Mobile GameDev Playbook

This episode of the Mobile Games Playbook explores current monetization trends in mobile gaming and touches on subjects such as hybrid monetization, header bidding, and the challenges of in-app purchases. Join Andrew Seow (Director of Monetization at Tripledot Studios) and Ravid Sela (Ad Monetization Lead at Play Studios), along with host Jon Jordan as they discuss the ever-shifting nature of mobile monetization.Remember to subscribe, leave a review, and check out our websites, https://liftoff.io/ and https://gamerefinery.com/, for more information on game development topics and strategies for growing your game.

This episode of the Mobile Games Playbook peers into the crystal ball to forecast the mobile gaming landscape of 2025 with GameRefinery's experts, Kalle Heikkinen, Senior Chief Market Analyst, and Wilhelm Voutilainen, Chief Game Analyst.We'll delve into how we expect monetization models such as DTC and subscriptions to evolve, the continued growth of LiveOps, and the upcoming genres/games we expect to be taking over the charts in 2025. Join us as we discuss the trends poised to shape the future of mobile gaming. This episode will provide valuable insights for developers and players alike, offering a glimpse into the year ahead.Remember to subscribe, leave a review, and check out our websites, https://liftoff.io/ and https://gamerefinery.com/, for more information on game development topics and strategies for growing your game.

This episode of the Mobile Games Playbook dives into the mobile landscape of 2024 with GameRefinery's experts, Erno Kiiski, Chief Game Analyst, and Teemu Palomaki, Chief Game Analyst. They'll explore the trends that have shaped 2024 in mobile games, analyzing how midcore genres like 4X and CCGs are adapting to wider audiences and the rise of hybrid casual games before delving into the growth of trending features, including live events, overarching currencies, and loss aversion mechanics.Join us as we break down the biggest trends of the year in this essential guide to understanding 2024 in mobile games and a sneak peek at what the future may hold.Remember to subscribe, leave a review, and check out our websites, https://liftoff.io/ and https://gamerefinery.com/, for more information on game development topics and strategies for growing your game.

Dominating the App Store charts, Chinese mobile games are captivating players worldwide. But what's their secret? This episode of the Mobile Games Playbook dives deep with Liftoff's experts, Kalle Heikkinen, Chief Game Analyst, and Inka Reinola, Game Analyst, to unpack the winning formula behind China's mobile gaming giants. We'll explore how China's mobile market became a global force and discuss the effective monetization strategies and gameplay mechanics fuelling the success of Chinese games.Join us as we unpack the secrets of Chinese mobile game success and how developers worldwide can learn from their winning formula.Remember to subscribe, leave a review, and check out our websites, https://liftoff.io/ and https://gamerefinery.com/, for more information on game development topics and strategies for growing your game.For more on what's driving the success of Chinese apps, check out Liftoff's Guide to Growing Chinese Gaming Apps Overseas: https://info.liftoff.io/2024-growing-chinese-gaming-apps

In this episode of the Mobile Games Playbook, we explore the power of UGC to effectively acquire users (UA).UGC is a goldmine for mobile game marketers, but how do you leverage it for maximum impact? Join our expert guests, Nicole Danser, Senior Manager of Creative Strategy & Production at Liftoff Influence, and Sydney Bruce, Creative Account Strategy—UGC, as they share insights into identifying target audiences and the key components of a successful UA campaign.By harnessing the power of UGC, you can unlock a cost-effective and authentic way to reach new players and grow your mobile game.Don't forget to subscribe, leave a review, and check out our website, https://liftoff.io/and https://gamerefinery.com/ for more information on game development topics and strategies for growing your game.

Join us as we break down the best ways to build a winning User Acquisition (UA) strategy for your mobile game.This episode of the Mobile Games Playbook is about all things UA. In the crowded mobile gaming market, cutting through the noise and figuring out how to acquire users can be challenging.Join our expert guests, Kentaro Sugiara, Senior Performance Marketing Manager at Rovio, and Christie Crable, Head of Activations at GameRefinery, who will share actionable insights and proven techniques to help you develop a successful user acquisition (UA) strategy. Whether you're a seasoned game developer or just starting out, this episode of the Mobile Games Playbook offers a roadmap to navigating the ever-evolving world of mobile UA.Don't forget to subscribe, leave a review, and check out our website, https://liftoff.io/and https://gamerefinery.com/ for more information on game development topics.

