, and adtech areas with a focus on established gaming IP’s/studios and also those advancing in cutting-edge technologies like web3, Virtual Reality, and AI. 💼 Meet Us at GDC’24 💼 Are you ready to explore how your studio can achieve exponential growth and make a lasting impact in the gaming world? We're inviting game studios from around the globe to join us at the GDC'24 for an opportunity to discuss potential investment and collaboration. Why Partner with Nazara? Strategic Collaboration: Leverage Nazara's extensive network and expertise in the gaming industry to scale your operations and expand your reach. Strategic investment: Benefit from our $100 million investment pledge to take your game to the next level 📅 Schedule a meeting with us 📅 https://lnkd.in/dchB6xCD Let's embark on this exciting journey together and redefine the future of gaming! Nitish Mittersain, Sudhir Kamath, Anupriya Sinha Das, Vamil Doshi, Saikat Mondal, Kapil Kulkarni, Shivani Singh, Parag Pandav #NazaraTech #GamingIndustry #InvestmentOpportunity #GDC24 #GameDevelopment #StrategicPartnership