260. David Nelson: The Maverick’s Guide for Thriving in BIG Organizations

Deconstructor of Fun

In this episode, David Nelson co-Founder of Magnetic and a true maverick of our industry, dives deep into the nuances of mobile gaming innovation.

David discusses his journey through King, including the formation and successes of the experimentation group. As the industry transforms, he explains the importance of understanding your audience, the pitfalls of following trends blindly, and the necessity of building a strong company strategy. David also offers insights on how to navigate organizational changes and cultivate a culture of constructive conflict.

Finally, get a sneak peek into what Magnetic is working on and its approach to creating the next big hit in mobile gaming.

01:03 David Nelson's Background and Identity

04:38 Career at King and Experimentation Group

06:18 Starting a New Company and Investor Insights

09:44 Importance of Honest Feedback and Alignment

11:59 Challenges and Strategies in Game Development

24:31 The Role of Conflict in Meetings

33:07 The Debate Over Small Games

34:04 Testing and Proving Concepts

38:04 Framework for High-Impact Tests

40:35 Challenges of Creative Work

43:33 Experimentation Group Achievements

49:59 Navigating Corporate Culture

55:58 Building Trust and Social Capital

01:03:46 Advice for Driving Change

01:12:21 Insights on Mobile Game Industry

01:35:23 Final Thoughts and Reflections