Join us as we discuss the first half of 2024 and examine the trends dominating the mobile landscape so far.This episode of the Mobile Games Playbook is a mid-year deep dive. From Supercell's comeback with Squad Busters to the emergence of hybrid casual and other core gameplay types, there are lots of lessons to learn from 2024 mobile trends. Join our expert guests, Kalle Heikkinen, Chief Game Analyst, and Erno Kiiski, also a Chief Game Analyst at GameRefinery, a Liftoff Company, who bring their extensive knowledge and experience to share insights into what these trends mean for the future of mobile gaming, in order to help you stay ahead of the curve.Don't forget to subscribe, leave a review, and check out our websites, https://liftoff.io/and https://gamerefinery.com/, for more information on game development topics and strategies for growing your game

Join us as we break down the best ways to build a winning User Acquisition (UA) strategy for your mobile game.This episode of the Mobile Games Playbook is about all things UA. In the crowded mobile gaming market, cutting through the noise and figuring out how to acquire users can be challenging.Join our expert guests, Kentaro Sugiara, Senior Performance Marketing Manager at Rovio, and Christie Crable, Head of Activations at GameRefinery, who will share actionable insights and proven techniques to help you develop a successful user acquisition (UA) strategy. Whether you're a seasoned game developer or just starting out, this episode of the Mobile Games Playbook offers a roadmap to navigating the ever-evolving world of mobile UA.Don't forget to subscribe, leave a review, and check out our website, https://liftoff.io/and https://gamerefinery.com/ for more information on game development topics.

Join us as we explore the ever-evolving Japanese mobile market.In this episode, we set our sights on the lucrative world of Japanese mobile games. We'll dive into player preferences, effective monetization strategies, and the cultural nuances that influence this thriving market.Join industry experts Teemu Palomäki, Chief Games Analyst, and Sonja Skoglund, Games Analyst at GameRefinery, a Liftoff Company, as they discuss actionable insights to help you navigate the unique opportunities and challenges that the Japanese mobile scene presents.Don't forget to subscribe, leave a review, and check out our website, https://liftoff.io/ and https://gamerefinery.com/, for more information on game development topics.

Discover the strategies that drive award-winning LiveOps! In this episode, we analyze the Mobile GameDev Award winners, revealing their secrets to boosting engagement and revenue.Join host Jon Jordan and GameRefinery experts Erno Kiiski, Kalle Heikkinen, and Jiri Saarinen as they break down the essential components of successful LiveOps. Learn how to master collaborations, competitions, seasonal events, minigames, and compelling narratives.Get actionable insights to level up your own LiveOps strategy, whether you're an indie developer or an established studio. Discover the key metrics that matter and tailor your events to maximize impact.Don't forget to subscribe, leave a review, and visit https://liftoff.io/ and https://gamerefinery.com/ for more game development resources.Here's to unlocking the power of LiveOps,Mobile Games Playbook

Join us as we explore the latest trends, challenges, and innovations in mobile game design for 2024. In this episode, we're looking at the most prominent trends to shape the mobile games landscape for the year ahead. We'll dive into the anticipation surrounding upcoming game releases and explore key trends poised to dominate the industry.Join industry experts Wilhelm Voutilainen, Sr. Chief Game Analyst, and Kalle Heikkinen, Chief Game Analyst at GameRefinery, a Liftoff Company, as they delve into the exciting mobile game releases of the year.Don't forget to subscribe, leave a review, and check out our website, https://liftoff.io/ and https://gamerefinery.com/, for more information on game development topics.Here's to a successful 2024 for mobile games, Mobile Games Playbook

Join us as we explore the latest trends, challenges, and innovations in mobile game design.As 2023 comes to a close, we'll uncover the latest trends dominating mobile games and driving changes within the industry in this episode. We'll explore the innovative ways games differentiate themselves in the market and elevate player engagement. And reflect on the standout moments in the mobile gaming industry in 2023. Join industry experts Teemu Palomäki, Chief Game Analyst, and Inka Reinola, Game Analyst at GameRefinery, a Liftoff Company, as they reflect on the industry's standout moments and challenges in 2023, including the revival of iconic franchises on mobile platforms, the decline in hypercasual games, and the rise of merge gaming.Don't forget to subscribe, leave a review, and check out our websites, https://liftoff.io/ and https://gamerefinery.com/, for more information on game development topics.Farewell for 2023,Mobile Games Playbook

