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David Vogelpohl, the CMO at FastSpring, specializes in enabling direct-to-consumer (D2C) monetization for video games and other digital products. With over two decades of experience in advanced digital marketing, influencer marketing, and monetization, Vogelpohl helps FastSpring’s gaming customers succeed in monetizing and marketing their games directly to consumers.
As a veteran digital expert and thought leader for over 25 years, Vogelpohl provides actionable insights in his speaking engagements, focusing on practical tactics to drive growth with D2C strategies.
At the upcoming Pocket Gamer Connects Helsinki event on October 1st and 2nd, Vogelpohl will be presenting a talk titled ‘How to Actually Succeed With D2C Web Shops for Mobile Games’ among 180 other expert speakers. We caught up with him to learn more about his talk and get his insights on the latest industry trends.
PocketGamer.biz: Could you tell us a bit about your talk?
David Vogelpohl: In my talk, I will be sharing insights on how mobile games can achieve success with D2C strategies in the current landscape. With various regulations and restrictions in place, I will delve into the complexities and best practices for mobile game studios and publishers looking to leverage direct-to-consumer monetization.
“As mobile publishers start to explore D2C, they underestimate the complexity involved.”
David Vogelpohl
I will highlight the key factors for success in D2C, especially considering the limitations imposed by app store rules on promoting web shops within games without incurring high fees to Apple and Google.
What’s the most common mistake you see being made in the games sector?
A common mistake is underestimating the challenges of driving traffic to a web shop in a D2C strategy. Building the web shop is just the beginning; the real challenge lies in attracting players to it, which many publishers overlook.
If you could give other mobile games companies one piece of advice, what would it be?
I advise mobile game companies to optimize their games specifically for mobile instead of porting from other platforms. Also, diversifying monetization methods beyond ad-based revenue can be beneficial.
Where are the next big opportunities in the mobile games market?
The shift towards D2C channels presents significant opportunities for mobile game companies. Transitioning a portion of revenue to D2C can lead to increased profits and stronger relationships with players.
What’s the most important key performance indicator (KPI) for you – and why?
While profit is crucial, I believe daily active users reflect the player engagement and satisfaction, which ultimately drive profitability in the long run.
“Moving 50% of your mobile game revenue to a D2C channel will increase profits by nearly 18% without increasing revenue.”
David Vogelpohl
What is your biggest aspiration/goal in mobile gaming?
My goal is to help game publishers maximize profits and establish direct, lasting connections with their player base.
What do you think the next big disruptor in mobile games will be?
Augmented Reality (AR) has the potential to disrupt mobile gaming significantly once the technology matures. Changes in device capabilities, such as AR glasses, could revolutionize the gaming experience.
What is the single biggest challenge facing the mobile games industry today?
Profitability and the difficulty in achieving breakout success are major challenges in the mobile games industry.
Is there a console or PC trend that you think has potential within the mobile space?
The concept of freely installing games on devices, akin to side-loading on computers, has potential in the mobile space. However, user adoption remains a challenge in platforms like Google Play and Apple App Store.
Tell us your thoughts on one of the following: the metaverse, cloud gaming, cross-platform games, play-to-earn games
The metaverse holds promise for game publishers to break free from traditional gatekeepers and explore new avenues of content delivery. XR experiences and open web initiatives could redefine the industry dynamics.
