two & a half gamers

This is no BS gaming podcast 2.5 gamers session. Sharing actionable insights, dropping knowledge from our day-to-day User Acquisition, Game Design, and Ad monetization jobs. We are definitely not discussing the latest industry news, but having so much fun! Let’s not forget this is a 4 a.m. conference discussion vibe, so let's not take it too seriously.

Panelists: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Jakub Remia⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠r,⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Felix Braberg, Matej Lancaric⁠

Special guest: Joseph Kim

Youtube

Join our slack channel here: https://join.slack.com/t/two-and-half-gamers/shared_invite/zt-2ftcc85es-CesThaafn9k0BIFSVAV8FQ

Agenda

00:00 Epic intro

01:12 Introduction and Setting the Stage

03:02 Exploring the Mechanics and Popularity of Banana Game

06:00 The Presence of Bots in Banana Game

09:03 The Marketplace and Monetization Potential of Banana Game

14:59 The Play-to-Earn Model and Speculation in Games

21:07 The success of the Banana Game and the role of bots

22:04 The appeal of UGC and meme-driven games

23:14 Exploring gameplay enhancements

24:26 The challenges of implementing community marketplaces on mobile

25:48 The potential of crypto solutions in games

26:42 The importance of assigning value to in-game items

27:34 The friction in implementing crypto solutions

28:01 The power of memes and viral marketing

29:29 The possibilities and limitations of Steam's community marketplace

30:04 Building a game with natural gameplay and engaging loops

32:24 The potential of mushroom-themed games

35:06 The future of similar games and the sustainability of trends

---------------------------------------

Matej Lancaric

User Acquisition & Creatives Consultant

⁠https://lancaric.me

Felix Braberg

Ad monetization consultant

⁠https://www.felixbraberg.com

Jakub Remiar

Game design consultant

⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/jakubremiar

Joseph Kim

https://www.linkedin.com/in/jokim/

---------------------------------------

Takeaways

Banana Game on Steam has gained significant popularity, with a large number of players and high concurrent user counts.

The game's mechanics involve clicking on a banana to increase a number and collect banana skins.

The presence of bots in the game is evident, with a majority of the player base being bots.

The game's marketplace allows players to buy and sell banana skins, with some skins selling for significant amounts.

The success of Banana Game highlights the potential for the play-to-earn model and the underserved market for speculation and collection in games.

Game developers can learn from the success of Banana Game and explore ways to incorporate similar concepts into their own games. The success of the Banana Game highlights the potential of the Steam community marketplace and the appeal of UGC and meme-driven games.

Enhancing gameplay with progression, collections, and gacha mechanics can increase player engagement and retention.

Monetization strategies like referral codes and bonuses for sharing can drive user acquisition and community growth.

The conversation raises questions about the sustainability of games like the Banana Game and the role of bots in the gaming ecosystem.

---------------------------------------

Please share the podcast with your industry friends, dogs & cats. Especially cats! They love it!

Hit the Subscribe button on YouTube, Spotify, and Apple!

Please share feedback and comments - [email protected]

---------------------------------------

If you are interested in getting UA tips every week on Monday, visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠lancaric.substack.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ & sign up for the Brutally Honest newsletter by Matej Lancaric

Latest article - https://open.substack.com/pub/lancaric/p/match-3d-ua-playbook-real-data-inside?r=7qqaf&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&showWelcomeOnShare=true

Do you have UA questions nobody can answer? Ask ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Matej AI⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ - the First UA AI in the gaming industry! https://lancaric.me/matej-ai

This is no BS gaming podcast 2.5 gamers session. Sharing actionable insights, dropping knowledge from our day-to-day User Acquisition, Game Design, and Ad monetization jobs. We are definitely not discussing the latest industry news, but having so much fun! Let’s not forget this is a 4 a.m. conference discussion vibe, so let's not take it too seriously.

