Soma Games’ Post

🎲Dive into the Extraordinary Journey of Critical Role! ✨ Ever wondered how a group of friends playing Dungeons & Dragons transformed into a multimedia phenomenon reshaping tabletop gaming? Critical Role, the web series that captured hearts, goes beyond the realm of entertainment. Known for its captivating storytelling and dynamic cast, including voice acting legends like Matthew Mercer and Laura Bailey, Critical Role has become a cultural phenomenon. But the story doesn't end there! Explore three leadership lessons drawn from Critical Role's evolution – a masterclass in passion-driven innovation, community engagement, and strategic diversification. Curious to unravel the secrets behind their success? Check out my latest article: https://lnkd.in/gbVW8Zwj Can you think of any other examples of turning a hobby into a successful business? #dungeonsanddragons #CriticalRole #LeadershipLessons #Innovation #CommunityEngagement #BusinessEvolution

Unpopular opinion: over 90% of VC-funded esports orgs will be gone by 2025. (I'm doubling down on my predictions from Q1 2022 - link in the comments.) Before people get up in arms, let me be clear that esports is here to stay. And "gone by 2025" doesn't mean all of them will dissolve; some will be acquired. I'm confident that esports will reimagine education and brand engagement. However, I've also been warning since 2018 that esports was in a bubble. If you disagree, I'm happy to discuss your perspective; here's my perspective: 1. FaZe Clan, valued by Forbes at $400M a year ago, is now only worth $13M. 2. 75% of all VC-funded startups fail to return any money to their investors. 3. Most esports orgs aren't sustainable, and VC funding has moved on to AI. 4. Most esports orgs can't deliver sponsors an ROI that's better than paid ads. 5. The console gaming industry crashed 97% in 1983 for similar reasons. Jacob Wolf did a great job of describing the state of esports in his newsletter: "OK, before we move on, why does this presumably very unprofitable company have 90 employees to run relatively low-lift software projects and a media site? This is the main problem with esports. The reason there has been a steady stream of layoffs is because so many of these companies hired faster than made sense. They did so supported by a wild set of (now clearly) not achievable promises sold to investors, who continued to push millions and millions into these businesses—despite red flag after red flag around the market. That changed in 2022, when, for the first time since the 2008 financial crisis, investors became generally bearish instead of bullish. Esports, paying for its unfulfilled hype, earned itself another black mark." I'm bullish on the long-term, scalable, sustainable future of the esports industry. (The console gaming industry rebounded from its 1983 crash; it's now worth $37B.) Esports 2.0: Impact-focused, brand-relevant, competitive gaming communities. What Tier 1 and other VC-funded esports orgs do you think will survive in 2025? #Gaming #Esports #Sustainability

In a previous post, I shared an insight that might have surprised many: games were never solely about entertainment. They were the sugar coating, the delightful veneer that encouraged beneficial actions. Sports, for instance, were not mere pastimes but rigorous regimens to keep soldiers battle-ready. Strategy games honed the minds of leaders, sharpening their wits for governance and conquest. Yet, the digital revolution brought a seismic shift. Video games, initially a solace for soldiers in times of war, morphed into vessels of pure amusement. The game industry, sensing a craving for this digital confectionery, doubled down on entertainment, sidelining the nutritious ‘broccoli’—the essence that nourished minds and fortified skills. Today, as the gaming behemoth continues to expand, it’s imperative we recall our roots. It’s time to reintegrate the ‘broccoli’—to craft games that are not just enjoyable but also enriching. Let’s design experiences that educate, that instill life skills, that enhance our understanding of the world. I urge you, the innovators, the creators, the players, to join this movement. Let’s pledge to infuse meaning back into entertainment, to create games that matter, games that elevate. Let’s Bring The Broccoli Back.

A gameplay that inspires! At the heart of "Dreams and Disruptions" lies a captivating gameplay experience that encourages you to explore the complexities of alternative future worlds. Through a series of carefully crafted prompts, fringe scenarios, and challenges, you will be able to collaborate with others to co-create radical narratives that challenge existing norms, explore emerging trends, and stretch the boundaries of your imagination. As you navigate through various conjectural future environments, you'll encounter opportunities for innovation and dilemmas that demand critical thinking, paving the way for scenarios that call for thoughtful reflections and decision-making. For more about the game, https://lnkd.in/ek6e_Z7Q

The Contagious Radar report just dropped to shine a light on what the creative industry is expecting for 2024...and what it wants to leave firmly in 2023. Whilst AI (88%) is seen as the biggest opportunity for creativity this year, gaming (86%) and branded content (76%) follow closely behind - with the latter showing that there is still a big role to play for media owners to work effectively with brands to tell compelling stories. My favourite slide of the report goes to this one below though... 💅 2024 is definitely the year for optimism, progression and a more human centric approach. Whatcha reckon? Download the full report for free here https://lnkd.in/exFX_5g2 #creativetrends #creativity #research #

The video game market is more than just a cultural force. As an ever-evolving and rapidly growing industry, there are already plenty of investment and entrepreneurial opportunities. Alongside this the technology itself offers widespread commercial applications for a range of industries, from product design to aerospace engineering. Now valued over $200 billion worldwide, these technologies can help companies streamline their processes, boost engagement and reduce costs. And there’s plenty more potential for investors and entrepreneurs across the globe. Read the full article here: https://grp.hsbc/6047Po0FD #Investing #Technology #Esports #Metaverse

The video game market is more than just a cultural force. As an ever-evolving and rapidly growing industry, there are already plenty of investment and entrepreneurial opportunities. Alongside this the technology itself offers widespread commercial applications for a range of industries, from product design to aerospace engineering. Now valued over $200 billion worldwide, these technologies can help companies streamline their processes, boost engagement and reduce costs. And there’s plenty more potential for investors and entrepreneurs across the globe. Read the full article here: https://grp.hsbc/6049PUmiL #Investing #Technology #Esports #Metaverse

The video game market is more than just a cultural force. As an ever-evolving and rapidly growing industry, there are already plenty of investment and entrepreneurial opportunities. Alongside this the technology itself offers widespread commercial applications for a range of industries, from product design to aerospace engineering. Now valued over $200 billion worldwide, these technologies can help companies streamline their processes, boost engagement and reduce costs. And there’s plenty more potential for investors and entrepreneurs across the globe. Read the full article here: https://grp.hsbc/6040uBXmj #Investing #Technology #Esports #Metaverse

The video game market is more than just a cultural force. As an ever-evolving and rapidly growing industry, there are already plenty of investment and entrepreneurial opportunities. Alongside this the technology itself offers widespread commercial applications for a range of industries, from product design to aerospace engineering. Now valued over $200 billion worldwide, these technologies can help companies streamline their processes, boost engagement and reduce costs. And there’s plenty more potential for investors and entrepreneurs across the globe. Read the full article here: https://grp.hsbc/6043PU9pX #Investing #Technology #Esports #Metaverse

The video game market is more than just a cultural force. As an ever-evolving and rapidly growing industry, there are already plenty of investment and entrepreneurial opportunities. Alongside this the technology itself offers widespread commercial applications for a range of industries, from product design to aerospace engineering. Now valued over $200 billion worldwide, these technologies can help companies streamline their processes, boost engagement and reduce costs. And there’s plenty more potential for investors and entrepreneurs across the globe. Read the full article here: https://grp.hsbc/6045P4fj9 #Investing #Technology #Esports #Metaverse