Thor Fridriksson

HEJ ALLA! (Ok so my Swedish needs to get better in time for next week's NG24 😅) By comparison, my other capabilities are in a lot better shape - specifically the ability to help games companies grow their revenues & profits! 💵 It's actually my first ever Nordic Game event 😮 so I am genuinely excited to check it out, see some of Malmö city and of course build relationships with the Nordic games business community 🙌 It's an area I've not spent enough time on in the past, which is crazy given how the region absolutely "punches above its weight" on gaming and tech 💪 That is being corrected from next week onwards however, and I know there is real value that Player One Consulting can bring to the ambitious studios looking to grow their profits, add new revenue streams and make their next game a hit! 🔥 If you'll be there next week, I'd love to have a conversation. No stress, no commitment - but potentially starting a process that ends up in a massive win for your business... 📈 I'm on the Meet2Match system, but if you prefer, please comment or DM and we can set it up directly. I still have ok availability on Wed 22 & Thurs 23 so hit me up! 🤝 Finally...everyone please share your NG & Malmö tips below...help me not look like "the new guy" when I show up...🤓 #ng24 #nordicgame #gamesindustry #gamesbiz

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Interesting report from VG Insights giving some hard numbers on the extra opportunity for building and growing game IPs through other types of media, be they TV, movies, books and more. Too often, game companies are only looking at the direct business opportunities of transmedia projects to determine whether they want to engage into it or not, but the real opportunity is indirect, it is through the engagement of new and existing players, and extra sales of existing games, even with very little is done on older titles. We've seen this on The Witcher, on The Last of Us, now on Fallout, and many more.

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I more or less started this series of posts with what I called Dansky's First Rule of Game Writing, namely, that words are always the cheapest fix until suddenly they are the most expensive. That line got a lot of rueful laughter and a lot of agreement, but today I want to dive a little deeper into it and talk about what it means. First of all, I absolutely believe this is true. When something gets cut or changed or added, it is much easier and faster to add, edit, or cut dialog around it, or rewrite backstory (assuming it hasn't already been put in a player-facing format) than it is to change a character model or a map or an animation, at least early in the project. Narrative folks should understand this and be flexible, because it comes with the territory and pushing back against a solution that saves time and money is not a good look. But. Too often this gets taken to extremes. When narrative is constantly called on to paper over the cracks caused by others' decisions, certain things happen. One is that as a solution, it is easy to overuse. Yes, it may be less work for narrative than for other teams, but it's still work, and it still involves throwing out work that has been already done. That comes with multiple costs, not the least of which is a morale hit. Constantly asking one team to be the only ones who bend can feel a little like they're being picked on, or worse, taken for granted. And that's a great way to demotivate people. Because with that comes an inevitable devaluing of narrative work. I've heard "It's just words" too many times in my career. Nobody says "It's just pixels" or "It's just lines of code" to other departments. The assumption that rewrites are a cheap and easy fix is incorrect; it is cheap, not easy. It takes craft and skill to seamlessly close the gap in a narrative when an entire level gets cut. It takes craft and skill to turn around a rewrite immediately because a recording session is coming up and another department failed to read a character design doc so the character details have to change. And on it goes, and on and on. The other half of the statement is that words suddenly get expensive, which is also true. Once you record dialog, once you put stuff into localization, all of a sudden changing those words gets pricey. Want to make a tweak to a level that contradicts a line that's already been recorded? That means hiring back the actor, plus the studio, plus the director. plus plus plus. And while pickup sessions are a thing, there is not infinite time or money to keep going back to the well every time someone wants to fiddle with something that was supposed to be nailed down for script lock. "It's just words" isn't true any more at this point, and other departments need to be cognizant of upcoming recording session dates and script deadlines in order take their requests timely. Otherwise, everyone's going to be unhappy.

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Will you be in Pocket Gamer Connects Helsinki tomorrow? If yes, join our panel at 15:10 in Track Room 1 to find out if the Digital Markets Act is Really Changing the Mobile Games Market for the Better? I, Gil Tov-Ly, Shalom Michaeli and Alvaro Pinto will discuss how third-party application stores, alternative payment systems, and new UA methods will change the distribution, monetization and marketing of mobile games.

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We had a 1 on 1 interview with Naoto Hiraoka from ATLUS. We talked about various topics such as ATLUS’s growth and strategy, the challenge of global release and of course their new game Metaphor: ReFantazio.

