D2C / Webshops in Mobile Games

2024 has been the year where D2C webshops in F2P mobile games truly peaked as a transformative trend. This article focuses on giving a short status on what’s the current state of D2C, after which the weighting moves for predicting 2025 and future developments on this front.D2C / Webshops in 2024If you’re a developer or publisher and don't have D2C strategy — it’s time to catch up fast! The numbers and patterns show it clearly: webshops are no longer an experiment; they’re a critical layer for revenue and engagement, where developers and publishers are finally able to tackle platform fees for boosting up their margins.In 2024, it’s been fascinating to see how e-commerce elements have enhanced D2C. Compared to the static storefronts, we’ve seen a step in creating seamless experiences, as developers and publishers have been managed to get required […]

Antti Kananen December 25

Journal

Stakeholder and Executive Expectations Management in Iterative Development

Iterative development vs. business. How do we as an industry still tackle it wrongly most often? Where is the trust in real iterations?This article focuses on stakeholder and executive expectations management during iterative development and it’s partly a continuation post to my post about iterative game development (see more: https://gamesalchemy.substack.com/p/2-get-iterative-game-development): Business vs. Real and True Iterative DevelopmentOverall, trying to keep it a bit shorter this time; if we would follow right type of iterative approach, we shouldn't limit ourselves with the constraints of business too much. Yet, we do that by setting strict timelines, deadlines, budgets, and such — and, sometimes, even set in place strict game design documents, and similar things, to be followed madly beyond true iterative means. What is set in place, in this context, it is usually done by management, or team in collab. with management.Real […]

Antti Kananen December 23

Journal

Mobile MMOs: Innovation Opportunities in 2025

Mobile MMOs: Innovation Opportunities in 2025 🎮🌍 The mobile #MMO genre remains an interesting frontier, offering opportunities for creative disruption. While high barriers to entry deter newcomers, the potential for innovation—and rewards—makes it a ripe area for exploration. Trends to Look in Mobile MMOs:1. Lapsed and Underserved Audiences 👨‍🔧🗡️Western gamers who grew up on #MMOs like #WorldofWarcraft now face 'constraints' by life. #MobileMMOs designed for short, flexible play could attract these players, offering them nostalgic experiences in an accessible format. E.g., creating systems where players feel empowered without excessive grinding, such as streamlined progression mechanics inspired by lighter ARPGs, would be worth to be studied. Additioanlly, MMOs can be mixed with open and non-open design, making them light while retaining key elements.2. Eastern Market vs. Western Market 📉📈MMOs flourish in Asian markets, where habits are around long sessions and intricate […]

Antti Kananen December 18

Journal

Mobile Gaming Industry: Innovation, Reinvention, and Growth

The Mobile Gaming Industry: Innovation, Reinvention, and Growth 🌟 We are living through a transformative phase in the #gamingindustry where a series of converging trends are reshaping how #mobilegames are developed, distributed, and sustained. Over the past couple years only, these changes have sparked new opportunities and challenges, setting the stage for continued growth in 2025 and beyond. If you think about it, it's pretty amazing how fast everything has evolved. Here are few things we've seen:1. High-Velocity and Emergent Innovation 🌟🚀The rise of #hybridcasual and emergent #puzzlegames games over the past few years ignited a wave of fast-paced innovation. This momentum has given birth to genres like #Match3D, while hybrid casual games are evolving towards deeper meta systems and social features. These games are no longer just fleeting experiences—they are transforming into experiences with sustained engagement, blending casual accessibility […]

Antti Kananen December 9

Journal

Match 3D Puzzle Games: A Bright Future for 2025 🧩

Match 3D Puzzle Games: A Bright Future for 2025 🧩🌟 The #Match3D puzzle game segment continues to dominate, showcasing resilience and strong growth in both revenue and downloads. According to AppMagic (Source, titles such as Triple Match 3D by Boombox Games, Match Factory! by Peak, and Match 3D by Lion Studios have established themselves as leaders by combining engaging #puzzlegame mechanics with good-fitting meta-features. These games have not only captivated casual players but also maintained their positions as high-performing titles in #mobilegames markets.Why They’re ThrivingMatch 3D games succeed because they tap into core player motivations—simplicity, relaxation, escapism, and mental stimulation—while layering on exciting advancements:🎯 Dynamic Refreshment: Regular updates with fresh content ensure players stay engaged.🏆 Progression Systems: Unlockable themes, collectibles, and personalized upgrades create a sense of accomplishment.🤝 Community Play: Asynchronous leaderboards and challenges foster a sense of competition and […]

Antti Kananen December 4

Journal

Revolutionizing Puzzle Games with Equity and Power

Revolutionizing Puzzle Games with Equity and Power 🧩🚀 The casual puzzle game genre, led by e.g., Gardenscapes, Travel Town, and Gossip Harbor, has captured players through engaging #gameplay and #metagame layers like narrative-driven building and progression. These #games thrive on escapism and relaxation, offering players a rewarding way to pass the time. What if these experiences evolved to give players a world to escape with equity and power that transforms their time into meaningful value?The Next Step: Equity and Power!Casual #puzzlegames are ripe for innovation, by introducing systems where players build equity in the world—something tangible that contributes to ownership, power, and progress on both. While narrative and builder tie-ins are excellent, they miss a deeper layer that ties progress to "power" in a way that fundamentally enhances the #UX.For example:🏗️💪 Imagine a #mergegame or #match3 #mobilegame where every successful goal met […]