Panelists: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Jakub Remia⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠r,⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Felix Braberg, Matej Lancaric⁠

Youtube: https://youtu.be/HXP-N3MmAtI

Join our slack channel here: https://join.slack.com/t/two-and-half-gamers/shared_invite/zt-2ftcc85es-CesThaafn9k0BIFSVAV8FQ

Agenda

00:00 Epic Intro

01:00 Introduction and Creative Trends

01:46 Unconventional Elements in Game Creatives

04:56 Celebrity Endorsements and Cameos

08:58 The Rise of Longer Video Ads

11:54 Addressing the Issue of Sexist Ads

14:07 The Impact of Engaging Animations

20:56 Trend: Games Featuring Cars and Upgrades

22:33 The Impact of In-Engine Rendered Ads

23:49 The Success of Pizza Ready and Township

27:39 Golden Goblins: A Case Study in Game Advertising

32:31 Capturing Attention with Hooks: Unexpected Visuals and Celebrity Endorsements

39:11 The Rise of High-Quality, In-Engine Rendered Ads

40:49 The Power of Cars in Mobile Game Advertising

46:09 Investing in High-Quality Assets for Long-Term Success

47:26 Networking and Collaboration at ChinaJoy

---------------------------------------

Matej Lancaric

User Acquisition & Creatives Consultant

⁠https://lancaric.me

Felix Braberg

Ad monetization consultant

⁠https://www.felixbraberg.com

Jakub Remiar

Game design consultant

⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/jakubremiar

---------------------------------------

Takeaways

Unusual and attention-grabbing elements, like poop, can be effective in game creatives.

Celebrity endorsements and cameos are commonly used in mobile game ads.

Longer video ads, often over one minute, are becoming more popular.

The issue of sexist ads in mobile games is still prevalent.

Engaging and high-quality animations can greatly enhance the effectiveness of game creatives. Mobile games featuring cars and upgrades are a popular trend in the industry.

In-engine rendered ads are being used to create more visually appealing and complex creatives.

Understanding reference games and staying up-to-date with creative trends is crucial for success in mobile gaming.

Games like Pizza Ready and Township continue to generate significant revenue and downloads.

The hosts discuss the success of Golden Goblins and the use of different game concepts in their ads. Hooks, such as unexpected visuals and celebrity endorsements, are effective in capturing users' attention in mobile game advertising.

High-quality, in-engine rendered ads are a trend in the industry and can speed up iteration and improve user engagement.

The inclusion of cars in various game genres is a popular strategy to attract users and lower CPI.

Investing in building a library of high-quality assets for ads can be a significant upfront cost but can pay off in the long run.

Attending industry events like ChinaJoy provides opportunities for networking and collaboration.

---------------------------------------

Please share the podcast with your industry friends, dogs & cats. Especially cats! They love it!

Hit the Subscribe button on YouTube, Spotify, and Apple!

Please share feedback and comments - [email protected]

---------------------------------------

If you are interested in getting UA tips every week on Monday, visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠lancaric.substack.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ & sign up for the Brutally Honest newsletter by Matej Lancaric

Latest article - https://open.substack.com/pub/lancaric/p/match-3d-ua-playbook-real-data-inside?r=7qqaf&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&showWelcomeOnShare=true

Do you have UA questions nobody can answer? Ask ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Matej AI⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ - the First UA AI in the gaming industry! https://lancaric.me/matej-ai

Felix Latest Article -

https://www.felixbraberg.com/post/the-end-of-gam-and-admob-placement-refreshes

This is no BS gaming podcast 2.5 gamers session with @WoogaGames & @MediaBodiesMarketing ! Sharing actionable insights, dropping knowledge from our day-to-day User Acquisition, Game Design, and Ad monetization jobs. We are definitely not discussing the latest industry news, but having so much fun! Let’s not forget this is a 4 a.m. conference discussion vibe, so let's not take it too seriously.

