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.
Follow on your favorite platforms
Want to be featured?
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
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.
Today’s guest is Christina-Marie Drake, a leading recruiter at Ghostpunch Games and founder of Moms in Gaming. With nearly a decade of experience in HR and recruitment, including five years in the gaming industry, Christina-Marie has helped connect top talent to game studios through her expertise in social networking, leadership, and strategic initiatives. A former recruiter at Naughty Dog, she transitioned from contract work to full-time roles, driven by her passion for candidate experience and human connection. Christina-Marie is also a proud Women in Games Ambassador and LinkedIn Top Voice. In this podcast, she shares practical steps for handling a layoff, from preparation to securing your next job. She discusses her own layoff experience and offers advice on building a master resume, deciding whether to learn new skills or keep applying, and filling gaps in your resume. Christina also addresses age-related concerns in job hunting and how to broaden your search to different titles. The episode wraps up with a Q&A session for additional insights. This podcast is for professionals facing or recovering from layoffs, career changers, and anyone looking to enhance their job search strategies.
Today’s guest is Simran Whitham, founder and CEO of FORMAT, the award-winning events production and creative agency. With over 8 years of experience in marketing and production across the events, video games, and digital creative industries, Simran has co-founded and worked as Head of Marketing at Tri-Heart Interactive, Head of Player Engagement at Milky Tea, Lead Social Media Manager at The Lowry Theatre, and marketing executive at VR/AR studio XR Games. Along the way, he gained invaluable experience that inspired him to create FORMAT, a leading games industry community nightlife event. In this episode, Simran delves into the secrets behind organizing successful and profitable events. He shares the journey of FORMAT, from its inception to groundbreaking gaming events, and offers practical advice on everything from generating lead flow and tracking attendees to finding the balance between profitability and fun. Simran also provides insights on overcoming challenges, networking strategies, and how to make your event stand out. This podcast is ideal for event planners, aspiring entrepreneurs, and anyone interested in the events and games industries. Whether you’re looking to launch your first event or seeking ways to optimize and grow your existing business, 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
