two & a half gamers Lancaric.me

This is no BS gaming podcast 2.5 gamers special live session. Sharing actionable insights, dropping knowledge from our day-to-day User Acquisition, Game Design, and Ad monetization jobs. We are definitely not discussing the latest industry news, but having so much fun! Let’s not forget this is a 4 a.m. conference discussion vibe, so let's not take it too seriously.

Panelists: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Matej Lancaric⁠, Arthur Querou

Youtube: https://youtu.be/4qFeVMbbbnc

Join our slack channel here: https://join.slack.com/t/two-and-half-gamers/shared_invite/zt-2ftcc85es-CesThaafn9k0BIFSVAV8FQ



Agenda

00:00 Introduction and Low Expectations of TV Creatives in the US

06:23 Running CTV Campaigns and Ad Experience

13:19 Data Partners and Audience Targeting

27:20 CPI Difference Between CTV and Facebook Ads

34:09 Examples of Successful Creatives

40:14 Contacting Vibe for CTV Advertising

---------------------------------------

Matej Lancaric

User Acquisition & Creatives Consultant

⁠https://lancaric.me

Felix Braberg

Ad monetization consultant

⁠https://www.felixbraberg.com

Jakub Remiar

Game design consultant

⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/jakubremiar

Arthur Querou

https://www.linkedin.com/in/arthurquerou/

---------------------------------------

Takeaways

CTV advertising offers precise targeting, retargeting, and measurement similar to Facebook and Google ads.

The minimum budget to start a CTV campaign is $50 a day, but it can scale up to hundreds of thousands or even millions for larger advertisers.

Simple, direct, and clear creatives tend to perform well in CTV advertising.

Incrementality measurement is important in understanding the full value of CTV advertising.

The ideal customer for CTV advertising is someone who understands that it takes time and investment to see results and is looking for a partner to navigate the evolving landscape.

---------------------------------------

Please share the podcast with your industry friends, dogs & cats. Especially cats! They love it!

Hit the Subscribe button on YouTube, Spotify, and Apple!

Please share feedback and comments - matej@lancaric.me

---------------------------------------

If you are interested in getting UA tips every week on Monday, visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠lancaric.substack.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ & sign up for the Brutally Honest newsletter by Matej Lancaric

Latest article - https://open.substack.com/pub/lancaric/p/stay-ahead-in-ua-for-2024-my-top?r=7qqaf&utm_campaign=podcast&utm_medium=web&showWelcome=true

Do you have UA questions nobody can answer? Ask ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Matej AI⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ - the First UA AI in the gaming industry! https://lancaric.me/matej-ai

Felix Latest Article -

https://www.felixbraberg.com/post/the-end-of-gam-and-admob-placement-refreshes


---

Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/two-half-gamers/message

This is no BS gaming podcast 2.5 gamers session #108. Sharing actionable insights, dropping knowledge from our day-to-day User Acquisition, Game Design, and Ad monetization jobs. We are definitely not discussing the latest industry news, but having so much fun! Let’s not forget this is a 4 a.m. conference discussion vibe, so let's not take it too seriously.
Panelists: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Jakub Remia⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠r,⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Felix Braberg, Matej Lancaric⁠
Youtube: https://youtu.be/VyBThe0Ukq4
Join our slack channel here: https://join.slack.com/t/two-and-half-gamers/shared_invite/zt-29stniv6f-oLJzhx2U_mRB_ppXnJ9hvQ
Agenda

00:00 Epic intro

01:07 Discussion on Hyper-Casual and Hybrid-Casual Games

06:10 Overview of Supercet Games and Revenue

07:29 Gameplay and Mechanics of Pizza Ready, Outlet's Rush, and Snake Clash

10:34 Comparison to My Perfect Hotel and Other Games

16:09 The Iterative Nature of Supercent Games

23:02 Aggressive Ad Monetization

25:43 Rewarded Video Placements and Interstitial Ads

27:14 Controversial Use of Players' Devices as a Botnet

30:07 Effectiveness of Aggressive Ad Monetization Strategies

38:37 Balancing Monetization and User Experience

41:37 The Aggressive and Creative Use of Branded Ads in Hypercasual Games

42:56 Earning Millions: The Investment in User Acquisition for Games like Outlast Rush and Pizza Ready

43:24 The Gray Area of Using Famous Logos and Brands in-Game Ads

45:06 Exploring the Unique Gameplay of Snake UA
---------------------------------------
Matej Lancaric
User Acquisition & Creatives Consultant
⁠https://lancaric.me
Felix Braberg
Ad monetization consultant
⁠https://www.felixbraberg.com
Jakub Remiar
Game design consultant
⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/jakubremiar
---------------------------------------
Takeaways

Supercent games follow an iterative approach, with each new release improving upon the previous one.