Join us as we explore the latest trends, challenges, and innovations in mobile game design, advertising, and revenue generation. In this episode, we thoroughly examine the mobile gaming landscape, focusing on the constantly evolving dynamics of advertising and revenue with industry experts Kenneth Wong, Senior Director of Ads Revenue at Scopely, and Yimin Gu, Director of Performance Marketing at Scopely. We'll discuss the constantly evolving dynamics of advertising and revenue, as well as the transformative impact of AI and user acquisition strategies. Don't forget to subscribe, leave a review, and check out our websites, https://liftoff.io/ and https://gamerefinery.com/, for more information on game development topics.Thank you for listening,Mobile Games Playbook

Welcome to the 50th episode of the Mobile Games Playbook podcast!We're thrilled to have reached this milestone; thank you to all the listeners who've been a part of this amazing journey. In this special edition, we're taking a deep dive into the dynamic world of mobile gaming in China.We'll discover what makes China an unrivalled hub for mobile gaming as we delve into the fascinating phenomenon of popular mobile games. We'll also uncover the profound impact of government regulations on the industry, spanning from game approvals and content restrictions to censorship.We'll also predict how China's gaming landscape will evolve over the next five years—considering the game-changing role of technology, shifting player preferences, and ever-evolving industry trends. Don't forget to subscribe, leave a review, and check out our websites, https://liftoff.io/ and https://gamerefinery.com/, for more information on game development topics.Thank you for listening,Mobile Games Playbook

Join us as we explore the exciting world of Final Fantasy. In this episode, we'll uncover the legacy of this iconic franchise within the JRPG genre and its transformative impact on the world of mobile games. From its inception to its latest mobile adaptations, we'll discuss Final Fantasy's remarkable evolution and ability to captivate a new generation of gamers.We'll look into how Final Fantasy's success in mobile gaming is tied to its monetization strategies and what truly sets Final Fantasy games apart, from their captivating stories and immersive gameplay to their stunning visuals. Beyond the technical aspects, we'll examine the immense impact of the Final Fantasy brand on both the gaming world and popular culture. Don't forget to subscribe, leave a review, and check out our websites, https://liftoff.io/ and https://gamerefinery.com/, for more information on game development topics.Thank you for listening,Mobile Games Playbook

Join us as we unravel the exciting details of the latest addition to the Pokémon universe: Pokémon Sleep. This innovative app has taken the concept of gamification to a whole new level by transforming how we approach sleep.Are there benefits to merging gaming with sleep? Find out how Pokémon Sleep stacks up against other sleep-related apps. We'll delve into the unique features that make Pokémon Sleep a standout experience and explore how it integrates into the broader Pokémon ecosystem. But that's not all; we'll discuss if there could be plans to extend its reach beyond sleep and venture into the realm of promoting other healthy habits. Don't forget to subscribe, leave a review, and check out our websites, https://liftoff.io/ and https://gamerefinery.com/, for more information on game development topics.Thank you for listening,Mobile Games Playbook

This episode delves into the dynamic and diverse world of women in gaming. Karen Chen, Account Executive at Liftoff, and Paula Neves, Senior Product Manager at Zynga, join us to spotlight women's challenges and discuss their unique perspectives on the industry.Despite the proliferation of mobile games aimed at women, there remains a concern for more representation of women in various job roles within the gaming world. We will explore the reasons behind this disparity and examine how women gamers often find themselves confined to certain gaming genres, perpetuating limiting stereotypes. We will also tackle the pervasive issue of online harassment and its impact on the gaming experiences of women.We also celebrate the strides made by the gaming industry to address these issues and promote inclusivity. Discover the emerging initiatives, programs, and opportunities to bridge the gender gap and create a more diverse and welcoming gaming landscape for everyone.Don't forget to subscribe, leave a review, and check out our websites, https://liftoff.io/ and https://gamerefinery.com/, for more information on game development topics.Thank you for listening,Mobile Games Playbook

In this episode, we will be delving into the latest trends in LiveOps and how game studios are utilizing live events to increase player engagement and revenue. Expert analysts from GameRefinery, a Liftoff Company, will discuss their new Live Events Tracker tool, which enables game developers to stay ahead of the competition by comparing and analyzing live events across various games and genres. In the wake of Apple's groundbreaking App Tracking Transparency framework, it has become more important than ever for game developers to retain their players and find new ways to generate income. Join us as we unravel the remarkable advantages of leveraging live events to captivate players, designing successful events and how to use analytics to enhance your LiveOps strategy effectively.Don't forget to subscribe, leave a review, and check out our websites, https://liftoff.io/ and https://gamerefinery.com/, for more information on LiveOps and other game development topics.Thank you for listening,Mobile Games Playbook

