THE GAMING PLAYBOOK
Harry Phokou sits down with experts in the games industry who have never been interviewed before. Through these in-depth conversations, we unpack the “Playbook” that made them so successful.
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For guest or sponsorship inquiries reach out to playbook@phokou.com
Latest Episode
In this episode, I sit down with Ada Mockute Jaime, CMO at Nordcurrent (Cooking Fever, Airplane Chefs) to unpack what’s actually working in mobile game marketing in 2025.
From UGC that turns into billion-view ads, to TikTok Lives that really convert to installs, Ada breaks down the tactics casual studios can copy tomorrow to scale faster and cheaper.
We cover:
– How to turn organic UGC into high-performing Spark Ads
– Why TikTok Lives do drive installs (and how to track it)
– What gameplay actually drives views: fast, chaotic clips that hook instantly
– Why Discord isn’t always the right community hub
– Smarter brand collabs: from Puma drops to QR “secret menus”
Whether you’re a marketer, game developer, or just curious how mobile games reach millions of players, this episode breaks down the strategies shaping game marketing in 2025.
Connect with Ada:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/adamockute/
Connect with Harry:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hphokou/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@hphokou
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hphokou
Get exclusive podcast recaps & industry insights: → Subscribe to the Gaming Rally Newsletter www.gamingrally.net 🎮
This September, I’m excited to be attending the @Live Service Gaming Summit, a must-attend event for anyone building, scaling, or evolving live service games.
From content cadence and monetisation to backend resilience and community building, the summit dives deep into what it really takes to create games that last.
Check out the latest event agenda here: https://www.iqpc.com/events-live-service-gaming-summit/agenda-mc/?utm_source=Harry%20Phokou&utm_medium=External%20Email&utm_campaign=49350.002_LSGSummit_Harry_Phokou_NL_Agenda&utm_term=&utm_content=&disc=&extTreatId=7621796
💸 Use code PHOKOU20 for 20% off your pass
Let me know if you’re attending too, would love to connect!
#LSGSummit #LiveServiceGames #GameDev #GamingIndustry #LiveOps #GameDesign #Monetisation #GamingEvents
Featured Episodes
Recent Episodes
In this episode of The Gaming Playbook, Harry Phokou sits down with Peter Fodor, founder and CEO of AppAgent, a top-tier mobile marketing agency behind games from Supercell, Netflix, and Scopely. Peter shares the unfiltered truth about why most mobile games fail to scale, the critical mistakes studios make, and how to win in today’s privacy-first, saturated market. Expect deep dives into:
- How to test game ideas before writing a single line of code
- The role of creative frameworks and hooks in ad success
- Why LiveOps is the future of monetization
- Managing remote creative teams without losing your mind
- How AI is reshaping mobile game marketing and who should be scared
Whether you’re a mobile dev, a UA manager, or building the next breakout title, this episode will make you rethink your strategy from the ground up.
Connect with Peter:
LinkedIn: 
/ petrfodor
Connect with Harry:
LinkedIn: / hphokou
YouTube: 
/ @hphokou
Instagram: 
/ hphokou
Get exclusive podcast recaps & industry tips – Sign up for the Gaming Rally Newsletter! gamingrally.net
Ever feel like your writing isn’t landing the way you want? Whether you’re posting on LinkedIn, crafting a sales page, or trying to grow an audience, better writing leads to better results. In this episode, I sit down with Matt Barker, a copywriter who’s helped businesses generate over $3M through content. We talk about what really makes writing work – without the fluff, fake authority, or overhyped promises.
- How Matt went from corporate marketing to solopreneurship
- Why most people write the wrong way online – and how to fix it
- The secret to writing content that attracts, nurtures, and converts
- How to avoid the “scamfluencer” trap and build real authority
- What top creators do differently to make their writing stand out
If you’ve ever wanted to write better, grow an audience, and turn words into results, this episode is for you.
