254. Inside Timi Studio: How Call of Duty Mobile Set the Stage for Delta Force
Nov 25, 2024
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Leo Yao, General Manager of Timi Studio Group’s J3 studio, shares insights on the success of Call of Duty Mobile and the development of Delta Force. He reveals how a two-month demo stunned Activision and discusses COD Mobile's record-breaking live ops. Yao tackles the East vs. West FPS divide, highlighting the dominance of Crossfire in China. The conversation also delves into Delta Force’s pivot to PC, cross-platform gameplay, and innovative monetization strategies, offering a vibrant look at evolving gaming trends.
The success of Call of Duty Mobile highlighted Timi Studio's adaptability and commitment to community engagement through regular content updates and player feedback.
Delta Force aims to bridge the East-West FPS divide by combining tactical gameplay with accessible mechanics to attract diverse player bases.
Deep dives
Importance of Heroic Labs' Technology
Heroic Labs offers a robust suite of tools designed to support game developers in achieving success in today's competitive market. Their GameStack includes Nakama for backend support, Hero for game development, Satori for live operations, and Heroic Cloud for scalability. This comprehensive framework enables developers to focus on game creativity and reduces technical risks associated with game development. Utilizing Heroic Labs' technology allows for efficient growth, live operation enhancements, and cost savings in the development process.
Market Dynamics in China
The discussion highlights key insights regarding the gaming market in China and its differences from the Western market. Despite Call of Duty's historical presence, its popularity surged with the release of Call of Duty Mobile, which democratized access through a free-to-play model. The podcast emphasizes that, although premium games exist, titles like Crossfire dominate the Chinese FPS landscape due to their established player base. This reflects the need for games to adapt to regional player preferences, emphasizing accessibility and community engagement.
Game Development Strategies at Timmy Studios
Timmy Studios' approach to game development, particularly for Call of Duty Mobile, showcases a commitment to quality and responsiveness to player feedback. With a lean core team supplemented by outsourcing, they manage to produce substantial content updates regularly, focusing on community interaction. The studio's success stems from a culture of humility, curiosity, and a strong emphasis on long-term player engagement. By addressing community concerns promptly and refining gameplay experiences based on feedback, they create a dynamic and appealing gaming environment.
Challenges in the Extraction Shooter Genre
The podcast discusses the complexities and struggles faced by the extraction shooter genre in both the Eastern and Western markets. While extraction shooters thrive in China due to established player preferences for tactical gameplay, they often fail to capture the Western audience's attention, who typically favor instant gratification and quick action. This divergence in player expectations creates confusion around objectives and gameplay mechanics in extraction shooters. Therefore, developing a title that resonates with both audiences, such as Delta Force, must focus on blending accessible and tactical elements to address these market differences.
Phillip Black sits down with Leo Yao, General Manager of Timi Studio Group’s J3 studio, for an exclusive look at the making of Call of Duty Mobile and the upcoming Delta Force.
Discover how Timi shocked Activision with a two-month Nuketown demo, the secrets behind COD Mobile’s record-breaking live ops, and why Delta Force pivots to tackle Battlefield.
Insights:
The surprising dominance of Crossfire in China over global FPS franchises.
The East vs. West FPS divide—tactical vs. arcade gameplay.
Delta Force’s PC-first pivot, cross-platform ambitions, and bi-monthly content updates.
Timi’s roots in humility and adaptability for live-service success.
Chapters:
00:53 Leo Yao and Timmy's Studio Group
02:31 Call of Duty Mobile: Development and Success
05:21 Challenges and Strategies in the Mobile FPS Market
09:23 Team Structure and Company Culture at Timmy
14:14 Cross-Platform Gaming and Future Trends
18:10 Chinese PC Shooter Market Insights
21:21 PC vs Mobile: A Developer's Perspective
23:38 Delta Force: Fitting into the FPS Landscape
25:49 Live Service and Content Updates
28:23 Monetization Strategies for Delta Force
30:14 The Rise of Extraction Shooters
36:54 Why Delta Force? The Strategy for IP's Revival
38:44 Conclusion and Final Thoughts
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