two & a half gamers session #99 – 4X (R)evolution part1. Top Heroes: Idle RPG or 4X strategy game?
This is no BS gaming podcast 2.5 gamers session #99. 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 am conference discussion vibe, so let’s not take it too seriously.
The Team:
Jakub Remiar- Game design consultant
Felix Braberg – Ad monetization consultant
Matej Lančarič – User Acquisition & Creatives consultant
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Summary
In this conversation, Matej and Jakub discuss the game Top Heroes and its unique gameplay mechanics. They also touch on the topic of ad revenue and channel growth. The conversation begins with an introduction and channel announcement, followed by an overview of the game’s features. They discuss the transition to the world map and the building mechanics in the game. They also explore the world quests and the hospital and soldier mechanics. The conversation concludes with a discussion on rewarded ads in the game. This conversation explores the mechanics and monetization strategies of a 4X game that combines elements of AFK Arena and Rise of Kingdoms. The hosts discuss the game’s revenue analysis, base building mechanics, guilds and social mechanics, the connection between heroes and Forex gameplay, grinding bosses and gear upgrades, engagement with guilds and events, monetization and white whales, and the integration of AFK Arena and Rise of Kingdoms mechanics. They also touch on the total addressable market for Forex games. In this episode, the hosts discuss the poor retention and onboarding experience of a game, as well as their initial impressions. They highlight the importance of smooth onboarding and gameplay for player conversion. The hosts also tease an upcoming episode and provide clues for listeners to uncover. They discuss the significance of ads and share insights on the game’s ad channels. The creatives used in the game are reviewed, and the hosts analyze the game’s revenue growth and country breakdown. The episode concludes with closing remarks and a call to action for listeners to subscribe and support the podcast.
Takeaways
Top Heroes is a game with unique gameplay mechanics, including a transition from an action RPG to a world map.
The game features building mechanics, world quests, and hospital and soldier mechanics.
The conversation also touches on the topic of ad revenue and channel growth.
Rewarded ads are implemented in the game to provide players with additional resources and speed up gameplay. 4X games combine elements of AFK Arena and Rise of Kingdoms to create a unique gameplay experience.
Guilds and social mechanics play a crucial role in the game, with strong social engagement driving the guild’s progress.
The connection between heroes and Forex gameplay is a key aspect, with heroes carrying soldiers and their level determining their strength on the 4X map.
Grinding bosses and upgrading gear are important activities in the game, providing resources and bonuses.
Monetization in 4X games primarily comes from the 4X mechanics, with players investing in upgrading resources, soldiers, and peace shields.
The game targets a niche audience, and the total addressable market for 4X games may not be as large as other genres.
Agenda:
00:00 Epic intro
04:45 Introduction to Top Heroes
05:10 The Unique Gameplay of Top Heroes
06:11 Transition to the World Map
08:06 Exploring the Town and Building Mechanics
09:08 Introduction to World Quests
10:07 Gameplay Mechanics and Objectives
12:40 Introduction to Hospital and Soldier Mechanics
20:02 Introduction to the Game and Revenue Analysis
21:05 Base Building Mechanics and Gameplay
22:23 Guilds and Social Mechanics
27:08 Grinding Bosses and Gear Upgrades
30:12 Engagement with Guilds and Events
34:22 Monetization and White Whales
36:24 Integration of AFK Arena and Rise of Kingdoms Mechanics
41:35 Poor Retention and Onboarding Experience
42:15 Initial Impressions of the Game
43:22 Smooth Onboarding and Gameplay
44:15 Teaser for the Next Episode
45:00 Discussion on the Importance of Ads
45:40 Upcoming Episode and Clues
46:26 Analysis of Ad Channels
48:26 Review of Creatives
53:33 Playable Ad and Revenue Growth
57:31 Experimenting with New Creatives
58:35 Revenue and Country Breakdown
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