Supersocial Inc.’s Post

After an incredible 4.5 years, FreshCut will be closing its doors. It's been an amazing journey, from the early days of building the app to seeing it grow into a brand with millions of followers in the Roblox community. I’m proud to have been part of such a transformative project. Starting from square one, we created a unique content operation for a new type of social media platform. As FreshCut evolved through blockchain and into Roblox, we established a brand that became synonymous with positivity in the Roblox community. Reflecting on our accomplishments, I feel immense pride in what our team has achieved. Launching right before the Covid shutdowns, our first onsite meeting happened the day everything closed. Despite this, we built a cohesive, talented, global team that made every day at work not only enjoyable but also fulfilling. I’d like to give some individual shout-outs, who I can't recommend enough: James Kuk & Ben Stueck: Thank you for bringing me on board at the start of this wild adventure. Ernest Le: Thank you for being an outstanding leader and friend. Adrian Arboleda: What a ride! You took on every role with dedication and a welcoming attitude. James Purell: Your insight, work ethic, and care are truly unmatched. Kimberley Fogg: Thank you for always being an incredible and collaborative partner. Mark Salvacion: Watching your growth from intern to leader has been one of my favorite professional experiences. Benjamin Shufelt: Your impeccable attitude is inspiring, no matter the challenge. Alice Wang: I will always value your astute feedback and input immensely. Derek Hunten: Your design skills and ability to make me laugh were highlights. Thanks for all your help and feedback. Jewell Melisa M.: Working with your talent and insightfulness has been a blast. Frank Shotwell: You are an incredibly emotionally intelligent leader whom I look up to dearly. I would love to name everyone, but this would be too long of a post. To all my co-workers, colleagues, and partners, past and present, thank you for the pleasure of working together. As I look forward to new opportunities, I’m excited to bring my passion for building operations and creative expertise to new projects. If you’re looking for someone dedicated and enthusiastic, feel free to reach out!

Downtown Memphis #DigitalTwin #Metaverse in #UnrealEngine5 Here's a short video of how the building footprints are coming along. I'm about 10% done with the exterior of the Pyramid. Working my way through some properties on South Main and working diligently on Mud Island. Unfortunately I don't have time or the capital right now to prioritize this project. In the next couple of weeks I will be focusing on setting up online Merch stores for my clients & friends to help them get their new ventures off the ground. I'm looking at an 18 to 24 month roadmap to getting a demo out to the public to enjoy on PC, XBOX, PlayStation, and potentially some VR activations. These are just (very) early previews of the work in progress. There's quite a long way to go. I'll be looking for funding, partnerships, and naming rights to business owners can have their businesses in the game. The project demos will be distributed to streamers on YouTube and Twitch worldwide so there could be a big opportunity for naming rights to buildings, stages, parks, etc. If we don't get a partnership with organizations like SMA, BSMA, MRPP, DMC, FedEx, TCB, Peabody, Bass Pro, etc. Assets will be licensed to businesses and the environment can be used for simulations, Architectural presentations, Development proposals, Virtual video, movie, and game productions and so much more. On the extended roadmap, I want to offer virtual tours from the likes of joining Martin Luther King during the Memphis Sanitation Strike, sitting with Elvis and enjoying breakfast at The Arcade before riding alongside him on the Zippin Pippin at Libertyland, or watching Pau Gasol in a Vancouver Grizzlies themed game at the Great American Pyramid. So many cool things I would like to do with this and that is just the beginning! I'm building every building and asset from scratch for now using some professional modeling tools and looking to raise capital and build a team to bring the project(s) and assets to market faster. This is 10 years in the making and I'm glad to finally be getting to a point where I can showcase how far I've come and how much I've learned on my own. The right team could take this project to the moon and back! Stay tuned and Thanks for sharing!

"Where did your love for social and community start?" 🐧✨ It all began with Club Penguin—the OG Roblox of the early 2010s. After school, it was all about meeting up with friends, picking out outfits, hitting up virtual events, and decking out my igloo. That virtual hangout was everything I craved after school. Then there was Tumblr, my secret spot where I could dive into the stuff I couldn’t talk about in real life. It was a space for all the stans, shippers, and TV show binge-watchers like me. It wasn’t just a platform—it was a community where I could be my full self. The point is, the rise of these digital spaces was totally driven by Gen Z, and they're more relevant now than ever. Before you think of this role as 'just posting,' remember there’s a whole history and a digital community revolution happening. People who get this shift are the ones shaping the future of marketing. #digitalcommunity #marketingshift #marketing #genzmarketing

