- The PocketGamer.biz team delves deeper into the most interesting events in mobile gaming from the past week.
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The gaming industry is constantly evolving, and some stories stick with us even after they have passed. That’s why we have created a weekly digest where our team at PocketGamer.biz discusses and explores the more intriguing developments in mobile gaming from the past week.
Craig Chapple
Head of Content
“Our focus is undoubtedly on the Middle East market where we have unique advantages”
Lately, I’ve been zeroing in on the games industry in the MENA region. In a recent newsletter, I discussed the impact of Eastern games companies during Gamescom, and this week I analyzed how Savvy’s investments and partnerships are creating new job opportunities in the region.
For the Week in Views, I wanted to spotlight an interview conducted by our MENA reporter Isa with Yalla Group president Saifi Ismail.
The reason I find this interview noteworthy is that when asked about successful games from developers in the Middle East, the response isn’t always immediate. While there is talent in development and publishing in the region, identifying a global hit isn’t always straightforward.
Yalla Group, based in Dubai, has flown under the global radar. It is an online social networking and gaming company with a voice chat platform called Yalla, employing around 800 individuals.
Their flagship game, Yalla Ludo, has generated $425 million in gross revenue from the App Store and Google Play worldwide, with Saudi Arabia leading in revenue, followed by the US, the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, and the UK. Yalla Ludo stands as a global success story.
“Yalla Ludo’s success is attributed to our deep understanding of the local market and our ability to create a product that resonates with users,” said Ismail. “We focused on delivering a user-friendly, culturally relevant game that also incorporated social elements, which are highly valued in the MENA region.
“For example, Yalla Ludo was the first Ludo application to include in-game voice-chatting and chatroom functionalities, establishing a highly engaged online community.
“Expanding to global audiences involved localizing the game for various markets, adapting gameplay to suit cultural preferences, and engaging in targeted marketing campaigns. For instance, we expanded beyond MENA with Yalla Parchis, a Ludo game designed for South American markets.”
Looking ahead, the company plans to develop mid-core titles and has three self-developed games slated for release in 2025.
This showcases the promising momentum in the Middle East’s gaming industry, hinting at more success stories in the years to come.
Daniel Griffiths
Editor – PocketGamer.biz
It’s lights out at Lightneer as the studio officially announces closure
The closure of a studio is always disheartening, but behind every sad tale lies intrigue, hubris, and valuable lessons.
This week’s poignant story revolves around the closure of Finnish studio Lightneer, despite having the backing of industry veterans like Rovio’s Peter Vesterbacka, former Mattel and Sega of America CEO Tom Kalinske, and Games Workshop legend Ian Livingstone. Despite these resources, the studio’s ultimate fate was sealed last week.
Upon digging deeper, one discovers the abandonment of a long-awaited launch game, a CEO departing due to a lack of drive for business growth or KPIs, and the alarming expenditure of $7.8 million.
Company chairman and CEO Henri Lindman bid farewell on LinkedIn in a manner that painted a picture of greatness achieved, expressing gratitude for all involved in the journey, despite its unfortunate end.
In Finnish, an “entrepreneur” is literally called “the one who tries.” So… Let’s try again,” Lindman wrote, hinting at a potential second attempt, and signed off with a humorous yet poignant nod to the journey’s end.
Only time will tell when true greatness is achieved. Until then…
Pokémon Masters EX turns five: Lessons from an IP and monetisation masterpiece
Five years have passed since the release of The Pokémon Company’s second-largest mobile game, Pokémon Masters, and much has changed since 2019.
The landscape of the game industry has evolved, as has the world, yet the Pokémon IP continues to expand. Developer DeNA created a long-running spin-off in Masters, featuring over 200 characters from classic Game Boy games to newer Switch titles, crafting unique scenarios between iconic characters.
What sets Pokémon Masters apart is its focus on characters. From tying up loose ends in the main series to creating new storylines around post-hero escapades of villains, the game’s lore is extensive.
These characters also drive the game’s monetization model, introducing new Sync Pairs through a gacha system with varying odds. The fifth-anniversary banners boast the poorest rates yet, requiring more premium currency for a guaranteed reward. Despite this, players are still splurging due to the allure of acquiring popular characters.
In fact, Masters recently had its most profitable day of 2024…