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FYP! Here’s your insights to the early days of the Necesse franchise and Fair Games by Founder and CEO Mads Skovgaard 🙏

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So here at LKHE we make games for gamers, and we support our devs fully. We are also about teaching and innovation, and will be opensourcing our games eventually, as well as the behind the scenes. This also means we don’t hide our code in a vault. It insures you guys get to bring your cool ideas to life, and it makes sure we’re always ready to take that extra step further into innovation. I noticed a lot of people are looking for this, and there isnt really a source out there that shows you how to do it. SOOOOoooo here it is (a Sin City Filter) for UE5. You can also use this for any post process, and bring an object, or character out and separate it from the post processing! Give us that Like and subscribe on the channel, and stay tuned. Out Pitch Demo is almost done for Project Kianna, and we'll be pumping out content via Discord, Facebook, LinkdIn, Twitter, Instagram, Tiktok and have our own fully operational Website! Once were up on social media, we will be releasing the official "Prototype: Kianna" which is the free (player built demo) where your input matters on how we proceed with our game! it will have 6 upgrades, based on player input, and will slowly uncover the origin story of Kianna. but for now, check it out my dudes https://lnkd.in/gPSUfjkh

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Ahead of Nordic Game Conference Despite many gaming markets currently experiencing flux and downward trends, the parts of Nordics are seeing the reverse. Rocky Tsang, expand’s resident gaming expert and recruiter feels that all is not doom and gloom in the sector.   He says "Finland & Sweden have a strong foundation for gaming. Their high computer literacy and early adoption of technology in the 80s really laid the groundwork for this thriving industry. And that, along with the real focus on innovation and a large and talented indie scene alongside established giants fosters a really creative and competitive environment. We hope to see the reversal of fortune for the rest of the market soon. While the industry might be adjusting, exciting new areas like virtual reality (VR), augmented reality (AR), and Web3 are experiencing significant growth. This opens doors for innovative and immersive gaming experiences" #gaming #gamingindustry #gamingnews #esports #esportsnews #gamingandesports #positive #VRAR #web3 #nordics

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In the latest Elite Game Developers newsletter Edvard Groundstroem, co-founder of Flowstate Games, which shut down recently, shares his learnings. In a typical 🇫🇮 Finnish way, there's zero sugar coating. I recommend everyone to read it. Here are my three key takeaways from the interview: 1️⃣ Have a compelling strategy and adjust your work inside of it rather than pivoting to the new and shiny thing when the going gets rough. Without a strategy, you're making MVPs that lead to failing fast and pivoting too soon into the unknown. While we hear stories of pivots leading to ultimate success, the vast majority of startups (and not only startups...) pivoted themselves to death without ever building any expertise in anything. I've made this mistake multiple times before and only in my startup was I adamant never to switch genres. 2️⃣ Listen to VCs but don't take orders from them. Chasing "product-VC" fit and trying to hit their "flavor of the week KPIs" means that you've handed control of the direction of your company to an external party. I was there too thinking that VCs know it all. It wasn't until I understood that VCs give a perspective not a direction that our execution improved. Listen to VCs but remember that the ultimate decision is on you. 3️⃣ Complacency is the death of execution. Startups should be in code red until they start generating sufficient revenue. Getting funded doesn't mean you're good. It means that you have limited runway to prove you can execute. Edvard Groundstroem put it better than I ever could "Making great commercial products that can scale as a business is hard. Understanding how a game goes from good to great is instrumental, and the only way to gain insight into that is to study games that made it, as well as the ones that seemed liked they would but didn’t." This is painful to read. I've failed at instilling product expertise within everyone in the studio multiple times before thinking that if just a few key people have it, it's enough. I highly recommend Joakim Achren's Elite Game Developers newsletter to everyone working in games. 🙏 thank you Eddie for the public post-mortem! #gameindustry #gamedevelopment

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Driving social change towards a more science literate and sustainable society is at the core of everything I aspire professionally, hence I'm very honored to become one of the active voices for Sustainable Games Alliance (SGA). What I love about SGA is the super pragmatic approach to create universal sustainability reporting standards for the game industry. This is absolutely crucial. Why? The sad truth is that the sustainability efforts of businesses and industries are mostly just talk. Reducing the emissions of your enterprise is not that simple in a value network and society that is deadly dependent on fossil fuels. We are not doing our part if we simply try to make our own sustainability reports look as good as possible, because that shifts the focus from the encompassing structural problem to individual virtue signaling. Everything boils down to the primary energy sources used and thus all companies should be keenly interested in how the energy to build, distribute and consume their products is generated. Not to point their finger on subcontractors, platforms and clients or anyone else who is enabling their business, but to see the big picture, to understand that we're in this together and that solving the problem requires collaboration across company and industry borders. Such standard will dramatically increase transparency and understanding and effectively "cut the bullshit" we're currently stuck in. So I'm 100% here for it! Knowledge becomes actionable very fast if we are capable of honesty. Let's pursue a more sustainable games industry with both our words and our actions using the great framework and clear goals of SGA. To talk with me live about this, catch us at the MatchXR event on Nov 19 in Helsinki, where I'll be participating Sustainable Gaming panel with Jiri Kupiainen of SGA!

