We have an insight-packed and hopeful discussion with Owen Mahoney, CEO of Maplestory's Nexon. This Choplifter fan went on to acquire JAMDAT and DICE for EA, then saw the future with Embark. We discuss forever games, where stories come from and the huge growth coming - this week!

TIMESTAMPS

[0:00:00] Intro: Owen Mahoney

[0:10:22] Medium shifts favor beginners
Owen explains why every major technology shift benefits newcomers.

[0:19:33] An “unusual background”
Owen describes his and Nexon’s “unusual backgrounds,” and how they got started.

[0:33:23] Most pitches are a product problem, not a marketing problem
"90% of the deals that I looked at to build a game... look very similar to something that was already out there in the market. So a lot of what people are calling a marketing problem are in fact a product problem."

[0:42:37] Tried to buy Nexon three times at EA
Owen reveals he tried to acquire Nexon three times while at EA, and eventually ended up joining them as CFO instead — including nearly landing Riot Games before being outbid by Tencent.

[0:48:23] The "forever franchise" thesis behind Embark
Owen explains the concept of "forever franchises" — games that don't have to peak and decline — and how that philosophy was central to their success and investments.

[0:52:55] The industry inverts good game development
Owen argues that big-budget game development is built backwards: studios front-load expensive art to get green-lights, while leaving the actual "find the fun" iteration — the most important part — until the end.

[1:04:11] New technology always creates new kinds of game makers
Owen's closing argument on the industry's future:
"Every generation comes with its new set of innovators."

[1:08:40] Outro: Wrapping Up

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