Deconstructor of Fun

Epic triumphs in a legal showdown with Google, paving the way for new payment structures. Unity partners with Epic, hinting at exciting developments for game developers. Roblox faces investor scrutiny despite impressive engagement numbers, grappling with monetization challenges. Meanwhile, Supercell cancels Squad Busters following a quick rise and fall, reflecting on the emotional toll of failure and strategic shifts. Arcadia Gaming Partners grows in influence, particularly in Turkey, raising questions about regional investment dynamics.

Alex Siamantas, co-founder and CEO of Holyday Studios, shares insights from his eleven years in Cyprus's gaming industry. He discusses the economic evolution of the island post-crisis and contrasts it with Greece's atmosphere. Alex highlights the cultural dynamics of his diverse team and examines local educational barriers that deter gaming careers. He also advocates for investments in universities and tax incentives to boost the gaming ecosystem. Finally, he reflects on the community's reaction to rapid growth and the significance of cultural exchange.

Julia Lebedeva, Partner and CEO at WN Media Group, shares insights from her extensive experience in the gaming industry. She discusses the launch of Women in Games Cyprus, aiming to create a supportive environment for women in the field. Julia highlights the vibrant game studio scene in Cyprus and the challenges women face pursuing careers in gaming. She also notes the historical balance in conference attendance and the role of early exposure tools like Roblox in encouraging young girls to explore game development.

Alexey Morozov, founder of Horns Up Games and creator of Lord of Metal, dives into the exhilarating world of heavy music with his unique festival-management tycoon game. He discusses how his passion for live festivals during COVID inspired him to bring the experience home. Alexey explores the chaotic logistics behind festivals, shares wild backstage stories he gathered from industry insiders, and emphasizes a fun gameplay loop designed for busy fans. His partnership with the band Sabaton adds an authentic touch, capturing the heart of rock culture.

Tim Fadeev and Andrey Ivashentsev, co-founders of Game Dev Cyprus (GDCY), share the exciting journey from a small pub meetup to the island’s largest developer festival. They explore how Cyprus's sunny weather, low taxes, and open business climate attract game developers. The duo discusses diverse game genres emerging on the island and the unique cultural blend within the community. They emphasize educational initiatives to build local talent and reflect on future plans for GDCY focusing on sustainability and professionalism.

Leonid Zhuravskyi, CEO and founder of MysteryTag, shares his journey of relocating from Ukraine to Cyprus amidst personal and financial challenges. He highlights the vibrant game-dev community in Cyprus, where competitors share insights over coffee. Leonid discusses how initial higher costs led to lucrative contracts and successful game development. He emphasizes the importance of expertise in hiring and celebrates the multicultural collaboration among Ukrainians, Russians, and English speakers that makes Cyprus a unique gaming hub.

In this fascinating discussion, Andrey Feinberg, an independent investment advisor specializing in gaming and M&A, shares insights from his four years in Cyprus. He highlights the resilience of the local gaming market post-pandemic, despite global challenges. Andrey discusses the rising interest in hybrid-casual and mobile games, mentioning notable local studios like Say Games and Nexters. He emphasizes the strength of Russian-speaking developers and the need for a competitive global mindset in the industry.

Aleksandr Bogdanov, CEO of Studio 42, discusses Cyprus's potential as a tech hub, attracting talent from Turkey, Ukraine, and Russia. He explores how the island could rival Istanbul in the tech scene. Aleksandr dives into the strengths of Turkish game studios in user acquisition and gameplay analytics. He also highlights the importance of innovation in producing successful puzzle games and how Cyprus shares development approaches with Turkey, thanks to its strong ties and international teams.

Samantha Benjamin, Senior Director of Growth, dives into the complexities of scaling hybrid-casual mobile games. She explains how scaling is like a shifting puzzle, influenced by ever-changing KPIs. Profit-sharing doesn’t always lead to profits, and the era of spray-and-pray marketing is over. Samantha discusses the challenges of scaling efficiently when downloads plateau and the importance of continuous optimization. Plus, she highlights the balance between quantity and quality in cohorts and why CPI improvements are generally easier than boosting LTV.

Maayan Eshkol, Monetization Economy Lead at Supersonic, shares her expertise in hybrid-casual game monetization. She delves into the intricate balance of integrating ads and in-app purchases, emphasizing player segmentation and strategic timing for monetization. Maayan explains how to use progress friction to offer incentives, the importance of embedding monetization from day one, and how dynamic tuning can enhance player experiences. She also addresses misconceptions about monetization and outlines the pivotal role of game economists in achieving a healthy game economy.