Say farewell to The Mobile GameDev Playbook, as we introduce the new and improved Mobile Games Playbook, brought to you by Liftoff. Investing in young talent is crucial for the growth and development of the game development industry because it brings fresh perspectives, new ideas, and diverse backgrounds to the industry, which is vital to safeguard the future of game development. Join us as we delve deeper into why nurturing and investing in young people is essential and how it can benefit the industry in the long run.In this episode, we talk to Yahsir Qureshi, the VP and Head of Studio at Sandsoft Games and Chief Game Analyst at GameRefinery, a Liftoff Company, Teemu Palomäki. We look at Sandsoft's "Press Start" program, a six-month initiative that addresses the skills gap in the game development industry. We examine the selection process for young developers and the resources they receive during the program and explore the expectations and outcomes of the program.Remember to subscribe, leave a review, and check out our websites https://liftoff.io/ and www.gamerefinery.com!Thank you for listening,Mobile Games Playbook

Is there room for others to succeed in a market dominated by so few companies?Join us as we explore the current state of the mobile shooter market, the top games dominating the market, their market shares, and the different types of shooters available.You won't want to miss our overview of games like CoD: Warzone Mobile, Arena Breakout, Undawn Vitality, Division Mobile, Destiny Mobile, and Valorant. We'll also explore the recent game cancellations from EA, including Apex and Battlefield, and examine, amongst others, the intensity of live-ops for the top shooters, content cadence, and possible entry barriers for new companies. Looking to the future, we'll delve into where the market is headed and whether there is room for new shooters and subgenres to emerge and take the market share.Check out this episode to learn about the challenges that mobile game developers face when trying to develop shooters. We talk to the Chief Game Analysts at GameRefinery, a Liftoff company, Wilhelm Voutilainen and Erno Kiiski, who provide us with a comprehensive analysis of the state of the mobile shooter market and tell us what we can expect in the months and years to come.Don't forget to subscribe, leave a review, and visit us at www.gamerefinery.com! Thanks for listening, The Mobile GameDev Playbook

Why have some of the biggest names in the industry pivoted away from gacha-based monetization systems?Join us as we explore the response from players to these changes in popular games like Brawl Stars, Mario Kart, Diablo Immortal, Mobile Legends: Bang Bang, Overwatch, Marvel Snap, and Arena Breakout. We'll examine how these changes have affected players' progression and gameplay experience and take a closer look at the impact these changes have had on the mobile gaming industry. Learn about the challenges facing mobile game developers when it comes to removing gachas and changing progression systems, as well as the future of monetization in mobile gaming. We talk to the Chief Game Analysts at GameRefinery, a Liftoff company, Wilhelm Voutilainen, Teemu Palomäki, and Kalle Heikkinen. Don't forget to subscribe, leave a review, and visit us at www.gamerefinery.com! Thanks for listening, The Mobile GameDev Playbook

What makes Marvel Snap such a hit?In this episode of the Mobile GameDev Playbook, we review Marvel Snaps' success, key features, and the first major update. We also discuss the game's monetization, thoughts on its future and the overall CCG genre.Joined by Joel Julkunen, Head of Analytics and Chief Game Analyst, Erno Kiiski, from GameRefinery, a Liftoff Company. You can find The Mobile GameDev Playbook on GameRefinery's Youtube channel. Please subscribe and leave a review!Thanks for listening, The Mobile GameDev Playbook

What trends and features to look forward to in 2023!In this episode of the Mobile GameDev Playbook, we're joined by Wilhelm Voutilainen and Teemu Palomäki, Chief Game Analysts from GameRefinery, a Liftoff Company, to discuss key trends in 2023. We discuss upcoming releases, potential new genres, and exciting trends.We also cover shooter games, predictions for monetization changes, events trends, and what will happen with blockchain games in 2023.You can find The Mobile GameDev Playbook on GameRefinery's Youtube channel. Please subscribe and leave a review!Thanks for listening, The Mobile GameDev Playbook

