Path of Exile 2 did some very smart decisions

Path of Exile 2 did some very smart decisions 💡 during their Early Access launch. I finally got to the endgame, so we have a full review for you, explaining their unique "convenience" based monetization and content distribution 😎. As seen on the image, the team heavily focused on the endgame part of the game instead of early campaign. Rather than developing a long and costly campaign, they actually developed only 3 acts and then recycled them with a higher "cruel" difficulty. This enabled them to shift the capacity of the team towards endgame, where players will spend most of their time ⌛ anyway, instead of the 25 hour long campaign, which you will never interact with after reaching the end of it. This is a completely opposite strategy to Diablo 4, which had a very well polished campaign with […]

Jakub Remiar January 3

Journal

Mobile MMOs / MMORPGs: Innovation Opportunities in 2025

The mobile MMO / MMORPG genre remains an interesting frontier, offering opportunities for creative disruption.This article discusses in about mobile MMO / MMORPG market(s) and gives trends and predictions for it for 2025 and beyond.Note: This article has data from AppMagic; MMORPG segment (some games from APRG could be classified as MMOs, and revenue doesn't count D2C in).Current State of MMO / MMORPGGlobal Revenue and DownloadsMobile MMOs, Top 100 Global Revenue (Source: AppMagic).Mobile MMOs, Top 100 Global Downloads (Source: AppMagic).Global downloads have been able to be sustained in similar manner, while in-store global revenue has been declining a bit — which most likely is due to D2C / Webshops (more below about D2C / Webshops) taking chunk of revenue. Big chunk of revenue comes from Asian markets and games.Overall the market has been led by the games that have been […]

Antti Kananen January 2

Journal

What’s Next for Match-3 Puzzle RPGs?

The Match-3 Puzzle RPG genre has been a stalwart of mobile gaming, blending engaging puzzle mechanics with RPG depth. This article focuses on discussing this segment’s current state and predicting future trends and directions. Note: This article includes data from AppMagic, Match-3 Puzzle RPG segment. Current State of Match-3 Puzzle RPGs Titles like Empires & Puzzles by Small Giant Games and Zynga, as well as Puzzle & Dragons, have set high benchmarks according to AppMagic. Empires & Puzzles, for instance, still rakes in approx. $10M per month via IAPs — bolstered further, most likely, by its webshop presence. These games exemplify longevity and profitability in this segment. Empires & Puzzles, Revenue (Source: AppMagic). 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 […]

Antti Kananen January 2

Journal

How to create your own angel investors?

How to create your own angel investors? 1. The reality: There aren't many dedicated angel investors especially outside of Silicon Valley. Those who do angel invest are former founders/execs who get bombarded with deals and invest sporadically.2. Here's a proven strategy I learned from running a 200+ person angel syndicate from 2020 to 2023:Key steps to building your angel prospects list:- Identify experienced industry professionals- Approach them directly about investing- Target smaller check sizes ($1k-$10k)- Aim for multiple angels to reach your goal3. Critical success factors:Target alignment:- Mobile apps? Find mobile experts- Hardware? Connect with hardware veterans- Match investors to your specific market4. What makes angels say yes:- Clear use of funds- Specific support needs- Demonstrated progress- Founder commitment (built something first)- User validation5. Pro tip: Use SPVs (Special Purpose Vehicles)Benefits:- Combine small checks efficiently- Single cap table entry- Streamlined […]

Joakim Achren January 2

Journal

My 2024 Annual Review

My 2024 Annual Review and the key reflections for me. 1. Big wins this year:Made 11 new investments at F4 Fund, focused on attention-based businesses2 angel portfolio companies secured 8-figure follow-on roundsElite Game Developers newsletter hit consistent bi-weekly cadenceMajor sleep quality improvements2. Changed my mind about being "all in":Full commitment doesn't mean burnoutWeekends are for family & hobbiesQuality downtime = better performanceFound balance through music, football & Legos3. Learnings & challenges:Deep work suffered - need stronger boundariesGreat founders push through walls unapologeticallyContent quality fears held back publishing (lesson: consistency > perfection)Core values definition remains a key goal for 20254. Key insight from "Die With Zero" book:Don't defer life improvements waiting for "someday", rather,- Invest in quality of life early- Prioritize meaningful experiences- Balance possible frugality with living wellWhat did you learn in 2024?

Joakim Achren January 1

Journal

Q5 Steam Stakes

𝗣𝗹𝗮𝘆𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗞𝗲𝗲𝗽𝘀: 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗤𝟱 𝗦𝘁𝗲𝗮𝗺 𝗦𝘁𝗮𝗸𝗲𝘀 The fate of PC & Console's (HD) live-service model hangs on Q5's ambitious lineup: Strinova, Infinity Nikki, Path of Exile 2, Supervive, Marvel Rivals, and Delta Force. Should these titles fail to gain traction, the industry faces a cascade of down rounds, studio closures, and layoffs—not to mention a wholesale reassessment of the HD live-service paradigm. Eric Seufert's meditation on "The last social media platform" may prove prescient; we might witness the same in HD live service.The warning signs are already apparent. Mountaintop Studios' venture-backed Spectre Divide has become a cautionary tale, with peak simultaneous users (PSU) dropping below 100. Supervive's trajectory is similar, maintaining 4,000 PSU despite years of development, encouraging playtests, and the backing of the former League of Legends leadership team. Its salvation may lie in the East, given that […]

