⚙️ Fallout Shelter: A Success Story Overshadowed by AAA Games ⚙️
If I want to surprise a hardcore gamer, I just give them a few examples of how big mobile is today. Whether it's the enormous market size, the substantial sum paid for Zynga, or King's role in Activision Blizzard's finances, it always ends up with surprise and confusion among those less familiar with the business side of the industry.
Now, I have another good example to use: Fallout Shelter. Apparently, while we all were impressed by Fallout 4 hitting the top of the charts, Fallout Shelter increased its daily IAP revenue x10 times! What's even more impressive, is that the revenue is holding near $200k per day even 3 weeks after the show’s debut!
For me, this is also a story of accessibility. The show has opened up the rich Fallout universe to a broader audience, and Fallout Shelter is taking this step further. The game gently onboards the TV show fans with new TV-themed events and simplistic gameplay, engaging them further into this unique universe.
If you're interested in a deeper dive into how Fallout Shelter converted its newly found attention into a tenfold revenue increase, check out my latest article on AppMagic: https://lnkd.in/dFFur8NV
I used the word ‘transmedia’ there, so it's worth reading, right?
With that said, I’m off to play Fallout 4. After all, I need something to do while waiting for my Fallout Shelter dwellers to return home with loot.
Game designer, sentient being (in progress) Creative Design Specialist (Volunteer, Non-Profit) at Kwaai.ai
7moOne of the strong problems (math. acception) in game design/social management. Matchmaking has not deifnitive solution as it is constrinaed by multiple layers. Usually 3 are implemented as filters : -technical dependencies (ping, server region) -Skill and playing style (be it direct ELOs or similar algos and corrections for 'mood'/structure of your specific game) -Social and legal regulations (toxicity, profanity and so on) As a result there are no definitive recipe here, you need to evaluate the social structure intended or existing in your game (hurray for data science !) and to understand how it links with your game system and live ops content. you know the recipe (it is 'somehow stable due to industry scale and social inertia), but need to adjust proportions considering the specific tastes and profiles of your expected users. As a constructive part here's my take away : Defining your cohorts, prospects and so on (UX) is not a luxury but a precondition for you designers to work. You cannot craft a relevant present for someone you ignore the tastes and expectations. Gaming's core drive/experience is about social connexion. (be it with the designers and/or with the other players)