Second City Works presents "Getting to Yes, And" Getting to Yes, And… | Bastian Bergmann – ‘Gaming is Serious Business’
Dec 9, 2025
Bastian Bergmann, co-founder and COO of Solston and author of Press Play, explores why play matters for business. He discusses gaming as a major modern touchpoint, how brands like Burberry use virtual goods, and why companies must prototype and rethink old marketing playbooks. Short, provocative takes on gaming demographics, creative risk, and cultural impact.
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Play Is The Human Learning Engine
- Play is a core human learning mechanism that persists from toddlers to adults.
- Bastian Bergmann explains video games are a digital manifestation of play and therefore capture attention and learning power.
Gaming Is A Global Mainstream Activity
- Gaming is massive and diverse, not the teenage-basement stereotype.
- Bastian cites ~3.5 billion players and that 84% of internet users play, spanning ages up to 80+.
Burberry Sold Out Virtual Characters In 22 Seconds
- Burberry entered the game Blankos with 750 limited characters and a virtual clothing line.
- The 750 characters sold out in 22 seconds, netting over $220,000 and cracking Burberry into a new demographic.
