Game Changers

This week on the Konvoy Newsletter audio edition, host Jason Chapman explores the U.S. Navy’s mounting challenge: maintaining maritime dominance as China’s shipbuilding juggernaut accelerates. With China projected to surpass the U.S. in naval combat power by 2027, Josh unpacks why this looming crossover point matters—and how the Navy is responding by overhauling its strategy, force structure, and talent pipeline.

From industrial decline to robotic resurgence, Jason traces the Navy’s transformation from traditional capital ships to a new “Hybrid Fleet” of unmanned vessels operated by a digitally native, gamer-trained workforce. As warfighting increasingly...

This week on the Konvoy Newsletter audio edition, host Josh Chapman digs into the growing movement toward privacy, control, and hyper-secure infrastructure inside the home — a trend fueled by AI, smart devices, and rising distrust in cloud-based systems. As more of our daily lives become mediated by connected technology, Josh explores why consumers are beginning to rethink what they share, who they trust, and how much control they want over their digital environments.

Josh breaks down the concept of the “air-gapped home” and examines the forces pushing people toward self-hosting, local AI, and more secure home networks. From D...

This week on the Konvoy Newsletter audio edition, host Jason Chapman breaks down one of the biggest questions in modern robotics: will the future be driven by generalized humanoid robots or specialized task-specific machines? With companies like Tesla and 1x pushing toward adaptable humanlike robots and long-proven systems like Roomba, Kiva, and TUG excelling at narrow functions, the industry is split between broad ambition and focused efficiency.

Jason explores how humanoids promise versatility and real-world learning at scale, yet face hurdles in cost, complexity, privacy, and reliability. He contrasts this with specialized robots that already deliver consistent...

This week on the Konvoy Newsletter audio edition, host Jackson Vaughan explores the origins, evolution, and reinvention of holding companies in America — from Rockefeller’s Standard Oil Trust to the decentralized empires of Berkshire Hathaway and Alphabet. As regulatory pressure, financial engineering, and technological disruption have shaped these corporate structures over time, the holding company remains one of the most powerful — and controversial — tools in modern capitalism.

Jackson unpacks how holding companies were born out of the Second Industrial Revolution, how antitrust enforcement reshaped them in the 20th century, and why tech giants and private equity firms are adop...

This week on the Konvoy Newsletter audio edition, host Josh Chapman explores how artificial intelligence is transforming the skies above us — from autonomous satellites avoiding orbital debris to the emergence of data centers in space. As investment in AI and compute accelerates on Earth, we’re beginning to see its influence ripple far beyond the atmosphere.

Josh unpacks the intersection of AI, space infrastructure, and quantum technology, highlighting how machine learning is already powering smarter orbits, faster communications, and new opportunities for computation in Low Earth Orbit. With tens of thousands of satellites now circling the planet, this...

This week on the Konvoy Newsletter audio edition, host Jackson Vaughan examines the growing impact of AI on the job market—and the narrative tug-of-war between mass automation and human resilience. With fears of widespread job loss competing with the promise of productivity, this episode cuts through the hype to provide a historically grounded, economically sound view of what’s really happening.

Jackson unpacks new insights from Anthropic’s latest report, drawing connections between past waves of automation and the roles AI is already beginning to reshape. From copywriters to coders, we explore who’s at risk, who’s ad...

This week on the Konvoy Newsletter audio edition, host Jason Chapman dives into the rise of AI-generated social media—and the growing tension between creativity, attention, and authenticity. With Meta’s new Vibes platform and OpenAI’s Sora leading the charge, the next generation of short-form content is being created not by people, but by machines.

Jason explores how this shift could reshape everything from user engagement to mental health, and why AI’s integration into the attention economy may deepen the very challenges social platforms have struggled with for years.

What You’ll Learn in This Ep...

This week on the Konvoy Newsletter audio edition, host Josh Chapman unpacks the resurgence of consumer health hardware, sparked by Oura’s $875M Series E round. From smart rings to medical-grade wearables, the health and wellness market is evolving fast—and it’s not just about fitness anymore. Jackson explores how workplace wellness programs, enterprise contracts, and next-gen tech like on-device AI and XR are shaping the next chapter for both startups and incumbents like Whoop, Garmin, and Apple.