The past year has been nothing short of a rollercoaster for the game industry. When the pandemic hit, many of us saw an unprecedented surge in demand for games and content. Companies tried to meet the needs of their audiences, and the industry experienced a period of rapid growth. However, as the dust settles, we're faced with the reality of the decisions made during those times. The upscaling of the industry has created a bubble that's now bursted. We didn't do a single layoff at Polydin Studio even though it is still tough to keep everyone working, we're weathering the storm by sticking to our team. As a small business, the landscape is challenging, but we are committed to our people. We have been creating content for the Unreal Marketplace and working on new internal projects, we've been able to sustain our team and continue pushing forward, even now that projects are scarce. I don't know how much longer we can hold but I do know how AAA industry operates and I don't like it, we who are in charge of leading smaller teams and businesses need to be different, we need to stay together, in our line loyalty and trust matters, it's crucial for us to come together as an industry and support one another through 2024. By helping eachother, we can weather any storm that comes our way. #Gamedevelopment #indiegame #GameIndustry #gameindustrylayoffs #GamingCommunity #Gamedev

🌟 𝐇𝐨𝐰 𝐖𝐞’𝐫𝐞 𝐒𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐅𝐮𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐆𝐚𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐈𝐦𝐩𝐚𝐜𝐭 🌟 Let's hear what our Leader Garage Member Debolina Chattopadhyay has to say on this.. When I joined Leader Garage as a Content Manager, I never imagined how much my passion for storytelling could blend with something as dynamic as gaming. As someone who thrives on crafting stories that captivate and inspire, I found a natural alignment between my love for content creation and Leader Garage’s vision of creating games that leave a positive impact. Here’s what excites me the most about our mission: Games with Purpose 🎯 At Leader Garage, we believe gaming can be more than entertainment—it can challenge perspectives, spark ideas, and inspire action. Imagine a game that not only entertains but also empowers players to solve real-world challenges. Crafting Stories That Stick 📖 Every game we’re building is a world of its own, filled with stories that matter. My role involves weaving narratives that teach, entertain, and transform players. It’s storytelling, but with a joystick. Bringing Real-World Skills to the Virtual Space 🛠️ We’re creating games that teach players to think critically, adapt, and collaborate—all essential skills for thriving in today’s fast-changing world. Driving Impact with Every Click 🌍 What’s unique about our games is their potential to inspire players to create positive social change. Whether it’s learning empathy through character choices or solving challenges inspired by real-world issues, every move matters. Being part of Leader Garage means working with a team that’s redefining what gaming can be. It’s a mix of creativity, innovation, and purpose—all in one exciting journey. We’re not just making games; we’re shaping the future of gaming—for good. 🎮✨ #LeaderGarage #GamingForImpact #StorytellingThroughGames #LearnThroughPlay #FutureOfGaming

💼 Keeping up with the latest industry moves is essential for understanding trends in the #mobilegaming space. Mobilegamer.biz’s recent Jobs Digest provides a quick look at key shifts within top studios like Homa, Forthstar, Tactile, King, Rollic, Ruby, FunPlus, and more. 📈 With each company making strategic hires and adjustments, it’s a reminder of how dynamic our industry is. Each move not only shapes the future of these studios but also reflects evolving priorities in the #mobile #gaming market. Whether it’s new leadership or specialized roles, it’s exciting to see how each team adapts to meet today’s challenges and opportunities. For those in the gaming sector, it’s an inspiring glimpse into what’s ahead and a good reminder to stay agile and adaptable. 🚀

It's finally Friday! Which means here's your last round-up of news before heading into the weekend. Hope you've all had a good week so far. 1. Relic Entertainment, a week after announcing they had become an independent studio thanks to support from an "external investor" announced it would be laying off employees, and though it originally did not say how many, a Relic developer indicated the number was 41. Hope all those impacted are able to land on their feet, it never gets easier seeing more layoffs across the industry. https://lnkd.in/g9ugBHYt 2. Roblox Studio head Stefano Corazza had some...curious, words, we'll call them, about how Roblox isn't exploiting child labour by making money off its large pool of child developers making games on its platform who are then earning money. Instead, Corazza says it's actually a "gift" that these kids can earn money from their games at all. https://lnkd.in/gFVhUWmx 3. Not from me but from my brother-in-News-arms at PSU, Mike Harradence, C-Smash VRS is getting a non-VR mode, which, while I love the original game, will probably result in me playing C-Smash a lot more. https://lnkd.in/gx8dPftr 4. System Shock Remake is getting a reworked ending, the option to play as a female Hacker and more in its next update, ahead of its console release coming in May. I've not yet played either the OG System Shock or this Remake, but with this new update coming and the console launch, I think it might finally be time. https://lnkd.in/gWnRp6wJ And that's it for the week! If I'm not too tired tonight perhaps I'll post a round-up of today's news, but we'll see how that goes. Hope everyone has a wonderful and restful weekend, let me know what you're playing and your thoughts about what's happening across the industry.

