Mobile reports and market data
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Enad Global 7 Q2 2020 Interim Report Presentation
Enad Global 7 (EG7) released a video presentation summarizing its Q2 2020 interim report and providing an update on its game pipeline.
- Enad Global 7 operates a diversified business model integrating internal game development with external consultancy, marketing, and publishing services.
- The group employs approximately 200 staff members across eight international offices, with headquarters located in Stockholm.
- The marketing division, Petrol, has supported the release of over 1,500 titles, including major franchises such as Call of Duty, Destiny, and Dark Souls.
Superstar Session: The State of Mobile Gaming 2020 PG Connects Digital #2
The mobile gaming industry underwent a period of significant volatility during 2020, characterized by an initial surge in user engagement followed by a strategic market correction.
- Mobile gaming fraud has evolved from simple install manipulation to complex in-app event mimicry, where device farms and emulators simulate human retention and spending patterns to deceive attribution systems.
- To combat sophisticated fraud, developers must shift from surface-level metrics to advanced analytical frameworks that detect nuanced, human-like patterns of deception to protect profitability.
- Monetization strategies shifted in 2020 toward in-app purchases to compensate for declining advertising revenue, necessitating a greater focus on retargeting to boost average revenue per paying user.
Superstar Session: A Look into the Impact of COVID-19 PG Connects Digital #2
This analysis examines the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the global mobile gaming industry, utilizing data from Unity Technologies’ monetization platform.
- Mobile ad revenue and ad impressions surged by 60% and 56% respectively in 2020, driven by a massive increase in global user traffic during the pandemic.
- Daily active users for mid-core and hardcore games rose by 35% compared to the 2019 baseline, as remote work and lockdowns shifted player behavior toward longer, more immersive sessions.
- While total in-app purchasing volume increased, the average revenue per player decreased, indicating that a broader base of users began spending smaller individual amounts.
PocketGamer.biz Podcast Episode 8: Mikko Kodisoja leaves Supercell, Crash Bandicoot Mobile, and more
The mobile gaming industry is currently navigating a period of significant structural and regulatory transition.
- PUBG Mobile has surpassed $3 billion in lifetime revenue, with the Chinese localized version, Game for Peace, serving as the primary driver for this growth.
- New ISBN approval requirements in China are creating significant barriers to entry for independent developers, effectively consolidating market power among established giants like Tencent and NetEase.
- AT&T is considering a $4 billion divestiture of Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment, attracting interest from Microsoft and EA despite the exclusion of key intellectual properties like Batman and Harry Potter.
Embracer Group Acquires DECA Games
Embracer Group has acquired DECA Games, a mobile and free-to-play (FTP) asset care and LiveOps expert, for approximately €25 million in equity, with a potential earnout of up to €60 million in shares over seven years.
- Embracer Group acquired DECA Games for an initial €25 million in equity, with potential earnout payments of up to €60 million over seven years tied to financial growth targets.
- DECA Games will function as Embracer’s sixth operative group, providing a scalable platform to expand the parent company's presence in the mobile and free-to-play (FTP) sectors.
- DECA Games reported over €20 million in revenue and an operating EBIT margin exceeding 35% for the 2020/2021 fiscal year.
Monetise not Bastardise | PocketGamer.biz RoundTable
The mobile gaming industry is currently undergoing a critical transition in its approach to monetization, moving away from disruptive, full-screen video ads that often degrade user experience and retention.
- Mobile gaming has evolved into the largest digital medium, shifting from a niche market in 2014-2015 to a global audience that requires more sophisticated, non-intrusive monetization strategies.
- Programmatic audio advertising has expanded from a U.S.-centric model to over 50 countries, driven by the massive growth in music and podcast consumption on platforms like Spotify, SoundCloud, and YouTube.
- Player retention is heavily impacted by ad frequency and placement; developers must align ad triggers with natural game flow transitions—specifically the shift from frustration to relief—to maintain immersion.
