PING by Charlie Baillie
Gaming | Entertainment | Creator Economy
A quick-hit look at what’s shaping the future of culture — from AAA games and virtual worlds to music innovation & creator-led empires.
Welcome to the fourth edition of PING, your biweekly update sharing what matters in gaming, entertainment, and the creator economy.
I’ve cut through the noise to share industry news that caught my eye, big deals, and smart moves driving the next wave of digital innovation. Let’s jump in.
Big Plays
Product launches and platform shifts that matter now
Tencent Unveils AI Game Creation Suite, Visvise, at Gamescom
At Gamescom 2025, Tencent debuted Visvise, an AI-powered suite for game development. The tool covers everything from animation and modeling to NPC creation, marking a significant step toward using AI to streamline and democratize the game development process.
Source: PocketGamerBiz
India Passes Bill to Regulate Online
Gaming
India’s new “Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Bill 2025” has banned real-money games while legitimizing esports as a competitive sport. This is a significant regulatory move that could shape the future of the gaming industry in one of the world’s largest markets.
Source: Reuters
New Google Play Policy Aims to Reshape App Discovery
A new Google Play policy is set to change how developers can manage pre-registrations and discovery for their apps. The update, which ties these features to a higher-tier fee structure, is a major platform shift that could impact smaller developers’ visibility.
Source: PocketGamerBiz
Deal Flow
Where the money’s moving and what it means
Impact46 Invests $6.7M in Five Saudi Game Studios
Saudi Arabia-based VC firm Impact46 has made a significant $6.7 million investment across five different game studios. This investment aligns with Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 and National Gaming Strategy, signaling a major push to establish the kingdom as a global gaming hub.
Source: PocketGamerBiz
Venture Capital Prioritizes Sustainable Creator-Led Brands
A new report from Ainvest suggests that venture capital in 2025 is shifting focus from “viral content” to sustainable, creator-led brands. The money is moving toward businesses with off-platform ecosystems and diversified revenue streams, such as newsletters and DTC models.
Source: AInvest
Major Media Companies Explore AI for Revenue Generation
A new report from Deloitte indicates that media and entertainment leaders are increasingly looking to generative AI not just for cost-cutting, but to uncover new revenue opportunities, particularly in advertising. This signals a new stage in the industry’s adoption of AI.
Source: The Future of Commerce
Power Moves
Industry updates that matter
Gamescom 2025 Highlights Direct-to-Consumer (DTC) Revolution
A major takeaway from Gamescom 2025 is the growing direct-to-consumer revolution in the gaming industry. Developers are bypassing traditional publishers to connect directly with their audiences, signaling a fundamental shift in the business model.
Source: PocketGamerBiz
DPG33’s Presence at Gamescom
2025
The Dubai Programme for Gaming 2033 (DPG33) is set to host the Middle East’s first-ever government pavilion at Gamescom 2025, the world’s largest gaming event. Marking a historic milestone for the region’s gaming sector, the pavilion highlights Dubai’s commitment to becoming one of the world’s top 10 global gaming hubs by 2033.
Source: WAM Ae
Savvy Games Group partners with
AWS
Savvy Games Group has partnered with Amazon Web Services (AWS) to strengthen Saudi Arabia’s games technology infrastructure and support local studios. As part of the collaboration, AWS will back Saudi Arabia’s games sector through its Skill Builder program, offering cloud and AI training for developers.
Source: PocketGamerBiz
What PING is Watching
Quick hits PING is keeping tabs on
- The Next Wave of AI in Music Creation
- Hybrid Reality in Entertainment
- The Minecraft Model for Other IPs
Until the next drop — stay curious.
Find me on LinkedIn @charliebaillie
Explore more at ampversegroup.com
The Author
About Charlie Baillie
Charlie Baillie is a seasoned digital media and entertainment executive, boasting extensive commercial and operational expertise across Europe, North America, and the Asia Pacific. As a former executive at Universal Music Group, Charlie held the position of Asia Pacific Managing Director for the publicly listed ad technology company RhythmOne before venturing into entrepreneurship by co-founding Ampverse.
Currently serving as the Group CEO of Ampverse Group, Charlie sits on the board and spearheads the strategic direction and growth drivers of the company.
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