The Secret Behind Royal Match’s $4M a Day

Warning ☢️ Heavy Game Design post ahead 😁 Royal Match's 👑 event metagame system has become not only the golden standard for level based games, but its a must have driver for monetization 💸. All the top casual games use it such as Monopoly GO, Match Factory, All in Hole, HexaSort, etc. Why it is so exceptional? The beauty of this system is that it is not dependent on core gameplay. Usually, it needs just a level-based setup, but even Monopoly GO, which isn't level-based, uses it in an iterated form 🛠️. The main purpose of the system is to put incentives and time pressure towards playing the main core gameplay. This increases engagement time as surely you won't go away now if there are just 10 minutes ⏳ left in the event. It also reinforces playing the core and […]

Jakub Remiar March 14

Highlights

Tripledot’s Big Gamble on nearly $1B Acquisition

𝗗𝗜𝗚𝗘𝗦𝗧 𝗢𝗥 𝗗𝗜𝗘: 𝗧𝗿𝗶𝗽𝗹𝗲𝗱𝗼𝘁’𝘀 𝗕𝗶𝗴 𝗚𝗮𝗺𝗯𝗹𝗲 Tripledot’s nearly $1B acquisition of Applovin's studios is a massive gamble but reflects the shrinking pool in the hyper-to-hybrid publisher game. With this move, Tripledot radically shifts from 1% IAP to majority reliance. Meanwhile, peers like Voodoo and Homa slug through slow hyper-to-hybrid transitions. Rather than incremental growth, Tripledot opted for transformative growth overnight, betting they will learn, grow, and wield a zoo of studios and genres. Tripledot's filings reveal an astounding 98% ad revenue share, which brought in over $300M last year. Yet margins languished at a frustrating 15%, explaining the strategic necessity of shifting toward IAP and hybridcasual for better cost leverage and valuations. This is another reminder that gaming's unique economics differ significantly from traditional subscription models like Netflix or even software more broadly.Eric Seufert’s recent "Economics of Mobile Gaming" highlights […]

Phillip Black March 14

Highlights

€200K Investment by Project Europe Investors

Welcome, Project Europe. The group includes Supercell boss Ilkka Paananen, Spyke Games’ Rina Onur Sirinoglu, Tripledot’s Akin Babayigit, Ex-King leaders Riccardo Zacconi, Sebastian Knutson, and Stephane Kurgan, Unity’s David Helgason, and more. Full list of the Investors here. Manifesto Project Europe aims to drive European innovation. It does not follow any existing political movements and will remain independent of political parties and ideologies. A core pillar of Project Europe is to encourage the next generation to take greater risks and make entrepreneurship a worthwhile endeavour in Europe. Project Europe Founders can move their businesses outside of Europe or build a remote organisation across continents; our aim is to nurture the creation of tech companies with European roots. The vision for Project Europe is that it becomes an independent organisation promoting entrepreneurship at the grassroots level with more founders and partners […]

Gamigion March 13

Highlights

Netflix Games loses its VP Gen AI

Netflix Games & AI: A Fumbled Play? As reported by VentureBeat, five months after Netflix Games went all-in on Gen AI, its biggest champion, Mike Verdu, has exited the stage. His sudden departure raises serious doubts about the company’s long-term commitment to the tech. Verdu was all in on the AI revolution. His LinkedIn post announcing his role dripped with excitement, likening this moment to the 90s gaming boom when each new release shattered expectations. “We’re back to those days of seemingly unlimited potential and the rapid pace of innovation,” he wrote. But enthusiasm aside, he never quite nailed down exactly how AI would transform Netflix’s gaming efforts, especially as the industry wrestled with layoffs and skepticism. Without Verdu at the helm, Netflix’s AI-powered gaming vision feels adrift. There’s no announced successor, no clear roadmap, just uncertainty. Meanwhile, the company’s […]

Gamigion March 13

Highlights

Scopely to acquire Niantic’s Games, including Pokémon GO!

$3.5B deal is official now! Scopely, the U.S.’s top mobile games company, is set to acquire Niantic’s games business, bringing "Pokémon GO," "Pikmin Bloom," and "Monster Hunter Now" into its portfolio. This move strengthens Scopely’s commitment to community-driven play, expanding its reach to over half a billion players in 2024. Massive Growth and Engagement Niantic’s games boast over 30 million MAUs and generated $1 billion+ in revenue in 2024. "Pokémon GO" remains a global juggernaut, ranking in the top 10 mobile games yearly since 2016, with 100M+ unique players in 2024. The combined portfolio will create one of the largest player communities in the world. Last Week: 3.5$ Billion Deal: Pokémon Go maker Niantic to Sell its Games Division Scopely’s Vision for the Future Scopely, known for "MONOPOLY GO!," "Stumble Guys," and "MARVEL Strike Force," aims to enhance the longevity […]

Ömer Yakabagi March 12

Highlights

Applivery Secures Strategic Investment from Supercell

Cloud-based app distribution powerhouse Applivery has landed a strategic investment from Supercell. The funding will accelerate Applivery’s mission to enhance device and software management across Android, Apple & Windows platforms. A Perfect Match “At Applivery, we empower companies with seamless, secure control over their devices and apps,” said CEO César Trigo. “Supercell’s trust in our technology validates our vision and fuels our drive to push innovation even further.” Supercell’s Developer Services Lead, Vadim Liman, echoed the enthusiasm: “The Applivery team has built something remarkable. As we sought a trusted partner in app distribution, Applivery stood out. We’re excited to deepen our partnership and support their growth.” Supercell’s Head of Investments, Jaakko Harlas, added: “This collaboration is off to a fantastic start. Investing in Applivery was the natural next step—we believe in their vision and are eager to support them on […]

