TWIG #253 John Riccitiello's Legacy / EA post FIFA in Numbers
Oct 12, 2023
auto_awesome
Former CEO of Unity, John Riccitiello's legacy is discussed, along with EA's performance post FIFA. They deconstruct TakeTwo's mobile game, Top Troops and the negative impact of the FIFA World Cup license on the brand's perception among Gen Z consumers. Battle Legion's mechanics and audience appeal are also analyzed.
Top Troops merges squat RPG and adventure genres to deliver an innovative gameplay experience.
The game offers monetization opportunities through various mechanics, including resource purchases and gacha pulls.
Top Troops represents a new opportunity for the studio Social Point to create a hit game and make progress in the genre.
Deep dives
Top Troops: A New Game Merging Squat RPG and Adventure
Top Troops is a recently released game that merges elements of squat RPG and adventure genres. Players are tasked with building and leveling up units to battle a dark army in an adventure across a saga map. The game features a merge mechanic where players can merge three or more units to upgrade their rank and power. Progression is achieved by expanding maps and summoning new units. The game offers a single-player experience at the beginning, providing a more accessible entry point for players. The innovative gameplay and depth of meta progression make Top Troops an exciting addition to the genre.
The Success and Challenges of Top Troops
Top Troops draws inspiration from popular games like Battle Legion and features elements of character collection RPGs. The innovative merge mechanic and the focus on squad RPG dynamics provide a fresh and engaging gameplay experience. While merging units and leveling them up add a layer of complexity to the game, some players may find the progression to be throttled, especially when it comes to resource management. The game offers monetization opportunities through various mechanics, including resource purchases and gacha pulls, ensuring that players have options to spend money based on their preferred gameplay style. One potential challenge for the game is striking the right balance between merging and leveling, as players may find it difficult to allocate resources to both aspects of progression. Overall, Top Troops shows promise in the genre and brings a unique blend of mechanics and gameplay.
The Journey of Top Troops Developer, Social Point
Top Troops is developed by Social Point, known for games like Dragon City and Monster Legends. The game showcases their ability to innovate and make progress in the genre. While Dragon City and Monster Legends have been successful with live ops, Top Troops represents a new opportunity for the studio to create a hit game. With engaging gameplay mechanics and a focus on meta progression, Top Troops may mark a significant step forward for Social Point in delivering a successful new title.
The Rise of Merge Mechanics in Mobile Games
Merge mechanics have become increasingly popular in mobile games. Titles like Merge Dragons, Merge Magic, and Rush Royale have found success by combining collection and merge mechanics. Top Troops joins this growing trend by incorporating merge mechanics into the squat RPG and adventure genres. The appeal of merging units to upgrade and level them up offers players a satisfying progression loop and provides a unique gameplay experience. The success of Top Troops and other merge-based games highlights the value of innovation and creativity in mobile game development.
The Future of Top Troops and Considerations for Game Developers
As Top Troops makes its debut, it will be interesting to see its long-term success and how it resonates with players. Game developers can learn from the game's mechanics and design choices, such as the merging and leveling systems, to enhance their own projects. Analyzing both successful and less successful games in the genre can provide valuable insights into the preferences and behaviors of players. By understanding the strengths and weaknesses of different game mechanics, developers can create more engaging and enjoyable experiences for players in the future.
Mishka takes a break from his Chatty Cat Euro Tour and joins the podcast with the fabulous, Jen Donahoe, Laura Taranto, Phillip Black, and Eric Kress.
The crew discusses the legacy of John Riccitiello's, who stepped down as the CEO of Unity. We also talk about how EA is doing after getting rid of FIFA and deconstruct TakeTwo's latest mobile game, Top Troops. Donate to those impacted by the war: https://linktr.ee/SUPPORT.ISRAEL?utm_source=linktree_profile_share
Get the Snipd podcast app
Unlock the knowledge in podcasts with the podcast player of the future.
AI-powered podcast player
Listen to all your favourite podcasts with AI-powered features
Discover highlights
Listen to the best highlights from the podcasts you love and dive into the full episode
Save any moment
Hear something you like? Tap your headphones to save it with AI-generated key takeaways
Share & Export
Send highlights to Twitter, WhatsApp or export them to Notion, Readwise & more
AI-powered podcast player
Listen to all your favourite podcasts with AI-powered features
Discover highlights
Listen to the best highlights from the podcasts you love and dive into the full episode