BITKRAFT Ventures

Wishing our friends and partners a wonderful holiday season and a happy new year! -The BITKRAFT Team Jens Hilgers Scott Rupp Martin Garcia Carlos G. Pereira Malte Barth Jasper Brand Jonathan Huang Anuj Tandon Brooke Grabrian l SPHR Amanda Timm Sven Hoffmann Jonathan St. Jacques Philip Camilleri Antonio de la Esperanza Ben Naylor Stephanie Llamas Lauren Wilhelm, CPA Dennis Fong Justin Swart Jamie Wallace Peter Pilone Becky Harold Candace K. Oliver Stad Sebastian Park Adrian Galea Piers Kicks Nico Vereecke

Carlos G. Pereira's insights were featured in the Blockchain Game Alliance's 2024 State of the Industry Report. Here's what he had to say: “We believe the initial hype in crypto gaming led to a strong inflow of new professionals into the space, both for operators and investors. The majority of new entrants likely underestimated the difficulty of building games (and sticky consumer apps in general) and didn’t have a fundamental thesis or long-term perspective. Naturally, as the cycle evolved and downside volatility came, trend chasers cycled onto the next thing, while those accustomed to the longer lead times of making a great game had the patience to keep building and investing. Overall, we think this is a good thing for the space, as sustainable products require sustained effort and talent.” Let us know what you think about his take in the comments below. Read more: https://lnkd.in/gjr84Egk

How Should Founders Choose a Blockchain for Their Game? At the BITKRAFT Summit 2024, industry leaders explored this critical question in a panel discussion led by Ben Naylor with insights from Ryan Wyatt (Optimism Unlimited), Andrew Soro (IMX) and Chris Zhu (Sonic ). Here are the key takeaways: ⛓️ Options Abound: From Ethereum to Solana, alt L1s, L2/L3s, and app chains, the ecosystem is vast. Choosing the right fit depends on your goals. 💻 Ecosystem > Tech: Beyond performance, developer tools, liquidity, and community support are crucial for long-term success. 🎮 Aligning Value Mechanisms: Game-specific protocols embedded into blockchains—like in-game asset market-making or staking mechanisms—can drive engagement and revenue. 🙋 Talent Matters: Native Web3 devs, who understand the deeper value of blockchain, could lead the way for breakthrough games. For more, watch the full panel discussion: https://lnkd.in/e_q8SjDu Disclaimer: For informational purposes only, not investment advice.

BITKRAFT Ventures December Newsletter : Blue Owl🦉, Venturing into India 🇮🇳, Promotions 🙌, and more…

Venture Partner Sebastian Park recently discussed Discord as a third space. What does that mean? Check it out 👇

Malte Barth breaks down why Android XR is likely a BIG deal...

Our friends at Voicemod just leveled up the console experience.

🎮 Using Consumer Insights to Inform the Game Development Lifecycle 🎮 In the world of game development, creating a hit title isn’t just about having a great idea—it’s about understanding players. That’s where market research shines, helping studios anticipate how games will resonate with diverse audiences. At its core, research is about bridging the gap between what developers envision and what players actually experience. It’s not just about fixing problems; it’s about gathering actionable insights that guide decision-making across the development lifecycle—from foundational concepts to post-launch updates. The BITKRAFT portfolio was fortunate enough to hear all about how market research and consumer insights can inform game development from Grant M. Johnson and Gina Leigh Smith of Interpret. Here are some of their key takeaways 🔍 ⏱️ Start Early: Research is most impactful when done at the concept stage, even when your game is just a “PowerPoint and a dream.” Identifying audience needs and market positioning early saves time, money, and potential rework down the road. ✏️ Iterate Often: Tools like playtests, surveys, and focus groups allow developers to refine core mechanics, user experience, and marketing assets. 🧪 Leverage Mixed Methods: Quantitative research provides the “who, what, where, and when,” while qualitative research explores the “why” and “how.” Together, they paint a complete picture of your audience. 🧑💻 Involve Players: Listening to feedback directly from your target audience not only identifies areas for improvement but can also inspire bold innovations that set your game apart. Whether you’re running large-scale playtests or gathering feedback from a small group of dedicated fans, research helps turn player insights into smarter design, better messaging, and, ultimately, games that players love. How are you incorporating market research into your game development process?

🎉 Join us in welcoming BITKRAFT's newest player: Anuj Tandon! As Partner, he'll be looking to unlock the next evolution of playable media across India & other emerging markets. The quest log: 💰 Deployed $135M+ in India and MENA in gaming & interactive media at KRAFTON Inc. 🇮🇳 Strived to help build out the Indian gaming ecosystem by working with the likes of JetSynthesys, Nazara Technologies Limited and YOOZOO GAMES 🎮 Experienced entrepreneur, co-founding Rolocule Games (now part of Dream11) ⚔️ Total War veteran and ⚽ Electronic Arts (EA) FC champ Side quest: He's a Manchester United fan with a penchant for reading about historical empires With Anuj at the helm, we are on a journey to reshape the gaming narrative across India 🚀 Read more in the comments 👇

🎮 Highlights on the games industries in India and China 🌏 At our BITKRAFT Summit in October, Jonathan Huang moderated an incredible panel diving into the gaming landscapes of China and India—two markets with massive growth potential and unique trajectories. Lisa Cosmas Hanson of Niko Partners, Anuj Tandon of JetSynthesys, 👊 Joseph Kim of LILA and Magnus Lysell of Light Up Games. Here are some key takeaways: 🇨🇳 China’s Gaming Evolution: -750 million gamers projected in the next few years with a $50 billion revenue market. -Mobile gaming dominates, but premium PC/console games like Black Myth: Wukong are reshaping perceptions and potentially inspiring a new generation of developers to build for PC/ Console. -ISBN approvals continue to increase since 2022 lows, signalling a shift in regulatory stance towards a more friendly environment for video games. 🇮🇳 India’s Rapid Ascent: -A massive yet young market with cheap data and robust digital payment systems have cultivated a digitally and gaming-native audience of over 500m potential gamers. -Growing interest in real-money gaming and social/dating games as new monetization opportunities. -India’s shift from a perceived low-ARPU market to substantial in-app purchase growth in recent years driven by a strong demographic tailwinds 💡 Opportunities for Developers and Investors: -China: High-quality game development is flourishing, with studios increasingly exploring PC/console as well as building games for the world instead of only domestically -India: A booming IPO pipeline and rising GDP create fertile ground for entrepreneurial growth and local content development. 🌟 Both markets showcase the immense potential for innovation, storytelling, and market expansion in gaming. As Lisa Hanson of Niko Partners aptly put it, “Talent can emerge anywhere.” What excites you most about the gaming future in China and India? Check out the video below in the comments 👇