Interview

2014 in Review: Jens Lauritzson, Flexion - China will dominate 2015's headlines

Future trends from the remembrance of things past

2014 in Review: Jens Lauritzson, Flexion - China will dominate 2015's headlines

As 2014 begins to fade into memory, we're taking a look back at the events that have dominated the last 12 months in mobile gaming.

As such, we've asked the industry's great and good to give us their take on the year, as well as predicting the trends that will dominate in 2015.

Jens Lauritzson is CEO of Android app distribution monetisation company Flexion Mobile.

Pocket Gamer: What was the most significant news in 2014?

Jens Lauritzson: The investment by Alibaba in Kabam signalled that a change in the ecosystem is about to happen.

China is already the biggest smartphone market in the world and it is now seriously positioning itself for global expansion.

How did your business focus change in 2014?

Flexion launched its new freemium wrapper during the year with a flagship title like Subway Surfers.

Our focus is now on distribution and monetization in the fastest growing Android markets in the world where most developers struggle to generate revenues.

What was your favourite mobile game of the year? Why?

It would have to be Subway Surfers given its global mass appeal and addictive gameplay.

Subway Surfers continues to impress

We have all been amazed by its incredible retention rates which just show how popular it is.

What do you predict will be the most important markets for games in 2015?

China is seriously positioning itself for global expansion.
Jens Lauritzson

China, Brazil, Russia, Indonesia, India, Thailand and Vietnam.

What do you predict will be the most important trends in 2015?

New advertising and discovery methods will continue to dominate due to the problem of overcrowding in the app stores.

At the same time developers will seriously start looking at emerging markets and alternative distribution channels. China will continue to dominate the headlines.

What's your New Year's resolution and what resolution would you enforce on the industry?

My New Year's resolution - wouldn't it be nice to work less and play more games?

2014 was the year of the clone and I hope developers can be more creative during 2015.

Flexion's new wrapper

I would also wish that developers could use some of their budgets on new discovery and advertising methods. The industry is too focussed on CPI and charts, in my opinion.

Thanks to Jens for his time

You can check out all of our 2014 in Review interviews here.

Contributing Editor

A Pocket Gamer co-founder, Jon is Contributing Editor at PG.biz which means he acts like a slightly confused uncle who's forgotten where he's left his glasses. As well as letters and cameras, he likes imaginary numbers and legumes.