6/25/18, 4:32 PM Pocket Gamer's San Francisco Mobile Mixer kicks off summer in style | Pocket Gamer.biz | PGbiz Page 1 of 11 https://www.pocketgamer.biz/news/52044/pocket-gamers-san-francisco-mobile-mixer-kicks-off-summer-in-style/ VIEW MORE News July 1st, 2013 - 06:41pm By Martine Paris How do you get hundreds of developers into the subterranean Vessel nightclub in San Francisco? Pocket Gamer's regular series of Mobile Mixers seems to be a good mechanism. And on Wednesday 26 June, down the stairs they came to explore best practices regarding user acquisition, engagement, and monetisation. With many thanks to sponsors Sega and FunPlus, the crowd enjoyed cocktails, appetisers, games, prize-packed promos, swag and the Sounds of R3Y GUTI3RR3z, while mixing it up with industry notables, and super-icon Sonic The Hedgehog, who made a special appearance to celebrate his 22nd birthday. Search for Companies, people and more... NEWS FEATURES NEWS 6 hours, 56 minutes ago Report: Telltale Games to ditch its own its own tech for Unity game engine NEWS 7 hours, 23 minutes ago Premium isn’t dead yet: Monument Valley 2 makes over $10 million in first year AS NEWS 7 hours, 59 minutes ago King of Fighters creator SNK and RPG dev Vespa set for South Korea flotations NEWS 8 hours, 56 minutes ago Turkey’s mobile games industry brought in $372.4 million in 2017 NEWS 9 hours, 11 minutes ago King enters the social casino space with Royal Charm Slots NEWS Pocket Gamer's San Francisco Mobile Mixer kicks off summer in style TOP STORIES EVENTS Tweet Like 0 International Asia Middle East Edition Login Register Features Articles & Opinion News Hot topics Events Networking MGU / Data Data, Deals & Research BIP at the Big Indie Fest 2018 PG Connects Helsinki 2018 Games Industry Jobs THE BEST INDUSTRY EVENTS ▼ TheVirtualReport.biz PCGamesInsider.biz InKuencerUpdate.biz BlockchainGamer.biz Part of the SM Business Network:
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6/25/18, 4:32 PMPocket Gamer's San Francisco Mobile Mixer kicks off summer in style | Pocket Gamer.biz | PGbiz
Page 1 of 11https://www.pocketgamer.biz/news/52044/pocket-gamers-san-francisco-mobile-mixer-kicks-off-summer-in-style/
VIEW MORENews
July 1st, 2013 - 06:41pm
By Martine Paris
How do you get hundreds of developers into thesubterranean Vessel nightclub in San Francisco?
Pocket Gamer's regular series of Mobile Mixersseems to be a good mechanism.
And on Wednesday 26 June, down the stairs theycame to explore best practices regarding useracquisition, engagement, and monetisation.
With many thanks to sponsors Sega and FunPlus,the crowd enjoyed cocktails, appetisers, games,prize-packed promos, swag and the Sounds of R3YGUTI3RR3z, while mixing it up with industrynotables, and super-icon Sonic The Hedgehog, who made a specialappearance to celebrate his 22nd birthday.
Search for Companies, people and more...
NEWS FEATURES
NEWS6 hours, 56 minutes agoReport: Telltale Games to ditch its own
its own tech for Unity game engine
NEWS7 hours, 23 minutes agoPremium isn’t dead yet: Monument
Valley 2 makes over $10 million in first
year
ASNEWS7 hours, 59 minutes agoKing of Fighters creator SNK and RPG
dev Vespa set for South Korea
flotations
NEWS8 hours, 56 minutes agoTurkey’s mobile games industry
brought in $372.4 million in 2017
NEWS9 hours, 11 minutes agoKing enters the social casino space
with Royal Charm Slots
NEWSPocket Gamer's San Francisco Mobile
Mixer kicks off summer in style
TOP STORIES
EVENTS
Tweet Like 0
International Asia Middle East Edition Login Register
FeaturesArticles & Opinion
NewsHot topics
EventsNetworking
MGU / DataData, Deals & Research
BIP at theBig Indie Fest2018
PG Connects Helsinki2018
GamesIndustryJobs
THE BEST INDUSTRY EVENTS ▼TheVirtualReport.biz PCGamesInsider.biz InKuencerUpdate.biz BlockchainGamer.bizPart of the SM Business Network:
6/25/18, 4:32 PMPocket Gamer's San Francisco Mobile Mixer kicks off summer in style | Pocket Gamer.biz | PGbiz
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Award-winning chef, TheGrilledCheezGuy, presented Sonic with themedcupcakes and Avery Photography snapped brilliant photos of Sonic's fansmugging the camera.