Phillip Black January 1

Journal

Match 3D Puzzle Games: Bright Future for 2025 and Beyond

The Match 3D puzzle game segment continues to dominate, showcasing resilience and strong growth in both revenue and downloads. This article discusses about current state of the Match 3D Puzzle Games segment as well as gives trends and predictions for 2025 and beyond. Note: This article has data from AppMagic, Match 3D segment. Match 3D Outlook According to AppMagic, 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 puzzle game mechanics with good-fitting meta-features. These games have not only captivated casual players but also maintained their positions as high-performing titles in mobile game markets. Match 3D segment, Top 100 Revenue (Source: AppMagic). Match 3D segment, Top 100 Downloads (Source: AppMagic). Why They’re Thriving Match 3D games succeed because they tap into core […]

Antti Kananen January 1

Journal

What gaming has taught me

What gaming has taught me—and what I tell non-gaming founders: social gameplay is the engine behind long-term user retention. Here’s how it works. 1. Players who form in-game friendships stay 2-3x longer. I've talked to veteran players who say they would've quit ages ago if not for their guild relationships.2. The best social mechanics connect solo and group play:- Rewards from guild activities help individual progress- Individual contributions strengthen the guild- Creates a powerful engagement loop3. Live events and competitions give social groups clear goals to rally around. When players collaborate towards shared achievements, it builds lasting bonds.4. The data is clear: games with strong social features consistently show higher D90+ retention rates. No other feature comes close to matching this impact.5. Building meaningful social systems early is crucial. You can't bolt them on later and expect the same results.

Joakim Achren December 27

Journal

Why Business Modeling Your F2P Mobile Game is Important?

Business modeling is key nowadays, when the mobile games funnel is operated from top of the funnel approach, in building and Live Operating your mobile game(s) successfully.This article discusses, in short, about key points and principles of business modeling — and why it’s needed for successful new game development and Live Ops in mobile games business.Why Business Modeling?The answer lies within two basic principles:1. Healthiness of your product in terms of LTV > CPI:Having your e.g., ROAS profiled properly against your UA efforts.One step down more from ROAS?Overall with that you can look into your retention metrics, retention curve, monetization KPIs as well as UA metrics, cohorts, and so on.Helps you to realize if you have business case, or not — navigation / exploration tool during iterative development; find more about iterative development and method here (https://gamesalchemy.substack.com/p/2-get-iterative-game-development):2. Prioritization for your […]

Antti Kananen December 26

Journal

Mobile Gaming in 2024

Mobile Gaming in 2024 Here’s the wrap-up: 𝟭. 𝗞𝗲𝘆 𝗠𝗲𝘁𝗿𝗶𝗰𝘀• Total downloads hit 53.9B (+0.5% YoY). • In-app purchase (IAP) revenue climbed to $58.9B (+2.9% YoY). • The average revenue per download (RPD) was $1.17. 𝟮. 𝗠𝗼𝘀𝘁 𝗻𝗼𝘁𝗮𝗯𝗹𝗲 𝗻𝗲𝘄 𝗴𝗮𝗺𝗲𝘀 𝗼𝗳 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟰: • My Supermarket Simulator 3D: 64M downloads, $3.6M IAP revenue. (https://lnkd.in/eR4tr5f4) • Squad Busters: 46.1M downloads, $61M IAP revenue. (https://lnkd.in/e5D_Hpfd) • Screw Puzzle: 45M downloads, $5.3M IAP revenue. (https://lnkd.in/eWs_quhj) • Pokemon TCG Pocket: 35M downloads, $160.1M IAP revenue. (https://lnkd.in/eU-Cv42S) • Capybara GO: 14.1M downloads, $52M IAP revenue. (https://lnkd.in/e7MGwKdp)𝟯. 𝗡𝗲𝘄 𝗴𝗮𝗺𝗲𝘀 𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗿𝗮𝗹𝗹: • 23,095 new games launched. • New games brought in $3.43B in IAP net revenue (5% of total revenue). • They accounted for 5.57B downloads (9.7% of total downloads). • Success rate: ±1.3% (measured as games earning $1M+ in IAP revenue). 𝟰. 𝗧𝗼𝗽 𝗴𝗿𝗼𝘄𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗴𝗲𝗻𝗿𝗲𝘀: • Match 3D: +46%, […]

Anton Slashcev December 26

Journal

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

Highlights

Mobile Gaming Today: 40

Hej Fam!Ready for the last Mobile Gaming Today of the year?Let's go!Some cool news here 🕺🏻Was included in the ‘Top Gaming Insights Sources’ list made by AAA Agency.Kudos to everyone who supports this lovely industry 🐿️Let’s get this party started!Weekly Quote: Christmas & NY Edition“Our minds deserve unplugging, no Slack pings, no emails, no LinkedIn scrolls—just you, your priorities, and the freedom without interruptions.” ¯\_(ツ)_/¯Mobile Marketing» Match Factory’s Success & Gameplay Mechanics⚡️ Game Analysis: Spyke Games’ Tile Busters🎅 2025 App Marketing Predictions 🤝 Power of Partnerships in Gaming🌏 Mobile Gaming in South East Asia🎢 ‘Pick Me Up’ By SuperSonic📊 New AdROAS in Meta🔔 Push Notifications Guide📚 New week & New case study🔗 Cross-Promotion for Mobile Games🧠 Smart Signal IntegrationIndustry Highlights» Top 10 Predictions for Mobile Gaming in 2025☃️ Survive(d) to 2025🌍 Mobile Games Downloads Heatmap🏅Sports Apps are becoming increasingly popular💼 […]

Gamigion December 24

#GamingBusiness

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