Best We Are Open Co Op Podcasts (2025)

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TWIG #354 Google's New Payment-Link Era and Rovio's End of an Era 59:39

Play Pause

2d ago59:39

59:39

Jen Donahoe makes her triumphant return. She's joined by Eric Kress and special guest Stan Kwon from BetaHat. We dig into: Battlefield 6 corrections, marketing takeaways Android’s new payment-link era Unity’s cross-platform payments what General Intuition’s $134 M seed means for spatial reasoning and game data Rovio’s restructuring Football Manager…

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308. The 8 Trends That Will Redefine Gaming in Asia (and Beyond) 1:15:38

5d ago1:15:38

1:15:38

Mishka Katkoff is joined by Daniel Ahmad (Director of Research & Insights, Niko Partners) and Lisa Hanson (CEO & Founder, Niko Partners) for a deep dive into the latest trends and insights from the Asian, MENA, and Indian gaming markets. We cover regulatory changes in China, the rise of India as a gaming powerhouse, the evolving MENA landscape, and…

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TWIG #353 Netflix Goes Couch Co-op, PlayStation 6’s AI Ambitions, Supercell’s Open Letter 59:31

9d ago59:31

59:31

Supercell’s CEO releases a rare open letter calling for more industry collaboration, while Ubisoft’s nepotism controversy reignites debates around leadership culture. Netflix Games kicks off its Battle for the Living Room with a push into Smart TV party games, and early buzz around PlayStation 6 points to an AI-driven leap in graphics and efficienc…

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Unchained: Building the Future of Bitcoin Wealth with Joe Kelly 31:13

15d ago31:13

31:13

What is the future of Bitcoin wealth? This week on The Index, Alex Kehaya sits down with Joe Kelly, CEO of Unchained, to explore the rise of a Bitcoin-focused financial services company built on self-sovereignty. From pioneering Bitcoin-backed loans to securing over 100,000 BTC as a full-suite wealth management platform, Kelly shares how Unchained …

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TWIG #352 EU Regulations, Epic Shops, and the AI Slop Machine Is this goof? 1:01:56

16d ago1:01:56

1:01:56

This week in games: Ilke’s open letter to the EU stirs the industry pot, AppLovin faces an SEC probe, and Epic drops its new Web Shops like it’s 2012 all over again. Ubisoft’s management drama continues, Istanbul’s gaming boom is no joke, and we wrap with a spicy take on the new wave of AI business slop. 00:00 Welcome 01:00 Intro & Shills 07:58 Ilk…

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Solana, 24/7 Trading, & Internet Capital Markets with Hadley Stern, Marinade Finance 38:21

19d ago38:21

38:21

By Index Studios

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307. How Balatro Became a 7-Million-Copy Indie Hit | Harvey Elliott, CEO of Playstack 1:14:22

19d ago1:14:22

1:14:22

A one-person poker roguelike sold seven million copies and outperformed studios with hundred-million-dollar budgets. In this episode, Playstack CEO Harvey Elliott joins Michail Katkoff to break down how they discovered Balatro, what makes a modern indie publisher truly valuable, and why the next wave of hits will come from focus—not funding. 02:07 …

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TWIG #351 EA Acquisition Analysis That Will Shock You 1:00:25

22d ago1:00:25

1:00:25

A new guest host, Josh Chandley, is stepping into the arena as we dig into Microsoft’s latest controversial moves and what they signal for the company’s long-term gaming strategy. Then, we unpack the historic $55B acquisition of EA by Saudi Arabia, the largest leveraged buyout in gaming history. What does this mean for EA, for the industry, and for…

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DoubleZero: Building a Faster, Safer & Censorship-Proof Internet with Austin Federa 34:07

23d ago34:07

34:07

What if blockchain networks could process transactions hundreds of times faster than they do today? This fundamental question led Austin Federa to leave his position at the Solana Foundation and co-found Double Zero, a revolutionary project building what might be the future of the internet itself. Austin reveals the surprising limitations of our cu…

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DATs and Building the Preeminent Solana Treasury | Cosmo Jiang, General Partner at Pantera Capital 29:07

26d ago29:07

29:07

What happens when one of crypto’s most prestigious investment firms decides to go all-in on Solana? In this episode of The Index Podcast, host Alex Kehaya sits down with Cosmo Jiang, General Partner at Pantera Capital, to unpack their groundbreaking move into the Digital Asset Treasury (DAT) space with HSDT Helios—a $500 million Solana-focused vent…

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TWIG #350 Supercell Leaks! Staff Reveal What’s Really Happening 1:03:32

