Shared

Explore

Shared

Shared

Mastering Retention Podcast

VooDoo is disrupting the gaming industry

⁠

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

⁠

🎙️ Mastering Retention Podcast: Exploring Voodoo's Transition to Hybrid Casual Games with Alvaro Duarte

Host: Tom Hammond, Co-founder of UserWise

Guest: Alvaro Duarte, Head of Hybrid-Casual at Voodoo

⁠

Introduction

👋 About Alvaro Duarte:

Formerly at King, contributed significantly to their growth.

Currently leading the hybrid casual initiative at Voodoo.

🎯 Focus: Diving deep into Voodoo's evolution from hyper-casual to hybrid casual games and their strategies for success in the current gaming landscape.

⁠

Voodoo's Shift to Hybrid Casual Games

🏃‍♂️ Moving Beyond Hyper-Casual:

Hyper-Casual is Dead: Voodoo's Alexander Shea declared hyper-casual games no longer viable due to rising CPIs and market saturation.

All-In on Hybrid Casual: The entire company has pivoted to focus on hybrid casual games.

🔄 What is Hybrid Casual?

Definition:

A blend of hyper-casual and classic casual games.

Games are released earlier in development and improved over time.

Key Characteristics:

Smaller initial team sizes, growing as the game scales.

Balanced monetization between ads and in-app purchases.

Faster return on ad spend (ROAS) compared to traditional casual games.

⁠

Prototyping and Development Process

🧪 Massive Prototyping Funnel:

Testing around 1,500 prototypes annually.

Aim to release four successful games per year.

Emphasis on rapid iteration and innovation.

🎯 Selection Criteria:

Targeting CPI around $1, not exceeding $2.

Games should have potential for long-term engagement.

Desired metrics include a Day 30 retention rate of about 10%.

🤝 Two Main Teams:

Core Team: Focuses on creating and testing prototypes.

Live Team: Takes promising prototypes and develops them into full-fledged games.

⁠

Company Culture and Team Dynamics

👥 Specialized Roles:

Recognizing that not everyone excels at both prototyping and live operations.

Teams are structured to leverage individual strengths.

🌍 Flexibility in Work Environment:

Open to remote work and distributed teams.

Studios can be established in various locations based on talent availability.

🚀 High-Performance Focus:

Voodoo seeks "A-players" who thrive in a performance-driven culture.

Offers autonomy, accountability, and rewards based on game performance.

Quick to identify and address underperformance to maintain team excellence.

⁠

Strategies for Success in a Competitive Market

📈 Navigating Market Challenges:

Acknowledges the difficulty of launching new games in the saturated mobile market.

Leverages extensive testing and data to inform decisions.

💡 Innovation through Meta Layers:

Enhancing games with engaging meta-features to boost retention and monetization.

Continuously testing new features to find what resonates with players.

📊 Balancing Monetization Models:

Transitioning from ad-heavy hyper-casual models to a balanced approach.

Emphasizing rewarded videos and strategic ad placements to enhance player experience.

🛍️ Mergers and Acquisitions:

Acquiring studios with specialized expertise, such as Beach Bum for board games.

Integrating new talent and knowledge to diversify and strengthen their portfolio.

⁠

Adapting to Industry Changes

🔄 Impact of Apple's ATT Policies:

Recognizes the significant effect on user acquisition and monetization.

Shifted focus to hybrid casual games to adapt to the new landscape.

💪 Resilience During Economic Downturns:

Mobile gaming remains relatively robust despite economic challenges.

Continues to attract players seeking affordable entertainment options.

⁠

Player Experience and Retention

🎮 Enhancing Player Engagement:

Prioritizing player enjoyment by reducing ad frequency compared to hyper-casual games.

Implementing segmentation to tailor experiences for different player types.

🤝 Building Relationships with Players:

Learning from companies like Playtika to provide personalized experiences for VIP players.

Investing in understanding player needs to foster loyalty and increase lifetime value.

⁠

Closing Insights

📝 Key Takeaways for Aspiring Talent:

Voodoo offers a unique environment akin to building your own company with support.

Ideal for entrepreneurial individuals seeking autonomy and impactful roles.

💡 Alvaro's Tip for Boosting Retention:

Discipline in Roadmapping:

Focus on solving one or two real problems at a time.

Set clear, quantifiable targets and persist until they are achieved.

Avoid scattering efforts across too many initiatives.

⁠

Conclusion

📞 Connect with Voodoo:

Interested individuals can reach out to Alvaro on LinkedIn.

🔑 Final Thoughts:

Voodoo's transition to hybrid casual games demonstrates adaptability and innovation.

Their unique approach combines rigorous testing, a performance-driven culture, and a focus on player experience to navigate the challenges of today's mobile gaming market.

Gallery

Want to print your doc?
This is not the way.

Try clicking the ⋯ next to your doc name or using a keyboard shortcut (

CtrlP

) instead.