Examining the merge genre and EverMerge.In this episode of the Mobile GameDev Playbook, we're joined by Sergey Neskin, the CEO & co-founder of Neskin Games, and Chief Game Analyst Kalle Heikkinen from GameRefinery, a Liftoff Company, to discuss the hit mobile game EverMerge: Merge 3 Puzzle.We cover what inspired the game, the growth of the merge genre and how it's evolved, interesting trends, and predictions for the future of merge games.We also look at some standout releases, the trends in gameplay events and features, as well as trends in monetization. You can find The Mobile GameDev Playbook on GameRefinery's Youtube channel. Please subscribe and leave a review!Thanks for listening, The Mobile GameDev Playbook

What were the hottest mobile game design trends in 2022? In this episode, we look back at 2022 and reflect on the biggest trends that happened in mobile games. Joining us are our resident experts and Chief Game Analysts from GameRefinery, a Liftoff Company, Kalle Heikkinen and Erno Kiiski.We examine some standout releases, trends in gameplay events and features as well as trends in monetization. You can now find The Mobile GameDev Playbook on GameRefinery's Youtube channel. Please subscribe and leave a review!Thanks for listening, The Mobile GameDev Playbook

How can brands get their IPs into mobile games?In this episode, we discuss the complexities and processes of how brands and licenses can get their IPs into mobile games. Joining us from Layer Licensing is CEO and Founder, Rachit Moti, and from Tilting Point is Chief Business Officer, Asi Burak, as well as resident expert from GameRefinery, a Liftoff Company, Chief Game Analyst Kalle Heikkinen.We examine the challenges encountered in licensing, interesting trends and collaborations, how games make money from IPs, and what Layer aims to change. You can now find The Mobile GameDev Playbook on GameRefinery's Youtube channel. Please subscribe and leave a review!Thanks for listening, The Mobile GameDev Playbook

In this episode of the Mobile GameDev Playbook, we look at how monetization features have evolved from 2020 till now. Joining us from GameRefinery, a Liftoff Company, are Chief Game Analysts Erno Kiiski and Wilhelm Voutilainen.We explore innovation in battle passes, IAP mechanics, external web stores, and what monetization may look like in the future for mobile games like Cookie Run: Kingdom, Call of Duty Mobile, and Royal Match.You can now find The Mobile GameDev Playbook on GameRefinery's Youtube channel. Please subscribe and leave a review!Thanks for listening, The Mobile GameDev Playbook

In this episode of the Mobile GameDev Playbook, Mike Taramykin, the founder of HypGames, and Chief Game Analyst Teemu Palomäki from GameRefinery, a Liftoff company, join our host Jon Jordan to discuss the celebrity partnerships in mobile games.We delve into the strategy behind celebrity partnerships and analyze mobile collaboration trends this year while sharing heartwarming anecdotes of working with stars including Tiger Woods, Steve Carell, Amy Poehler, and Tina Fey.You can now find The Mobile GameDev Playbook on GameRefinery's Youtube channel. Please subscribe and leave a review!Thanks for listening, The Mobile GameDev Playbook

In this episode of the Mobile GameDev Playbook, we're joined by GameRefinery, a Liftoff company, analysts Erno Kiiski and Sonja Skoglund, who will be discussing seasonal events in mobile games. We will cover noteworthy events, interesting trends, and what these events may look like in the future for the three major markets - the USA, Japan, and China. You can now find The Mobile GameDev Playbook on GameRefinery's Youtube channel. Please subscribe and leave a review!Thanks for listening, The Mobile GameDev Playbook

In this episode of the Mobile GameDev Playbook, Teis Mikkelsen, the founder of Multiscription, and senior market analyst Kalle Heikkinen from GameRefinery, a Liftoff company, joins our host Jon Jordan to discuss the topic of subscriptions in mobile gaming.We will cover the exciting trends in mobile game subscriptions, their mechanisms, the Unleashd service, and what the future may look like for this increasingly common trend. You can now find The Mobile GameDev Playbook on GameRefinery's Youtube channel. Please subscribe and leave a review!Thanks for listening, The Mobile GameDev Playbook

In this episode of the Mobile GameDev Playbook, Bob Slinn, Head of Business Development at FunPlus, and game analyst Milka Paunonen from GameRefinery, a Liftoff company, joins our host Jon Jordan to discuss State of Survival's well-deserved wins in the most recent Mobile GameDev Awards!We will discuss the development and inspiration behind State of Survival, the recent trends in the 4x strategy genre, its wins in the categories of ‘Biggest Evolver' and ‘Best Use of IP in a Collaboration Event', and what the future holds for the game.You can now find The Mobile GameDev Playbook on GameRefinery's Youtube channel. Please subscribe and leave a review!Thanks for listening, The Mobile GameDev Playbook

