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Multiplayer Mini-games on Playables by YouTube

Available for just 2 titles now. YouTube expands how you can interact with games on its free in-app platform, Playables. They announced that users can now try out a multi-player function that allows them to game with other players in real time. However, that doesn't extend to YouTube Playables' entire 100-plus catalogue of titles. "We’re beginning to test a new multiplayer feature for a few select games on YouTube Playables. Multiplayer on Playables lets you play games in real-time with other users," YouTube said in a release. "We're just getting started testing out new features for YouTube Playables with more to come in the future." Now, multiplayer is available on two games, Ludo Club and Magic Tiles 3, on both desktop and mobile devices. They first announced Playables in September 2023 and it was originally available to select participants before expanding to all […]

Ömer Yakabagi December 10

Journal

Top 10 Word Games

We helped a Top-10-grossing Word game achieve +38% IAP ARPDAU lift. 🚀 Here's how. 1. 30-factor analysis of the product, competitors, internal data, and our vault of 750 prior experiments.2. ID'ed 8 key initiatives, from larger list of 50+, by estimated ROAS lift per unit effort.3. Embedded deeply with the team (on / offsite) to product manage dev and split-testing (this is where clients tell us we feel more like team-members than 'consultants' 😅)Of 8 initiatives:• 2 drove double-digit ARPDAU lifts• 3 drove single-digit lift• 3 didn't move the needleThis was an ideal team for us to work with. They were:• small (under 50 people)• very strong design (chops & leadership)• lacking a Product Management team with 100+ games experienceAs a result they had a product that was high-performing despite having plenty of low-hanging fruit for an experienced Product Manager […]

Matthew Emery December 10

Journal

How Narrative Pipeline in Game Dev Works

As a Narrative Producer, I was responsible for a narrative of a dozen games. Here's how the narrative pipeline in game development works:1 🎮 Start with the Game Concept • Define the genre, platforms, target audience, and core mechanics. • Establish the unique selling points (USPs) and the game loop.2 📖 Develop the Synopsis • Create a brief overview of the story (1-2 pages). • Use a three-act structure to outline the main plot, characters, and story arc.3 💡 Write the Logline • Condense the story into 2-3 sentences. • Highlight the protagonist, goal, and conflict.4 🌍 Dive into Worldbuilding • Design the game’s setting. • Focus on elements that shape the story, characters, and gameplay.5 👤 Character Passports & Speech • Define character backstories, motivations, and traits. • Develop unique speech patterns and sample dialogue.6 🗺️ Build a Story […]

Anton Slashcev December 10

Journal

Game Publishers: Hyper to Hybrid Casual

12 mobile game publishers are known with massive downloads, I highlighted their hybrid casual journey on last 2 years. Rollic seems to be dominating on both regions.Followed by Lion Studios. It’s a tight race.Voodoo has dominated overall Revenue.While Rollic and Abi Game Studios are just below.Massive download numbers by Say and Azur,Are sign on missed opportunities on in app purchases.Say Games tend to stay right in the middle, Drawing the Avg. line among others.Kwalee and Supersonic are not in trouble,They just rely on in game advertising, still…Home and Tapnation revenue and downloadNumbers dont look bright, at all.

Gökhan Üzmez December 10

Journal

Teamwork Meets FOMO in Royal Kingdom

💡 Teamwork Meets FOMO in Royal Kingdom 💡 Royal Kingdom by Dream Games has added an interesting nudge to encourage Kingdom Pass purchases. When a teammate buys the pass, everyone on the team gets a small gift 🎁, and you also see who bought it and who the gift is from. 👀This creates a mix of [social proof] and [peer pressure]: 👉 You see others buying the pass and feel the subtle urge to join in. 👉 You know your purchase benefits the team, adding an altruistic spin. 👉 It highlights who bought the pass, making it harder to resist and avoid feeling left out. It’s a clever mix of psychology and monetization—rewarding players and driving engagement at the same time. 🧠💰

Michael Kopelovich December 10

Journal

Game Iteration Success

Early bird doesn’t catch the worm, smart one does!Best match3D game was released the latest! How? Best match-3D Game was released late 2023,The last release on the top 10 list. Made by,A mobile puzzle game developer, Peak Games.Known with Toon Blast and Toy Blast.Now, they added another game to the Top Lists:Match Factory! How did they do it?✦ Data Driven Design Decisions,✦ Gameplay first mentality,✦ Experience, art and..✦ Level design..70% of the game comes from already exiting games.They didn't re-invent the wheel, no need to.20% was something the team could do BETTER.Level design, UX, overall flow of the game.They have mastered this over the years.They literally show off here...10% ? Well that was something new.

