Ok Boomer; Microtransaction Fraud in Games (#13)

This is the 13th episode of 16 Minutes, our weekly-ish news show where we quickly cover the top headlines of the week, the a16z Podcast way: what’s real, what’s hype from our vantage point in tech. This week, we cover the following news -- with a16z experts general partner Connie Chan and D'arcy Coolican from the consumer team, and former CSO/ a16z security operating partner Joel de la Garza -- in conversation with Sonal Chokshi:

1. OK Boomer meme and meaning -- What makes this meme news, given current and coming tech trends around meme-to-merchandise, ecommerce, video, app design, the future of social... and the overall zeitgeist between generations and cultural transitions?
2. fraud in gaming microtransactions/ trading -- Is money laundering really happening through gaming microtransactions? What to make of Valve's recent restriction that Counter-Strike: Global Offensive container keys cannot be traded or sold on the Steam marketplace because they are now "believed to be fraud-sourced" by worldwide fraud networks?

Relevant/ related links:

• on Ok Boomer:
  • on ecommerce as video's killer app by Connie Chan & Avery Segal
  • on short-form video and the rise of AI-based consumer apps by Connie Chan
  • on when advertising isn't enough, and the shift from "eyeballs" to "wallets" by Connie Chan
  • on design by livestream (as well as other trends from China) by Connie Chan
  • on memes and livestreaming in China with Connie Chan, Christina Xu, and Sonal Chokshi
  • on the rise of the super app by Connie Chan
• on gaming economies:
  • on crypto and new business models for gaming with Kevin Chou, Chris Dixon, and Sonal Chokshi

credits: @linzrinzz on TikTok