30d ago1:03:32

1:03:32

No Jen this week — just the boys. Phil loses it on Supercell and Google Play, we wade into the “brain rot” panic, and Simon Hay somehow still gets a shoutout. From Newzoo’s latest report to Supercell’s IPO pipe dreams, Discord going offline, Xbox hiking prices, and Epic trying to AI their way out of irrelevance…Chapters00:00 Introduction00:27 Jen's…

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306. Are We at Peak Gaming? Seven Questions Shaping the Future of Games with Newzoo's Emmanuel Rosier 1:09:42

1M ago1:09:42

1:09:42

Mobile gaming is slowing down, and the question isn’t if, but who still wins. www.newzoo.com/resources/trend-reports/newzoo-global-games-market-report-2025 In this conversation, Michail Katkoff and Emmanuel Rosier from Newzoo break down Newzoo’s latest forecast, projecting the industry to hit $103B in 2025 with growth slipping below 3%. The duo exp…

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Optimism’s Superchain, DeFi Mullets, and Scaling Ethereum | Sam McIngvale, Head of Product at OP Labs 30:30

1M ago30:30

30:30

What does the future of Ethereum and blockchain really look like — a few massive chains, or thousands of specialized ones working together? This week, host Alex Kehaya sits down with Sam McIngvale, Head of Product at OP Labs, to explore the evolution of Optimism from an Ethereum scaling solution into the creator of an entire ecosystem powered by th…

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TWIG #349 The Conspiracy Behind Apple's New Gaming App and a Plea to Supercell 1:02:14

1M ago1:02:14

1:02:14

The TWIG crew dives into Unity’s latest missteps and what they signal for the future of game development, breaks down Discord’s push toward a blockbuster IPO, and unpacks how Nintendo’s big announcements could reshape the company’s next chapter. We also examine TikTok’s potential U.S. acquisition, Apple’s quiet but bold moves to redefine its gaming…

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305. Why Adding Brands to Games Is So Hard with Bastian Bergmann 1:02:34

1M ago1:02:34

1:02:34

What really happens when brands collide with games? Mishka Katkoff sits down with Bastian Bergmann, COO of Solsten, to break down why gaming is the most transformative medium of our time, how consumer psychology shapes player engagement, and why authenticity in games runs circles around social media. 00:20 The Power of Reading and Writing 01:12 Vid…

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Open Source, Cross-Chain Security & ZK Proofs | Marc Boiron, CEO of Polygon Labs 33:28

1M ago33:28

33:28

The blockchain world is undergoing a fundamental shift. What once seemed possible—scaling Web3 to internet size with a single chain—is now recognized as unrealistic. The future belongs to specialized chains that excel at specific tasks while seamlessly communicating with one another. This week on The Index, host Alex Kehaya sits down with Mark Boir…

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TWIG #348 Roblox’s Big Bet, Blizzard's Mobile Chaos & Destiny Rising’s Flop 1:04:44

1M ago1:04:44

1:04:44

From Roblox’s RDC bombshells to Destiny Rising’s flop, this week’s DoF crew breaks down the biggest shifts in gaming. We get into NetEase’s bets, China’s growing power, and why analytics from Newzoo’s 2025 report matter more than ever. Plus: Blizzard’s messy leadership shakeups, Roblox’s new monetization tricks, Xbox’s subscription struggles, and t…

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Inside RDC 2025: How Roblox Is Courting Pro Developer 56:04

2M ago56:04

56:04

Jen Donahoe is joined by Joe Ferencz (GameFam) and Stephen Dypiangco (Max Power Gaming) to break down the biggest takeaways from Roblox Developer Conference (RDC) 2025. The crew digs into Roblox’s massive milestone of 112M DAUs, the 8.5% bump in the developer exchange rate to lure in more professional talent, and the new “ad flywheel” that streamli…

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304. The Founder’s Dilemma: Equity vs. User Acquisition Financing 1:13:59

2M ago1:13:59

1:13:59

Mishka Katkoff sits down with Pranav Singhvi (General Catalyst, Customer Value Fund) and Joe Wadakethalakal (PVX Partners) to unpack the rise of UA financing, a new capital instrument that lets gaming and app companies scale user acquisition without giving up massive chunks of equity. We break down: 1. Why traditional VC or debt financing is often …

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TWIG #347 Call of Duty Movie, De-Monetization of Real-Money Gaming and Google's New Court Case 1:07:52

2M ago1:07:52

1:07:52

This week, we cover Google’s latest courtroom headaches, the evolution of KPIs in gaming analytics, and the incoming Call of Duty live-action movie. We unpack Rec Room’s layoffs, compare Roblox vs Rec Room head-to-head, and dig into Microsoft’s IP bets from Perfect Dark to Halo. Plus, we debate Star Wars: The Old Republic, break down Roblox’s lates…

