281. How UGC Is Extending the Lifespan of Games with Uri Marchand, CEO of Overwolf

Deconstructor of Fun

Mishka Katkoff sits down with Uri Marchand, CEO of Overwolf, to break down how user-generated content (UGC) is quietly reshaping the gaming industry. They dive into Overwolf’s mission to turn in-game creation into a viable profession, and why modding — once a hobby for the few — is now a legitimate career path for thousands.

This isn’t just about mods anymore — it’s about the future of gaming economies.

00:00Introduction to Overwolf and UGC0

4:05 The Evolution of Modding in Gaming

06:56 Industry Trends: Embracing UGC

10:05 Challenges and Opportunities in Modding

13:17 The Role of Platforms like Roblox and Fortnite

16:32 Balancing Creator Support and Developer Benefits

19:37 Sustainability of the Modding Economy

22:23 Revenue Share Models in the Creator Economy

25:34 The Impact of AI on Modding

29:14 The Power of AI in Game Development

30:15 Democratizing Game Creation

31:01 Challenges in Scaling Overwolf

33:51 Overcoming Investment Hurdles

37:41 The Future of Overwolf and Gaming

43:24 Innovations in User-Generated Content

45:39 Changing Mindsets on Premium Mods

48:17 Disruption in the Gaming Industry

52:09 Lessons Learned from Overwolf's Journey