In this episode of the Mobile GameDev Playbook, we're joined by GameRefinery, a Liftoff company analysts Erno Kiiski and Kalle Heikkinen for a special episode looking at the games that won at the Mobile GameDev Awards. The Mobile GameDev Awards are an annual set of awards by GameRefinery to recognize and celebrate innovation and excellence in mobile games. We will cover what made these games and studios win their respective categories, what aspects GameRefinery examines within a game, and what the future may look like for these games. Some examples include Apex Legends Mobile winning The ‘Most Promising Soft Launch Game'. Several games, such as State of Survival won ‘Biggest Evolver'. Beatstar, along with a few other games, was voted as ‘Best Newcomer'.You can now find The Mobile GameDev Playbook on GameRefinery's Youtube channel. Please subscribe and leave a review!Thanks for listening, The Mobile GameDev Playbook

In this episode of the Mobile Gamedev Playbook, Thi Detert, Senior Lead Game Designer at InnoGames, and Product Owner, Alison Simpson talk about the development journey of Sunrise Village with GameRefinery, a Liftoff company analyst Teemu Palomäki and our host, Jon Jordan.We will cover the challenges (and solutions) encountered along the way from soft launch to global launch; the solutions that allowed the design team to build everything from components developed by the dev team; what inspired the game; and what the future might have in store for InnoGames.You can now find The Mobile Game Dev Playbook on GameRefinery's Youtube channel. Please subscribe and leave a review!Thanks for listening, The Mobile GameDev Playbook

In this special episode of the Mobile GameDev Playbook, our host Jon Jordan discusses the popular but controversial game Diablo Immortal with Erno Kiiski and Wilhelm Voutilainen, Chief Game Analysts at GameRefinery, a Liftoff Company.We discuss the franchise's background, what separates Diablo Immortal from its predecessors, the player experience, the monetization controversies surrounding the game, and whether they are justified.You can now find The Mobile Game Dev Playbook on GameRefinery's Youtube channel.Please subscribe and leave a review!Thanks for listening, The Mobile GameDev Playbook

In this episode of the Mobile Gamedev Playbook, Kirill Petruk, Lead Producer at Ten Square Games, talks about the development of Fishing Clash: Sports Games and other realistic life simulation games with GameRefinery, a Liftoff company analyst Teemu Palomäki and our host, Jon Jordan.We discuss the inspiration behind Fishing Clash, the realistic gameplay it provides, the social elements, and the collaborations it has had.You can now find The Mobile Game Dev Playbook on GameRefinery's Youtube channel. Please subscribe and leave a review!Thanks for listening, The Mobile GameDev Playbook

In this episode of the Mobile Gamedev Playbook, we're looking at the tools available on the market to build a thriving free-to-play game economy. Our host, Jon Jordan, is joined by GameRefinery's Erno Kiiski, Machinations CEO & Co-Founder, Mihai Gheza and Sales Director of Machinations, Matthew Morris.We'll learn how the Machinations tool designs and balances game economies, forecasts player progression across gameplay, and how it's used in classrooms worldwide to teach game economy design.You can now find The Mobile Game Dev Playbook on GameRefinery's Youtube channel. Please subscribe and leave a review! Thanks for listening, The Mobile Gamedev Playbook 

In this episode of the Mobile Gamedev Playbook, Ariel Coppes, Lead Game Engineer at Ironhide Games, talks about the success of the Kingdom Rush franchise with GameRefinery by Vungle analyst Erno Kiiski and our host, Jon Jordan.We delve into making games for the premium market, releasing games cross-platform, stepping into F2P games, and the highs and lows that come with developing a franchise of successful mobile games.You can now find The Mobile Game Dev Playbook on GameRefinery's Youtube channel.Please subscribe and leave a review!Thanks for listening,The Mobile GameDev Playbook

In this episode of the Mobile Gamedev Playbook, host Jon Jordan and GameRefinery by Vungle analysts Erno Kiiski and Altti Fromholdt join Vice President of Creative at Plarium, Nick Day. Together they give an inside look into the development process behind Raid: Shadow Legends and how it became one of the best known mobile games in the world and enjoyed by millions of players.  Nick spills the tea on influencer marketing tactics, retention strategies, and the art direction behind Raid: Shadow Legends. GameRefinery analysts discuss the market as a whole, meta elements in mobile games, and their own experience with Raid.You can now find The Mobile Game Dev Playbook on GameRefinery's Youtube channel.Please subscribe and leave a review!Thanks for listening, The Mobile GameDev Playbook