Connect with Matt:
LinkedIn: / mattjbarker1
Newsletter: https://www.mattbarker.xyz/newsletter
Connect with Harry:
LinkedIn: / hphokou
Youtube: / @hphokou
Instagram: / hphokou
Get exclusive podcast recaps & industry tips – Sign up for the Gaming Rally Newsletter! gamingrally.net
Today’s guest is Lara Acosta, a personal branding expert, content strategist, and founder of Literally Academy. Lara went from being unemployed in 2022 to becoming the #1 female creator on LinkedIn, amassing over 300,000 followers and generating millions through her personal brand. She now teaches others how to build a standout online presence, create engaging content, and turn their audience into a thriving business. In this episode, Lara shares her journey of building a personal brand as a woman in business and the strategies that helped her grow to over 200,000 followers on LinkedIn. She dives into the power of self-promotion, why most people struggle with content creation, and how to talk with your audience, not at them, using her SLAY framework. If you’re a content creator, business owner, or someone looking to build an authentic personal brand, this episode is for you!
Connect with Lara:
LinkedIn: / laraacostar
Youtube: / @laraacosta
𝕏: 
/ laraacostar
Instagram: / laraacostar
Connect with
Harry:
LinkedIn: / hphokou
Youtube: / @hphokou
Instagram: / hphokou
Get exclusive podcast recaps & industry tips – Sign up for the Gaming Rally Newsletter! gamingrally.net
Today’s guest is Hendrik Lesser, president of the European Game Developer Federation and CEO of Remote Control Productions (RCP).
Hendrik started out selling and writing about games before spending nearly five years at Take-Two Interactive. In 2005, he founded Remote Control Productions (RCP), which has grown from a small startup into a global network of 16 studios, shipping over 400 projects. Through RCP, he helps developers focus on making great games while handling business operations, and he continues to advocate for the industry through policy, education, and mentorship.
In this episode, he breaks down the real challenges facing the gaming industry in 2025, from cash flow struggles to why bad business, not bad games, is what really kills studios. He shares hard-earned lessons on studio leadership, competing with old games, and the biggest risks developers need to watch out for. Hendrik also talks about the power of partnerships, how to make remote teams work, and why strong leadership matters more than ever.
Whether you’re running a studio, breaking into the industry, or just want a behind-the-scenes look at the business of games, this episode is for you!
Connect with Hendrik:
LinkedIn:/hendriklesser
Website: https://rcp.family/
Connect with Harry:
LinkedIn: /hphokou
YouTube: / @hphokou
Instagram: / hphokou
Get exclusive podcast recaps & industry tips – Sign up for the Gaming Rally Newsletter! www.gamingrally.net
Today’s guest is Ali Farha, a Senior Technical Producer at Star Stable Entertainment. Ali has helped studios build scalable technology, optimize tools, and even port a 12+-year-old game to platforms like Metal, iOS, and Android. With a background in QA and a passion for tech leadership, he’s all about creating high-performing teams and future-proofing game development. In this episode, Ali breaks down what it truly means to be a producer in the gaming industry, sharing how the role adapts to different teams and challenges. He discusses the art of simplifying complexity, balancing long-term vision with immediate priorities, and the difference between coaching and mentoring to empower teams. Ali also shares his personal journey, from breaking into the industry without connections to building skills that set him apart. This episode is perfect for producers, aspiring game developers, or anyone curious about leadership and succeeding in the world of game production.
Today’s guest is Alexander Brazie, a veteran game designer with over 20 years of experience and co-founder of Game Design Skills. Alexander has worked on some of the biggest titles in gaming, including World of Warcraft at Blizzard, League of Legends at Riot, and Ori and the Will of the Wisps at Moon Studios. With a track record of building and mentoring design teams, he’s helped ship over 32 projects and is passionate about teaching the craft of game design to the next generation. In this episode, he breaks down how to land your first game design job, what recruiters look for in portfolios, and the mistakes new designers should avoid. Alexander also explains how reverse engineering games can sharpen your design skills and why a strong portfolio matters more than a degree. If you’re an aspiring game designer, a student, or someone looking to transition into the industry, this podcast is for you!
Want to be guest?
Have a story or strategy that gaming professionals need to hear? Apply here to be a guest on The Gaming Playbook. We’re always looking for leaders, innovators, and experts to share their wisdom with our audience.
For business inquiries or sponsorship opportunities, reach out to playbook@phokou.com
