Pocket Gamer Connects Seattle 2019 will take place on May 13th to 14th. To give you a taste of what to expect, we'll regularly be publishing interviews with the speakers at the show.

For more details on PGC Seattle and to book a ticket, head to the website here.

Today we're speaking to Matcherino CEO John Maffei ahead of his talk on 'Monetisation for Esports'.

PocketGamer.biz: Could you tell us a bit about the company?

John Maffei: Matcherino develops, owns and operates the industry-leading software platform for game publishers and tournament organisers (TOs) to run more successful, efficient and regulation-compliant esports events.

The Matcherino platform includes a range of core proprietary tools and functionality to manage prize pools, player registration, ticketing, ecommerce as well as Matcherino advertising “Sponsor Quests”.

What does your role entail?

I manage the company with a particular focus on partnering with brands and publishers.

Why did you want to work in the games industry?

I am incredibly enthused about the growth of esports. Its global reach and massive fan enthusiasm make esports an incredibly vibrant and rapidly changing space.

What advice would you give to anyone looking to get into it?

To succeed in any industry, I would recommend that job applicants have a passion for the space and a strong drive to get things done. Esports is a relatively new space so there are great opportunities for smart, driven and highly focused individuals.

What are your thoughts on the industry in the last 12 months?

Continued growth, look for mobile esports to grow, look for more consumer brands to start investing.

What major trends do you predict in the next 12 months?

More non-endemic brands will sign big esports sponsorship deals, fast growth of amatuer participation via channels like GameStop and Walmart tournaments.

How has the games industry changed since you first started?

The massive rise of F2P games and the changing business model that has brought.

Which part of the Connects event are you most looking forward to and why?

Opportunity to meet with incredibly sharp business leaders in the gaming space.

Find out more about Pocket Gamer Connects Seattle 2019 on the website.