Those working in the mobile gaming industry are facing numerous challenges in today’s crowded space. Finding funding has become increasingly difficult, and changes to app stores and advertising are making it tough to scale games. As a result, many studios are exploring alternative methods to grow their audience, such as using alternate app stores, implementing new marketing strategies, or going cross-platform. Some industry professionals believe that the decentralized nature of blockchain technology could provide a solution to the current problems in the market.
Interview with Simon Davis, Co-Founder and CEO of Mighty Bear Games
We recently interviewed Simon Davis, the Co-Founder and CEO of Mighty Bear Games, about the untapped potential of blockchain gaming and their latest title, Mighty Action Heroes, which utilizes Web3 technology.
How did Mighty Bear Games get started?
Simon Davis shared the origin story of Mighty Bear Games, explaining that his passion for music led him to pursue a career in game development. After working at AAA gaming studios like Disney, King, Ubisoft, and EA, he and his co-founders decided to stay in Southeast Asia and establish Mighty Bear Games in Singapore. Their vision was to create mobile games that combined the depth of desktop games with the accessibility of mobile. Since then, they have launched multiple successful games, including Disney Melee Mania, Butter Royale, and F2P World of Legends.
The biggest challenge for game makers in the current mobile market
One of the main challenges for game makers in the current mobile market is the high cost of marketing. Since the removal of IDFA (Identifier for Advertisers), it has become nearly impossible for small and mid-size studios to scale their games using traditional user acquisition methods. This has created a financial arms race among developers to market their games, making marketing a significant barrier to entry for independent developers. To overcome this challenge, developers need to tap into creative strategies and be willing to try unconventional approaches.
Combatting the situation with creativity
Simon Davis shared a case study of a game called Stumble Guys, which achieved great success with limited resources. Instead of investing heavily in traditional marketing, the developers of Stumble Guys relied on YouTubers and community-driven initiatives to showcase their game’s value and playability. This demonstrates the effectiveness of influencer marketing and creative strategies. Simon advises developers to think outside the box and be willing to take risks to stand out in the crowded mobile gaming market.
Starting with decentralized aspects in game development
When it comes to developing a game with decentralized aspects, Simon suggests picking a community to join, buying an NFT (non-fungible token), and joining their Discord channel. Building relationships within the community and understanding the friction points for the target audience are essential. It’s also helpful for developers to learn to code and explore their own interests to create a successful game in the decentralized space.
About Mighty Action Heroes and the switch to Arbitrum blockchain
Mighty Action Heroes is Mighty Bear Games’ first Web3 native game, and it recently entered its open beta phase. It is a real-time multiplayer battle royale game that combines skill-based gameplay with Web3 onboarding and NFT-powered collecting experiences. The game allows traditional gaming audiences and on-chain players to compete together in fair matches. The recent switch to the Arbitrum blockchain provides a supportive ecosystem for the game and aligns with Mighty Bear Games’ goal of building an enjoyable game accessible to everyone.
Future plans for Mighty Bear Games
Mighty Action Heroes is just the beginning of Mighty Bear Games’ plans. It is the first game in a series called MightyNet, which aims to enhance immersion and foster connections between players in a community-led economy. Mighty Bear Games strives to create inclusive titles with top-quality gameplay, and they have more exciting projects in the pipeline.
The future of blockchain technology
Simon Davis sees blockchain technology as an infrastructure layer, similar to the plumbing in a house. He believes that blockchain will continue to evolve and find its place in various industries, including gaming. The decentralized nature of blockchain holds significant potential, and it will likely play a prominent role in the coming years.