How does a Live Ops system work?

How does a Live Ops system work? Here’s a breakdown, based on the Playliner research:1. Offers 💰 • Starter packs, season passes, and rolling deals. • Monetize player defeats and the desire to speed up progress.2. New content 🎉 • Themed, seasonal, and late-game updates. • Keeps gameplay fresh and incentivizes players to explore further.3. Mini-games 🎮 • Fun additions like treasure hunts or Plinko. • Add variety and unlock new monetization opportunities.4. Win streaks 🔥 • Create FOMO and loss aversion. • Motivate players to extend sessions and chase bonuses.5. Task-based events ✅ • Daily quests, challenges, and milestone rewards. • Provide short- and long-term goals to keep players grinding.6. Tournaments 🏆 • Solo, team, and weekly competitions. • Heighten excitement, especially when competing with friends.7. Time-limited bonuses ⏳ • Extra lives, reduced costs, or double rewards. • Drive […]

Anton Slashcev November 22

Journal

Mobile Game Retention Cheatsheet

Mobile Game Retention Cheatsheet Here is a breakdown:---- 𝗜. 𝗦𝗵𝗼𝗿𝘁-𝗧𝗲𝗿𝗺 𝗥𝗲𝘁𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 (𝗗𝗮𝘆 𝟭-𝟯) ----Make a powerful first impression. 1. Onboarding • Introduce key features clearly. • Use tutorials with minimal cognitive load. • Set clear objectives and encourage immediate actions. • Strategically place first paywalls. 2. First Impressions • Prioritize readability and intuitive UI/UX. • Focus on graphics, art style, and juiciness (animations and feedback). • Ensure smooth game performance. • Hook players with a compelling story. 3. Core Gameplay Loop • Make gameplay fun and engaging with easy-to-understand rules. • Offer early rewards to build momentum. • Optimize session lengths to avoid fatigue. ---- 𝗜𝗜. 𝗠𝗶𝗱-𝗧𝗲𝗿𝗺 𝗥𝗲𝘁𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 (𝗗𝗮𝘆 𝟯-𝟯𝟬) ---- Add depth to maintain engagement. 1. Game Depth • Provide variety in strategies and introduce new mechanics. • Include side quests and secondary activities. 2. Live-Ops • Plan frequent […]

Anton Slashcev November 21

Journal

$1B Playbook behind Royal Match success.

The $1B Playbook behind Royal Match success. Here’s the breakdown of their Live Ops strategy: 𝟭. 🏆 𝗧𝗼𝘂𝗿𝗻𝗮𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘀 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗽𝗲𝘁𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻: • Weekly Contest Challenge (full-week tournament) https://lnkd.in/e7rC3yWR • King’s Cup (2-day midweek tournament) https://lnkd.in/eu-YfraP • Sky Race (3-day end-of-week race) https://lnkd.in/eMwbwwuy • Lightning Rush (fast-paced 1-hour tournament) https://lnkd.in/eajrD8iR • Archery Arena (daily weekend tournament) https://lnkd.in/eRajA8Y7 𝟮. 🤝 𝗧𝗲𝗮𝗺 𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘀 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝗻𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻: • Team Treasure (weekly rotating team event) https://lnkd.in/eWV7BXdc • Team Tournament (weekly rotating team event) https://lnkd.in/eEiFwW7p • Dragon Nest (co-op team event inspired by Monopoly) https://lnkd.in/eE4_PNai 𝟯. 🎲 𝗠𝗶𝗻𝗶-𝗴𝗮𝗺𝗲𝘀 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝘃𝗮𝗿𝗶𝗲𝘁𝘆: • Hidden Temple (4-day midweek treasure-digging mini-game) https://lnkd.in/eQkHtKvS • Duke’s Fortune (slot machine mini-game, 3 days) https://lnkd.in/eJ2mmFZe • Magic Cauldron (potion-making mini-game, 3 days) https://lnkd.in/eh6ACvX4 𝟰. 🏅 𝗠𝗶𝗹𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗼𝗻𝗲 𝗿𝗲𝘄𝗮𝗿𝗱𝘀 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗲𝗻𝗴𝗮𝗴𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁: • Mission Control (4-day milestone event) https://lnkd.in/eDsdQYpm• Mission Pursuit (3-day milestone event) https://lnkd.in/egWaAGNC • Book of Treasures […]

Anton Slashcev November 20

Journal

What to do if your game has low retention?