Host: Matej Lancaric⁠

Special guests: April Laws, Edward Fuller

Youtube: https://youtu.be/KprKzQQelow

Join our slack channel here: https://join.slack.com/t/two-and-half-gamers/shared_invite/zt-2ftcc85es-CesThaafn9k0BIFSVAV8FQ

Agenda

00:00 Epic intro

01:30 Introduction and Guest Introductions

04:31 Planning and Logistics

08:13 Phases of the Project

10:18 Involving Players in the Ideation Process

13:45 Internal Team and Collaboration with MediaBodies

16:27 Challenges and Details of the Production

25:20 Engagement and Reach on Social Media

28:18 Episode Length and Viewer Engagement

32:29 Future Plans and Community Engagement

36:53 Reflections and Gratitude

---------------------------------------

Matej Lancaric

User Acquisition & Creatives Consultant

⁠https://lancaric.me

Felix Braberg

Ad monetization consultant

⁠https://www.felixbraberg.com

Jakub Remiar

Game design consultant

⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/jakubremiar

April Laws

https://www.linkedin.com/in/aprillaws1/

Edward Fuller

https://www.linkedin.com/in/edwardjfuller/

---------------------------------------

Takeaways

Collaborating with influencers and involving players in a video series can be a powerful way to engage and re-engage the community.

Planning and executing a project like this requires careful coordination, from selecting contestants to writing the story and creating puzzles.

Community-driven content that tells a good story can be a more effective marketing approach than traditional advertising.

Long-form videos can be engaging and successful in driving player engagement, especially when combined with interactive elements like puzzles and QR codes.

Even with a limited budget, smaller-scale community content initiatives can still have a significant impact.

---------------------------------------

Please share the podcast with your industry friends, dogs & cats. Especially cats! They love it!

Hit the Subscribe button on YouTube, Spotify, and Apple!

Please share feedback and comments - [email protected]

---------------------------------------

If you are interested in getting UA tips every week on Monday, visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠lancaric.substack.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ & sign up for the Brutally Honest newsletter by Matej Lancaric

Latest article - https://open.substack.com/pub/lancaric/p/match-3d-ua-playbook-real-data-inside?r=7qqaf&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&showWelcomeOnShare=true

Do you have UA questions nobody can answer? Ask ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Matej AI⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ - the First UA AI in the gaming industry! https://lancaric.me/matej-ai

Felix Latest Article -

https://www.felixbraberg.com/post/the-end-of-gam-and-admob-placement-refreshes

This is no BS gaming podcast 2.5 gamers session. Sharing actionable insights, dropping knowledge from our day-to-day User Acquisition, Game Design, and Ad monetization jobs. We are definitely not discussing the latest industry news, but having so much fun! Let’s not forget this is a 4 a.m. conference discussion vibe, so let's not take it too seriously.

Panelists: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Jakub Remia⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠r,⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Matej Lancaric⁠

Special guest: Dmitry Gubanenkov

Youtube: https://youtu.be/fQ0DeZYo4mY

Join our slack channel here: https://join.slack.com/t/two-and-half-gamers/shared_invite/zt-2ftcc85es-CesThaafn9k0BIFSVAV8FQ

Agenda

00:00 Epic intro

01:20 Introduction and Game Overview

13:22 Game Mechanics and Core Features

20:32 The Success of Using Xzibit in Creatives

22:53 Marketability Tests and Surveys

23:51 Challenges of Running UA Campaigns for a Male Audience

24:09 Competition in the Male-Oriented Match-Three Genre

24:26 The Power of Partnering with a Popular TV Personality

26:00 Exploring Different Creative Formats for Maximum Impact

28:07 The Importance of Testing and Iterating on Creatives

31:33 Staying Informed with Competitive Research

37:43 The Value of an In-House Creative Team

39:24 Selecting UA Channels: Experience, Discussions, and Insights

---------------------------------------

Matej Lancaric

User Acquisition & Creatives Consultant

⁠https://lancaric.me

Dmitry Gubanenkov

User Acquisition Manager - Space Ape games

https://www.linkedin.com/in/gubanenkov/

Jakub Remiar

Game design consultant

⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/jakubremiar

---------------------------------------

Takeaways

Chrome Valley Customs is a match-three game that targets a male audience, which is unique in the genre dominated by female players.

The game's success can be attributed to its engaging car restoration theme and the use of Xzibit from Pimp My Ride in their creatives.

Marketability tests and surveys helped shape the game's concept and appeal to the target audience.

Running UA campaigns for a male audience in the match-three genre can be challenging due to high CPIs and the need for scalable creatives.