Check out the photo gallery on the Pocket Gamer Facebook wall for thegood time that was had by all.
Substantive discourse
The panel discussion was a highlight of the evening as industry veteransshared their experiences of how they top the charts, maintain their leads,and grow their long-tail franchises of branded and new IP.
Sega's David Zemke
First up, David Zemke, head of mobile business development at Sega,presented a trailer of the company's upcoming summer mobile games,and took us back to the early days of Super Monkey Ball, where in 2008,panelist Ethan Einhorn, Sega's director of online operations, stood besideSteve Jobs onstage at WWDC to welcome in the dawn of the smartphonegaming era.
Sega has since launched over 115 apps, and is now actively seekingpublishing opportunities to help quality games thrive and nurturing theindie dev community.
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FEATURE10 hours, 1 minute ago49 top games in soft launch: From
6/25/18, 4:32 PMPocket Gamer's San Francisco Mobile Mixer kicks off summer in style | Pocket Gamer.biz | PGbiz
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FunPlus' Yitao Guan
Then Yitao Guan, founder and CTO of FunPlus, took the stage tointroduce us to his hot social mobile gaming startup.
Launched three years ago, the company has been growing fast, raised$13 million from GSR and Signia Ventures, built a global team across 15countries, and are now actively recruiting top talent. Its hit game FamilyFarm has 5 million DAUs on Facebook and 1 million DAUs on mobile, andit recently launched new fantasy and casino games.
Following that Jeff Scott, editor-in-chief of 148Apps lead a paneldiscussion of hot topics.
The panel redected on WWDC and E3 and concluded that with 1.2 billiongamers playing a half million games on mobile devices, mobile is clearlydisrupting console.
Although buttons still matter, console is increasing becoming a coreniche, partly thanks to the required learning curve that the intuitive mobiledevices don't have. With the advent of mobile, everyone is now gaming.As mobile devices get more powerful and mobile games get more high-edelity, an even bigger shift on the part of the developers and publishersinto the mobile space is expected.
Edwardo Canonizado Ecojara2159 angelo
1
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Jesse ConlonSuch a great game! I love the plot and itscharacter, will deenitely play this later afterplaying…
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Mobile game of the week: Suzy Cube
Jamie YacoubianHey, I am looking to get in contact with TimeaTabori. Got a new games company in Scotland andwould…
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Women in Games Scotland appoints new lead ambassador and nation…
Chandler Mc Carthy(Seriously?!) This step had to be taken to focus onstrengths. Thinking outside the box is the only…
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MZ CEO Gabe Leydon leaves Final Fantasy XV: A New Empire develop…
Jonathan WintersIt is interesting that the other mammoth PCgaming genre - MOBAs - has not really managed togain…
1
Fortnite Battle Royale is redegning what's possible in mobile gaming …
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Kabam's Matt Curtis
Matt Curtis, senior director of product management at Kabam, talkedabout how the expansion into mobile for the F2P Facebook and browserpublisher helped the company develop a $200 million franchise fromKingdoms of Camelot.
He discussed the robust go-to-market plan Kabam employed for Fast andFurious 6: The Game, which has gained 17 million downloads since itsmid-May launch, and how good game design was key for success.
Making the game fun, engaging, and matching playstyle to the IP (e.g.racing for FF6 vs. strategy for The Hobbit) is what gets users into thegame. Performance marketing and a metrics-driven approach is whatkeeps them playing post launch.
Sega's Ethan Einhorn
Ethan Einhorn of Sega discussed how branded IP can on its ownperpetuate organic trakc and how tough it can be to get attention whenyou're not at the top of the charts.