What to do if your game has low retention? I teamed up with Mykola Veremiev to make a decision tree for your game.If your game is struggling, ask these questions: 1. Is the FTUE completion rate high? 2. Are players engaged with the core loop? 3. Are paywalls causing drop-offs? 4. Are there difficulty spikes? 5. Is the player funnel strong? 6. Is the game technically stable? 7. Do players have clear long-term goals? 8. Are players pursuing those goals? 9. Is feedback on gameplay positive? 10. Does your team still believe in the vision? Depending on the answers, you have 3 paths: • 🔁 Iterate: Minor fixes can boost retention. • ↩ Pivot: Core gameplay has potential but lacks depth. • ☠ Kill: Systemic issues with no clear solution. Use data to guide your decisions. Iterate, pivot, or cut […]

Anton Slashcev November 19

Journal

From Hyper to Hybrid Casual: Mob Control Playbook

From Hyper to Hybrid Casual: The Mob Control Playbook I partnered with Playliner to analyze the evolution of Mob Control.In 2021, Mob Control was a typical hyper-casual game. ↳ Simple mechanics. ↳ Minimal progression. ↳ Ad-heavy monetization. Revenue? $10K in monthly IAP. Fast forward to 2024, it’s a top hybrid-casual game. → Now pulling in $2.5M per month. Here’s how they made the leap: 1. Production Quality2021: Generic, low-quality visuals. 2024: Polished, unique assets with smooth UI and engaging effects. 2. Gameplay Depth2021: Fun core mechanic but repetitive. 2024: New elements and modes introduced gradually. The game stays fresh and engaging. 3. Live Ops 2021: No live events. 2024: Tournaments, seasonal events, and big IP collabs (e.g., Transformers). 4. Meta & Progression 2021: Basic upgrades with minimal impact. 2024: Deep progression systems. Unit upgrades, abilities, and meaningful choices bring mid-core […]

Anton Slashcev November 18

Journal

TOP 3 Long-term Retention Champions

Retention is king. Here are the TOP 3 long-term retention champions, according to AppMagic: 1. HONOR OF KINGS• D90 Retention: 15% • Genre: Brawl/MOBA • Daily Active Users (DAU): 574k • Revenue per Download Tier-1: $37.5 • Secret to retention: Constant updates with new heroes and events, plus a thriving competitive scene. Players stay for the dynamic gameplay and strong social connections. 2. ROBLOX• D90 Retention: 14% • Genre: Simulation/Sandbox • DAU: 33M • Revenue per Download Tier-1: $12.8 • Secret to retention: User-generated content and social interactions. Players create, share, and explore countless experiences, fostering endless engagement. 3. GARDENSCAPES• D90 Retention: 13% • Genre: Match-3 with Meta • DAU: 4.9M • Revenue per Download Tier-1: $17.6 • Secret to retention: A perfect blend of puzzles, emotional storytelling, and immersive garden decoration. Regular updates and rewards keep players motivated. What’s […]

Anton Slashcev November 18

Journal

10 Ways To Get Your Game Funded

In recent years, I've secured funding for 6 different projects. Here are 10 funding options to bring your game to life:---- 1. PUBLISHERS ----• Funding: $50k to several million• Terms: Revenue share, milestone payments, creative control clauses• PC/Console Publishers - https://lnkd.in/eXpN_nve• Mobile Publishers - https://lnkd.in/eFrqyyWh---- 2. VC INVESTORS ----• Funding: $300k to $10M+• Terms: Equity stake, convertible notes, valuation-based funding• List of VCs Investing in Games - https://lnkd.in/eExR25kB---- 3. ANGEL INVESTORS ----• Funding: $10k to $500k• Terms: Early equity, advisory roles• Top Angel Investors (Shizune) - https://lnkd.in/edy-UVy3• Playcap - https://www.playcap.gg/---- 4. ACCELERATORS ----• Funding: $20k to $150k+• Terms: Equity for funding, demo day presentations• Accelerators List - https://lnkd.in/eHY5acAg• Incubator List - https://lnkd.in/ehW4qwPu---- 5. CORPORATE GRANTS ----• Funding: $5k to $500k• Terms: Non-repayable funds, reporting requirements• Epic MegaGrants - https://lnkd.in/eq-FTZsQ• Indie Fund - https://indie-fund.com/• Games for Change Grant - https://lnkd.in/egUEbe8d---- 6. […]

Anton Slashcev November 15

Journal

Which game engine should you choose for your game?

