Mobile Mavens

Our panel of experts drawn from all sectors of the mobile gaming industry

Featured

How big can King's Call of Duty mobile game be? MOBILE MAVENS Apr 12th, 2017

How big can King's Call of Duty mobile game be?

Discussing the potential of the shooter genre on mobile

Devin Nambiar Head of Product and Partnered Development Electronic Arts
Nicolas Godement-Berline Head of Operations Asmodee Digital
Reginaldo Valadares General Manager Rovio Stockholm

Reginaldo started his career in games 16 years ago when he founded Jynx Playware – a pioneer in online multiplayer games in Brazil. In 2010 he took the lead of Glu Mobile’s studio in Sao Paulo where he released Blood and Glory, first and only Glu’s title to date to secure a 5 stars rating.

Reginaldo moved to Berlin in 2012 for a brief passage at Wooga and later on at Aeria Games, where he learned the game business from the publishing side. Last fall Reginaldo realised Germany was not cold enough and moved to Finland to be Head of Production for Rovio Stars.

Scott Foe Chief Product Officer Ignited Artists
Tony Gowland CEO Ant Workshop

Tony’s career has covered the whole spectrum from AAA console to handheld, mobile and flash titles, working on huge franchises such as Grand Theft Auto, Red Dead Redemption, and Call of Duty.

In 2015 he founded Ant Workshop to develop his own titles and to offer his experience as a design consultant.

Wilhelm Taht Executive Vice President, Games Rovio
William D. Volk Chief Futurist Forward Reality

Recent articles

as What will happen to the Indian games market when smartphone adoption slows? INDIAN MAVENS Apr 11th, 2017

What will happen to the Indian games market when smartphone adoption slows?

Is the industry's growth too dependent on sheer device volume?

Cartic P Business Development Manager Juego Studio Private Limited
Deepak Madathil Founder Pixel Ape Studios
Hrishi Oberoi Founder Photon Tadpole
Nalin Savara CEO and Technical Director Darksun Technologies
Rohith Bhat CEO 99Games Online Private Ltd.
Shailesh Prabhu Founder Yellow Monkey Studios

Shailesh Prabhu is an Indie Game Designer from India who has been designing games for over ten years. Seven years ago he founded Yellow Monkey Studios and is the recipient of numerous game design and entrepreneurship awards around the world. Socioball, HUEBRIX, It’s Just a Thought are some of his recent games. Shailesh is also an excellent cook, loves playing tennis, gardening and DIY projects apart from sporting facial hair.

How do indie developers measure and define success? INDIE MAVENS Apr 7th, 2017

How do indie developers measure and define success?

Our Indie Mavens weigh in

Aaron Fothergill Co-founder Strange Flavour
Dan Menard CEO Double Stallion
Erik van Wees Co-founder Arcane Circus
Matthew Annal MD Nitrome
Pavel Ahafonau Co-founder Happymagenta
Sebastian Lindén CEO & Creative Director Qaos Games
Tanya X. Short Creative Director Kitfox Games
Why does Clash Royale have no worthy competition? MOBILE MAVENS Apr 4th, 2017

Why does Clash Royale have no worthy competition?

A year on, why has there been no challenger for the Clash Royale crown?

Adam Telfer Consultant MobileFreeToPlay

Adam has been in the mobile game industry since 2007, creating games independently. He's since grown into a full 50+ person studio manager.

Recently he's taken a position at Wooga in Berlin to sharpen his design skills and work with the world's best to create amazing, well-crafted products onto the mobile marketplace.

Christopher Kassulke CEO HandyGames
Harry Holmwood CEO Marvelous Europe

A games programmer before joining Sony’s early PlayStation team in 1994, he then founded developer Pure Entertainment, which IPO’d and launched a free-to-play online gaming service way back in 1999.

He was also a director of pioneering motion gaming startup In2Games, which was sold to a US group in 2008.

Along the way, he’s been a corporate VP, troubleshooter, and non-exec to a variety of companies and investors in and around the games sector.

Harry was European CEO of Marvelous AQL, a Japanese developer and publisher of social, mobile and console games, known for console games like No More Heroes and Harvest Moon, but now highly successful in the free-to-play mobile and web space in Japan and Asia.

Harry is CEO of Magicave.

Jean-Philippe Decka CeO PocketWhale

Jean-Philippe has 5 years' experience building startups and advertising mobile games globally. He has a strong entrepreneurial mindset and highly developed expertise in sales strategy, team management, user acquisition, game design, user engagement and monetization.

Jean-Philippe started his career working for the mobile game publisher Chugulu where he was in charge of designing and marketing free to play titles. He contributed to the success of the award winning e-commerce platform lazada.ph while working for Rocket Internet as Global Venture Director in the Philippines. After Rocket Internet, Jean-Philippe joined HitFox as Head of Business Development for mobile games marketing ventures GameFinder and AppLift. He helped grow and develop both companies internationally as Chief Revenue Officer.

Oscar Clark Chief Strategy Officer Fundamentally Games

Oscar Clark has been a pioneer in online, mobile, and console social games services since 1998. He is also author of the book, Games As A Service – How Free To Play Design Can Make Better Games.