For new IP, he advised indies not to underestimate PR as a way to drivetrakc. He suggested creating compelling in-game events and crosspromotional tie-ins (e.g. Clash of Clans/Puzzle & Dragons) which giveseditors hooks for coverage and creates visibility in front of tastemakers,who read the key outlets and share game experiences with 5-50 of theirfriends. PR may not show up in analytics in terms of boosting useracquisition but is the pathway to creating a hit via induencers.
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WeMade's Philip Yun
Philip Yun, CEO of WeMade USA, discussed the tremendous success theKorean publisher has had in Asia where messaging apps dominate asgaming platforms. With Kakao in South Korea, Line in Japan, WeChat inChina, the panel voiced excitement over the promise of similar apps likeTango for North America.
Finally, the panel discussed the game they're playing. High marks went toCandy Crush Saga, Real Racing 3, Clash of Clans and Puzzle & Dragons.
They recommended everyone play the top games not only becausethey're extremely well-designed and fun to play, but because playing themcan give you insight into game design that works, particularly as it relatesto monetisation.
Several said they play until they're forced to pay. Philip Yun of WeMadeimpressed the audience when he revealed that he made it to level 240 inCandy Crush Saga, and is currently at level 49 in Clash of Clans withoutspending any money.
Next up Casual Connect San Francisco!
Hold onto your hat as we supersize the next Pocket Gamer Mobile Mixerfor Casual Connect San Francisco.
Sponsoring is hot young mobile developer, Grand Cru, which will be givingus a sneak peek at its soon-to-be-launched game, Supernauts, a F2P iOSsuperhero sandbox world building game. Create your own worldMinecraft-style play single player missions, interact with friends and enjoysocial features like live synchronous multiplayer.
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social features like live synchronous multiplayer.
Get hands-on time with the devs, then enjoy an all-star panel moderatedby Jeff Scott, editor-in-chief of 148Apps and yours truly, featuringspeakers:
Kristian Segerstrale, board member, Supercell/Initial Capital
Ben Liu, CEO, Pocket Gems
Thorbjorn Warin, CMO, Grand Cru
Fabien-Pierre Nicolas, GM Mobile, Perfect World
DJ R3Y will be spinning tunes, Avery Photography will be taking snaps,and there will be drinks, bites and epic good times. You won't want tomiss it!
RSVP here
Kabam's Carol Quito, Pocket Gamer's Martine Paris & DeNA's Lisa Revelli
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AppLift's Jan Tillmann
Fabien-Pierre Nicolas & Wilson Collado
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DJ R3Y GUTI3RR3Z dropping beats SONIC-style
TEAM SEGA!
Martine ParisTech reporter Martine Paris covers trends across mobile, games, AR VR,wearables and IoT, the intersection of emerging tech, music, video and culture, andhow to get featured, funded and monetized. You can typically end her at showswith a mic in her hand interviewing industry's leading voices. Follow her@contentnow.
Get the latest mobile games news, interviews and in-depth analysis onTwitter, Facebook, LinkedIn and our daily newsletter.
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It appears that NONE of the supplied/listed phone numbers are working thatKabam has listed. How can a company that is supposedly so "well to do" have NOWORKING PHONE NUMBERS?????
There are reports of complaints being sent into the BBB against this company now,and well as coiners no longer coining longer dropping money into their games.
For a game thats "made 200 million" and "dropped 50 million to Japan" Somethingdeenitely is NOT right here!!Posted 4 years, 8 months ago Reply
Alan DKabam screwed the pooch when they didn't advertise Imperium Galactic War. Nowthey are shutting down the best game available because they aren't makingenough proet. ( morons ) I erst began playing IGW because a bunch of my friendsconvinced me to play. I had a very bad experience with kablammo before, when Iplayed Kingdoms of Camelot and they didn't care to even admit there was an issuelet alone their own fault for a massive daw in the code resulting in a glitch. I hadquit playing any and all games made by Kabam because of this. When I left KoCand Kabam, I had been the #1 player in a KoC domain for over a year, and I wasdetermined to never play any of their games again for lack of customer service oreven care for anything except the love of the all mighty dollar. So you can imagineit took a lot of convincing by my friends ( and frenemies alike ) to get me to evenlook at IGW. But, I have to tell you, IGW is the best game in the business, it offerssomething for everyone. Hands down, Imperium trumps battle pirates by koxeye,which is probably the closest match for gaming experience.
