Marc Andreessen & Andrew Chen Talk Creative Computers

The gaming industry is a pioneer of cutting-edge technologies, ushering in innovations like GPUs, virtual and augmented reality, physics engines, and immersive multiplayer experiences.
Recorded as part of a16z's games fund accelerator, SPEEDRUN, the a16z cofounder Marc Andreessen and Andrew Chen, General Partner at a16z Games, discuss why a16z was compelled to establish a dedicated games fund. They explore the origins of tech pessimism, effective engagement with government in tech, its significance for the gaming community, the ongoing AI revolution, and even what Marc himself would build today if he didn’t have his hands full.
Timecodes:
00:00 - Introduction
00:42 - The Bonding Power of Gaming
02:32 - How Gaming Drives Technological Innovation
05:32 - Technological Transitions: Moral Panics and the Promise of Progress
11:48 - Government, Innovation, and the Role of Regulation
21:37 - Envisioning the Future of Immersive Experiences
25:32 - AI as a Partner
33:00 - Big Models vs. Open Innovation
36:28 - Why a16z launched a games fund
43:29 - Shaping the Future of Gaming and Technology
Resources:
Find Marc on Twitter: / pmarca
Find Andrew on Twitter: / andrewchen
Learn more about SPEEDRUN: a16z.com/games/speedrun/
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Please note that the content here is for informational purposes only; should NOT be taken as legal, business, tax, or investment advice or be used to evaluate any investment or security; and is not directed at any investors or potential investors in any a16z fund. a16z and its affiliates may maintain investments in the companies discussed. For more details please see a16z.com/disclosures.

[@landonh]

Everytime another long form video of Marc drops it’s one of the highlights of my day

[@LAinLA86]

Ive never heard such a clearer-thinking, fast speaker who can talk about so many topics and never miss a beat than this guy...ReMarc-able

[@padeosarran]

Totally agree. Such clear thinker and speaker.

[@BrianMosleyUK]

Practice makes perfect.

[@seanpierre1338]

The more marc, the better

[@CJ-sg3fc]

Interviewer has a great personality

[@JaredFarrer]

We are witnessing the birth of the new operating system. Giving computers the ability to converse with their builders. Imagine needing to be able to say edit out these powerlines in this image. Imagine just speaking typing commands in plain English

[@nbme-answers]

To all the other VCs out there, this is who you're competing with, UIUC's finest!

[@BYZNIZ]

Yup

[@AdvantestInc]

Your exploration of AI’s potential and challenges is both thorough and engaging. Highlighting the need for responsible development shows great foresight.

[@MrMoonMission]

Did he just describe reality? Massively Multiplayer Dream

[@madmonkrx7]

Based trench boot enjoyer.

[@mattdhargett]

42:30 he starts describing exactly what the aim of my new venture (Rebecker Specialties) is doing. Some of our technology underpinnings are already winning innovation awards, and our early end-to-end demos are eliciting the “whoa” we had been hoping for. That said, I’m not sure typical VC backing and cash-out expectations are compatible with making these kinds of reskilling/upskilling capabilities sustainably available to folks lower on the socio-economic scale where they are needed most. To paraphrase one response we got: “we couldn’t get to the required level of conviction that reaching underserved communities is worth sacrificing a path to a $10B valuation”. I know 2024 is a rough year for LPs (and everyone), but this kind of binary thinking - that a single company has to return the fund within 2 years - has been the ultimate difficulty for me as a founder.

[@JaredFarrer]

Imma need Vcs if they ban dji cause we need an American company to replace if gets banned

[@ChardonnayWest]

anyone talking to Marc will speak faster and faster without himself realising it : )

[@LetsPumpItUp]

It’s not Games that’s the killer app for tech it’s porn soft etc

[@B0tch0]

Literally

[@LetsPumpItUp]

Why do we have all this great tech, great people, great money to fuel these businesses….yet we still can’t educate and feed the world ….why is there no innovation there…its because everyone is too worried about entertaining themselves…its time people use tech to solve some real world issues .. maybe AI will help humans realize this fallacy and overcome it

[@erikkoning8795]

Solvable with: Starlink + Charitable Organizations + promoters and influencers working with those organizations

[@g6ter1]

the host's overly loud incessant laughter = nails on a chalkboard (good questions otherwise)

[@LetsPumpItUp]

If society doesn’t care if kids view things they really shouldn’t then don’t do anything with AI control. Just let it go

[@LetsPumpItUp]

But I don’t think we want that …so something serious has to be done with safeguarding kids from weird AI sh*t people will put out there

[@tuckerbugeater]

@@LetsPumpItUp constraints on kids always work

[@leifthorsen4040]

The future of long-form media is interactive content like games.