Kliuless? Gaming Industry Insights #48
Hi, my name is Kenny Liu, and each week I compile a gaming industry insights newsletter that I publish broadly. Opinions are mine.
See more or subscribe at: https://tinyletter.com/kliuless
Deconstructing Fun in Archero & Rush Wars
- Several days ago I had the pleasure of guest hosting Deconstructor of Fun's weekly podcast
- In this week's episode, along with regular hosts Adam Telfer & Eric Kress, I share my design and product insights on mobile games Archero [5:15], Rush Wars [20:27], and Pokemon Masters [40:10]
- Apologies for my nerves earlier on in the recording as this was my first ever podcast appearance, but here's hoping that our musings provide value to you :)
Growth & Monetization
- "We blew our brand marketing budget on influencers"
- Why hypercasual is still winning the mobile distribution game?
- What convinced Ubisoft to launch its own subscription service?
- Destiny 2 gets a premium progression battle pass
- GTA Online and NBA 2K are turning into social casino games
- Super Kirby Clash free-to-start multiplayer game hits Switch today
PC / Console
- The UX of Overwatch Role Queue
- World of Warcraft: Classic shows what MMOs have lost
- Playful Studios raises $23 million for spectator-enabled games
- Gearbox launches Homeworld 3 crowdfunding campaign with $1 goal
- Nintendo Direct shows off surprise sequels, new ports in aggressive year-end pitch
XR: AR / MR / VR
- Google open sources real-time hand and finger tracking tech
- VRChat Partners with HTC and Makers Fund to Close $10m Series C
- Microsoft will release HoloLens 2 augmented reality headset in September
- Traveling While Black: behind the eye-opening VR documentary on racism in America
Asia
- Teens are shunning WeChat, showing shifting tastes in Chinese social media
- Netmarble’s Simon Sim on Hollywood licenses, mobile’s future, and cloud gaming
Tech / Entertainment
- Disney, Marvel, and a decade of missed opportunity
- The fears, complexities, and hopes of Hollywood games
- Netflix's Carla Engelbrecht Chooses Her Own Adventures
- Annapurna Resolves More Than $200 Million in Debt, Pushes Ahead Without Banks
- Gaming could present a lucrative source of revenue for music artists, but it’s likely to only be the richest that benefit from it
Overtime
- Spirited Away in Minecraft Tour (The Entire Movie)
- The Story of Sonic Team – 1997 Developer Interview
- As Game Budgets Balloon, Indie Devs Learn to Work Smarter
- Sam Barlow (Her Story) on crafting stories players tell themselves
- Huya picks up minority stake in ESL for $30m
- Why Anheuser-Busch is pouring beer and money into esports
- Steam boss Gabe Newell is a viral star in China
- Why King Of Fighters Dominates Latin America's Fighting Game Scene
- Personalized “mystery boxes” are a popular search on online marketplaces
- Mythic Markets just raised $2 million in seed to build a fractional ownership market for rare collectibles
- HBR: What Employees Want Most from Their Workspaces
- NYT: Where Does Major American Art Come From?
- NYT: We Have Ruined Childhood
See more or subscribe at: https://tinyletter.com/kliuless
LinkedIn: @kliuless