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Mastering Retention Podcast

Ep.82: Web gaming in a mobile world

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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lm07kKJWyF8⁠

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🎙️ Mastering Retention Podcast: Exploring Web and Instant Games with Valentin Simeon

Host: Tom Hammond, Co-founder of UserWise

Guest: Valentin Simeon, Former Producer at SoftGames and Co-founder of his own gaming startup

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Introduction

👋 About Valentin Simeon:

Experienced game producer with a background in web development and entrepreneurship.

Worked at MavenHut, focusing on Facebook canvas games.

Recently at SoftGames, dealing with instant and web-based games.

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Journey into Gaming

🎮 Early Passion for Games:

Grew up playing classics like Heroes of Might and Magic and Age of Empires II.

Became intrigued by the web-based game Hattrick, managing a virtual soccer team.

💡 Transition from Web Development to Gaming:

Started his career in web services and development.

Founded his own company but faced challenges and valuable learning experiences.

Inspired by the book "The Lean Startup" by Eric Ries.

🚀 Joining MavenHut:

Attracted to MavenHut's innovative approach to gaming on Facebook.

The interview focused on problem-solving and mindset rather than technical skills.

Emphasized the importance of understanding player needs over client needs.

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The World of Web and Instant Games

🌐 Evolution of Facebook Games:

Initially centered around desktop with Facebook canvas games.

Transitioned to mobile with the launch of Instant Games on Facebook and Messenger.

The platform remains significant, especially among women aged 45-55.

📈 Opportunities in Instant Gaming:

Potential to reach billions of players across various platforms.

Expansion beyond Facebook to platforms like Samsung and Asian messenger apps.

The instant gaming industry is dynamic and continually evolving.

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Challenges and Strategies in Web Game Development

🕹️ Selecting the Right Game:

Importance of aligning the game with the target audience.

Need to validate ideas quickly and be data-driven.

Emphasized that simply building a game doesn't guarantee an audience.

📊 Validating Game Concepts:

Use of surveys and A/B testing to gather player feedback.

Importance of failing fast and learning from mistakes.

Adjusting strategies based on both quantitative and qualitative data.

🚧 Overcoming Development Hurdles:

Shared an experience where server scalability was underestimated.

Highlighted the importance of preparation and learning from unexpected challenges.

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LiveOps and Player Engagement

⏩ Speed and Adaptability in LiveOps:

Necessity to react quickly to player needs and market trends.

Tailoring events to specific demographics and cultures.

Importance of segmentation and personalized experiences.

🎉 Designing Effective Events:

Creating engaging events that resonate with players, such as holiday-themed activities.

Learning from community reactions to events and adjusting accordingly.

🤝 Community and Social Elements:

Encouraging player interaction through PvP and social features.

Recognizing and supporting player-created communities and content.

The impact of social engagement on retention and player satisfaction.

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Monetization in Web and Instant Games

💰 Balancing Ads and In-App Purchases:

Most games use a combination of ads and in-app purchases for monetization.

Importance of designing the game economy with monetization in mind from the start.

Offering value to players through both rewarded ads and purchase options.

📈 Data-Driven Monetization Strategies:

Monitoring conversion rates and adjusting offers accordingly.

Using segmentation to provide personalized pricing and product offerings.

Planning special events and offers to boost revenue during key periods.

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Tips for Improving Player Retention

🔑 Valentin's Advice:

Focus on One Thing at a Time: Concentrate efforts on improving a specific aspect, like day-one retention, before moving on to others.

Enhance Social Features: Incorporate PvP and social interactions to deepen engagement.

Be Data-Driven: Use player feedback and analytics to make informed decisions and iterate quickly.

Adapt and Learn: Embrace failures as learning opportunities and remain flexible in strategies.

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Conclusion

🌟 Final Thoughts:

Emphasized the dynamic nature of the instant gaming industry and the vast opportunities it presents.

Encouraged developers to be open-minded, agile, and player-focused.

Highlighted the significance of community and social elements in modern gaming.

📞 Connecting with Valentin Simeon:

LinkedIn:

Valentin Simeon⁠

(Note: Placeholder URL)

Open to discussions about web and instant gaming, live operations, and game production.

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