45M Users & 10K Creators- The Future of Social Gaming with Anton Bernstein of Pocket Worlds

Описание: In this episode of the Here's Waldo Podcast, Lizzie Mintus sits down with Anton Bernstein, the CEO and founder of Pocket Worlds, the fast-growing Y Combinator-backed company that has connected over 45 million users and 10,000 creators through shared virtual experiences. Pocket Worlds is the parent company behind two major platforms: High Rise and Everskies.

High Rise is the leading virtual world where users create avatars, express themselves, and forge deep friendships through shared experiences. Meanwhile, Everskies offers a creative space for users to dress up pixel dolls and interact with their community. Anton shares how these platforms have shaped social interactions in online gaming and how experimentation led to the growth and success of High Rise.

Tune in for an inspiring conversation about growing up in the Soviet Union to founding multiple successful companies. Anton reflects on his entrepreneurial journey and offers valuable insights into user acquisition, engagement strategies, and the importance of social connection in virtual spaces. 


Resources Mentioned in this episode:
• Here’s Waldo Recruiting - https://www.hereswaldorecruiting.com/
• Lizzie Mintus on LinkedIn -   / hereswaldo  
• Anton Bernstein on Linkedin -   / antonber  
• Pocketworlds.com - https://www.pocketworlds.com/
• High Rise - https://highrise.game/


Sponsor for this episode...

This episode is brought to you by Here’s Waldo Recruiting, a boutique recruitment firm specializing in the video game industry that prioritizes quality over quantity and values transparency, communication, and diversity. We partner with companies, creatives, and programmers to understand the why behind their needs and provide a white-glove experience that ensures a win-win outcome.

The industry evolves. The market changes. But at Here’s Waldo Recruiting, our commitment to happy candidates and clients does not.

We understand that searching for the best and brightest talent can be overwhelming, so let our customer-first staff of professionals do the leg work for you by heading over to hereswaldorecruiting.com.


🎧 Chapters / Show Notes:
00:00 Intro
01:02 Meet Anton Bernstein
01:51 The Birth of Pocket Worlds
03:53 High Rise: A Virtual World Success
05:53 User Acquisition and Growth Strategies
07:05 Hiring the Right Talent
10:58 User Engagement and Retention
15:27 Everskies Acquisition and Integration
18:54 Lessons from Early Failures
20:45 Rediscovering High Rise: Key Learnings and Iterations
23:00 From Soviet Union to Entrepreneurship
26:35 Venture Capital Insights
29:47 Lookingo: The Daily Deals Adventure
38:10 Building Pocket Worlds: Vision and Future Goals
40:09 Get in Touch with Anton