With hardware startups finding new momentum and software-only players like Calm and Headspace facing engagement headwinds, this episode looks...

This week on the Konvoy Newsletter audio edition, host Jackson Vaughan unpacks the rise of the local gig economy in Latin America — from the early ride-hailing boom to today’s delivery platforms, migration-driven labor shifts, and the next wave of platform opportunities. Over the past decade, the region has seen explosive growth in ride-sharing, food delivery, and last-mile logistics, with players like Uber, Rappi, iFood, and Didi reshaping urban economies. Now, with immigration fueling worker supply and consumers demanding faster, cheaper services, the LatAm gig economy is evolving into a durable and recession-resilient force.

Looking ahead, the bigg...

The dynamic world of gaming is ripe with both immense opportunity and formidable challenges, especially in emerging markets like India. While many international investors and entrepreneurs initially overlooked India's potential, Nitish Mittersain uniquely envisioned building a thriving industry from the ground up despite limited infrastructure, low monetization, and evolving regulatory landscapes.

Defying expectations through strategic pivots, global thinking, and innovation, his company, Nazara Technologies, leveraged telco partnerships and navigated economic busts to achieve legendary success. Along the way, Nitish has transformed his childhood passion into India's only publicly listed gaming empire, demonstrating unconventional and adaptable strategies crucial...

This week on the Konvoy Newsletter audio edition, host Jason Chapman explores why version control for AI prompts is becoming a critical piece of modern software development. As AI becomes deeply embedded in everyday workflows, teams are discovering that prompts evolve just like code — and need new systems to track, evaluate, and optimize them.

From guiding AI outputs with precision to managing prompt history across teams, the future of software development will require tools purpose-built for this new workflow. Just as Git transformed how developers collaborate on code, new platforms are emerging to do the same for AI...

This week on the Konvoy Newsletter audio edition, host Josh Chapman explores the tradeoffs between running AI locally on-device versus in the cloud. As the cost of inference has fallen 1,000x in just three years, developers and enterprises now face a strategic choice: prioritize privacy, control, and real-time performance with local AI — or embrace scalability, accessibility, and low entry costs in the cloud.

From healthcare diagnostics to autonomous vehicles, from generative chatbots to fraud detection, the future of AI won’t be one-size-fits-all. Instead, it’s about matching infrastructure to use case — and increasingly, hybrid approaches like Apple’s...

This week on the Konvoy Newsletter audio edition, host Jackson Vaughan unpacks how mobile web shops are breaking Apple and Google’s stranglehold on payments. What started as a regulatory experiment in South Korea and Europe has exploded into a global shift — and by 2025, 72% of top-grossing mobile games now run their own direct-to-consumer storefronts.

With turnkey platforms like Xsolla, Stash, and Appcharge making setup easier than ever, publishers from Playtika to Stillfront are already seeing up to 40% of revenue flow through web shops. The payoff is higher margins, better conversion, and deeper customer relationships — but also new respon...

This week on the Konvoy Newsletter audio edition, host Jason Chapman unpacks India’s sweeping ban on all online real-money gaming — a dramatic policy shift drawing comparisons to America’s Prohibition era. In just three days, lawmakers passed a bill that effectively wiped out a $23 billion industry, raising urgent questions about regulation, innovation, and investor confidence in one of the world’s fastest-growing digital economies.

Behind the ban are concerns about suicide prevention, algorithmic manipulation, and national security. But does the data actually support these claims? And why has the government targeted online gaming while leaving social media —...

This week on the Konvoy Newsletter audio edition, host Josh Chapman explores the rapidly evolving world of digital gatekeeping — and why age verification is becoming one of the defining challenges of the modern internet.

Once marked by anonymity and minimal oversight, the online world is now facing sweeping regulations designed to protect children and teens from adult content, predatory behavior, and high-risk features like online gambling. From U.S. state laws to the EU’s Digital Services Act, governments are shifting from simple honor-system checkboxes to strict, enforceable verification requirements — fundamentally reshaping how platforms onboard and engage users...

