Latest News

AGHANIM RESEARCH GAUGES DMA AWARENESS AND POTENTIAL IMPACT ON DIRECT-TO-CONSUMER DISTRIBUTION

Published

4 months ago

May 10, 2024

Aghanim, a mobile gaming fintech company founded by the former CEO and CTO of Xsolla, today reveals fascinating new research among mobile game developers relating to the recently launched Digital Markets Act (DMA).

The research is based on interviews with 300 mobile game developers across the US, UK and Germany in the weeks leading up to the introduction of the Act. The new European Union legislation aims to ensure a higher degree of fairness and competition in European digital markets and designates a number of major tech corporations including Apple and Alphabet (Google) as “gatekeepers”.

The key findings of the study shows:

62% of mobile game developers are aware of the Digital Markets Act
82% have at least some understanding of how it will impact their business. Almost a fifth (19%) feel they have a complete understanding of the DMA’s impact
31% of mobile game developers feel they will have more freedom under the DMA, though just 9% are confident they’ll be able to keep more of their revenue
Only 13% have ruled out making changes to their payment processes. A third (33%) have begun implementing them
Awareness of the DMA is highest in Germany (70%), followed by the UK (68%). Less than half (47%) of US developers are aware of the legislation. While the DMA is a European framework, it applies to US developers operating in the EU

Constantin Andry, Co-founder and Co-CEO at Aghanim, commented: “This data shows that there’s an appetite for change among game developers. Yes, the platform holders instigated the $92 billion mobile games industry, but we need to be asking why game developers – the people who make the games – now only see about 10% of this. With direct-to-consumer distribution, there’s an opportunity to ensure a further $18 billion of annualized value remains within the video games industry, with game creators, which will help soften many ongoing issues including layoffs. Otherwise, the business of making mobile games could soon become unviable.”

Konstantin Golubitsky, Co-founder and Co-CEO at Aghanim, added: “The opportunity for game developers is to create a web-based game hub for their titles which provides added value for their most engaged and valuable users, keeping them coming back regularly. Ultimately, players spend where they see the most value, and our goal is to help developers provide them with the greatest value at the lowest cost.”

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A key promise of the Digital Markets Act is to provide fairer competition and greater choice to gamers and game studios. However, Apple’s latest business terms introduced a Core Technology Fee which, for many game developers, cancels out the potential benefits of third-party distribution. Despite the game developers being surveyed before the introduction of the Core Technology fee, just 40% said Apple is a positive force for the games industry. 39% were neutral, while 21% felt Apple was having a negative impact. Since the introduction of App Tracking Transparency in 2021, game developers have increasingly explored direct-to-consumer platforms such as browser stores to supplement on-platform monetization with lower-fee options.

An online survey was conducted on behalf of Aghanim by Atomik Research among 305 mobile game developers in the UK (101), Germany (103), and the USA (101). The research fieldwork took place between 18-22 February 2024. Atomik Research is an independent creative market research agency that employs MRS-certified researchers and abides by MRS code.

Latest News

SCCG Announces the Launch of SCCG NextGen: Redefining Possibilities in Gaming with Brand Influence and IP

Published

1 hour ago

September 11, 2024

Niji Narayan

SCCG Management, a leading global advisory firm in the gaming industry, announced the official launch of SCCG NextGen, marking its expansion into the talent agency sector. Designed to meet the evolving needs of the gaming landscape, SCCG NextGen brings together talent, intellectual property (IP), and strategic brand partnerships to drive growth and innovation across the real money gaming industry.

SCCG NextGen provides a comprehensive suite of services aimed at supporting partner growth. From celebrity-branded games and influencer integration to IP integration and content development, NextGen helps gaming brands navigate an increasingly competitive market. The company specializes in incorporating brand elements into gaming products and developing effective monetization strategies. By focusing on brand optimisation and real money gaming opportunities, SCCG NextGen leverages its understanding of global and local markets to help partners achieve sustainable growth.

Stephen A. Crystal, Founder & CEO of SCCG Management, said: “NextGen represents the next frontier of growth for our partners. By bridging talent and technology, we are providing an unparalleled opportunity for brands to harness the power of celebrity influence, create engaging gaming experiences, and expand their global footprint. This launch solidifies SCCG’s commitment to innovation and leadership in the gaming industry.”

The new talent agency focuses on gamifying intellectual property (IP) and developing monetization opportunities. SCCG works closely with partners to create engaging, interactive content that enhances brand value while driving new revenue streams. Through strategic partnerships, innovative game development, and brand integration, NextGen helps gaming companies build marketing strategies that resonate with players while unlocking new opportunities for growth.