The games, such as Pizza Ready, Outlet's Rush, and Snake Clash, share similar mechanics and features.

Supercent has achieved significant success with millions of downloads and substantial revenue.

There is potential for further expansion and innovation in the hyper-casual and hybrid-casual space.

Supercent games Pizza Ready and Outlet Rush heavily rely on ad revenue, with IAP revenue being a low percentage.

The games employ various ad placements, including rewarded video placements, interstitial ads, banner ads, and in-app open ads.

The aggressive ad monetization strategies in these games are effective in generating revenue.

The conversation highlights the need for a balance between monetization and user experience. Branded ads in hypercasual games can be aggressive and creative, using famous logos and brands to attract users.

The legality and effectiveness of using famous logos and brands in-game ads are gray areas, but they can generate attention and drive CPIs.

The Snake UA game is an interesting iteration of the classic Snake game, focusing on level-based gameplay and boss fights.
---------------------------------------
Please share the podcast with your industry friends, dogs & cats. Especially cats! They love it!
Hit the Subscribe button on YouTube, Spotify, and Apple!
Please share feedback and comments - matej@lancaric.me
---------------------------------------
If you are interested in getting UA tips every week on Monday, visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠lancaric.substack.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ & sign up for the Brutally Honest newsletter by Matej Lancaric
Latest article - https://open.substack.com/pub/lancaric/p/stay-ahead-in-ua-for-2024-my-top?r=7qqaf&utm_campaign=podca

This is no BS gaming podcast 2.5 gamers session #107. Sharing actionable insights, dropping knowledge from our day-to-day User Acquisition, Game Design, and Ad monetization jobs. We are definitely not discussing the latest industry news, but having so much fun! Let’s not forget this is a 4 a.m. conference discussion vibe, so let's not take it too seriously.
Panelists: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Jakub Remia⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠r,⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Felix Braberg, Matej Lancaric⁠
Youtube: https://youtu.be/UPH0nu1Mm9o
Join our slack channel here: https://join.slack.com/t/two-and-half-gamers/shared_invite/zt-2ftcc85es-CesThaafn9k0BIFSVAV8FQ

Agenda

00:00 Epic intro

07:04 Soft Launch Strategy and Global Launch Announcement

13:56 Plaza, Character Progression, and Fusion

36:19 Monetization System and PvP Win Condition

55:35 Launching Parallel in China

01:04:53 Creative Concepts for Advertising

01:13:26 Influencer Marketing and Soft Launches
---------------------------------------
Matej Lancaric
User Acquisition & Creatives Consultant
⁠https://lancaric.me
Felix Braberg
Ad monetization consultant
⁠https://www.felixbraberg.com
Jakub Remiar
Game design consultant
⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/jakubremiar
---------------------------------------
Takeaways

Squadbusters has undergone significant changes between beta builds, including the introduction of a new gacha system and character progression through shards.

The game features mega units that are consumable and have powerful stats, adding a pay-to-win element.

The Battleback feature allows players to open chests and upgrade characters using consumables.

The Beach World introduces new maps, units, and mods, and the Squad Journey provides a progression path for players.

The hosts express excitement about the game but question the impact of certain features on the competitive Supercell community. The hosts enjoy playing Squad Busters but highlight issues with PvP battles, such as lack of readability and incentive.

The game's monetization system, including the gacha system, is praised, but the PvP win condition needs improvement.

The potential impact of Squad Busters' global launch on other Supercell games, particularly Brawl Stars, is discussed.

The game's target audience is likely to be different from that of Brawl Stars, with Squad Busters appealing to a more casual and approachable player base.

Monetization strategies should be tailored to the Asian market, as pay-to-win mechanics are more accepted and successful in that region.

Influencer marketing, particularly on platforms like TikTok, can be a powerful tool for promoting Squad Busters.

Advertising channels such as TikTok, AppLovin, Google, and Facebook should be utilized to reach a wide audience.

Creative concepts for advertising should focus on storytelling, showcasing characters and progression, and incorporating humor.

Soft launches can provide valuable feedback and data, but given Supercell's expertise and the similarities to their other games, a soft launch may not be necessary for Squad Busters.

Supercell's strong retention rates and high day 30 percentages indicate the potential for long-term success with Squad Busters.