Competition in the male-oriented match-three genre is increasing, with other developers releasing similar games. Partnering with a popular TV personality can help reach a core audience and create a strong connection with players.

Using a variety of creative formats, such as static, playable videos, and long-form videos, can be effective in different channels and for different audiences.

Testing and iterating on creatives is crucial for finding the most successful ad concepts and improving performance metrics.

Competitive research is important for staying informed about industry trends and finding inspiration for new creatives.

Having an in-house creative team can lead to better-performing ads, as they have a deeper understanding of the game and can capture its unique appeal.

Selecting UA channels should be based on a combination of experience, internal discussions, and industry insights, considering factors like scale, spend, and profitability.

---------------------------------------

Please share the podcast with your industry friends, dogs & cats. Especially cats! They love it!

Hit the Subscribe button on YouTube, Spotify, and Apple!

Please share feedback and comments - [email protected]

---------------------------------------

If you are interested in getting UA tips every week on Monday, visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠lancaric.substack.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ & sign up for the Brutally Honest newsletter by Matej Lancaric

Latest article - https://open.substack.com/pub/lancaric/p/match-3d-ua-playbook-real-data-inside?r=7qqaf&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&showWelcomeOnShare=true

Do you have UA questions nobody can answer? Ask ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Matej AI⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ - the First UA AI in the gaming industry! https://lancaric.me/matej-ai

Felix Latest Article -

https://www.felixbraberg.com/post/the-end-of-gam-and-admob-placement-refreshes

This is no BS gaming podcast 2.5 gamers session #120. Sharing actionable insights, dropping knowledge from our day-to-day User Acquisition, Game Design, and Ad monetization jobs. We are definitely not discussing the latest industry news, but having so much fun! Let’s not forget this is a 4 a.m. conference discussion vibe, so let's not take it too seriously.

Solo Leveling: Arise receives high ratings for its production value and gameplay, but there are areas for improvement. The adaptation of the webtoon with 14.3 billion views is playable NOW! Play Solo Leveling: ARISE same as we did!

This is no BS gaming podcast 2.5 gamers session #118. Sharing actionable insights, dropping knowledge from our day-to-day User Acquisition, Game Design, and Ad monetization jobs. We are definitely not discussing the latest industry news, but having so much fun! Let’s not forget this is a 4 a.m. conference discussion vibe, so let's not take it too seriously.

Panelists: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Jakub Remia⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠r,⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Felix Braberg

Special guest - Mr. Vicepresident John Wright

Youtube: https://youtu.be/shCIoypUMaY

Join our slack channel here: hhttps://join.slack.com/t/two-and-half-gamers/shared_invite/zt-2ftcc85es-CesThaafn9k0BIFSVAV8FQ

Agenda

00:00 Introduction and Special Episode

01:07 Introduction to Solo Leveling Arise

07:32 Competition and Cannibalization in the Anime Game Segment

10:25 Mainstream Appeal of Anime Games in the West

13:40 Gameplay Overview of Solo Leveling Arise

28:01 Power Layers and Progression in the Game

34:16 Exploring the Predatory Monetization of Solo Leveling: Arise

35:40 The Extensive Event System and Gacha Mechanics in Solo Leveling: Arise

39:14 Analyzing the User Acquisition Efforts of Solo Leveling: Arise

42:04 High Ratings for Production Value and Gameplay in Solo Leveling: Arise

---------------------------------------

Matej Lancaric

User Acquisition & Creatives Consultant

John Wright

Mr. Vicepresident @KwaleeGames

https://www.linkedin.com/in/johnwright1987/

⁠https://lancaric.me

Felix Braberg

Ad monetization consultant

⁠https://www.felixbraberg.com

Jakub Remiar

Game design consultant

⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/jakubremiar

---------------------------------------

Takeaways

Anime-style games are becoming more mainstream in the West, and the genre is expected to grow in the future.

Monetization in these games often involves gacha systems, subscriptions, and in-app purchases.

Solo Leveling Arise features depth of content and progression layers, including character leveling, weapon enhancement, and skill upgrades.

The game offers replayability through achievements, missions, and trophy systems.

Aggressive offer notifications and rewarded push notifications to the store are used to encourage in-app purchases. Solo Leveling: Arise employs aggressive monetization strategies, including special summons offers and a slot machine-like mechanic.