SCCG NextGen specializes in identifying gaming opportunities that leverage valuable intellectual property (IP) and talent. The agency works with platforms, studios, developers, brands, and operators to integrate both talent and IP into real money and casual gaming experiences, across both retail and online environments. Focusing on sustainable commercial models, SCCG NextGen helps brands and operators create engaging experiences that drive fan engagement and player loyalty, supporting long-term growth. With expertise in bridging the gap between talent and the gaming industry, the agency ensures that each collaboration is strategically aligned and maximizes value.

Canada

Edmonton Oilers and Play Alberta Extend Partnership

Published

2 hours ago

September 11, 2024

Niji Narayan

The Edmonton Oilers and Play Alberta announced a new agreement that makes Play Alberta the exclusive sports betting and online gaming partner of the Edmonton Oilers.

The deal will see the Play Alberta logo featured prominently on the Oilers home jerseys and GameSense, AGLC’s responsible gambling program, displayed on the helmets of the Oilers for each home game.

“Play Alberta is proud to continue its partnership with the Edmonton Oilers over the next several seasons. We value our patrons and the fans of the Oilers and are thrilled to see PlayAlberta.ca, Alberta’s trusted gambling platform along with the best-in-class responsible gambling program – GameSense – as prominent fixtures on the Oilers uniformsuniforms,” said Kandice Machado, Chief Executive Officer at AGLC.

PlayAlberta.ca is a leader in the iGaming landscape in the province. All money generated through the site goes to the General Revenue Fund, which supports programs and services that Albertans rely on every day. In addition, the website has integrated AGLC’s GameSense and Self-Exclusion programs to better support players in their gambling journey.

“We are proud to call Play Alberta the official sportsbook of the Edmonton Oilers. With the revenue generated by Play Alberta going to valued services and programs that help enrich the lives of Albertans, donning the Play Alberta logo on our iconic home jersey is a testament to our long-term commitment to communities across Oil Country,” said Stew MacDonald, President & Chief Revenue Officer, OEG Sports & Entertainment.

The relationship between the Edmonton Oilers and PlayAlberta.ca will allow fans to experience the Play Alberta and GameSense brands through promotions in Rogers Place and ICE District, as well as giveaways throughout the season, including game tickets and memorabilia.

This past year, PlayAlberta.ca generated $235 million in net sales, an increase of more than $42 million from 2022-23. That number contributes to the $1.5 billion in total gaming revenue that’s sent to Alberta’s General Revenue Fund and supports programs and services that Albertans rely on every day.

Latest News

Optimove Announcement: Appoints Adi Dagan as Senior Director of Partnerships

Published

3 hours ago

September 11, 2024

Adrienn Sarkany

Optimove, the #1 CRM Marketing Solution for iGaming and Sports Betting, is pleased to announce the appointment of Adi Dagan as Senior Director of Partnerships. A seasoned entrepreneur and gaming industry leader, Dagan will be responsible for expanding Optimove’s strategic partnerships and fostering growth across key markets.

Dagan brings over two decades of experience scaling online businesses and building partnerships. As the co-founder and CEO of Beehive, which was acquired by Playtech, he brings extensive experience in business development for online companies, focusing on growth through strategic partnerships. Dagan also co-founded Everybuddy Games, where he expanded operations globally and secured $25M+ in venture capital.

In his new role, Dagan will focus on growing Optimove’s partner ecosystem and identifying new business opportunities. His immediate priorities include engaging with key partners and clients at high-profile industry events such as SBC Summit and G2E.

Pini Yakuel, CEO of Optimove, commented, “We are thrilled to welcome Adi to the team. His expertise will be instrumental in expanding our partner ecosystem and delivering even more value to our clients. Under his leadership, we are poised to expand and deepen partnerships that deliver next-level personalized engagement solutions to leading brands across the globe.”

Dagan’s appointment follows Optimove’s recent announcement of partnerships with Captain Up and Gamanza, marking the industry’s first AI-orchestrated gamification for iGaming and sports betting operators. These partnerships combine Optimove’s AI-powered marketing orchestration with Captain Up’s engagement platform and Gamanza Engage’s loyalty suite, in a best-of-breed solution that sets a new standard for personalized player experiences.

“I am extremely excited to join Optimove. It is the clear leader in CRM Marketing for iGaming and Sports Betting,” said Dagan. “Optimove’s cutting-edge platform and proven ability to enhance customer engagement through AI-orchestrated, data-driven marketing create a market advantage. Optimove is a clear market differentiator for any partner. I am looking forward to help Optimove continue to build valuable partnerships that drive measurable success for marketers.”

As Dagan noted, AI-orchestrated marketing is a hallmark of Optimove. In 2012, Optimove was the first CRM Marketing Platform to natively embed AI to predict customer migrations between lifecycle stages, followed by the launch of OptiBot in 2016. Its most recent innovation, OptiGenie, announced in November 2023, empowers marketers to optimize workflows from insight to creation and orchestration.

Optimove will be exhibiting at SBC Summit Lisbon, September 24-26, at stand #D120.