In this episode, hosts Nico Vereecke and Philip Collins welcome guest Joakim Achrén from Elite Game Developers to discuss the recent Apple vs. Epic case update, the Microsoft-Activision acquisition block, and insights into early-stage game studio investing.

The conversation begins with an analysis of the Apple-Epic case update, in which the US appeals court rules in favor of Apple on 9 out of 10 counts. The panel discusses how the anti-steering ruling will allow developers to link to external payment methods within apps, potentially increasing their revenue share. Joakim also shares his belief that pressure for more open app stores and mobile ecosystems will continue, particularly from Europe.

The discussion then shifts to the Microsoft-Activision deal update, as Britain's regulatory body blocks the acquisition, focusing on Microsoft's dominance in cloud gaming. The rationale behind the block is questioned, with the panel arguing that Microsoft is a suitable candidate to drive cloud gaming adoption.

Joakim dives into his background in the gaming industry, his experience as an angel investor, and his work with Elite Game Developers. He shares how he learned from mistakes in game development, emphasizing the importance of understanding the audience and their motivations before starting game development. Joakim's investments are mostly mobile-focused but also founder-focused.

The panel talks about venture capital and when a company is ready for such funding. They explore market size, potential for scalability, and the founder's willingness to grow the company. Joakim aims to help founders understand VC funding and scaling, and as an angel investor, he prefers to see companies attempt 100x growth rather than just 10x.

Joakim's investment approach mainly focuses on founder-driven mobile and PC gaming startups. He believes in pushing founders to think big and find co-founders with complementary skills, concentrating on founder-market fit and market potential with outsized return potential. He also shares advice for first-time founders to start early and learn through experience.

The conversation covers Joakim's interest in startups that think outside the box in terms of marketing and distribution, as well as his views on AI's potential in enhancing efficiency. The panel also observes decreased burn rates and smaller seed round raises in the current market.

Joakim shares his preference for a 24-month runway for pre-seed investments and his focus on B2C companies, including game studios and platforms. The episode wraps up with spicy predictions for the gaming industry from Nico, Philip, and Joakim, touching on topics such as Web 3 games and Microsoft's mobile gaming market share.

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