The game features an extensive event system, gacha mechanics, and the potential for collaboration events.

We discuss the game's user acquisition efforts, including pre-registration numbers and the network mix of their advertising campaigns.

Solo Leveling: Arise receives high ratings for its production value and gameplay, but there are areas for improvement.

---------------------------------------

Please share the podcast with your industry friends, dogs & cats. Especially cats! They love it!

Hit the Subscribe button on YouTube, Spotify, and Apple!

Please share feedback and comments - [email protected]

---------------------------------------

If you are interested in getting UA tips every week on Monday, visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠lancaric.substack.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ & sign up for the Brutally Honest newsletter by Matej Lancaric

Latest article - https://open.substack.com/pub/lancaric/p/match-3d-ua-playbook-real-data-inside?r=7qqaf&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&showWelcomeOnShare=true

Do you have UA questions nobody can answer? Ask ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Matej AI⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ - the First UA AI in the gaming industry! https://lancaric.me/matej-ai

Felix Latest Article -

https://www.felixbraberg.com/post/the-end-of-gam-and-admob-placement-refreshes

This is no BS gaming podcast 2.5 gamers session. Sharing actionable insights, dropping knowledge from our day-to-day User Acquisition, Game Design, and Ad monetization jobs. We are definitely not discussing the latest industry news, but having so much fun! Let’s not forget this is a 4 a.m. conference discussion vibe, so let's not take it too seriously.

Panelists: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Jakub Remia⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠r,⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Felix Braberg, Matej Lancaric⁠

Guests: Julian Werner, Jan-Michel Saaksmeier

Youtube: https://youtu.be/oUjBwWHGSGw

Join our slack channel here: https://join.slack.com/t/two-and-half-gamers/shared_invite/zt-2ftcc85es-CesThaafn9k0BIFSVAV8FQ

Agenda

00:00 Epic intro

01:00 Introduction to Bytro and Grand Strategy Games

06:09 The Unique Combination of 4X and Battle Royale

13:08 Bytro's Niche Appeal and Lack of Direct Competitors

15:55 Exploring New Onboarding Methodologies

23:04 Advertising on TikTok and Bold Marketing Strategies

25:25 Balancing Innovation and Niche Appeal

26:30 Maximizing Monetization with Rewarded Ads and Speed-ups

27:05 Tailoring the Gaming Experience with LTVs and Segmentation

29:30 Leveraging TikTok for Creative Advertising

30:17 The Importance of Web and Mobile Platforms

31:44 The Power of Influencer Marketing

33:19 Transitioning to a New Game Engine

34:39 Managing Community Expectations

45:21 Upcoming Game Releases and Hiring Opportunities

---------------------------------------

Matej Lancaric

User Acquisition & Creatives Consultant

⁠https://lancaric.me

Felix Braberg

Ad monetization consultant

⁠https://www.felixbraberg.com

Jakub Remiar

Game design consultant

⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/jakubremiar

---------------------------------------

Takeaways

Bytro specializes in grand strategy games with a unique combination of 4X and Battle Royale elements.

It started as a browser games company and has expanded to mobile.

Bytro collaborates with other studios to explore new onboarding methodologies and is working on implementing mini-game tutorials and a hero collection meta-game.

They face the challenge of balancing innovation with maintaining their niche appeal. Rewarded ads can be a valuable tool for monetization, especially when combined with an inventory system that offers speed-ups.

Leveraging LTVs can help tailor the gaming experience for different types of users, such as providing extra boosters for non-IAP players or players from tier 2 and tier 3 countries.

TikTok is a powerful platform for creative advertising, and leveraging UGC (user-generated content) can be highly effective.

The web platform is still relevant for game monetization, but the price situation and native advertising platforms can be challenging.

Influencer marketing can provide access to incremental audiences and is becoming increasingly relevant as more influencers emerge.

Transitioning to a new game engine can be a significant step up, especially in terms of presentation and user experience.

Managing community expectations during transitions and updates is crucial to maintaining player engagement and revenue.

The company is hiring for positions in monetization and game design.

