Rise and Play Podcast

109. How Metacore Disrupted The Puzzle Market With A Merge Hit

Jan 26, 2024

Metacore, a fast-growing game company, shares their journey from prototyping smartwatch games to creating a global hit game with over 50 million players. The CEO discusses their culture, talent acquisition, and expansion plans. They also talk about the challenges and learnings from previous ventures, as well as the testing and iteration process of their successful game. Overall, it's an insightful podcast about the gaming industry and building successful teams.

39:05

Creator website

AI Summary

AI Chapters

Episode notes

Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

Metacore started by testing different game concepts and found market fit with their game 'Merge Mansion', highlighting the importance of continuous iteration and finding the right market fit.

Metacore emphasizes the significance of a strong company culture and robust talent acquisition strategy to drive growth and success in the gaming industry.

Deep dives

Metacore's Journey in the Gaming Industry

Metacore, a gaming company known for their successful game 'Merch Mention,' shares their journey in the gaming industry. They started by testing different game concepts and found market fit with 'Merch Mention.' The company grew rapidly, expanding their team and focusing on culture and talent acquisition. They emphasize the importance of a strong company culture and the continuous development of their employees' skills. Metacore aims to build a portfolio of games and is actively working on finding new market fits. They are expanding to Berlin to tap into the talent pool and are addressing challenges of scaling, especially in terms of communication and leadership development. Their vision emphasizes being part of a thriving gaming community and continuously drawing inspiration from others in the industry.

Introduction

2min

Metacore's Journey in the Puzzle Market and the Speaker's Background in Gaming

3min

The Evolution of the Speaker's Gaming Career and the Formation of Sumia

2min

Transitioning from Digital Chocolate to Everywhere Games

2min

Navigating Closure and Pivoting Strategies in the Gaming Industry

4min

Pivot and Evolution of Metacore

27min

In this episode, Mika Tammenkoski, the CEO and co-founder of Metacore shared the evolution of his gaming company since its inception in 2020. From a small team prototyping smartwatch games to novel merge mechanics, the company has grown to 190+ members.

The studio’s first global hit game Merge Mansion already has over 50 million players. Metacore is one of the fastest growing game companies in Europe, with EUR 129 million in revenue in 2022 and a team of 190 professionals. The company has raised EUR 180 million in funding from Supercell and is one of their portfolio companies.

Mika talks about the company's early meetings and experiences, his personal journey into the gaming industry, and the decision to shift focus from new technologies to more established gaming markets.

He also sheds light on the company's culture and the vital importance of a robust talent acquisition strategy. Furthermore, Mika provides insights on Metacore's expansion plans, with a new studio in Berlin and operations extending to other games.

00:00 Introduction and Background of Metacore

00:31 Interview with Mika, CEO and Co-founder of Metacore

01:48 Mika's Journey into the Gaming Industry

04:47 Mika's Experience at Digital Chocolate

08:08 Founding of Everywear Games and Transition to Metacore

10:28 Challenges and Learnings from Previous Ventures

17:06 The Birth of Merge Mansion

18:49 The Testing and Iteration Process of Merge Mansion

23:55 Reflections on the Development Process

27:10 The Journey of Game Development and Company Growth

28:06 Challenges and Learnings from Global Launch

28:43 Understanding the Role of Story and Advertising in Gaming

29:37 The Evolution of Company Culture

30:37 Influence of Other Cultures and the Importance of Adaptability

32:40 The Importance of Talent Acquisition and Internal Growth

34:33 Reflections on Company Growth and Expansion

34:59 The Importance of Defining and Evolving Company Culture

43:18 Looking Forward: Future Aspirations and Expansion Plans for Metacore

47:33 Challenges and Strategies in Scaling Skills and Leadership

48:03 The Role of Community in the Gaming Industry

53:50 Closing Thoughts: The Importance of Inspiration and Continuous Learning

💌 Don't forget to subscribe to Rise and Play for further news: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.riseandplay.io/blog⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ If you enjoyed today's episode make sure to rate it on Spotify, leave a review on Apple Podcasts, or simply share it with a friend.

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit riseandplay.substack.com

Remember Everything You Learn from Podcasts

Save insights instantly, chat with episodes, and build lasting knowledge - all powered by AI.

Rise and Play Podcast

109. How Metacore Disrupted The Puzzle Market With A Merge Hit

Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

Deep dives

Metacore's Journey in the Gaming Industry

Growing in the Gaming Industry

Challenges and Opportunities of Scaling

Building a Portfolio of Games

Remember Everything You Learn from Podcasts