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303. Why Scandinavia Makes You So Happy? And Why We Chose To Leave. 1:13:52

2M ago1:13:52

1:13:52

Phillip Black and Michail Katkoff break down why they left the Nordics, trading modesty-maxxing for Mediterranean chaos and a bit more sun. The two dive into the quiet conservatism baked into Scandinavian life, the erosion of hunger that comes with too much comfort, and the calculus behind moving to Cyprus and Greece. 00:00 The Conservative Psyop o…

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Jean Watson Final 25:35

2M ago25:35

25:35

Two years ago, I underwent open-heart surgery at St. Paul’s Hospital in Vancouver. What stayed with me, beyond the procedure itself, was the extraordinary level of care I received—from the cardiac team, nurses, and support staff. It felt deeply human, attentive, and intentional. When I later circled back to thank them, many of those I spoke with cr…

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TWIG #346: EU Wants to Ban Free-to-Play, Supercell Introduces a New Boss 1:05:41

2M ago1:05:41

1:05:41

TWIG crew dives into Gamescom chaos, funding trends, and post-Ibiza IV drips. From Supercell’s leadership addition, to IP-powered collabs (Raid x TMNT) and the EU’s regulatory squeeze on F2P, this episode cuts through the noise with sharp insights, hard takes, and a few too-real laughs. 02:07 Gamescom Highlights and Industry News 02:50 PlayStation …

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302. Call of Duty vs Battlefield: Ex-DICE, Bungie & Activision Experts Unpack It All 1:24:02

2M ago1:24:02

1:24:02

This one’s for the shooter heads. Host Phil Black (ex-DICE) is joined by Chris Sides (ex-Bungie) and longtime strategist Chris Anjos (ex-Activision) to dig into the decade-long arms race between Battlefield and Call of Duty. The muzzles are off. Chapters: 02:01 Meet the Experts 03:54 Historical Context: Battlefield and Call of Duty Sales 13:04 Batt…

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301. Duolingo, Tinder, DraftKings: How Top Apps Have Been Gamified 59:06

2M ago59:06

59:06

We dive into Duolingo’s ruthless gamification, how BeReal is evolving beyond its viral gimmick, why Tinder is betting big on live events, the surprising social features inside DraftKings, and the stickiness of Crypto.com’s engagement loops. Each case study is a window into how apps are blurring the line between entertainment, habit, and monetizatio…

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AI, Deepfakes & Open Intelligence | Radha Dasari, Web3 Foundation 39:02

2M ago39:02

39:02

What happens when a computer science PhD specializing in AI pivots to blockchain technology? For Radha Dasari, Lead Technical Advocate at the Web3 Foundation, it was a journey fueled by a mission to combat digital misinformation and bring fairness to the internet. In this eye-opening episode of The Index, host Alex Kehaya sits down with Radha to ex…

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TWIG #345 Clash Royale’s BIG Comeback and LEGO’s Digital Gamble 1:05:31

2M ago1:05:31

1:05:31

This week on TWIG, the crew covers everything from corn in Minecraft to streak psychology in the New York Times’ latest game, Pips. We kick things off with Gamescom highlights, fresh updates from Ethan and Laura. From there, we dig into why streaks are such a powerful mechanic. We also debate Supercell’s unexpected Clash Royale comeback, before wra…

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Next-Level AI & Web3 Game Development | Dan Peng & Rick Johanson, Arbitrum Gaming Ventures 32:32

2M ago32:32

32:32

What happens when you combine addictive gameplay with blockchain technology? According to Rick Johanson and Dan Peng, Founding Partners at Arbitrum Gaming Ventures, the answer isn't simply "add a token and hope for the best." Their refreshing approach prioritizes the core gameplay experience first, with blockchain features thoughtfully layered in o…

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300. First-Ever Interview with Head of LEGO Digital Play – Aaron Loeb 1:03:24

2M ago1:03:24

1:03:24

Why is LEGO doubling down on digital? In his first-ever interview as the founding president of LEGO Digital Play, industry veteran Aaron Loeb (Electronic Arts, FoxNext, Kabam) reveals the bold vision behind LEGO’s new company. From “forever games” like Roblox and Minecraft to building trust with kids and families, Aaron breaks down why now is the r…

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TWIG #344 Battlefield’s Big Comeback, AppLovin’s Record Quarter and Moon Active’s New Games 1:02:43

2M ago1:02:43

1:02:43

We kick things off with “midlife Kress-ises” before diving into the headlines you can’t ignore: Tencent’s latest controversy, AppLovin’s monster quarter, and Blizzard’s leadership shuffle. From Storm Gate’s rough launch runway to the brutal math of market fit, we unpack why good games still fail. We break down Duolingo’s surprise move into music ga…