---------------------------------------

Please share the podcast with your industry friends, dogs & cats. Especially cats! They love it!

Hit the Subscribe button on YouTube, Spotify, and Apple!

Please share feedback and comments - [email protected]

---------------------------------------

If you are interested in getting UA tips every week on Monday, visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠lancaric.substack.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ & sign up for the Brutally Honest newsletter by Matej Lancaric

Latest article - https://open.substack.com/pub/lancaric/p/stay-ahead-in-ua-for-2024-my-top?r=7qqaf&utm_campaign=podcast&utm_medium=web&showWelcome=true

Do you have UA questions nobody can answer? Ask ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Matej AI⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ - the First UA AI in the gaming industry! https://lancaric.me/matej-ai

This is no BS gaming podcast 2.5 gamers session #117. Sharing actionable insights, dropping knowledge from our day-to-day User Acquisition, Game Design, and Ad monetization jobs. We are definitely not discussing the latest industry news, but having so much fun! Let’s not forget this is a 4 a.m. conference discussion vibe, so let's not take it too seriously.

Welcome to Star Wars Hunters - where under the bright lights of the Arena, survivors of the fallen Galactic Empire and new heroes alike face-off in spectacular gladiatorial battles that will solidify the victors as legends throughout the galaxy.

Love shooter games and arena combat games? Then get ready to dominate your opponents in Star Wars: Hunters.

This is no BS gaming podcast 2.5 gamers session #116. Sharing actionable insights, dropping knowledge from our day-to-day User Acquisition, Game Design, and Ad monetization jobs. We are definitely not discussing the latest industry news, but having so much fun! Let’s not forget this is a 4 a.m. conference discussion vibe, so let's not take it too seriously.

Panelists: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Jakub Remia⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠r,⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Felix Braberg, Matej Lancaric⁠

Podcast:

Join our slack channel here: https://join.slack.com/t/two-and-half-gamers/shared_invite/zt-29stniv6f-oLJzhx2U_mRB_ppXnJ9hvQ

Agenda

00:00 Introduction and Compliments to Jakub

01:09 Introducing Star Wars Hunters

04:00 The Confusing Menu Design

05:19 Comparing Star Wars Hunters to Other Mobile Games

08:36 Monetization and Revenue Potential

10:26 Gameplay Overview: Hero Shooter and Objectives

13:02 Gameplay Experience and Controls

15:08 Monetization: Battle Pass and Cosmetics

20:06 The Misuse of the Rewarded Ad Button

23:00 The Potential and Flaws of Star Wars Hunters

25:06 Power Progression and Monetization

27:05 Roster Size and IP Licensing

28:15 Potential of PvE Content

29:31 Marketing Strategies and Creatives

30:32 Uncertain Future of Star Wars: Hunters

---------------------------------------

Matej Lancaric

User Acquisition & Creatives Consultant

⁠https://lancaric.me

Felix Braberg

Ad monetization consultant

⁠https://www.felixbraberg.com

Jakub Remiar

Game design consultant

⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/jakubremiar

---------------------------------------

Takeaways

Star Wars Hunters is a mobile game that features a 4v4 hero shooter gameplay.

The game has a variety of cosmetics, but the differentiation is limited, and the monetization mainly focuses on unlocking characters sooner.

The menu design of the game is confusing and overwhelming, making it difficult for players to navigate.

The hosts express disappointment with the lack of meaningful power progression and the abundance of scripted quests.

The misuse of the rewarded ad button in the game is seen as a missed opportunity for additional monetization.

Despite its flaws, the hosts acknowledge that the game has potential and could have been more successful with better execution. Star Wars: Hunters lacks power progression and struggles with monetization.

The small roster of characters and lack of recognizable IP may contribute to its limited success.

The game could benefit from adding power progression elements or PvE content.

The marketing efforts include high-quality creatives on platforms like Facebook, Google, TikTok, and YouTube.

The game has received organic traction, but its long-term success is uncertain.

---------------------------------------

Please share the podcast with your industry friends, dogs & cats. Especially cats! They love it!

Hit the Subscribe button on YouTube, Spotify, and Apple!