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I spoke with BlockchainGamer.biz about Telegram-based games and TON. ⬇ Here's the full read: Games on Telegram present an interesting opportunity that delves into well-worn territory: social games. First, I think it’s vital that we separate Telegram-based games from TON. TON is a non-EVM blockchain that is not a prerequisite for launching a game on Telegram. Games on Telegram are viable for all. Now for the fun stuff: Telegram games are simply the Facebook games of today, and that’s a good thing. Rewind about 15 years, when developers recognized the distribution benefits of launching a game on a platform that had nearly one billion users, and whose networking mechanics could be leveraged by games to enable players to loop in friends and family, creating a powerful user acquisition flow. Web3 developers see Telegram as a similar destination. Particularly in the current moment, where the traditional game and app stores are less accessible to some web3 games, Telegram has an existing audience who are there for other primary reasons, the potential for network effects, and a relatively open playing field that isn’t yet dominated by a top-heavy cadre of Supercells or Scopelys (just like the early days of Facebook). At the same time, I want to caution against hype. Targeting users on Telegram is near impossible, though its app store launch may help. Telegram games also gained a lot of attention through heavily botted experiences, with few – if any – sustainable, human-played games to date. Both of these are challenges that early Facebook games did not face. And, like everything in web3 game development, the rules still apply that developers need to focus on end-to-end, safe, and smooth player experiences. That said, I see Telegram games as a valuable option for devs that fill a time-based need while iOS and Android get more comfortable with web3 titles, and where game makers can make use of a less crowded field and some potentially unique mechanics.

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As we gear up for another election cycle, I’m reaching out to all of you who’ve been part of our journey. Remember when we got so many gamers registered in the past elections? Yeah that was awesome and guess what? It’s time to do it again, and I need your help. A lot has changed since 2020. Many of our younger community members, who were just 16 back then, are now eligible to vote. This is our chance to make a a massive impact. Let's show the power of our gaming community! 🎮 Why Your Org's Involvement Matters: Young Voters Need The How... It might be their first time! A significant number of new voters are joining the ranks. Imagine the impact we can have if we mobilize them! Engagement is crucial... and there's power in numbers and our partners collective voices. Many young voters don’t identify directly with a party. They’re looking for guidance and inspiration to participate in the voting process. About two-thirds of voters aged 18-24 are ready to make their voices heard. Even among older age groups, engagement remains vital. Every vote counts! Every voice matters. We’ve always stayed above the partisan fray, focusing on the bigger picture – getting everyone involved. This is a pivotal moment. Your experience, your voice, and your passion can make a real difference. 🔗 How You Can Help: Reach Out. Let’s chat about how you can contribute this cycle. Spread the Word!!! Use your platforms to share our mission and engage with younger voters. Get Involved with us please! Want to make a difference in your spare time? Volunteer with our partner organizations and help with our outreach efforts. Let’s make sure every gamer’s voice is heard. Together, we can turn out a massive voter turnout. Let’s make this election count! We are finalizing some of our next steps for select major dates of action so if we haven't spoken yet, let's connect. 🗳️💪 Reach out to myself, Steven Lipscomb or Vinayak Rao and lets get moving. Fall will be here before we can believe it... New folks, learn more here at our website: www.gamers.vote. 🙏 #GamersVote #GetOutTheVote #Election2024 #YouthVote #Nonpartisan

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How is the Digital Markets Act changing the mobile games market? Really enjoyed the panel with Jari-Pekka Kaleva, Gil Tov-Ly, and Alvaro Pinto at Pocket Gamer Connects Helsinki where we discussed alternative stores, payments, and UA. The industry is changing quickly, with new opportunities to grow margins and distribution of custom APK's in tier 1 countries. Developers should 1) Define their Alternative revenue goals, 2) Integrate Alternative payments 3) Embed Alternative UA strategy. Kim Grewal Duncan Blackett Svetlana Valgina Miral Nashashibi Efrat Gidron #AlternativeStores #AlternativePayments #AlternativeUA

