Founders Playbook: Lessons from Riot, Discord, & More

Gaming is not just entertainment—it's a revolution reshaping our culture, technology, and economy. a16z’s Jonathan Lai and Andrew Chen dive into the current gaming renaissance and its future impact. Joining them are Michael Chow, CEO and Steven Snow, CPO of The Believer Company, and Eros Resmini, Founder and Managing Partner of The Mini Fund.They explore the intersection of tech, art, psychology, and design in gaming, discussing how startups can navigate intense competition, distribution challenges, and high production costs. With insights from these industry leaders, this episode covers the transformative potential of AI, the importance of player feedback, and strategies to stand out in a crowded market.Recorded during Speedrun, a16z’s extensive games accelerator, this episode offers a glimpse into the strategies and innovations driving the gaming industry forward. Resources: Find Steven on Twitter: https://twitter.com/StevenSnowFind Michael on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/believer-paladin/Find Eros on Twitter: https://twitter.com/erosresminiFind Jonathan on Twitter: https://twitter.com/TocelotFind Andrew on Twitter: https://twitter.com/andrewchenLearn more about Speedrun: https://a16z.com/games/speedrun/ Stay Updated: Let us know what you think: https://ratethispodcast.com/a16zFind a16z on Twitter: https://twitter.com/a16zFind a16z on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/a16zSubscribe on your favorite podcast app: https://a16z.simplecast.com/Follow our host: https://twitter.com/stephsmithioPlease note that the content here is for informational purposes only; should NOT be taken as legal, business, tax, or investment advice or be used to evaluate any investment or security; and is not directed at any investors or potential investors in any a16z fund. a16z and its affiliates may maintain investments in the companies discussed. For more details please see a16z.com/disclosures.