Strategy MMO Million Lords Continues to Thrive with a 3D Update
In 2019, Million Lords, the popular strategy MMO from Million Victories, was released on mobile devices. Since then, it has gained a dedicated following. In June of this year, Million Victories secured $6.5 million in funding to solidify its position in the mobile market and enhance its flagship title, Million Lords.
A Conversation with CEO Benoît Ducrest
We had the opportunity to speak with Benoît Ducrest, the CEO of Million Victories, about the company’s journey and the recent 3D update for Million Lords. Ducrest shared insights into the game’s development and what players can expect in the future.
Early Days and Intention
When asked about the early days of Million Victories and their intentions, Ducrest explained that their goal was to create MMO games that were accessible to everyone. Their first game, Million Lords, aimed to offer a strategy experience without the complexity found in many other titles. The feedback from playtests exceeded their expectations, with players becoming engrossed in the game and spending more time playing than anticipated.
With this positive response, Million Victories was able to secure more than $10 million in funding and continued to improve and expand Million Lords. The introduction of a season system and competitive leagues enhanced the player experience and boosted retention and monetization.
Growth of Million Lords
Million Lords holds a special place in the hearts of the Million Victories team as their first project. While it had a slow start initially, the strong key performance indicators (KPIs) of the game allowed them to secure additional funding, reaching one million downloads and doubling revenue and active users. With further scaling efforts and additional funding, the game recently reached two million downloads, maintaining a monthly player count of 200,000.
The success of Million Lords is not only attributed to the gameplay but also to the engaged and active community that has been built around it. Players now spend an average of two hours daily in the game, a testament to its appeal and immersive experience.
The Multicultural Team
Ducrest emphasized the importance of building a talented and diverse team. With a multicultural staff of 30 individuals, Million Victories prioritizes respect, originality, and ambition in their company culture. From development to marketing, they handle all aspects in-house, reflecting their dedication to their work and the industry.
The Transition to 3D
One of the major updates for Million Lords was the transition from 2D to a fully immersive 3D experience. Ducrest spoke about the decision to make this change, stating that they wanted to revolutionize the appearance of the game and give players an even better visual experience. With the influx of investments and a growing player base, the timing felt right for such a transformation.
The transition to 3D sets Million Lords apart from other mobile strategy games that utilize 2.5D techniques. It not only enhances the game’s visuals but also improves performance. The early results are promising, with an improvement in return on ad spend (ROAS) by up to 20% and a 7% increase in player playtime.
New Features for Million Lords
In addition to the visual upgrade, the 3D update for Million Lords introduced two new major features. The first is the marauder enemy camps, which add a player versus environment (PVE) element to the game. This feature allows players to engage with AI-controlled enemies and objectives, providing variety and support for the PvP competition.
The second feature is the Legendary League, a new top rank league that offers new mechanics and challenges for the most competitive and engaged players. As more players join the game, the demand for increased competition grows, and the Legendary League aims to fulfill that desire.
With the 3D update and these new features, Million Lords continues to evolve and provide an engaging and dynamic strategy MMO experience for its dedicated player base.