Please share feedback and comments - [email protected]

---------------------------------------

If you are interested in getting UA tips every week on Monday, visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠lancaric.substack.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ & sign up for the Brutally Honest newsletter by Matej Lancaric

Latest article - https://open.substack.com/pub/lancaric/p/stay-ahead-in-ua-for-2024-my-top?r=7qqaf&utm_campaign=podcast&utm_medium=web&showWelcome=true

Do you have UA questions nobody can answer? Ask ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Matej AI⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ - the First UA AI in the gaming industry! https://lancaric.me/matej-ai

Felix Latest Article -

https://www.felixbraberg.com/post/the-end-of-gam-and-admob-placement-refreshes

Total Battle is a war strategy game that will allow you to become immersed in a fantasy world of battles between ancient civilizations, magic kingdoms, and great empires. Join the legendary heroes of the mighty kingdoms and build your empire in the magical world of Total Battle!

Join the company of legendary heroes in Total Battle who’ll defend their territory at all costs and fight against monsters, barbarians, wizards, elves, and other foes. Develop a base and establish a strong tower defense to win all the kings battles in this medieval strategy war game and become the Lord of all the Kingdoms!

This is no BS gaming podcast 2.5 gamers session #115. Sharing actionable insights, dropping knowledge from our day-to-day User Acquisition, Game Design, and Ad monetization jobs. We are definitely not discussing the latest industry news, but having so much fun! Let’s not forget this is a 4 a.m. conference discussion vibe, so let's not take it too seriously.

Panelists: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Jakub Remia⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠r,⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Felix Braberg, Matej Lancaric⁠

Youtube: https://youtu.be/7cgAiDFMsMg

Join our slack channel here: https://join.slack.com/t/two-and-half-gamers/shared_invite/zt-2ftcc85es-CesThaafn9k0BIFSVAV8FQ

Agenda

00:00 Epic intro

01:46 Overview of Total Battle and Score Warrior

04:43 The Success of Total Battle

06:31 Positioning of Total Battle in the 4X Genre

09:17 The Gameplay and Mechanics of Total Battle

21:08 The Future of Total Battle and the 4X Genre

25:03 Introduction to Total Battle and its monetization success

26:16 Unique mechanics: Onboarding tutorial and hospital system

30:39 Effective creatives and user acquisition strategies

37:13 Total Battle's Strong Presence on YouTube

46:56 Potential concepts for Total Battle's creatives

49:07 Success in the competitive 4X genre

---------------------------------------

Matej Lancaric

User Acquisition & Creatives Consultant

⁠https://lancaric.me

Felix Braberg

Ad monetization consultant

⁠https://www.felixbraberg.com

Jakub Remiar

Game design consultant

⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/jakubremiar

---------------------------------------

Takeaways

Total Battle has achieved significant success, generating $600k per day in IAP revenues.

The game features innovative onboarding mechanics, including a simulated 4X map within the city.

Total Battle incorporates puzzle mechanics and a story mode to engage players.

The game has experienced a surge in popularity, reaching a peak of $14 million in monthly revenues in May 2024. Total Battle is a successful 4X strategy game, generating around $600k per day.

The game features unique mechanics, such as an onboarding tutorial within the game's map and a hospital system for resurrecting troops.

Total Battle utilizes effective creatives and user acquisition strategies, with a variety of concepts and playables used to attract and engage players.

Total Battle demonstrates the potential for success in the competitive 4X genre.

---------------------------------------

Please share the podcast with your industry friends, dogs & cats. Especially cats! They love it!

Hit the Subscribe button on YouTube, Spotify, and Apple!

Please share feedback and comments - [email protected]

---------------------------------------

If you are interested in getting UA tips every week on Monday, visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠lancaric.substack.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ & sign up for the Brutally Honest newsletter by Matej Lancaric

Latest article - https://lancaric.substack.com/p/how-to-soft-launch-a-mobile-game

Do you have UA questions nobody can answer? Ask ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Matej AI⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ - the First UA AI in the gaming industry! https://lancaric.me/matej-ai

Felix Latest Article -

https://www.felixbraberg.com/post/the-end-of-gam-and-admob-placement-refreshes