Saywise
Posts
AMA Recap: Luiza Justus | Gaming in the Metaverse 👾

AMA Recap: Luiza Justus | Gaming in the Metaverse 👾

Check out the AMA with the Founder of Supersocial

Saywise AI
August 09, 2024

Our first metaverse and gaming founder!

Hello Founders! Last week we hosted an AMA with Luiza Justus, Founder and former Chief Content Officer at Supersocial, a trailblazer in metaverse gaming.

Luiza shared her journey from her advertising background to launching Supersocial and building a professional studio for Roblox. She discussed the challenges and rewards of pioneering in the metaverse, including the risks of platform dependency and the importance of understanding your audience. She also touched on her role in ideating and bringing concepts to life, her lessons from early missteps, and her vision for the future of the metaverse. Her insights on balancing creative vision with practical execution were especially thought-provoking.

Check out some of the highlights below!

🎉 We’re coming to SF and LA Tech Week! 🎉

A quick announcement: as one of our early members, we’re thrilled to announce that Saywise will be hosting exclusive events at both San Francisco and Los Angeles Tech Week this October.

Join us for a live AMA panel featuring top founders, followed by a networking mixer with the brightest minds and movers in the startup world. And here’s the best part: because you’ve been with us for our virtual AMAs, you’re guaranteed 100% free tickets to both events! 🎟️

Stay tuned—we’ll be sharing the registration link soon. In the meantime, spread the word and invite your friends to join our virtual sessions. We'll share the VIP tickets with them as well.

“Building something beautiful and amazing is not enough to make it stand out. It’s about understanding your consumer and iterating quickly based on their feedback. The real metaverse is still coming, and right now, it’s about making the most of what we have and being prepared for what’s next.”

Luiza Justus, Founder and former Chief Content Officer at Supersocial

⭐ Highlights from Luiza’s AMA
(edited for clarity)

What is Supersocial and how did you get started?

We started Supersocial in 2020, driven by my shift from advertising to entertainment and the pandemic’s boost to Roblox. Seeing Roblox’s potential beyond kids’ games, we aimed to professionalize the platform and create top-notch experiences for young users.

What was the biggest challenge in building your first game and what lessons did you learn?

Ghostopia was a high-budget project we spent a year on, but it didn’t hit the mark due to its niche appeal. If I could redo it, I'd focus on smaller prototypes and iterate quickly based on player feedback. It’s crucial to understand what your audience really wants.

How do you view the current state of the metaverse and its future?

Four years ago, the metaverse was an obscure concept. Now, with platforms like Roblox, it’s becoming crucial for brands to reach young users. The true metaverse isn’t here yet; we're in the early stages, similar to the early internet. Future advances will likely focus on VR and AR for a more immersive experience.

What challenges did you face when seeking funding for Supersocial?

Initially, securing funding was tough as many investors didn't grasp our vision for gaming in the metaverse. It required significant education and proof of potential. We had to show hard numbers and the future of entertainment on Roblox to attract investors who shared our vision.

What advice would you give to an early stage Founder?

Pace yourself and remember that work will never end. Preserve your own identity and sanity; don't let the company consume you. Balance hard work with self-care and social activities. Working smart is more important than working endlessly. Life outside work makes you a better founder.

For the full AMA, click here.

📅 Upcoming AMAs

Aug 14 at 11am PST: David Yi, Investor and General Partner at Ethos Fund
- Ethos Fund is a venture capital firm focusing on pre-seed startups in the US and Vietnam. Prior investments include MainStreet, Vinovest and TomoCredit.

📺 Past AMAs

Missed any of our previous AMAs? No worries! You can catch up on all the guests here.

Will Drewery, Founder and CEO at Diagon (AI-powered procurement platform)
Gaurav Seth, Founder and CEO at PierSight Space (maritime surveillance using satellites)
Tejes Srivalsan, Founder and CEO at Poppin (event-based social media)
Christie Marchese, Founder and CEO at Kinema (film distribution platform)
Michael Kapps, Founder and CEO at Sanii (longevity and lifestyle for the elderly)
Ahmed Mirza, Investor at Techstars Los Angeles (leading startup accelerator)
Clara Hong, Founder and CEO at Smore (B2B form building platform)

📬 Contact Us

Have suggestions for future guests, feedback on the sessions, or just want to say hi? We’d love to hear from you! Reply directly to this email or send us a note here.

You can also join our Discord server here.

Thanks for being part of our community and see you at the next AMA!

Warm regards,

Victor