Mobile Games 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...

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...

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...

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....

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...

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 , Ca...

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...

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...

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 t...

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...

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...

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 a...

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 t...

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 c...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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 G...

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 Vo...

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 t...

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 collabora...

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...

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 mobil...

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...