Which game engine should you choose for your game? Here’s a breakdown of the top 10 game engines in 2024:1. Unreal Engine🔹 Complexity: High🔹 Price: $$🔹 Pros: AAA graphics, photorealistic rendering, robust tools.🔹 Cons: Steep learning curve, not optimized for low-end devices.🔹 Best for high-end 3D games on PC and consoles.2. Unity🔹 Complexity: Medium🔹 Price: $$$🔹 Pros: Versatile 2D/3D support, cross-platform deployment, huge asset store.🔹 Cons: High licensing fees, some features gated.🔹 Best for indie to mid-size games, mobile, and VR/AR projects.3. Godot Engine🔹 Complexity: Low to Medium🔹 Price: Free🔹 Pros: Open-source, lightweight, node-based architecture.🔹 Cons: Limited 3D features, fewer third-party tools.🔹 Best for indie developers, 2D games, and learning projects.4. GameMaker🔹 Complexity: Low🔹 Price: $🔹 Pros: Drag-and-drop interface, custom scripting with GML, great for rapid prototyping.🔹 Cons: Limited for complex games, paid export modules.🔹 Best for beginners, 2D indie […]

Anton Slashcev November 14

Journal

I analyzed 19,977 new mobile games launched in 2024.

I analyzed 19,977 new mobile games launched in 2024. Based on AppMagic data, here is how they performed:𝗞𝗲𝘆 𝗦𝘁𝗮𝘁𝘀 • $3.1B in IAP revenue — only 5% of total mobile game revenue • 5.5B downloads — representing 9.7% of all game downloads 𝗥𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗻𝘂𝗲 𝗗𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗿𝗶𝗯𝘂𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 • Only 1.9% of games made over $1M • 62% earned $0• Success in mobile gaming is rare 𝗧𝗼𝗽 𝗴𝗲𝗻𝗿𝗲𝘀 𝗯𝘆 𝗿𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗻𝘂𝗲: 1. RPG: $2B IAP revenue | 7.2% success rate • Top new apps of the genre: https://lnkd.in/epWcqxe72. Strategy: $352M | 3.8% success rate • Top new apps of the genre: https://lnkd.in/e4k7N2Sc3. Shooter: $38M | 2.3% success rate • Top new apps of the genre: https://lnkd.in/eMBmFEyf𝗗𝗼𝘄𝗻𝗹𝗼𝗮𝗱 𝗜𝗻𝘀𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁𝘀 • Only 1.3% of games surpassed 5M+ downloads • 38.5% didn’t even hit 10k downloads 𝗧𝗼𝗽 𝗴𝗲𝗻𝗿𝗲𝘀 𝗯𝘆 𝗱𝗼𝘄𝗻𝗹𝗼𝗮𝗱𝘀: 1. Simulation: 1B downloads | 10.2% success rate • […]

Anton Slashcev November 13

Journal

Top 10 Social Features in Casual Games

The Top 10 Social Features in Casual Games Based on the Playliner research, here are the most popular social features: 1. Clans/Teams Players can join or create teams to unlock several benefits: • Exchange lives every 4 hours • Chat with teammates • Compete on team leaderboards • Earn rewards by helping others 2. Friends Interactions with friends are key: • Add or remove friends • Invite friends and get rewards • Send and receive gifts • Play mini-games or joint events 3. Leaderboards & Rankings Competition thrives with rankings: • Global and regional leaderboards • Team Ranking: Based on total levels completed • Player Ranking: Tracks individual progress 4. Tournaments • Players collect tokens to climb leaderboards and win prizes when the event ends. 5. Weekly Contests A week-long challenge: • Earn points by completing new levels • Top […]

Anton Slashcev November 13

Journal

20 traps that ruin your Live Ops & How to Avoid

20 traps that ruin your Live Ops (and how to avoid it) I teamed up with Sergei Vasiuk to break down the most common mistakes in Live Ops and share tips on how to improve them.• Trends• Events• Whales• Failures• Metrics• Content• Updates• Paywalls• Feedback• Segments• A/B Testing• Community• Progression• Onboarding• Radio Silent• Past Success• Monetization• Tech Performance• Customer Support• Cultural RelevanceThese elements combine to satisfy players.It's where design meets player satisfaction.It’s not about perfection ↳ it’s about continuous improvement.That’s the mark of a truly great game.A standard we can all aim for.

Anton Slashcev November 11

Journal

350+ feature references from the top 100 mobile games.

I've collected 350+ feature references from the top 100 mobile games. What's inside:🎮 FTUE (First Time User Experience)🎟️ Season Pass🎁 Daily Bonus🔥 Starter Pack🛒 Shop🏆 Win/Lose Screens📖 Storytelling...and much moreHow to get it:1. Comment 'references' below.2. Add me as a connection so I can DM you.3. I'll send you the link to the Figma board → Duplicate and use it as you wish.References are gathered using the Playliner platform.

Anton Slashcev November 8

Anton Slashcev

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