Sandsoft's success is driven by our incredible team, whose passion and expertise fuel our journey every day. Today, we're thrilled to welcome Cathal O'Sullivan as our new Ad Monetization Lead! As part of our tradition, we’ve asked Cathal a few questions about his career path and aspirations.     I've been #gaming since childhood and initially aimed to be a #gamedeveloper, studying computer science. - told us Cathal. - My shift to #monetization accelerated at Unity Ads, where I spent five years helping developers with sustainable commercial strategies. What specific skills do you consider essential for someone aspiring to work in game monetisation? Successful #gamemonetization professionals are passionate about the #gaming industry and active in the community. Essential skills include quantitative and qualitative data analysis and cross-functional communication. They should be able to analyze data, identify insights, and communicate findings efficiently. What major trends of game monetisation have you observed? Game #monetization and particularly #mobilegaming is a young industry that is constantly evolving.    Looking ahead, increased regulation will require more ethical and transparent practices, especially concerning gambling mechanics and young players. Personalized #monetization strategies, leveraging advanced analytics and #AI, will offer tailored offers and dynamic pricing based on individual player behavior. #Crossplatform play will unify gaming experiences across devices, integrating monetization strategies to provide consistent value.     Alternative app stores along with community-driven content, will open new avenues for monetization. The focus will increasingly be on balancing profitability with player satisfaction, emphasising ethical practices and innovative, engaging gaming experiences that ensure long-term player engagement and investment. How do you approach the balance of between revenue generation and maintaining a positive player experience? Balancing revenue and player experience involves designing #monetization strategies that add value without disrupting #gameplay. A player-first approach and active feedback are crucial. Successful long-term monetization comes from players feeling validated in their gameplay value and proactively converting  to support the game.     An example is #BurritoBison by Kongregate, where engaging #gameplay and fair #monetization options create a positive player experience. With a 4.7 rating and over 10 million installs, the community response shows its success. What and who inspired you to join Sandsoft? The hiring process at Sandsoft was exceptional, with outstanding support, communication, and guidance.  Speaking with future colleagues confirmed that Sandsoft fosters a collaborative, inclusive, and creative environment, making it the perfect place for me to contribute and grow. Eager to work with Cathal? 👉 https://lnkd.in/d_hrAHJs

Day 1 of #LWTSummit is in the books ✅ Full of engaging sessions on all things tech! Here are the three main things I learned today: • Lauren Cheatham, PhD at Roblox taught me that young people use the virtual world of Roblox to explore the presentation of their identity through their avatars, which leads to self-acceptance in the real world 🫶 • Kellin Haley at Whoop taught me that implementing compound growth strategies (a feedback loop of user engagement that consists of experience -> sharing -> re-engagement) unlocks exponential value for your product or service 🔁 • Deandra Nichols at YouTube taught me that YouTube has a Creator Residency Program, where creators can foster a direct connection to the people building new features - employees listen to creators share their ideas, then go into the innovation lab and prototype what they heard! It's a great testament to the power of listening to your primary user base, as it can lead to valuable new features like A/B thumbnail testing 💡 I can't wait to go back tomorrow and learn more about all the incredible things happening in the tech space!

Creating anything at the best of times can be difficult at times. But watching friends, family, colleagues or respected competitors struggle in the industry can not just be physically, mentally and emotionally draining but creatively draining too. All of you working toward making games in these times. I see you. And I know we ALL see the huge number of people still affected by unemployment, financial uncertainty and fear. But of all things, a quote from Mad Men has stuck with me since I heard it said by Don Draper. Now, Don's a fictional guy who should not be a role model for pretty much anything but one thing he got right was when he was in a discussion with an exec asking why all their copywriters were mucking about. “We do this better than you and part of that is letting our creatives be unproductive, until they are" It's okay to take a break sometimes. A walk, a sleep, some food or book a few days. Because you're giving your brain the space it needs to merge some synapses and chemicals together to explode some ideas out. Whether they're ideas on what to do next in your situation, or you finally figured out how to make the pixels do what they need to. Because sometimes the best way to climb over a big wall, is to take a few steps back, gather yourself, then go! #videogames #gamesindustry #gameslayoffs #gamedevelopment #computergames