The Gaming Playbook with Harry Phokou

Gaming Industry Podcast

Conversations That Unpack the 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.

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Why GTA Online and Red Dead Online Keep Losing to Fan Servers | Michael Szklarski
Game Development
July 2, 2026

Why GTA Online and Red Dead Online Keep Losing to Fan Servers | Michael Szklarski

Multiplayer doesn’t have to be built on day one. Today, I’m joined by Michael Szklarski, Co-Founder of ReadyM, who explains how community-driven multiplayer mods have transformed games like GTA V and why the future of gaming may belong to player-created.

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Why GTA Online and Red Dead Online Keep Losing to Fan Servers | Michael Szklarski
Game Development
July 2, 2026

Why GTA Online and Red Dead Online Keep Losing to Fan Servers | Michael Szklarski

Multiplayer doesn’t have to be built on day one. Today, I’m joined by Michael Szklarski, Co-Founder of ReadyM, who explains...

The Hiring System Every Studio Founder Needs (Before the Next Mis-Hire)
Recruitment & HR
June 25, 2026

The Hiring System Every Studio Founder Needs (Before the Next Mis-Hire)

Hiring isn’t guesswork. In this episode, I’m joined by Frank Lofaro, who has helped over 1,700 businesses hire better, from...

Ex-Xbox Executive: Why Making Great Games Is Only Half the Job | Chris Bain
Game Development Game Marketing Gaming Investment
June 18, 2026

Ex-Xbox Executive: Why Making Great Games Is Only Half the Job | Chris Bain

How do you build a great game company, not just a great game? Today, I’m joined by a former Xbox...

Why Indie Developers Give Away Too Much to Get Published | Ben Kvalo
Game Development Game Marketing
June 11, 2026

Why Indie Developers Give Away Too Much to Get Published | Ben Kvalo

What do game publishers actually do in 2026? Why do some indie games succeed while others fail, even with a...

Why Indie Game Funding Has Changed Forever | Pontus Maehler
Game Development Game Marketing Gaming Investment
June 4, 2026

Why Indie Game Funding Has Changed Forever | Pontus Maehler

Why are indie game funding deals getting harder in 2026? In this episode, I’m joined by Pontus Maehler, games industry...

China Has Already Won Mobile Gaming (Western Devs Don’t Know It Yet) | Jakub Remiar
Game Development Game Marketing
May 21, 2026

China Has Already Won Mobile Gaming (Western Devs Don’t Know It Yet) | Jakub Remiar

Today, I’m joined by Jakub Remiar, Mobile F2P monetization consultant and veteran game designer, for a deep dive into the...

Why Small Game Teams Are Starting To Beat AAA Studios | Alexandre Amancio
Game Careers Game Development
May 14, 2026

Why Small Game Teams Are Starting To Beat AAA Studios | Alexandre Amancio

AAA games are getting too big, and it’s breaking the industry. In this episode, game director Alexandre Amancio (Assassin’s Creed,...

A Supercell Producer’s Secret to Running Retros That Actually Work | Maria Maunula
Game Development
May 7, 2026

A Supercell Producer’s Secret to Running Retros That Actually Work | Maria Maunula

Why do most retrospectives fail, and how do you turn them into a real driver of team performance? In this...

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Harry Phokou hosting The Gaming Playbook

The Gaming Playbook Host

Meet Harry

Harry Phokou is the host of The Gaming Playbook, where he has interviewed 200+ gaming industry leaders to uncover the strategies, decisions, and playbooks behind the industry's most successful companies and operators. He is the founder of Hivemind, which he grew using LinkedIn by turning content into consistent deal flow — a system that now powers dozens of founder-led brands. Through Hivemind World and Hivemind Marketing, he has hosted 20+ industry mixers connecting studios, publishers, and B2B partners, and has used LinkedIn to tour 30+ game studios across Europe. Read more