TWIG #318 Supercell’s Records, Unity’s Chaos & AppLovin’s Fire Sale
Feb 16, 2025
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Supercell had a spectacular year, raking in €2.8B, though not without a flop in Squad Busters. Unity struggles with talent loss and ad tech woes, while AppLovin shines with a 700% stock increase thanks to AI ads. The company plans to sell its entire gaming portfolio for $900M, sparking curiosity about potential buyers like Scopely and Zynga. Discussions also include the evolving landscape of game monetization and competitive strategies, highlighting the pressures and triumphs within the gaming industry.
Supercell achieved record revenue of €2.8B demonstrating that strategic investment in live operations and marketing can enhance growth despite some product flops.
Unity is experiencing significant turmoil with key leadership changes and ongoing layoffs, raising concerns about its strategic direction within the competitive ad tech landscape.
AppLovin's decision to divest its game studios for $900 million signifies a strategic pivot towards ad tech, highlighting industry volatility and shifting revenue models.
Deep dives
Game Industry Reports and Insights
The podcast discusses recent industry reports highlighting current trends and developments in the gaming sector. A low-key PlayStation State of Play event provided limited news, but notable announcements included trailers and release dates for games like Borderlands and the classic Metal Gear Solid franchise. The hosts emphasize the growing need for data-driven decisions in the industry, showcasing tools like Sensor Tower that assist developers in market analysis and user acquisition strategies. This focus on analytics reflects the industry's maturity and the importance of adapting to revenue changes and competitive pressures.
Leadership Changes at Mojang Studios
A leadership transition is taking place at Mojang Studios, known for Minecraft, where current chief Asa Breden will be replaced by Kayleen Walters, who will manage the studio while also overseeing franchise development. This dual role raises concerns about the impact on Mojang’s operations, as Walters will be based in Seattle and frequently travel to Stockholm, potentially complicating communication and workflow. Critics point out the challenges of remote management, particularly regarding work-life balance for Swedish employees, which could lead to dissatisfaction within the team. The hosts debate whether this move is beneficial for sustaining the cultural and creative independence of the studio.
Supercell's Record Year and Strategic Direction
Supercell reported a record year, achieving a 77% growth in revenue, a significant rebound from previous struggles where they fell outside the top ten mobile game publishers. This turnaround is attributed to increased investment in both personnel and marketing, allowing them to produce more content and enhance player engagement across their titles. The discussion highlights Supercell's strategic shift towards live operations and collaborations, indicating a desire to adapt to market demands while maintaining brand visibility. However, some skepticism emerges regarding long-term profitability, particularly concerning their aggressive marketing expenditures and the recent launch challenges faced by new titles.
Unity's Ongoing Challenges and Future Prospects
Unity continues to face significant challenges, including reported layoffs and consolidations as the company restructures following its acquisition of IronSource. Concerns grow as the leadership changes within the advertising division, with key figures leaving, raising questions about the company's strategic direction and operational stability. The hosts critique Unity's reliance on advertising tech for profitability, noting that this shift may further complicate their core engine business, which has historically struggled with profitability. The conversation unveils a pervasive sense of uncertainty regarding Unity’s future in a competitive landscape increasingly dominated by ad tech firms like AppLovin, which is thriving under their streamlined operations.
AppLovin's Divestiture and Market Position
AppLovin has announced its decision to divest its portfolio of game studios for $900 million, pivoting towards becoming a pure ad tech firm. This significant shift, steered by the evolving landscape of mobile gaming, reflects a broader trend where gaming companies are increasingly focusing on advertising and data management as crucial revenue streams. The podcast speculates about potential buyers for AppLovin's studios, with names like Scopely and Platica emerging as possible suitors for the acquisition. This move not only emphasizes the volatility of the gaming industry but also highlights the growing importance of adapting business models to prioritize profitability through effective ad strategies.
Supercell had a monster year with €2.8B in revenue, proving that bigger live ops teams and aggressive marketing can still drive growth—but let’s be real, Squad Busters flopped hard despite the hype. Meanwhile, Unity continues its slow-motion train wreck, losing key talent and scrambling to fix its ad tech, while AppLovin is absolutely crushing it, with stock up 700% thanks to AI-powered ads. Now, in a power move, AppLovin is dumping its entire games portfolio for $900M—so who’s buying? Scopely? Zynga? Playtika? Drop your bets in the comments. 🚀🎮
01:29 Shills 07:25 Dream and Venture Capital 10:27 Battlefield and Shooter Games 14:23 Minecraft Studio Leadership Changes 20:39 Supercell's Record Year 25:57 Live Ops and Monetization Changes 26:52 Squad Busters' Marketing Missteps 31:35 Spark Labs's Bootcamp Vibes 37:44 Unity's Struggles and Layoffs 41:45 AppLovin's Strategic Shift
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