Infinity
Company
Documents about Infinity
FTUE: Dawnbringer
The mobile action game Dawnbringer, published by Kiloo, serves as a case study for the critical importance of effective onboarding and first-time user experience (FTUE) design.
- The first ten minutes of gameplay are critical for player retention, as a poor initial experience creates an immediate barrier that discourages long-term engagement.
- Kiloo’s Dawnbringer demonstrates that even experienced publishers can fail if complex mechanics, such as Infinity Blade-inspired combat, are not introduced with sufficient clarity.
- Unintuitive control schemes, specifically those requiring complex camera manipulation and movement, must be explicitly and clearly communicated to the player during the onboarding phase.
Fabzat's Florent Pitoun on the opportunity for phygital toys
The phygital toy market represents a significant evolution in the gaming industry, characterized by the convergence of virtual in-game assets and physical merchandise.
- The phygital toy market is projected to reach a $10 billion valuation, representing approximately 10% of the total global games industry.
- Bespoke 3D printing technology eliminates the need for traditional high-volume manufacturing runs of 100,000+ units, allowing developers to achieve profitability on the first unit sold.
- By removing high barriers to entry like expensive mold creation, 3D printing enables smaller, independent developers to monetize their player bases effectively.
Monetizer: Batman: Arkham Origins
Batman: Arkham Origins, a free-to-play mobile brawler developed by Warner Bros., serves as a case study for integrating console-style production values with established mobile monetization mechanics.
- Batman: Arkham Origins employs a dual-currency model featuring upgrade points for character progression and WayneTech points for premium boosts, stamina, and cosmetics.
- The game utilizes tiered pricing bands in its store to incentivize larger real-money transactions by offering increased value at higher spending levels.
- The economic model creates a psychological distinction between currencies by presenting upgrade points as abundant, low-value assets and WayneTech points as scarce, premium resources.
Monetizer: Infinity Blade III
Infinity Blade III serves as a notable case study in the integration of sophisticated free-to-play (F2P) monetization mechanics within a premium, paid-entry mobile game.
- Infinity Blade III utilizes a hybrid monetization model that combines a $7 upfront premium entry fee with an aggressive in-app purchase (IAP) ecosystem typical of free-to-play titles.
- The game employs a dual-hard-currency system using gold and chips, which are non-interchangeable and serve distinct functions like equipment acquisition and time-based crafting acceleration.
- Monetization is driven by a layered architecture featuring inventory stores, consumable items, time-based crafting mechanics, and randomized rewards through prize wheels and key-based chest unlocking.
News roundup: Opinions on GTA V and the rise of iOS 7
This industry analysis examines the shifting landscape of mobile monetization and platform adoption as of September 2013, contrasting the traditional console model with the prevailing free-to-play (F2P) paradigm.
- Top-grossing mobile titles like Candy Crush Saga achieve an average revenue per paying user of approximately $40 annually, matching the upfront retail cost of many premium console games.
- Mobile developers such as GungHo Online and Supercell are demonstrating that high-frequency monetization strategies often outperform the traditional one-time purchase model used by console releases like Grand Theft Auto V.
- Mobile gaming is increasingly adopting complex monetization mechanics, including dual hard currencies, randomized item drops, and time-gated progression, even within premium-priced titles like Infinity Blade III.
Mobile games industry news (w/e 19 July 2013)
The mobile gaming industry in mid-2013 is characterized by rapid growth in user acquisition and significant consolidation, particularly within Asian markets.
- Baidu’s $1.9 billion bid for 91 Wireless highlights intense competition among Chinese tech giants like Tencent and 360 to control Android distribution channels.
- The Korean messaging platform Kakao generated over $300 million in revenue during the first half of 2013 through its integrated games platform.
- Kabam reached a $700 million valuation following a private share placement, signaling strong investor confidence in the scalability of free-to-play business models.