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🚀 A new monetization method for mobile? 🤞 We all know that the main pillars of mobile monetization methods are IAPs, Subscriptions, Ads, and Offerwalls. The issue is that IAPs and subscriptions are difficult to master, and Offerwalls and ads require many users to engage heavily with ads. BrightSDK is a new method to monetize your users via their bandwidth. ⚙️ How does it work? Bright SDK works with the largest e-commerce, travel, and social companies in the world to help them make decisions about products and pricing by analyzing Public Web Data. Turns out that large companies are willing to pay to know for example the average review score of a product in different geos and how an airline ticket between London and New York is priced in different geos. To do this at a large scale you need crawlers to get the data that the companies need. But as the web is built for people most of these programs are blocked. By using some of your users' bandwidth Bright SDK can get the data. 👏 How does it look in an app or game? Users can’t share their bandwidth without giving consent on iOS or Android to stay compliant—but incentivizing users to opt in is fair game. In Outlets Rush by Supercent, for example, players see a tempting pile of gems (premium currency) on the floor, which they receive if they agree to share a bit of their phone’s bandwidth while playing. Other approaches include offering fewer ads to users who opt-in or gifting a bundle of “skip” tickets as a reward for their consent. 💸 What’s the revenue potential? As Bright SDK is only active while users are playing a game thus earning potential depends on your session lengths, sessions per day, and the location of your users. If we take an app that has 50k DAU with 40% in the USA and 30% in T1 geos and around 10-minute session lengths per day this app would earn about $720/day or $21,600/month. 🧨 Keen to learn more about this new monetization method tune in to my conversation with Ofir Meir on two & a half gamers. 🎥 Youtube: https://lnkd.in/eZyaQMC3  ✉️ Ad Monetization Newsletter: https://lnkd.in/eRWRFiGf #MobileMonetization #BrightSDK #AdMonetization #MobileGames #growth #GameDev #RevenueGrowth #MobileGaming #AppGrowth Matej 🦩Jakub #monetization #mobilegames #mobileapps #new

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How I became both a producer and a CEO: (And I love every inch of it) At my previous job at LoadMe I did: - Project production - Partner collabs - Client relations Doing both the work of the CEO while being Head of Studio. At UGI being both a producer and CEO helps me: 1/ Be the bridge between business & creative So that I bring my clients’ visions to life. 2/ Understand the core product Having product knowledge helps make decisions that benefit clients. 3/ High standards Being actively involved in the game production cycle allows me to hold high standards. Leadership is one thing. But what drives me is connecting to gamers and games which I love. And switching hats isn’t a problem. It makes the journey fascinating. PS. Do you think a CEO should be involved in game production?

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Yes or no? Today during our team call, we discussed out our demo-build and brainstormed missions for our game. One teammate raised a valid concern: Would this idea be understood by future partners? Instead of seeing this as a roadblock, I view it as an opportunity. Successful partnerships thrive on understanding each other's perspectives. In essence, ensuring alignment between our creative vision and partners' expectations is key. By embracing this challenge, we're setting the stage for a strong and collaborative partnership. #GameDev #Partnerships

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Thank you to Dave Bradley for moderating such a great panel at PGC Helsinki! Here are some key points I touched on during the discussion: - AI's Expanding Role: No area in game development (marketing, art, development, analytics, QA, liveops, customer support...) will be untouched by AI's evolution over the next few years. - AI as an Aid, Not a Replacement: While AI will transform many processes, it will not replace the need for skilled professionals. For instance, a great artist will create even better work with AI than a less experienced artist. - A New Tool for Creators: AI is often just the new tool—similar to when Photoshop first came on the scene. - AI and Jobs: We often hear concerns about AI replacing jobs, but it’s more likely that someone proficient with AI will replace someone who isn't. In certain cases, AI will help current size teams accomplish more and with better quality, ultimately driving business growth. - AI and Team Dynamics: Since AI can be a polarizing topic, it’s important to discuss a job candidate's perspective on AI during the hiring process to ensure aligned expectations. #AIinGames #PGCHelsinki

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Adding a few more points: 1. The core goal of cross-platform from game apps to H5 mini-games is to reduce UA (User Acquisition) costs. In the past two years, Tencent’s H5 mini-games have brought significant benefits by lowering UA costs, while user payment and retention rates are not worse than those of client-based games. (For Mini Games on iOS, Tencent won’t charge developers; for Android, they charge 40% of revenue, rebate 10% for UA, so it’s a 30% cut of the revenue goes to Tencent, which is lower than Huawei, Xiaomi, Oppo and Vivo’s 50% cut - pathetic right? lol) 2. From a cross-PC and mobile perspective, directing users to make purchases on PC is also aimed at increasing profits by secretly pocketing the 30% share that would otherwise go to Apple and Google. (PayPal only charges up to around 5%, which is significantly less than 30%) 3. The strategy of cross-platform development for consoles, PC, and mobile, combined with global multi-language and cross-platform simultaneous releases, aims to outcompete and bankrupt rivals who try to follow suit. (It’s a trap, but some CEOs love to be “brain washed”. They are fascinated by this global multiplatforms multi-languange regions launch thing, aiming 1 month ROI positive goal. (Copying Genshin Impact) Good luck!!

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Great article about our latest game launch!

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