The success of Squad Busters will ultimately depend on the execution of marketing strategies and the quality of the game itself.
---------------------------------------
Please share the podcast with your industry friends, dogs & cats. Especially cats! They love it!
Hit the Subscribe button on YouTube, Spotify, and Apple!
Please share feedback and comments - matej@lancaric.me
---------------------------------------
If you are interested in getting UA tips every week on Monday, visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

This is no BS gaming podcast 2.5 gamers session #106. Sharing actionable insights, dropping knowledge from our day-to-day User Acquisition, Game Design, and Ad monetization jobs. We are definitely not discussing the latest industry news, but having so much fun! Let’s not forget this is a 4 a.m. conference discussion vibe, so let's not take it too seriously.
Panelists: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Jakub Remia⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠r,⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Felix Braberg, Matej Lancaric⁠
Podcast: https://youtu.be/zdltbj05lvU
Join our slack channel here: https://join.slack.com/t/two-and-half-gamers/shared_invite/zt-29stniv6f-oLJzhx2U_mRB_ppXnJ9hvQ



Agenda

00:00 Brawl Stars' Revenue Growth and UA Strategies

15:45 Different Types of Creatives Used in Brawl Stars' Marketing

35:37 Reviewing Game Performance: Block Jam 3D

42:19 Iterating on Successful Game Concepts

52:33 Speculating on the Future of the Last War
---------------------------------------
Matej Lancaric
User Acquisition & Creatives Consultant
⁠https://lancaric.me
Felix Braberg
Ad monetization consultant
⁠https://www.felixbraberg.com
Jakub Remiar
Game design consultant
⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/jakubremiar
---------------------------------------
Takeaway

Takeaways



Brawl Stars experienced significant growth and revenue increase after its global launch.

Supercell employed effective user acquisition strategies and creative content to drive the game's success.

Community engagement and storytelling played a crucial role in the game's marketing.

We absolutely admire Supercell's marketing efforts and the effectiveness of their UA and creative strategies. Supercell is expanding its advertising strategy to different channels outside of YouTube

Google has prohibited the practice of refreshing placements and rolled out bidding for all partners

The performance of games like Block Gem 3D, Clash Mini, Tower War, and Pocket Champs is reviewed

We discuss the potential for other companies to iterate on successful game concepts Brawl Stars, Top Heroes, Twisted Tango, and Last War are all performing well in terms of revenue, downloads, and active users.

Lilith Games has its own off-platform payments platform called PlutoMall.

The hosts speculate on the future of Last War and its potential peak revenue.

Listeners are encouraged to join the upcoming AMA and engage with us!
---------------------------------------
Please share the podcast with your industry friends, dogs & cats. Especially cats! They love it!
Hit the Subscribe button on YouTube, Spotify, and Apple!
Please share feedback and comments - matej@lancaric.me
---------------------------------------
If you are interested in getting UA tips every week on Monday, visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠lancaric.substack.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ & sign up for the Brutally Honest newsletter by Matej Lancaric
Latest article - https://open.substack.com/pub/lancaric/p/stay-ahead-in-ua-for-2024-my-top?r=7qqaf&utm_campaign=podcast&utm_medium=web&showWelcome=true
Do you have UA questions nobody can answer? Ask ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Matej AI⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ - the First UA AI in the gaming industry! https://lancaric.me/matej-ai
Felix Latest Article -
https://www.felixbraberg.com/post/the-end-of-gam-and-admob-placement-refreshes


---

Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/two-half-gamers/message

This is no BS gaming podcast 2.5 gamers session #105. Sharing actionable insights, dropping knowledge from our day-to-day User Acquisition, Game Design, and Ad monetization jobs. We are definitely not discussing the latest industry news, but having so much fun! Let’s not forget this is a 4 a.m. conference discussion vibe, so let's not take it too seriously.
Panelists: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Jakub Remia⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠r,⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Felix Braberg, Matej Lancaric⁠Special Guest: Laura Taranto
Youtube: https://youtu.be/HHUGcHxXDmk
Join our Slack channel here: https://join.slack.com/t/two-and-half-gamers/shared_invite/zt-2ftcc85es-CesThaafn9k0BIFSVAV8FQ
Agenda

00:00 The History of Merge Games

53:48 Balancing the Economy and Resource Management

01:02:46 Implementing a Collectible Album System

01:15:11 Optimizing Ad Placements and End Cards

01:30:46 The Use of Big Boards and UGC

01:39:09 The Impact of Story-Driven Narratives
---------------------------------------
Matej Lancaric
User Acquisition & Creatives Consultant
⁠https://lancaric.me
Felix Braberg
Ad monetization consultant
⁠https://www.felixbraberg.com
Jakub Remiar
Game design consultant
⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/jakubremiar
---------------------------------------

Takeaways



Travel Town and Merge Dragons are successful examples of merge games.

Merge games offer revenue potential and innovative gameplay.

We are excited about the future of merge games. Merge games can be categorized into camp merge and grid merge, each with its own frustrations and player motivations.

Travel Town and Microfun's portfolio are the top performers in the merge game market.

Merge games require strategic thinking and organization, making them engaging for players.

The revenue potential of merge games is significant, with some games generating millions of dollars. Balancing the economy and resource management is crucial in grid merge games.

