Deconstructor of Fun

🎮 Transmedia Triumphs and Traps: Lessons from the Convergence of Gaming and Media 🎬 The worlds of gaming and media are colliding like never before, and the opportunities—and pitfalls—are immense. In our latest blog post, we dive deep into the evolving landscape of transmedia and the lessons learned from some of the industry’s biggest success stories and missteps. 🚀 💡 Key Takeaways: 🔫 The John Wick cameo in Fortnite wasn’t just a one-off—it’s a blueprint for how iconic IP can thrive in interactive spaces. But not every transmedia experiment works. 📺 Transmedia is more than crossovers. Successful integrations require a deep understanding of both the gaming and media ecosystems—audiences demand more than just surface-level collaborations. 🪤 What traps to avoid: Overestimating brand strength and underestimating the complexity of gaming culture can lead to costly failures. Companies like Netflix and Disney are leading the way in gaming’s shift from niche to mainstream. But how do legacy media brands balance tradition with innovation? 🕹 The future is hybrid: As gaming becomes an increasingly dominant force in the entertainment world, understanding the intricacies of transmedia strategies will be crucial for success. 📖 Check out the full article for an in-depth exploration of where gaming and media meet, the trends driving change, and how businesses can capitalize on this convergence: [Link to article below] #Transmedia #GamingIndustry #Convergence #Media #DeconstructorOfFun #GamingTrends #InteractiveEntertainment #JohnWick #Fortnite #NetflixGaming #Disney #IPManagement

"The Best Game Studios in the World" tour continues. Today we're at Scopely's Barcelona HQ with returning guest, Co-CEO Javier Ferreira. ""We're never surprised by failure. We expect it. This is an important concept. If you think that you're going to make a game and that will be a journey of success, then abandon that journey." - Javier Ferreira

Did you know that the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is planning to launch 250 gaming companies, creating around 39,000 jobs in the process? 💰💰💰💰💰? Brian Ward, a seasoned founder and executive who currently serves as the CEO of Savvy Games Group has a word of advice for folks thinking only about the loot... "People who are here to extract a lot of money without due consideration of the benefit that they're providing and the service nor being respectful... They can see that coming a mile away. You're going to have a very short stay here (if that's your goal)."

In the latest podcast (episode: TWIG #302) Eric Kress and Michail Katkoff discuss horror games and Remedy Entertainment Plc's terrifyingly low sales numbers for Alan Wake 2. It is an exceptional game that launched to critical acclaim, earning a Metacritic score of 89! Alan Wake 2 was released in October 2023. It sold 1 million units by the end of December 2023, and 1.3 million units as of the beginning of February 2024. Why were gamers scared to buy the game? #gamedev

Why does Supercell's Brawl Stars soar while Squad Busters suffers? Is it because of... 1️⃣ lack of gameplay diversity 2️⃣ lack of depth 3️⃣ shallow progression systems 4️⃣ skipping soft launch 5️⃣ some other reason? Leave your comment below! If you want to know what we think is the reason, head on to our site and read our humble opinion.

The one and only Ahmetcan Demirel analyzes Wildlife Studios's latest puzzle title. Is it a blast from the past or a glimpse of the future? Check out the write up with some really great insights!

"Most of the companies that I started actually were a result of something that I was just frustrated in my personal life. And you know, I'm just one of those guys that goes and does something about it." -Dennis Fong

The much-requested DMA for Dummies quick course is live on our blog! Michail Katkoff was the brave dummy schooled by the always-on-point Archie Stonehill. Make sure to check it out as the Digital Markets Act (DMA) by EU regulators is a significant shift in government policy towards big tech. Something that can free up distribution and payments in apps and games.

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Squad Busters One Month Later: Down, But Not Out It's been about one month since Squad Busters launched—enough time for front-loaded marketing spend to subside and the immediate reality to set. Squad Buster’s launch failed. We were hilariously wrong about the launch prospects of this game. Much less than acquiring portfolio-high download volume, Squad Busters is Supercell's weakest launch entry, behind only Boom Beach. While Squad Busters initially drove massive download quantity, it quickly sputtered out, and poor download quality translated to lackluster active users and revenue. The unreliability of pre-registration numbers, the overestimation of brand equity, and the waning influence of first-party featuring are soon becoming recurring themes in mobile gaming; Squad Busters' launch throws these challenges into the spotlight. It’s particularly a poor showing of Supercell’s IP. Gathering all Supercell IPs under one roof was supposed to be Squad Busters' strength, but the result is irreverent. Supercell may have brand recognition, but brand equity remains questionable. One thing we know for sure: Squad Busters launched too early. Forgoing a soft launch deprived Supercell of the ability to assess even Day 30 KPIs. This decision remains puzzling, as there was no pressure to launch Squad Busters. Brawl Stars is completing a historic comeback, while Clash Royale requires immediate attention. Instead, Supercell now needs to repair both Clash Royale and Squad Busters while also managing a plethora of other initiatives: Spark Labs, a growing investment of 19 companies, scaling headcount & remote work, and a North American studio that rears its head once a quarter. While the decision to forgo a soft launch was wrong, it was human. Sources indicate that no individual made the call, and leadership stood behind the decision. Forgoing a soft launch reflects a near decade of understandable Supercell frustration and an easy way out of prolonged soft launches: “Just do it.” Combined with a brand view of Supercell IP as akin to Nintendo, glowing first-party allegiance, and an eagerness to rack up another win on top of Brawl Stars’ revival, Squad Busters’ launch was too tempting to pass up. Squad Busters is a disciplined reminder of the importance of soft launching and a reality check on the strength of platforms and mobile-first IPs. While the game holds immense promise—a claim we stand behind—game lead Eino Jonas and the team are tasked with growing its magnitudes behind its portfolio peers. Yet, Brawl Stars reminds us that nothing is outside Supercell’s purview. (full post in comments)