THE GAMING PLAYBOOK
Harry Phokou sits down with experts in the games industry who have never been interviewed before. Through these in-depth conversations, Harry unpacks the “Playbook” that made them so successful.
Listen or watch on your favorite platforms
Want to be featured?
For guest or sponsorship inquiries reach out to playbook@phokou.com
Latest Episode
Want to turn your Discord community into a revenue-generating machine?
In this episode of The Gaming Playbook, I sit down with Tom Gayner, CEO of Levellr, who’s helped Scopely, Krafton, and even the NFL build high-performing Discord communities.
We dive into the most common mistakes studios make, why Discord users are 6x more valuable, and how AI is revolutionizing community management. If you’re a game studio, this is your blueprint for building a self-sustaining, monetized community.
Connect with Tom:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tomgayner/
Website: https://www.levellr.com/
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
👉 Enjoyed the episode? Like, comment, and subscribe to help more developers find us.
Chapters:
00:00 Introduction
01:44 Why most studios ignore Discord
05:48 Data: Discord users = 6x more valuable
11:57 Pre-launch Discord strategy
15:06 Creating organic player-to-player interaction
17:02 Minimum requirements before launching a Discord
20:10 What resource investment actually looks like
23:04 How Levellr started & why it matters now
27:40 AI’s breakthrough in community insight grouping
30:42 Querying your own Discord like a knowledge base
32:28 Fastest way to get 1,000 engaged members
34:08 Game/Discord integration examples
37:56 Best way to hire a community manager
42:32 Is Discord ROI Real or Just Hype?
46:16 The Fear of Backlash (And Why It’s Wrong)
49:25 The Future of Discord in Game Publishing
52:34 Getting Insights from Player-Run Discords
55:02 Community Advice for Publishers
56:18 How to reach Tom & final thoughts
#gamedev #discordcommunity #retentionstrategy #communitygrowth
Featured Episodes
Today’s guest is Kseniia Maiboroda, CEO and Co-founder of Elevatix, an AI-powered LiveOps platform built to help mobile games reach their revenue potential. With a strong high-tech and mobile gaming background, Kseniia previously led technical product management for social casino games at Playtika. Over her seven-year career, she’s delivered innovative solutions for top-grossing games, helping clients like Voodoo see substantial gains in player engagement and purchase conversions. From quick SDK integration to fully automated liveops, Kseniia’s approach allows game studios to optimize revenue rapidly, without the hassle of extensive setup or management overhead. In this episode, Kseniia shares her journey of creating Elevatix, an AI-driven platform that personalizes in-game offers to boost mobile game monetization. She explores the real-world applications of AI in understanding player behavior, crafting custom offers, and enhancing user experience — all without relying on personal data, making these tools accessible even for smaller studios. This episode is ideal for mobile game developers, industry professionals, aspiring founders, and anyone interested in the transformative role of AI in gaming.
Today’s guest is Alexis Gresoviac, Founder of Ace Consulting Group and former Managing Director at Blizzard, Gameloft, and Huuuge Games. Alexis has been in the industry for 25 years, growing Gameloft Japan from 1 to 150 people and managing $100M dollars in budgets at Blizzard Korea. In this episode, Alexis reveals the 10 crucial things you need to get right to build a thriving gaming studio. From smart budgeting and decision-making to building teams that fit your culture. You are in for a masterclass!
Today’s guest is Johan Tjäder, the CEO and founder of RankOne, the top platform for gamers and creators to share their passion for games. Johan has grown RankOne into a platform trusted by gamers and developers alike, with over 1.5 million games analyzed thanks to player-driven insights. His platform helps game companies understand their audiences better by offering authentic, cross-platform data that tracks player behavior across time. By empowering players to contribute their experiences, Johan provides invaluable tools for developers looking to reduce risk and create games that resonate in today’s competitive market. In this episode, he shares how his platform has become a game-changer by providing deep, player-driven insights from over 1.5 million games. He explains how RankOne’s data helps developers better understand player behavior and create more engaging games. This podcast is perfect for game developers, game companies, and anyone interested in how data can shape game design.
Today’s guest is Pontus Mahler, co-founder of Agora Gaming Partners, a global investment bank and advisory firm focused on video gaming. With over a decade of experience in creating, managing, and driving projects within gaming & esports, he’s now focused on creating business opportunities in the video game industry and aiding talented gaming startups in reaching the next levels with guidance, and collaboration with investment & publishing partnerships. In this podcast, he dives into the 2024 investment landscape and the rights and wrongs of dealing with publishers. With experience reviewing thousands of pitch decks, Pontus shares what actually works when securing funding and offers practical advice on negotiating with publishers. We also explore the key differences between VCs and publishers, and whether angel investment is a viable option, wrapping up with a rapid-fire Q&A. This podcast is ideal for game developers, indie studios, double- and triple-A companies, and anyone looking to better understand the funding process, pitch strategies, and publisher negotiations.
Today’s guest is Callum Godfrey, the Head of Third Party Publishing at nDreams. With over 20 years in the gaming industry, Callum has worked with major players like Activision, EA, King, and Wargaming. He’s been involved in everything from AAA titles to mobile games and now focuses on the fast-evolving world of VR. These days, he’s back to being hands-on with game teams, leading third-party publishing at nDreams, and pushing the boundaries of VR gaming. In this podcast, he shares his journey through the gaming industry, offering valuable insights on understanding your audience, prioritizing LiveOps, and pitching to publishers. He also explores the future of AAA games and provides practical tips for handling layoffs. Whether you’re a game developer or part of a gaming studio aiming to publish your game or implement LiveOps effectively, this podcast is for you.
Today’s guest is Chris O’Connell, a renowned recruitment mentor and host of The Purpose-Led Leadership Podcast. Chris is a former global top biller at SThree and the founder of a £25M recruitment business, which he successfully scaled and sold. With over 75,000 LinkedIn followers and a track record of mentoring over 50 businesses, Chris now helps recruitment leaders build purpose-driven, high-performing companies. He specializes in leadership coaching, talent management, business development, and strategy execution, guiding leaders through transformational growth and exit strategies. In this podcast, Chris O’Connell shares heartfelt lessons from his coaching experience and personal struggles. He opens up about the tough challenges that shaped him, offering advice on how to stay resilient, lead with purpose, and keep growing. You’ll also hear practical tips on business development and creating a healthy work-life balance. This podcast is perfect for CEOs, entrepreneurs, and business owners who want to grow both personally and professionally while building stronger, more successful businesses.
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