Ömer Yakabagi March 11

Highlights

Tilting Point launches new $150M UA fund for Game Devs

Keep control & Scale faster. Mobile Games Publisher Tilting Point is rolling out a massive $150 million User Acquisition fund, designed to supercharge developers without the usual publishing constraints. Unlike traditional deals, developers retain full autonomy over their marketing. Tilting Point steps in only when requested, offering financial backing for growth without meddling in strategy. This is the company’s third major UA fund, following similar initiatives in 2016 and 2018. Early beneficiaries include Mythical Games, Begin, and a soon-to-launch web-based gaming hub. A Proven Growth Engine “With over 200 successful games, we’ve seen firsthand how impactful our UA funds can be,” said Tilting Point CEO Kevin Segalla. “It’s a powerful tool, letting developers scale efficiently while keeping their capital focused elsewhere.” CBO Asi Burak added: “We pioneered this model, and its strength lies in truly flexible, unlimited spending—while ensuring developers […]

Ömer Yakabagi March 11

Highlights

AI Gaming & UGC: Liminal Experiences secured $5.8M

Liminal Experiences, a fresh gaming startup blending AI with user-generated content, secured $5.8 million in funding to revolutionize storytelling in games. The round includes backing from industry giants like Bitkraft Ventures, Riot Games, and OTK Media Group, with Riot Games co-founder Marc Merrill also investing. CEO Brendan Mulligan envisions Liminal as a game where players don’t just play; they create. With AI-powered tools, users can craft immersive RPG adventures, design characters, and build worlds alongside friends. Inspired by childhood imagination, Liminal removes coding barriers, allowing anyone to shape and share interactive stories. “AI in gaming is controversial, with concerns over job replacement and ethical debates,” Mulligan. “Most studios quietly explore AI, leaving the public conversation to outsiders. We believe in AI as a tool to enhance, not replace, human creativity.” Liminal provides a platform for both original stories and beloved […]

Ömer Yakabagi March 11

Highlights

State of Mobile Gaming 2025

Sensor Tower's State of Mobile Gaming breaks down how the market evolved in 2024, who the winners were, and what opportunities lie ahead for 2025. With the Q1 2025 drawing to a close, we can state at least one thing for certain - mobile gaming is back on track. Though downloads plateaued through 2024, IAP revenue, time spent, and sessions are all on the rise. The illustrated and interactive 50+ page report includes: ✅ A data-driven overview of the most important trends in the industry, including downloads, revenue, and engagement. ✅ A detailed exploration of the winners of 2024 and what drove their success ✅ A deep dive into mobile game marketing, including which ad networks saw the most impression share growth in 2024 and the three creative trends of 2024 you need to know But don’t take our word […]

Ömer Yakabagi March 11

Highlights

Tripledot is making $1.3M a Day!

Tripledot Studios is making around 1,3 million a day 🤑 in ad revenue within its portfolio, and it is the secret buyer 😲 of AppLovin gaming business, as we learned last week 💡. Why is the company so successful, and how big are they? Check out: $900M Deal: Tripledot Buys AppLovin’s Games As said, the key lies in ad revenue 💸, which is a little bit hard to spot with our usual industry tools, but as we have Felix on the team, the problem is solved 😎.The game that did put the company on the map is Woodoku, which is an ultra-casual Tetris like puzzler, which even though does currently just low, 30K daily downloads, still has a monster 1,3 Mil. DAU, with US playerbase being 15% of that. That's where the money is made 💰. Looking at last months […]

Jakub Remiar March 11

Highlights

Game Studio Growth: PvX Partners Secures $3.8M

PvX Partners is the financing platform built to help Mobile Games & Apps scale. Founders include NetEase, Mobile Premier League & Morgan Stanley veterans. As reported by PocketGamer, PvX Partners has raised $3.8 million in a seed investment round. The round was co-led by Play Ventures and General Catalyst, with key backing from Michail Katkoff (Deconstructor of Fun) & Matej Lancaric (Two & a Half Gamers)—two of the most respected voices in gaming growth strategy. Faster, Founder-Friendly Game Financing Scaling a game is all about timing. Studios with predictable marketing returns often hit a critical growth window, but traditional financing options come with trade-offs: slow bootstrapping, painful equity dilution, or risky debt. PvX Capital changes the game with Cohort Financing, giving studios fast, flexible capital—up to $25M per year—while sharing downside risk. With term sheets in 24 hours and funds […]

Ömer Yakabagi March 11

Highlights

Match-3 Games in Türkiye: Good Job Games Raises $23M

As reported by VentureBeat, Good Job Games, a fast-rising Mobile Game Developer from Turkiye, has secured a massive $23 million in seed funding to cement its place as a major entertainment powerhouse. The round was led by Menlo Ventures and Arcadia, the new gaming fund launched by Tripledot co-founder Akin Babayigit. For a company founded in 2017, waiting eight years before raising external capital is unusual. But Good Job Games never needed outside investment—until now. Led by Ilker Ilicali and Nazim Akmandil, the company has thrived on its own momentum, quickly becoming a hypercasual gaming giant with over three billion downloads. It sold its hit game Zen Match and has since doubled down on revolutionizing the match-3 genre, with Match Villains leading the charge. “We built Good Job Games without external funding, powered by our team’s passion and craftsmanship,” said […]

Ömer Yakabagi March 11

Highlights

Login to enjoy full advantages

Go Premium!

Enjoy the full advantage of the premium access.

Stop following

Cancel subscription