Ex-Play: A Game Changer from the Gaming Vertical to Cross-Vertical Competition Winner!

 
By Tomer Zitser, Raz Cohen, Moshe Omri Sakkal, and Jeremy Vaygue

Over the past semester, we had an amazing journey as part of the Gaming Vertical sponsored by Playtika.
Our team, Ex-Play, set out to solve a big challenge in gaming—player retention. With the guidance of our mentors, Yariv Lissauer and Tomer Swisa, we worked hard to shape our idea, build a strong pitch, and present it in front of industry leaders.

The journey led us to the Cross-Vertical Pitch Competition, where we were chosen as one of nine finalists out of 50 teams—and we won! Competing against top teams from different fields, we showcased how Ex-Play could make gaming more engaging by allowing players to exchange in-game currency across different games. This means more flexibility for players and better retention for game developers.

As part of the Playtika Gaming Vertical, we got an inside look at the entire gaming ecosystem. We visited Playtika HQ, learned about data visualization, engaged with key players in the Israeli gaming industry, and explored fascinating case studies—from FarmVille’s social gaming story to Pokémon Go’s AR revolution. These insights helped us shape Ex-Play into a venture that truly addresses real challenges in the gaming world.

Standing in front of a panel of industry experts to pitch our idea was both nerve-wracking and exciting. But this experience taught us how to tell a compelling story, use data to back up our claims, and present a strong business case. We’re excited to keep refining our idea and exploring ways to bring it to life. A huge thank you to our mentors, Playtika, the Adelson School of Entrepreneurship, and everyone who supported us along the way.

We did it! 🎮 🏆