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299. The Hiring Shift No One’s Talking About with an Executive Headhunter, Miklos Blasko 1:15:05

3M ago1:15:05

1:15:05

Full-time execs are out, and fractional leaders are in? In today’s episode, we break down the growing trend of founders building companies like modular tech stacks, swapping in CMOs, Product leads, and other execs *only* when they’re needed. But here’s the catch: done right, fractional hires can supercharge growth. Done wrong, they can kill momentu…

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AI Transparency: LayerLens & the Open Intelligence Stack | Archie Chaudhury 27:55

3M ago27:55

27:55

What happens when we can no longer trust the performance claims of AI model creators? That’s the challenge driving LayerLens, an innovative platform bringing transparency and practical evaluation to the rapidly evolving AI landscape. In this episode, host Alex Kehaya sits down with Archie Chaudhury, Co-founder of LayerLens, to explore how blockchai…

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TWIG #343: Match Villains' Monster Raise, the Sydney Sweeny Effect, and the Lost A of AAA 1:04:49

3M ago1:04:49

1:04:49

This week, the TWIG crew goes full galaxy brain. We kick things off with the real effects of celebrity cringe marketing. Then it’s onto the real news: Probably Monsters' search for $220M ROI, Match Villains' monster raise, Lilith's search for growth, and Roblox's unstoppable growth. 00:00 Introduction and Host Introductions 02:46 Episode Overview a…

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298. Segmentation Is Dead. Long Live Personalization! 51:35

3M ago51:35

51:35

In this episode, we unpack how today’s biggest mobile publishers are ditching segmentation in favor of experimentation at scale, what Apple’s privacy-first approach means to running LTV-focused live ops, and why personalization is no longer a “nice to have” but a competitive weapon. Who better to answer the questions than the founding team of Metic…

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Marinade Labs: Solana Hackathon to Billion-Dollar Staking Platform | Michael Repetny, Co-Founder 29:52

3M ago29:52

29:52

What if staking could be seamless, secure and DeFi-friendly? In this episode of The Index, host Alex Kehaya talks with Michael Repetny, Co-founder and CEO of Marinade Finance, the largest staking protocol on Solana with over $1.5 billion in crypto assets under management. Michael shares the remarkable journey behind Marinade—from a scrappy Solana h…

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TWIG #342 Scopely Meltdown, Crazy Anime Story and One SHOCKING Game Recipe 1:07:22

3M ago1:07:22

1:07:22

Hola! Greetings from Spain. Mishka here, tanned, confused by dinner hours, and tragically absent from today’s pod. But fear not, Eric questions the rise of private equity in games and reports back from an anime convention while giving Andrew Wilson a new mobile crown. Phil wants a recount on a couple of Scopley acquisitions, while Jen channels Kate…

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297. Mobile Marketing in 2025: What Still Works (and What’s Dead) 1:27:35

3M ago1:27:35

1:27:35

In this Deconstructor of Fun podcast, Mishka Katkoff sits down with three of the sharpest minds in growth: Josh Chandley (Wildcard Games), Warren Woodward (Uptick), and Paul Bowen (StreamElements) to dissect the state of user acquisition in 2025. STATE OF CREATIVES Report: https://tinyurl.com/393d9rum Chapters: 02:00 Is UA Dead or Just Evolved? 07:…

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TWIG #341 Ubisoft Tries “Succession” while Battlefield Attempts a Comeback 50:30

3M ago50:30

50:30

Miska’s usual jetset life hits a snag when he misses Kress’ Subnotica correction. Adam calls in from his cottage to lay down the law on Merge history, while Phil gushes over $500m in capital deployment. Eric details Ubisoft’s reality TV show attempt at Succession, and Jen delivers the 411 on Apple’s hypercasual attempt. The group pours one out for …

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296. From Crying Alone in Bangalore to Panic Attacks at Gamescom with Joseph Kim, CEO of LILA Games 1:18:16

3M ago1:18:16

1:18:16

From crying alone in Bangalore to panic attacks at Gamescom, this is a brutally real look at what it actually costs to chase a vision. Mishka Katkoff (Deconstructor of Fun) and Joseph Kim (Lila Games) reunite for the rawest, most honest founder-to-founder conversation you’ll hear this year. They dive deep into the sacrifices, suffering, and stress …

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Superform Building the Future of On-Chain Wealth Management | Vikram Arun, Co-founder 28:22

3M ago28:22

28:22

What’s stopping DeFi from going mainstream—and how can better UX, infrastructure, and automation unlock its full potential? In this episode of The Index, host Alex Kehaya talks with Vikram Arun, Co-founder of Superform, about building the future of on-chain wealth management. After managing a $100B DeFi book at BlockTower, Vikram saw a clear proble…