The wildest ad I saw in the Hexa Sort 😆
The wildest ad I saw in the Hexa Sort 😆
Journal
Supersonic Studios: 7 Data-Driven Insights You Can’t Miss
In 5 pages, I evaluated Supersonic in 2024.7 Super insightful, data backed take aways: If you ever played a runner hyper casual game,Chances of that being a Supersonic game is HIGH.And, they like those odds. Because,In terms of 2024 publishing,They kept that strategy. Here are my personal insights:✦ In terms of new users, they get high tier countries.✦ Their Flagships are still runner games.✦ Runner Games + High Tier Countries =Succesful ad monetization..✦ These two things probably failed:1- A ‘’Mid-Core’’ attempt(s),2- Many puzzle games in logic sub-genre focus,Because Supersonic is used to see high Play Timeson runners that generates revenue on Ads.✦ They are probably sharing a high amount of same players on their top games, (ad channels)✦ Low number of attempt on new games can mean:1- Workin on something ‘’big’’ on a different genre,2- Testing different UA platforms,3- Using […]
CEOs: Operations can quickly fall apart…
I managed studios for 25 years. From Blizzard Korea to Huuuge Games.Operations can quickly fall apart..- Admin- Hiring- Training- Delegating - Management- Company growthIF you are not careful.As a CEO you have to manage all of them.On top of picking up the kids and tying your shoes.It is a lot.Here's what I learned about inefficient operations:1/ Lost moneyWhen operations are off track, resources bleed.I've seen medium studios lose $100k+ monthly.Due to bottlenecks and poor processes.2/ Slow decisionsEvery delayed decision = missed opportunityAt Gameloft, we scaled from 1 to 150 people.Quick decisions were our edge.3/ Team burnoutBad operations create chaos.Your best people get frustrated.They leave. (very common)5/ Growth ceilingYou can't scale what's broken.Fix operations first.Then aim for growth.The solution?1) Simplify 1st.2) Delegate FULL ownershipYou can do this through a fractional CEO or Full-time CXO.What is important is that you are not […]
Capybara GO by Habby makes $800k/Day without the U.S.!
Capybara GO - the new sensation by Habby making 🤑 $800k/day in revenue still without the US! This is going to be bigger than Survivor.io 👇 Habby did it again! Changing the whole mobile gaming landscape with the recent launch of Capybara GO! The game features a unique blend of gameplay mechanics that encourage passive play. The future of mobile gaming is here. Passive play, you heard it first on two & a half gamers.Most importantly, Capybara GO draws inspiration from various successful titles in the mobile gaming industry and putting them together piece by piece into perfect compatibility. A Very important insight: this game is basically a slot machine dressed up as an RPG. Is positioned as a social casino RPG, blending elements of both genres. Addictive and sticky gameplay? Hmm, where did we see that? Capybara GO creatives […]
Balancing something in a Game is Hard!
Balancing something in a Game is Hard! To get it right, you’re expected to: ↳ Have a master’s degree in math ↳ Complete challenging courses ↳ Memorize endless formulas ↳ Be an Excel expertBut here’s the thing — it’s actually much simpler than it sounds: ↳You don’t need to cram math ↳ You need to understand itLet’s break down this idea using a basic, popular feature: the Wheel of Fortune Specifically, we’ll explore Variance and Volatility and see how they impact the player experience
Overcoming Stagnation: Moving Beyond ROAS & Funnel-Driven Strategies
📉 Overcoming Stagnation in Mobile Games: Moving Beyond ROAS & Funnel-Driven Strategies 📉 Many live-operated mobile games are struggling as post-IDFA realities set in. With dwindling engagement and rising churn, games that once thrived on high ROAS and funnel-driven tactics are stalling. To reignite growth, it’s time to shift from squeezing monetization to building genuine engagement. 🧠 1. Focus on Psychology & Physiology for Long-Term GrowthToday’s players, especially Gen Z and Gen Alpha, value authentic gameplay that prioritizes connection over competition. On top of them, older generations might have just consumed already, or not resonated with, some of your content -- therefore, it's time to re-think your strategies.-> Use PNS-Led Design: Move away from “fight or flight” triggers, which lead to fatigue. For example, invest in a gameplay that fosters social bonds, creating moments and spaces where players can connect.-> […]
Mobile F2P Monetization is “pretty easy” in 2024