Limited board space can lead to frustration and difficult decisions for players.

Relief orders can help alleviate frustration by clearing items from the board.

Energy management and generator cooldowns play a significant role in gameplay.

Thoughtful design and balancing are essential for creating an enjoyable player experience. Balancing the economy and avoiding over-reliance on storage space monetization is crucial for successful monetization in games.

Implementing a collectible album system can enhance player engagement and provide opportunities for social interactions.

Ad placements when completing levels can be a valuable opportunity for increasing ad revenue.

Optimizing ad placements and end cards can improve user experience and retention. Merge Mansion and Gossip Harbor use a variety of creative strategies, including big boards, UGC, and story-driven narratives.

The presence of sexist content in some of the creatives is noted.

Travel Town receives high praise for its dedication and iteration, while Gossip Harbor is commended for its strong live ops pipeline.

Further development is needed in the event pipeline and progression balancing for both games.

---------------------------------------
Please share the podcast with your industry friends, dogs & cats. Especially cats! They love it!
Hit the Subscribe button on YouTube, Spotify, and Apple!
Please share feedback and comments - matej@lancaric.me
---------------------------------------
If you are interested in getting UA tips every week on Monday, visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠lancaric.substack.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ & sign up for the Brutally Honest newsletter by Matej Lancaric
Latest article - https://open.sub

This is no BS gaming podcast 2.5 gamers session #104. Sharing actionable insights, dropping knowledge from our day-to-day User Acquisition, Game Design, and Ad monetization jobs. We are definitely not discussing the latest industry news, but having so much fun! Let’s not forget this is a 4 a.m. conference discussion vibe, so let's not take it too seriously.
Panelists: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Jakub Remia⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠r,⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Felix Braberg, Matej Lancaric⁠
Youtube: https://youtu.be/orl7awTs5zc
Join our slack channel here: https://join.slack.com/t/two-and-half-gamers/shared_invite/zt-2ftcc85es-CesThaafn9k0BIFSVAV8FQ

Agenda

00:00 Introduction and Recap of MAU Conference

02:13 Discussion on AFK Journey and Soft Launch

03:06 Overview of AFK Journey's Success and Revenue

05:49 Comparison with Other Games and Market Traction

07:55 Lilith Games' Portfolio and Revenue

09:03 Impact of Competing Games on Lilith's Revenue

10:10 Discussion on Lilith's Design and Product Quality

11:49 Exploration of Ad Placements and UA Videos

13:20 Overview of AFK Journey's Web Store and Real-World Rewards

15:33 Discussion on WhatsApp Groups and Web Store Trust

16:29 Comparison with Other Web Stores

18:23 Seamless and Streamlined Gameplay

22:20 Simplified Hero Collection and Equipment System

27:10 Difficulty Spikes and Honeymoon Period

28:10 Offers and In-Game Shop

29:49 Recruiting Heroes and Gacha System

34:02 Game Modes and Exploration

35:26 High Production Value and Engaging Storylines

37:50 Well-Developed Social Features

41:53 Improving in the Main Story Mode

43:25 Long Playtime and Endless Possibilities

46:01 Saving the Rating for the End

49:21 Engaging with TikTok and Social Media

52:14 Captivating Storytelling and High Production Value

58:28 Avoiding Cringy Ads and Focusing on Quality

01:01:29 High Innovation and Production Quality


---------------------------------------
Matej Lancaric
User Acquisition & Creatives Consultant
⁠https://lancaric.me
Felix Braberg
Ad monetization consultant
⁠https://www.felixbraberg.com
Jakub Remiar
Game design consultant
⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/jakubremiar
---------------------------------------
Takeaways

AFK Journey is a continuation of AFK Arena and has seen significant success in terms of revenue and downloads.

The game features in-game mail, a web store, and real-world rewards, which contribute to its overall engagement and monetization.

Chinese companies like Lilith Games invest significant resources and manpower into their games, resulting in high-quality products.

The gameplay is seamless and streamlined, with auto-battle and idle rewards.

The hero collection and equipment system are simplified and easy to manage.

Social features, such as guilds and friend interactions, are well-developed.

The game offers a unique gameplay experience and a wide variety of heroes to collect and upgrade.

The UA strategy for AFK Journey focuses on high-quality creatives that showcase the game's narrative and gameplay, while avoiding fake or cringey ads.

Overall, AFK Journey is a standout game in the RPG genre and has the potential to attract a large player base.
---------------------------------------
Please share the podcast with your industry friends, dogs & cats. Especially cats! They love it!
Hit the Subscribe button on YouTube, Spotify, and Apple!
Please share feedback and comments - matej@lancaric.me
---------------------------------------
If you are interested in getting UA tips every week on Monday, visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠lancaric.substack.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ & sign up for the Brutally Hones