In this episode of the Mobile GameDev Playbook, we sit down with Finnish mobile game developer Nitro Games to discuss how to design, monetise and market your mobile shooter for success.Jon Jordan is joined by GameRefinery by Vungle's Erno Kiiski and Product Marketing Director at Nitro Games, Jukka Hilvonen, to discuss the popularity boom in mobile shooters, how to succeed in a genre dominated by massive studios, as well as getting some juicy insights into Nitro Games upcoming release Nerf: Battle Arena. You can now find The Mobile Game Dev Playbook on GameRefinery's Youtube channel.Please subscribe and leave a review!Thanks for listening, The Mobile GameDev Playbook

In this episode of the Mobile GameDev Playbook, we look at what 2022 might have in store for the mobile game industry across the US, China and Japan. Host Jon Jordan is joined by GameRefinery by Vungle's chief game analyst, Kalle Heikkinen, to discuss upcoming trends and changes in mobile games in 2022, as well as anticipated releases throughout the forthcoming year.You can now find The Mobile Game Dev Playbook on GameRefinery's Youtube channel.Please subscribe and leave a review!Thanks for listening, The Mobile GameDev Playbook

As we wrap up the end of the year, this episode of The Mobile Gamedev Playbook looks back at what 2021 brought to the mobile gaming industry in the US, China and Japan. We delve into the key trends to come out of this year, including the rise of renovation mechanics, collaboration events and popular IPs. Host Jon Jordan is joined by GameRefinery by Vungle's analysts, Teemu Palomäki and Wilhelm Voutilainen, who together take us through this year's most successful games and even a few unfortunate failures. You can now find The Mobile Game Dev Playbook on GameRefinery's Youtube channel. Please subscribe and leave a review!Thanks for listening, The Mobile GameDev Playbook

In this episode of The Mobile Gamedev Playbook, we're looking at diversity in the mobile games industry and how having a culturally and ethnically diverse team helps build better mobile games. Co-founder and Head of Analytics at GameRefinery, Joel Julkunen, shares his expertise on player motivations and expanding your player base by adding features that cater to wider audiences. He is joined by the HiDef team, Anthony Castoro, Jen Donahoe, and basketball legend Rick Fox.  Together they discuss their individual experiences of being a minority in the games industry and how diversity and representation are central to HiDef's corporate DNA.You can now find The Mobile Game Dev Playbook also on GameRefinery's Youtube channel. Please subscribe and leave a review!Thanks for listening, The Mobile GameDev Playbook 

In this episode, GameRefinery looks at the craziest events this year, from Genshin Impacts' collab with KFC to Roblox Lil Nas X digital concert.GameRefinery Analysts Kalle Heikkinen and Wilhelm Voutilainen join host Jon Jordan to discuss the wonderful world of mobile game events, including the mechanics behind LiveOps and utilising the same framework for multiple events, the benefits of collaborating with non-gaming brands and the importance of seasonal events to the success of mobile games. You can now find The Mobile Game Dev Playbook also on GameRefinery's Youtube channel. Please subscribe and leave a review!Thanks for listening, The Mobile GameDev Playbook 

In this episode of The Mobile Gamedev Playbook, we're looking at the use of AI moderation in social gaming. GameRefinery analyst and podcast regular Kalle Heikkinen joins host Jon Jordan to kick off the podcast with all things social, including the emergence of social hangout areas and the rise of social features in mobile games. While social features create endless opportunities for games to succeed (look at Roblox!), there is also a toxic content dilemma that comes with gamers being able to communicate with one another freely. CEO and Co-Founder of Utopia Analytics, Dr Mari-Sanna Paukkeri, brings her expertise to discuss AI moderation, toxicity in gaming and the intricacies behind moderating language, images and voice. You can now find The Mobile Gamedev Playbook also on GameRefinery's YouTube channel.Please subscribe and leave a review!Thanks for listening, The Mobile Gamedev Playbook 

In this episode of The Mobile Gamedev Playbook, we're exploring all things metaverse. The idea of the metaverse has caught on across the tech industry over the last decade, with tech giants seemingly in a race to make it a reality.CEO and co-founder of RP1, Sean Mann, joins host Jon Jordan to discuss how close the metaverse is to becoming a reality, what it might look like, how it'll affect mobile gaming and how RP1 has created a proprietary technology that provides a foundational layer upon which the metaverse can be built. You can now find The Mobile Game Dev Playbook also on GameRefinery's Youtube channel. Please subscribe and leave a review!Thanks for listening, The Mobile GameDev Playbook 