Exploring the Mobile Industry with Nadav Ashkenazy | Game Dev Unchained Episode 230
The mobile gaming industry has undergone a fundamental transformation, shifting from speculative development cycles toward a rigorous, data-centric model that prioritizes marketability and financial sustainability.
- Mobile game development has shifted to a data-centric model that uses minimum viable products (MVPs) to test marketability, cost per install, and lifetime value before committing full production resources.
- The integration of creative design with rigorous business metrics is now the primary strategy for mitigating high development risks and reducing the frequency of studio closures.
- Studios must prioritize mobile-specific user experience design rather than simple platform porting to remain competitive in an increasingly complex digital landscape.
Data Driven Decision Making | Murka's Growth Through Data at the Organization and Product Level
Murka achieves sustained revenue growth and market outperformance by embedding a comprehensive, data-driven framework across its organizational, product, and portfolio operations.
- Murka utilizes a three-tiered player segmentation model—categorizing by demographics, activity patterns, and a 360-degree holistic view—to dynamically adjust live-ops, rewards, and challenges.
- The organization maintains a structural separation between business intelligence infrastructure and business-focused analysis to ensure teams can adapt to player behavior without being overwhelmed by data.
- Data analysts are embedded directly into product and monetization teams to facilitate the use of machine learning for predictive modeling, including churn forecasting and conversion optimization.
The Sky Roller Story: How we Created More Value by not Looking for Top Ranking Charts PGCD #2
Mobile game development thrives when publishers prioritize data-driven validation over the pursuit of top-ranking charts.
- Prioritize Fast Market Validation through rigorous soft-testing to identify high-potential mechanics before committing to full-scale production, as demonstrated by the 80 million downloads achieved by Sky Roller.
- Shift from an over-reliance on interstitial ads to a hybrid monetization model that incorporates rewarded video and in-app purchases to maximize the lifetime value of hyper-casual titles.
- Enhance long-term user retention by integrating meta-progression and character customization alongside core gameplay improvements like intuitive controls, optimized camera angles, and haptic feedback.
How can Gaming Help in Times of COVID-19? PG Connects Digital #2
The COVID-19 pandemic necessitated a rapid evolution in digital mental health support, leading to the strategic adaptation of therapeutic gaming platforms to address rising levels of trauma, anxiety, and social isolation among young people.
- Therapeutic gaming platforms provide a secure, anonymous environment for processing trauma and anxiety by integrating narrative therapy and creative expression.
- Developers have improved user engagement by removing traditional social features like avatars and video chat, which often exacerbate social anxiety in young adults.
- Operational success in digital mental health gaming requires strict adherence to COPPA and HIPAA compliance standards to ensure data privacy and clinical integrity.
PocketGamer.biz Podcast Episode #9: GREE sues Supercell, xCloud pulled from iOS, and more
The global mobile and console gaming landscape is currently defined by intense legal scrutiny, aggressive consolidation, and shifting release strategies.
- Zynga acquired hyper-casual developer Rollic for $168 million, a strategic move to test the sector's resilience following Apple’s IDFA privacy changes.
- Nintendo reported $3.4 billion in net sales for Q1 fiscal year 2021, driven primarily by the sustained success of the Animal Crossing franchise.
- Microsoft is integrating Project xCloud into Game Pass Ultimate to compete with Google Stadia, prioritizing subscription-based services and cross-platform accessibility.
Live Ops Production for Mobile Games PG Connects Digital #2
Successful Live Ops production in the mobile gaming sector hinges on the cultivation of psychological safety, which serves as the foundational requirement for innovation and rapid iteration.
- Cultivate psychological safety to enable rapid iteration and innovation, allowing team members to experiment and correct mistakes without fear of retribution.
- Transition from arbitrary deadlines to task-based maturity, supported by robust, risk-free deployment tools that facilitate consistent product ownership.
- Implement bottom-up goal setting where teams define ambitious objectives that remain directly aligned with the studio's broader profitability targets.
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