The Business of Games
The Business of Games: A podcast for developers, publishers, and executives navigating the ever-changing game industry.
From monetization models to player behavior, from platform shifts to emerging markets, The Business of Games is your guide to all the things transforming how games are built, marketed, and scaled.
Hosted by Chris Hewish and Lia Ballentine, each episode blends strategic insight, cinematic storytelling, and candid conversations with the people driving the business of play. You’ll hear from top executives inside studios and strategic partners across the ecosystem who are uncovering the ideas, tactics, and trends shaping tomorrow’s opportunities.
Whether you’re launching your first game or scaling a global studio, you’ll find practical strategies, future-forward thinking, and real-world examples you can act on right away.
The Business of Games is brought to you by Xsolla, your strategic partner behind the scenes. We bring together “All the Things” to help you simplify operations, unlock new revenue, reach more players, and launch fast.
Visit xsolla.com/podcast to explore episodes, connect with our team, and access bonus resources to level up your business of play. Want to join the conversation? Follow and comment on our LinkedIn page at The Business of Games Podcast, where we’ll be sharing updates, highlights, and continuing the discussion. And don’t forget to subscribe, rate, review, and share the podcast with friends and colleagues who want to learn more about the business of games.
The Business of Games
Building worlds, sustaining play: IOI’s Olivier Perbet on LiveOps, IP, and the future of AAA games
Welcome to The Business of Games Podcast, brought to you by Xsolla.
In this extended cut, host Chris Hewish sits down with Olivier Perbet, Chief Marketing and Revenue Officer at IO Interactive (IOI), to explore how LiveOps transformed Hitman from a boxed release into a living platform and what that means for the future of AAA publishing.
From his early career at Disney and Warner Bros. to guiding IOI through independence, Olivier shares how storytelling, player connection, and rapid iteration have shaped both his path and the studio’s evolution. He reflects on why ownership of IP like Hitman mattered, how IOI is preparing to bring 007: First Light to a new generation of players, and why not every game needs to chase live service to succeed.
We dive into:
- Olivier’s journey from licensing at Disney to leading marketing and revenue at IO Interactive
- How IOI used LiveOps to sustain engagement between Hitman titles and build toward a trilogy
- Why designing for rapid iteration is the key to successful LiveOps
- The impact of celebrity collaborations and cultural partnerships in expanding audiences
- Why independence gave IOI the agility to experiment and how that shaped their approach to 007: First Light
- The balance between engaging Gen Z and Gen Alpha without alienating longtime fans
- Why LiveOps should be a pillar, not an afterthought, and how studios can decide if it’s right for them
Whether you’re an indie founder, a AAA leader, or simply fascinated by the business shifts redefining games, this conversation offers a candid look at the lessons and strategies behind one of the industry’s most iconic stealth franchises.
Let’s get into it.
For more insights and resources, visit xsolla.com/podcast. Want to join the conversation? Follow and comment on our LinkedIn page at The Business of Games Podcast. That’s where we’ll be sharing updates, highlights, and continuing the discussion. And don’t forget to subscribe, rate, review, and share the podcast with friends who want to learn more about the business of games.