As we wrap up the first half of 2021, in this episode of The Mobile Gamedev Playbook, we have asked our analysts to spell out what have been the biggest mobile trends and games of the year so far! GameRefinery by Vungle's own Erno Kiiski, Wilhelm Voutilainen, and Kalle Heikkinen join host Jon Jordan to discuss how hybrid game mechanics and particular market trends have rocketed new games to the top of the download charts across the USA, China and Japan, as well as which games we should be keeping an eye on. You can now find The Mobile GameDev Playbook also on GameRefinery's Youtube channel. Please subscribe and leave a review! Thanks for listening, The Mobile GameDev Playbook

We are a bit starstruck in this episode of The Movile GameDev Playbook, with guest Richard Bartle! Listen in to learn more about best practices for audience design, taxonomies of players and how they can help developers design better, more engaging mobile games. Richard joins the podcast to discuss his impressive career, including how he created the Multi-User Dungeon - or simply MUDs - the forebearer of the multiplayer online role-playing genre and how he developed the Bartle Taxonomy Player Types. Head of Analytics at GameRefinery by Vungle, Joel Julkunen, also joins the conversation to discuss the influence  Bartle's player types have had on GameRefinery's own taxonomy and the subtle difference between mobile and MMORPG players. You can now find The Mobile GameDev Playbook on video and all the usual podcast platforms. Thanks for listening!

In this episode of The Mobile GameDev Playbook, we're discussing how to use creative strategy to build better mobile ads. We look into what creative strategy is, how it's implemented and what might change for user acquisition in the post-IDFA world.Vungle joins our podcast for the first time since acquiring GameRefinery earlier in the year - bringing all its mobile advertising expertise. Angry Birds developer Rovio also joins in the chat to discuss all things creative. Dive deep into the topic with host Jon Jordan, Vungles' Global Head of Creative Labs Gavin McNicholl, Mobile Pod Lead Natalie Suthons and from Rovio, we have Senior Performance and Marketing Specialist for Small Town Murders, Jussi Naapuri and Performance Marketing Manager for Angry Birds Dream Blast Ann-Marie.You can now find The Mobile Game Dev Playbook on video and the usual podcast platforms. Thanks for listening!

In this episode of The Mobile GameDev Playbook, we’re discussing how to utilize player insight to help build better games. We look into the tips, tools, and techniques game developers can use to understand what their players want so that they’ll keep coming back for more.Market-research platform PickFu joins this episode to discuss how game developers have collected user feedback using their service, along with mobile game studio Mojiworks, which uses data-led design in their game development process. Dive deep into the topic with host Jon Jordan, GameRefinery’s Chief Game Analyst Erno Kiiski and special guests John Li, co-founder of PickFu, and Jen Bolton, VP of Player Insights at Mojiworks. Thanks for listening! 

In this episode of The Mobile GameDev Playbook we discuss the common struggles game developers face when monetizing their games and provide some top tips to ensure optimal ROI on mobile gaming ad monetization. We also take a deep dive into the current mobile app monetization strategy and how it might change post IDFA. Will high IAP monetization games survive the change? Kolibri Games brings their expertise to the panel today, as a games publisher, with their most notable mobile titles including “Idle Miner Tycoon” and “Idle Factory Tycoon”, with the former reaching over 100 million downloads worldwide. This episode also takes us through Kolibri’s humble beginnings from being founded in a student dorm to building an 120 strong team based out of Berlin. Host Jon Jordan is joined by GameRefinery's Head of Product & Ad Intelligence Lauri Heikkinen and special guest Nate Barker, Director of Business Development at Kolibri. Thanks for listening! 

Episode 13 brings you insight into the winners and finalists of GameRefinery’s very first Mobile GameDev Awards in 2021. These new annual awards aim to reward design and innovation in the mobile game industry by developers in the US, China and Japan. In this episode, GameRefinery’s analysts and partner judge from Luna Labs discuss a few of the award categories and what made the winners stand out from the competition - what is their secret?Award categories discussed include Innovation and Excellence in Core Gameplay, Best Evolver, and Best in-game Event. Host Jon Jordan is joined by GameRefinery's Chief Analysts Erno Kiiski, Kalle Heikkinen, and Teemu Palomäki and special guests John Wright, Vice President of Operations at Luna Labs. Thanks for listening!