For a quarter of a century, RuneScape has been more than just a game; it's a digital world that has become a second home for millions. But how does such a legacy IP thrive in a modern gaming landscape defined by "flash over substance" development that alienates core communities?

The stewardship of this iconic franchise falls to its new CEO, Jon Bellamy, who brings a perspective unheard of in the industry: he's not just a leader, but a 20-year veteran player who understands the game's soul. In this deep-dive conversation, Jon pulls back the curtain to reveal...

This week on the Konvoy Newsletter audio edition, host Jason Chapman explores why a generation that feels financially stuck is going “risk-on” — embracing higher-risk, higher-reward behaviors across finance, gaming, and lifestyle in an effort to get ahead.

With muted wage growth, skyrocketing living costs, and declining belief in the American dream, more young consumers are rolling the dice — turning to sports betting, retail trading, skill-based games, and even biohacking in search of upside.

From sweepstakes platforms and loot boxes to AI-powered homeschooling and side-hustle apps, industries built on volatility are thriving in an environment where stabilit...

This week on the Konvoy Newsletter audio edition, host Jackson Vaughan explores how technology is transforming the $100+ billion kids’ toy market — shifting from dolls and building sets to AI-enabled companions, smart devices, and deeply interactive play.

From the late-90s Furby craze to Anki’s expressive robots, the industry’s history is filled with both groundbreaking successes and high-profile failures. Along the way, toys have sparked national security debates, triggered privacy lawsuits, and forced regulators to rethink how children’s data is protected.

Now, with advances in local AI, rapid prototyping, and direct-to-consumer sales, startups may be bet...

Tired of video games getting a bad rap? Stanley Pierre-Louis, CEO of the Entertainment Software Association, unveils the playbook that turned the gaming industry from a political target into a respected art form. Learn how strategic advocacy and self-regulation built a fortress of trust with both policymakers and parents.

With new challenges like AI on the horizon, the lessons from gaming's legislative battles provide a crucial blueprint for any innovative industry trying to protect its creative freedom and foster growth in a world of constant scrutiny.

CHAPTERS:

00:00 - How Stanley Pierre-Louis Became the...

This week on Game Changers, host Josh Chapman explores how satellites are unlocking a $157 billion digital opportunity—by bringing the internet to the world’s most remote regions.

With 12,000+ satellites now orbiting the Earth and thousands more launching every year, the satellite industry is entering a new phase—one where it’s no longer just about space, but about economic transformation here on Earth.

At the center of this revolution is Starlink, which now delivers high-speed internet to 6 million subscribers across 140 countries. This breakthrough in connectivity isn’t just a tech marvel—it’s a commercial cat...

This week on Game Changers, host Jason Chapman explores why K-pop and gaming may be the next global power duo in entertainment.

Over the past decade, K-pop has exploded from a regional phenomenon into a worldwide cultural force, redefining fan engagement and monetization. With 150 million fans worldwide, outsized spending power, and a track record of digital-first innovation, the genre is uniquely positioned to converge with gaming—a space that shares its interactive and community-driven DNA.

So why hasn’t this collaboration reached its full potential yet—and why is now the inflection point to make it hap...

This week on Game Changers, host Jackson Vaughan explores why the future of gaming might not be radical reinvention—but smart, surprising reinvention of the familiar.

From Echo Chess and Balatro to Banana Ball and Fortnite, some of the most engaging experiences today are breathing new life into time-tested formats. These aren’t nostalgia plays—they’re blueprints for how developers can build on what players already love while still delivering something fresh.

But why is this remix strategy working so well now? And what does it mean for innovation, IP, and the future of fan enga...

This week on Game Changers, host Josh Chapman digs into the unexpected ways the restaurant industry is learning from video games. While most diners might not see the parallels between earning loyalty points and leveling up in a game, the strategies behind both are increasingly overlapping.

In this episode, we explore how gamification—not full-blown games—is giving restaurants a competitive edge. Whether it’s leaderboards from Chipotle’s Strava challenge, OpenTable’s points system nudging reservations, or even a PUBG victory scoring you a real-life chicken dinner from KFC, the industry is experimenting with playful ways to boost e...