Antti Kananen November 29

Journal

What’s Next for Puzzle RPGs? 🧩

What’s Next for Puzzle RPGs? 🧩⚔️ The Puzzle RPG genre has been a stalwart of mobile gaming, blending engaging puzzle mechanics with RPG depth. Titles like Empires & Puzzles by Small Giant Games and Zynga, as well as Puzzle & Dragons, have set high benchmarks according to AppMagic / (source: https://lnkd.in/dsKzjNda). Empires & Puzzles, for instance, still rakes in approx. $10M per month via IAPs, bolstered further by its #webshop presence. These #games exemplify longevity and profitability in this segment.While the classics thrive, the market has not really seen new launches. The last significant entry I recall was Call of Antia, which launched with promise, leveraging a polished outlook and clever takes. Despite strong start, it didn’t reach the revenue and download heights of top games.What does the next big #PuzzleRPG need to look like to succeed? Here are a few ideas that could redefine […]

Antti Kananen November 28

Journal

Next Billion-Dollar Merge Games: Innovation Meets Depth

The Next Billion-Dollar Merge Games: Innovation Meets Depth 🚀🧩 Merge games have proven their staying power with Travel Town and Gossip Harbor blending grid management with narrative-driven building layers. In terms of the future, the next hits could emerge by leveraging key vectors in #gamesdesign and #systemsdesign that are theme-independent, appealing to female, male, and mixed audiences:🏗️📊 Simulation and Tycoon MechanicsImagine SimCity, Railroad Tycoon, or RollerCoaster Tycoon fused with #mergegames #gameplay. Adding tycoon-like depth could revolutionize Merge, offering strategic, long-term #engagement.--> Travel Town’s city-building layer could expand into dynamic economies, where merging fuels resource generation and upgrades.--> Ability to draw in players seeking meaningful, management-driven progression, boosting #retention and #LTV; and/or teaching this to existing players. 👪🕹️ Life Sims #Games like BitLife, Business Empire: RichMan, and Pick Me Up - Idle inspire the potential synergy between life sims and merge, […]

Antti Kananen November 22

Journal

Hexa Sort Segment: Growth, Challenges, and Lessons

Hexa Sort Segment: Growth, Challenges, and Lessons from the Top 🚀 The HexaSort segment, led by Hexa Sort by Lion Studios, remains as a promising casual puzzle genre. While other segments like Nuts & Bolts show clear signs of churn, AppMagic data suggests this one has room.Hexa Sort: The Leader:Hexa Sort stands as the king of the hill, leading in IAP revenue and likely Ads revenue. Its success lies in its balanced, well-planned UX, tying engagement directly to monetization:🎮🧪 Dopamine-driven gameplay encourages positive reviews, rewarded video views, and currency use, blending monetization with user satisfaction.💰 ⚙️ This game design drives strong monetization while maintaining engagement in controlled manner, setting it apart in the genre against copycats.The Copycat Dilemma:Unlike the declining Nuts & Bolts segment, where excessive copycats have churned retention and revenue across the whole segment, affecting also the best […]

Antti Kananen November 21

Journal

Why Rovio Could be Poison to SEGA

Why Rovio Entertainment Could be Poison to SEGA—and How They Can Fix It. Rovio’s golden days with Angry Birds are gone. A look at AppMagic reveals the story: churning downloads, revenue, and MAUs. Latest bets on high-risk, high-cost titles—e.g., Angry Birds Journey and Bloom City Match—are poorly positioned to catch emerging trends or gain traction in competitive genres like puzzles.The Problem: Stuck in the Past.Rovio is slow to adapt to fast-paced mobile games market. They aren’t leaning on commercial or scientific processes to evaluate opportunities in new, high-potential genres. Instead, they continue to 2x on categories where e.g., King, Playrix, and Dream Games dominate.Take Bloom City Match. It’s dropped into the most competitive puzzle games segment, crowded with competition. It’s a high-risk bet in a category with high CPIs, churned-out cohorts, and a shrinking ROAS profile. And while Angry Birds […]

Antti Kananen November 20

Journal

Making a Nuts & Bolts Game? Think again!

Thinking about making a Nuts & Bolts game? Think again! 🧩🎮 The market may look appealing, but you should really rethink! Quick analysis from AppMagic paints a clear picture; the genre has seen its peak, and is now on a downward trajectory:From Q4/23 to Jul-Aug/24, the market saw fast growth, peaking in downloads and revenue. Now the story is different:➕ Downloads: A steep decline, driven by a churning retention profile, rising CPIs due to saturation, and a weakening ROAS profile.📉 Retention: Significant drops as competitive pressure and squeezed monetization strategies leave players disengaged.📊 DAUs: Daily Active Users have seen a dip, as retention and monetization strategies falter.💰 Revenue: Revenue has slowed across the segment as all compounds.Issues with Current Strategies:Games like Wood Screw Puzzle have ridden the wave but are now paying the price for short-term strategies. Aggressive Ad Monetization […]

Antti Kananen November 19

Journal

Sharable Moments of Joy: New Formula to Viral Game Design?

Creating "(Shareable) Moments of Joy": The New Formula to Viral and Socially Engaging Game Design? 🎮✨ In future's gaming landscape, simply delivering a high-quality game isn't always enough. With players craving more shareable, social experiences, developers need to consider how to foster “moments of joy”—gameplay that not only excites players but also encourages them to share, stream, and engage in a more community-driven way.Here’s where emergent gameplay and social mechanics come into play:📸 Encourage Shareable Moments:Players love to showcase unique, fun, or funny moments, especially in games that emphasize co-op or PvP elements. Designing gameplay that lends itself to unexpected, high-stakes, or humorous scenarios can help spark these moments. Imagine scenarios where players can collaborate or compete in ways that lead to share-worthy outcomes, encouraging organic social sharing.🤝 Create Cooperative and Social Experiences:Rather than pushing individual achievements, fostering co-op gameplay […]

Antti Kananen November 11

Antti Kananen

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