📯📯 Mobile F2P Monetization is “pretty easy” in 2024 IF you do this:1. Choose a proven economy model2. Congrats! “Monetization performance” won’t be the thing that tanks your projectWhat almost certainly will? Retention and *gasp 😬 CPI 😬In other words, product-market fit.We've been asked... 50 times? to improve monetizationMost of the time, the real problem was:1. Flabby retention, and2. Lukewarm market interest ('normal' CPI)Case in point: My team has 2x’d to 9x’d revenue for 10 games,and … many of these STILL couldn’t scale profitably...because they lacked potent product-market-fit 💀Think about it.99.9th percentile ARPDAU performance won’t save you, if 90% of players leave by d7 after $10-$20 CPI.Focus instead on:1. Deep user research (recruit ideal target players)2. Aggressive IPM testing (hunt POWERFUL resonance)3. D7R testing (delightful core loop, progression)Use KPI targets + hard time gates for accountability.Focus on velocity of experimentationPurge […]
Mobile Games Heatmap for 2024
Mobile Games Heatmap for 2024 Here’s a detailed analysis of the genres' performance this year:🟥 𝗥𝗣𝗚𝘀: $𝟭𝟱.𝟯𝗕 (-𝟭𝟮.𝟱%)↳ Top apps of the genre: https://lnkd.in/eTZdHNNs• Action RPG/MMORPG: $6.0B (-15.3%) • Team Battlers: $4.8B (-14.6%) • Idle RPG: $2.1B (+16.3%) • Puzzle RPG: $1.2B (-21.9%) • Other RPGs: $1.2B (-15.6%) 🟩 𝗦𝘁𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗴𝘆: $𝟵.𝟰𝗕 (+𝟯.𝟱%)↳ Top apps: https://lnkd.in/eGrYsVai• 4X Strategy: $6.6B (+1.5%)• Real-Time Strategy (RTS): $1.3B (+7.4%)• Tactics: $905M (+23.4%)• Card Battler: $545M (-8.7%)🟩 𝗖𝗮𝘀𝗶𝗻𝗼: $𝟴.𝟴𝗕 (+𝟭𝟮%)Top apps: https://lnkd.in/eHWj_VBa• Slots: $3.6B (-6.2%)• Casual Casino: $2.8B (+82%)• Casino Card Games: $937M (+0%)• Bingo: $475M (-6.3%)• Other Casino: $900M (-3.5%)🟩 𝗣𝘂𝘇𝘇𝗹𝗲: $𝟴.𝟱𝗕 (+𝟭𝟮.𝟴%)Top apps: https://lnkd.in/eXuTZuc6• Match-3: $5.3B (+4.6%)• Merge: $1.1B (+55.4%)• Match-2: $550M (+1.6%)• Other Puzzle Games: $863M (+14.7%)• 3D Match: $297M (+46%)🟩 𝗦𝗶𝗺𝘂𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻: $𝟯.𝟴𝗕 (+𝟰.𝟯%)Top apps: https://lnkd.in/ex_P_EsA• Sandbox: $1.4B (+19.9%)• Farming: $1.1B (-0.5%)• Life Sim: $192M (-12.0%)• Fashion: $186M (-13%)• Other Simulations: $912M (+2.4%)🟩 […]
Control Your Career Game!
On November 1, 2012, I joined Wargaming. This is how I stay relevant in the gaming industry after 12 years at ONE company.(My 12 tips to control your career game)Before you jump out... NО, I don’t want to be in one place for 12 years. For me, it's about what this enables and how to act:Ready to dive in? Here we go.1. Use Humor2. Build Network3. Foster Optimism4. Embrace Risk-Taking5. Acknowledge Setbacks6. Enhance Personal Branding7. Continuous Learning8. Develop Adaptivity9. Seek Mentorship10. Showcase Work11. Attend Events12. Track TrendsAnything else, Sergei? ✋I like to wake up on Saturday and dream.I like to visualize Friday evening’s results. I like to eat ice cream with espresso.Hope this help!Please repost! ♻️ Appreciate it.I really want to help many thrive in gaming for a fulfilling, positive and real life.And with that → positive, real results.Thank you […]
Ultimate career advice for newcomers in GameDev
The ultimate career advice for newcomers in game development: Build long-term relationships with your peers.In this industry, connections are everything.The gaming industry might seem big, but it is like a "small village." You'll keep running into the same people in surprising ways as your career progresses.Here’s why relationships matter:• You never know where your peers will be in 10 years, or where you will be. • A single connection can open (or close) big doors down the road. • Opportunities often come from those you’ve worked with before.So, here’s what to do:• Stay in touch with former colleagues. • Keep your promises and always follow through. • Help others whenever you can.The relationships you build today can lead to unexpected opportunities tomorrow.
Next-Gen Social Mechanics: Next Big Opportunity in F2P
🌐 Next-Gen Social Mechanics in Gaming: The Next Big Opportunity in F2P 🌐 As the gaming landscape continues to evolve, the next billion-dollar opportunity lies in pushing beyond today’s social mechanics and connectivity features. In a world craving genuine connection, games that foster deep social engagement both inside and outside the game environment are set to thrive.Imagine games where players can connect beyond traditional friend lists and chat functions. Instead, they could experience a “Tinder-like” player-matching system, building teams or alliances based on compatibility, interests, or in-game objectives. Picture boosters that activate based on proximity, or resource trading convoys that reward cooperation and strategic trading based on location. These features wouldn’t just offer new play methods—they’d create lasting relationships beyond the screen. And I'm not talking only about location-based games here.🔍 Why This Approach Works in Today’s World?In a society […]
What top creatives casual games are using?
What top creatives casual games are using? Here are three new examples:Data Source: AppMagic