This week on Game Changers, host Jason Chapman dives into Reddit. In a digital world drowning in AI-generated content and shallow engagement, Reddit stands out by using community-led moderation to build trust, spark consensus, and curate the overwhelming sea of opinions online.

But as Reddit rises as a go-to source for everyday decisions—from which video game to buy to which product to trust—it also reveals the limits of community-based curation. What happens when the topics get too complex, too controversial, or too technical for popular opinion to handle?

What You’ll Learn in This E...

This week on Game Changers, host Josh Chapman explores one of the most promising—and potentially risky—frontiers in software: vibe coding. With the rise of AI and natural language processing, it’s now possible to build fully functioning apps and websites just by describing what you want. No programming skills required.

But as vibe coding transforms who gets to build software and how fast they can do it, it also raises serious questions about security, scalability, and what happens when creators don’t know what their code is actually doing.

What You’ll Learn in This Ep...

This week on Game Changers, host Jackson Vaughan dives into one of the most ambitious frontiers in gaming: the quest for realism. From emotional depth to physical presence, this episode explores how developers are using neuroscience, psychology, and cutting-edge tech to make virtual worlds feel just as real as the physical one.

Why do some games stick with us long after we’ve stopped playing? Why do certain moments feel unforgettable, almost like memories we actually lived? Jason unpacks the subtle science of immersion—and why it’s not just about graphics, but about engaging our senses, our bo...

This week on Game Changers, host Jason Chapman explores a powerful trend quietly reshaping how we engage with the world: the rise of off-screen entertainment. In a culture dominated by screens and digital immersion, Jason dives into why millions are consciously stepping back—reconnecting with reality through podcasts, board games, theme parks, and live events. From the psychology of sensory engagement to the economics behind Disney’s booming parks, this episode unpacks the growing desire for presence in an increasingly virtual world.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

• Why podcasts have become the digital native’s...

This week on Game Changers, host Josh Chapman dives into the hidden toll of decision-making in our digital age. As we navigate a world overflowing with choices—pinged by notifications, overwhelmed by content, and pulled in countless directions—Josh unpacks the concept of decision fatigue and how technology might be making it worse. From the science of cognitive overload to the psychology of motivation, this episode explores why it’s getting harder to make meaningful decisions—and what we can do about it.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

• Why we’re making more daily decision...

This week on Game Changers, host Jason Chapman explores a bold vision for the future of personal technology—one where we rely less on screens and more on seamless, proactive computing. While today’s phones are powerful access points for information, Jason looks ahead to a world where devices quietly work in the background, anticipating our needs without constant interaction. From the rise of smart glasses to the growing influence of AI agents, this episode reimagines how emerging technologies could transform daily life.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

• How smartphones have evolved into incredib...

This week on Game Changers, host Jackson Vaughan dives into the explosive growth of online sports betting in the U.S., exploring how the industry reached its current $11 billion valuation and forecasted future growth. From the history of gambling to the big players dominating the market, Jackson explores how innovation and new trends like sweepstakes and prediction markets are reshaping the landscape. You'll learn why these alternatives are gaining traction, how they differ from traditional sportsbooks, and what opportunities they bring for both investors and consumers.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

Is your mobile game studio struggling to stand out? Stillfront CEO Alexis Bonte gets real about the brutal competition, why AI is now a survival tool, and how a laser-focused strategy can keep players—and profits—from walking away. This is direct advice for developers navigating today's tough market, from someone who's built and sold a game company and now leads a major group.

The mobile game scene is incredibly competitive. Developers are fighting to get noticed, retain players, and manage rising user acquisition costs. It's a crowded, fast-moving space.

Broad strategies and simply throwing mone...

Welcome to our latest episode of the Konvoy Newsletter podcast, your go-to source for insights at the intersection of gaming and finance. Today, we're diving into the world of Grand Theft Auto VI, a game set to redefine cultural and financial milestones in the gaming industry.