Over the last few years, I have watched the idiots at kablammo screw up again andagain and over and over in search of a quick buck, but to discontinue the absolutebest title in online gaming because they themselves screwed the pooch is themost ridiculous thing I have ever seen. ( I created a facebook group for KoC, andeven though I left the game, I kept it open and stay in touch with the friends I madethere ) --- If they do succeed in closing Imperium for good, I know, I will never, everplay another kablammo game again. They have notoriously had the worstcustomer service in the industry, but Imperium is/was so good, that it honestlydidn't matter to anyone how crappy the company itself is run as long as theymanage to keep the game running. The Development Team that was let go,has/had some of the most talented and reliable people in the entire Industry, I hopethey start a new company with a new game, because that is something I wouldwant to play!
Since this was leaked, I have seen Facebook Page after Facebook Page devoted tosuch things as Kabam screwing people and blackouts, as well as many numerousother things that if they were in another Country one might even call thematrocities. Kabam's behavior is atrocious on its best day, and that is no joke people.If you want to give your hard earned money to a company for a game that is justgoing to close when they think they have bled enough cash from you, so they canstart over with a new one to suck more money with, well I guess that is yourchoice, but I, for one am not about to fall for their line of BS anymore.
Pass the word, boycott anything with the Kabam logo. All they want is your money!And they do not care how they get it. the only Value in Valued Customer is yourwallet!
Signed,ME, One Very Pissed Off "Customer"!Posted 4 years, 8 months ago Reply
CQ BaileyI'm really miffed about the fact that KABAM didn't make any immediate effort to inform it's player base that it was
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immediate effort to inform it's player base that it wasshutting down one of it's games Imperium Galactic War.
A lot of us who are hardcore into the game found out aboutIGW's shutdown from a third party. They laid off 23 staffmembers who were maintaining and updating the game Just to save a few bucks.
Any company that's looking to make deals with KABAM, be wary.It's obvious to me they don't really care about their "Valued Customers" which are many.
Why? Most of KABAM's player bases for all of it's gamescan't even reach support if they have an issue, but when andif they do, they are met with some automated support BS andthat even doesn't work half the time.
We want IMPERIUM GALACTIC WAR to stay because the gamestill gets new players with all sorts of questions and a lot ofus IGW players put a lot of money, time and strategy intoour bases and deets.
Now KABAM wants to destroy everyone's progress In IGW.Why we have to suffer because of layoffs makes no sense.
I am one of KABAM's "Valued Customers" they are about tosay screw you and take a dump on.
G'day
Posted 4 years, 8 months ago Reply
Jim WatersSega and anyone else thats dealing with, or thinking of dealing with Kabam andbetter be VERY WISE. This company is dropping Imperium Galactic War becauseits not a short term, quick cash grab game.
They knew their game was shutting down, but still accepted peoples money FORTHAT GAME! Only after people started complaining did they shut down the "buypalladium" tab.
IGW gets shut down, I will not support ANY Kabam games, will use my FB page towarn others away from Kabams reputation and will not support any companiesthat get involved with Kabam.
IMHO Kabam is NOT a company you want to have dealings with.Posted 4 years, 8 months ago Reply
Azeazel Deathbringerwith all this going on wouldn't it be a nice gesture for the KABAM team to notify itsplayer base in Imperium Galactic War that they will be closing it down. Not onlyhave they not said anything but they are still making offers in the game that enticepeople to spend money on a game that they are closing. The feeling that us playersget from KABAM's forum is that they don't care about the players but just careabout the money. It's us players that keep you alive KABAM and by the way youracting I guess that player base will start to dwindle. I for one will remove any gamefrom my mobile devices that has anything to do with KABAM and there arehundreds more on the forums that will be doing the same. Just because there aremillions of people out there willing to play KABAM games, once they becomeaware of KABAM's tactics then they will lose them.Posted 4 years, 8 months ago Reply
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