Gökhan Üzmez December 9

Journal

Infinity Nikki takes the mobile gaming world by storm!

💫 Infinity Nikki has taken the mobile gaming world by storm! ✨ After a cozy weekend playing Infinity Nikki, I really think it nails the cosy games trend perfectly. It’s all about peaceful exploration, crafting outfits, and getting lost in a beautiful world. No action-packed chaos in sight, just pure, chill vibes.Here’s why it's in the Top 3 iOS Apps Worldwide:🌸 Targeted experience: designed with women in mind.🌸 Chill gameplay: no intense battles, just a relaxing experience.🌸 Stunning visuals: Unreal Engine 5 really brings the world to life, even on my iPad Mini!🌸 Strong IP: from Nikki UP2U released in 2012, to Love Nikki - Dress Up Queen (100M installs, $285M revenue) and Shining Nikki - Fashion Makeover ($400M+ since 2019).🌸 Looots of rewards: the game was built with Eastern players in mind, so lot of menus, rewards, and dopamine […]

Julie Tonna December 9

Highlights

Mobile Gaming Today: 38

What special wishes are you hoping Santa will grant for you this Christmas? 🎅 Hmm 🎄 To make profitable games in this market? ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ Soooo, what’s hot here? 🔥 Bon Appetit: » Mobile Game Leaders: November 2024 Data & Trends: That’s us, friends. Lezgo 👇🏻 Mobile Marketing » Capybara GO Global Launch UA Case Study 🇺🇸 US Only Soft-launch: Top Girl’s $80K/Day 🧩 Smart Monetization for Hard Levels in Match-3 😈 11 Sins of Mobile Marketing: Growth Audits 🥷🏿 UGC: Organic Trends for Paid Campaigns 🐷 Coin Master’s Build-Your-Own Offers! 🌊 Ad Flow in Sticker Book by Lion Studios 🎄 Dressed Up your Game for Christmas? 🌀 Twisted Tangle’s Smart Monetization ❓ 4 Important Questions on FTUE 🤖 How to Leverage AI in ASO? Industry Highlights » CookieRun Meets India, Black Desert Exits China ☃️ 2025 Mobile Ad Tech Predictions […]

Gamigion December 9

Journal

Useful Rewarded Video insights

Useful Rewarded Video insights, based on Unity data Some takeaways:- To achieve optimal RV CV, aim for 15-20 placements (❗️)- Gachified opportunities are highest converting- Realtime action gameplay genres, broadly, drive lower RV volume than turn or move-based gameplay- Maximum RV depth might be achieved via Casino or Word game w/ 15+ placements.

Matthew Emery December 9

Journal

To launch a new F2P Mobile studio in 2024

To launch a new F2P Mobile studio in 2024, fundraising requires a unique hypothesis on how to reach market viability.If aiming for top-100 grossing, first principles would suggest three possible paths, each a solution for the same problem: profitable distribution:3 Paths:1) Quality First: Build a game so original / innovative that it distributes itself (Supercell strategy)2) CPI First: Identify a novel distribution path / hack, tailor product for it (Capybara Go, Monopoly GO)3) Operations First: Build / operate with incomparable scale, product scope, efficiency (Tencent)Recent raises by Bit Odd and Antihero seem squarely in the #1 camp. Can this still work?Is there still ample space for pathway #1 to overcome #2-#3 in the current mobile market?

Matthew Emery December 9

Journal

FTUE Guide For Casual Games

FTUE Guide For Casual Games Based on the Playliner research, here are key takeaways from studying FTUE of 30 top games:1. Gameplay:• Primary mechanics are introduced right away, ensuring clarity.• Early levels are easy, helping players build confidence.• 33% include bonus levels for added fun and rewards.2. Onboarding:• Tutorials usually span the first four levels, providing gradual instructions.• Core gameplay-focused games teach mechanics directly, while meta-progression games tie them into the story.3. Mechanics:• 1-4 new mechanics are added progressively to avoid overwhelming players.• Boosters appear later (level 7 and 9), showcasing advanced strategies.4. Progression:• Players experience a 99%+ win rate early on, reinforcing positive feedback.• Most games push players through 15-20 levels in the first 30 minutes.• Meta-progression games offer early milestones to highlight meaningful progress.5. Monetization:• Ads are avoided during the first session to keep players immersed.• Free rewards, […]

Anton Slashcev December 9

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

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