Episode Highlights:

A Global Gaming Phenomenon:

Game Development Insights:

In this episode of Game Changers, Jason Chapman explores how an innovation from Pixar—OpenUSD—laid the groundwork for a revolution in 3D content creation. From blockbuster films to immersive gaming experiences, the process of building digital worlds is notoriously fragmented. Jason breaks down how OpenUSD is becoming the universal translator across tools and teams, enabling smoother collaboration, faster iteration, and richer creativity. Drawing parallels to past tech standards like TCP/IP and SQL, this episode unpacks why OpenUSD might be one of the most important developments in the future of digital creation.

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In this episode of Game Changers, Josh Chapman explores how artificial intelligence is becoming more than just a tool for kids — it’s evolving into a curious, patient, and ever-present companion.

We unpack how AI is showing up in childhood spaces, from tutoring apps that adapt in real-time to emotional support robots like Milo that help kids practice social interaction. With studies showing big gains in both academic performance and engagement, it’s clear this tech is here to stay — but not without tradeoffs.

From affordability and accessibility to concerns around screen time, emotional development, and safe...

In this episode of Game Changers, Jackson Vaughan explores the rising power of IP licensing in today’s gaming landscape—why it’s becoming essential for discoverability, and how developers are using it to drive growth across mobile, PC, and console.

We unpack the challenges facing studios today, from rising ad costs to shrinking visibility, and spotlight how familiar brands and characters can give games a vital edge. With examples from Monopoly Go! to Scopely’s billion-dollar strategy, we look at how licensed IP is helping developers cut through the noise, reach high-value players, and extend a game’s l...

In this episode of Game Changers, Jason Chapman explores the growing role of AI in children’s lives—from education and emotional development to creative play and at-home support. As AI becomes a more visible part of how we interact with technology, we unpack what that means for kids, parents, and educators alike. We dive into personalized tutoring tools that adapt to each child’s learning style, robots that help build social-emotional skills, and storytelling platforms that bring imagination to life. Plus, we look at how smart monitors and AI companions are reshaping the modern parenting experience—and what safeguards are bein...

In this episode of Game Changers, Jackson Vaughan breaks down the evolution of console business models—from the Magnavox Odyssey’s one-time hardware sale in the 1970s to today’s mix of subscriptions, digital storefronts, and cloud gaming. Along the way, we explore how the introduction of game cartridges sparked the rise of third-party developers, how Nintendo’s 30% licensing fee shaped the modern industry, and why console makers began selling hardware at a loss to win long-term loyalty. With Xbox, PlayStation, and Nintendo now deploying distinct strategies—cloud-first, ecosystem-focused, or exclusive-driven—the business of consoles is more complex than ever. What does th...

In this episode of Game Changers, Josh Chapman explores the growing intersection of gaming and robotics. While robotics has long been a frontier of innovation, its development is now accelerating—driven by open-source tools like the Robot Operating System (ROS) and game engines like Unreal and Unity. With simulation becoming a key tool for robotics training and hybrid physical-digital gameplay on the rise, gaming is shaping the future of robotics in unexpected ways. Will this convergence redefine interactive entertainment? Or are we still in the early days of robotics-driven gameplay? Tune in to find out. Liked what you heard? Subscribe fo...

In this episode of Game Changers, Jackson Vaughan dives into the shifting landscape of PC gaming. While the market has grown steadily, with nearly 1.9 billion players worldwide, recent headwinds—like a 21% drop in playtime, rising hardware costs, and cloud gaming’s rapid rise—are challenging its dominance. With consoles catching up and game discovery becoming harder, is PC gaming at risk of losing its edge? Or will its customization, global reach, and social integration keep it ahead? Tune in to explore the future of PC gaming. Liked what you heard? Subscribe for weekly newsletter episodes!

In this episode of Game Changers, Managing Partner Jason Chapman unpacks Amazon’s $100M investment in The House of David, a faith-based series that’s already climbing the charts. Faith-driven content is seeing a resurgence, with Gen Z increasingly turning to spirituality—a trend shaping not just movies and TV, but gaming as well. With 36% of young Christian players open to faith-based games, could this be the next frontier? From Assassin’s Creed to Doom, religious themes have already made their way into mainstream titles—but what if a game fully embraced biblical storytelling? And what risks do these projects face? Tune...