Nicole Opas

What once defined live service gaming is now being reimagined by changing player behaviors and market forces. This session explores the current state of live service games, the major shifts reshaping the industry, and how studios can adapt their models to stay relevant by:

• Redefining what a live service game is, recognizing where the market is heading, and understanding how the audience demographic is diversifying.
• Treating data as a foundational pillar across both in-game and internal studio strategies, with the overarching goal of enhancing the player experience.
• Outlining strategies that allow you to monetize your game – such as in-game ads, subscription and D2C models – while keeping your players engaged and safe.

Nicole Opas, Vice President and General Manager of Live Operations at NYT Games, shares how The New York Times is scaling its puzzle game portfolio while deepening player engagement across their subscription-based platforms. From handcrafted game design to the integration of new features, Nicole explores how NYT Games balances free-to-play access with premium content and reaches new players by:

• Expanding reach through regional growth strategies and localized player experiences.
• Balancing free and premium content to optimize engagement and subscription value.
• Integrating metagame features to enhance retention and drive monetization.