Behind the Success of KenKen: An Interview with Robert Fuhrer
Jan 2, 2024
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Robert Fuhrer, toy and game industry veteran, shares his journey in the industry and how he became the owner of the popular puzzle game, KenKen. Topics discussed include navigating Japanese business cultural differences, pitching toy ideas, design's impact on game success, securing rights and trademarking KenKen, and advice for entrepreneurs.
Spotting opportunities and collaborating with the right people are crucial for bringing ideas to life in the toy and game industry.
Understanding and valuing human relationships and teamwork is essential when working with Japanese companies in the business industry.
The success of Ken Ken can be attributed to well-executed design and marketing decisions, leading to international expansion and multiple revenue streams.
Deep dives
Robert Fuhrer's Journey in the Toy and Game Industry
Robert Fuhrer shares his rich background in the toy and game industry, starting from his father's career in selling matchbox cars to his own experiences working on big board games. He highlights the importance of spotting opportunities and collaborating with the right people to bring ideas to life. Fuhrer also emphasizes the value of freedom as currency and the drive to be independent and control his own destiny.
The challenges and rewards of working with Japanese companies
Fuhrer discusses the stark cultural differences between Western and Japanese business practices, particularly emphasizing the importance of human relationships and teamwork in Japan. He highlights the patience and understanding required when working with Japanese companies and the significance of building and nurturing long-term relationships.
The story of Ken Ken and its success
Fuhrer shares the journey of Ken Ken, a puzzle game that he developed and successfully launched with the help of the Japanese company. He describes the serendipitous encounters and decisions that ultimately led to the game's success, from securing trademark protections to striking deals with reputable publishers. He reflects on the unexpected growth and international expansion of Ken Ken, ultimately attributing its trajectory to a combination of well-executed design and marketing decisions.
The Birth of Gator Golf
The podcast episode discusses the process of creating a spinoff game called Shark Attack Bull, which was inspired by the original game Crocodile Dentist. After the failure of Shark Attack Bowling, the team decided to kill the Crocodile Dentist Golf game. However, thanks to the perseverance of the designer, the game was pitched again, rebranded as Gator Golf, and became one of the best-selling preschool games.
The Journey of Ken Ken
The podcast episode recounts the story of how Ken Ken, a popular puzzle game, came to be. It started with a meeting in Japan where the game was introduced to the podcast host. At first, there was hesitation due to similarities to Sudoku. However, after encountering success with book sales and meeting with the puzzle editor of the New York Times, Ken Ken gained traction. The game expanded to various income streams, including digital advertising, app development, syndication with newspapers, and international tournaments.
Robert Fuhrer explores his years-long journey in the toy and game industry in this interview. He reminisces about the many experiences that shaped his career from early exposure to the toy industry, his first creation, his various partnerships and ventures and how he ended up being the owner of the popular puzzle game, KenKen. His journey reflects the crucial importance of relationships in business, being outspoken about opportunities, and taking on ventures with undefined outcomes. Fuhrer also talks about his experience with marketing and fiercely competitive business models and gives some sage advice to aspiring game developers.