Scott Foe Chief Product Officer Ignited Artists
as Is access to funding for Indian games companies improving? INDIAN MAVENS Mar 30th, 2017

Is access to funding for Indian games companies improving?

How should Indian developers approach investment?

Abhinav Sarangi Co-Founder All in a Days Play
Ankush Madad Co-Founder and Creative Head Dropout Games
Cartic P Business Development Manager Juego Studio Private Limited
Hrishi Oberoi Founder Photon Tadpole
Nalin Savara CEO and Technical Director Darksun Technologies
Rituraj Behera Co-founder Cympl

My name is Rituraj Behera and I am Co-founder of Cympl, an Indie game studio started back in November 2012.

I had begun my career as an application developer but I always loved playing games which attracted me to the fast growing mobile games industry.

I had started the organization with a vision to create high quality mobile games and an attitude to learn & improve everyday.

Rohith Bhat CEO 99Games Online Private Ltd.
Shailesh Prabhu Founder Yellow Monkey Studios

Shailesh Prabhu is an Indie Game Designer from India who has been designing games for over ten years. Seven years ago he founded Yellow Monkey Studios and is the recipient of numerous game design and entrepreneurship awards around the world. Socioball, HUEBRIX, It’s Just a Thought are some of his recent games. Shailesh is also an excellent cook, loves playing tennis, gardening and DIY projects apart from sporting facial hair.

Shiva Nandy CEO Skytou Studios
Yadu Rajiv Game Designer and Developer

I've wanted to make games since I was in school and I've tried to learn and do as much as I could ever since. I studied English literature in college ( to free up my time for games) and then went on to do graduate studies in Design for Digital Experience at National Institute of Design. In between, I taught design, worked as a ux guy, and co founded a start up - called Hashstash (http://hashstash.in) where I made games. I left Hashstash some time ago and is currently teaching Game design, development and UX at Srishti Institute of Design, Bangalore. I also help with the IGDA Bangalore chapter and other community initiatives across India.

Can international mobile game developers still find success in China? MOBILE MAVENS Mar 28th, 2017

Can international mobile game developers still find success in China?

Is there still a way in for developers from abroad?

Devin Nambiar Head of Product and Partnered Development Electronic Arts
Kadri Harma CEO GameFounders

Kadri Harma has supported the games industry for years, being the co-founder of GameFounders, getPegasus and GoBeyond Capital, among others. She is an entrepreneur, mentor and investor with extensive experience in fundraising and launching startup ecosystem initiatives globally. Since 2021 she headed Nine66, part of the Savvy Games Group in Saudi Arabia before returning to venture capital in 2023 as CEO.

Nicolas Godement-Berline Head of Operations Asmodee Digital
Torulf Jernström CEO Tribeflame
Will the new App Store Indies section have any real impact on indie mobile games? INDIE MAVENS Mar 23rd, 2017

Will the new App Store Indies section have any real impact on indie mobile games?

Our Indie Mavens weigh in

Aaron Fothergill Co-founder Strange Flavour
Ben Murch Co-Founder Perchang
Matthew Annal MD Nitrome
Nathan Fouts Founder Mommy's Best Games
Pavel Ahafonau Co-founder Happymagenta
Pierre-Luc Vettier CEO Zero Games Studios
Sebastian Lindén CEO & Creative Director Qaos Games
Travis Ryan Studio Head Dumpling Design
as Indian mobile game developers discuss Youzu's new Pune office INDIAN MAVENS Mar 15th, 2017

Indian mobile game developers discuss Youzu's new Pune office

And potential Indian investment

Abhinav Sarangi Co-Founder All in a Days Play
Amit Goyal Co-founder SuperSike Games
Ankush Madad Co-Founder and Creative Head Dropout Games
Felix Manojh CEO Flixy Games
Joel Johnson DigiKhel
Laxmi Desai-Khanolkar CEO and co-founder Apar Games
Rituraj Behera Co-founder Cympl

My name is Rituraj Behera and I am Co-founder of Cympl, an Indie game studio started back in November 2012.

I had begun my career as an application developer but I always loved playing games which attracted me to the fast growing mobile games industry.

I had started the organization with a vision to create high quality mobile games and an attitude to learn & improve everyday.

Shailesh Prabhu Founder Yellow Monkey Studios

Shailesh Prabhu is an Indie Game Designer from India who has been designing games for over ten years. Seven years ago he founded Yellow Monkey Studios and is the recipient of numerous game design and entrepreneurship awards around the world. Socioball, HUEBRIX, It’s Just a Thought are some of his recent games. Shailesh is also an excellent cook, loves playing tennis, gardening and DIY projects apart from sporting facial hair.

Mobile Mavens reflect on their GDC 2017 trends and highlights BACK FROM SAN FRANCISCO Mar 14th, 2017

Mobile Mavens reflect on their GDC 2017 trends and highlights

What sticks in the memory?

Jani Kahrama Founder Secret Exit
Jason Della Rocca Co-founder Execution Labs

Jason Della Rocca is the co-founder of Executions Labs, a first-of-its kind, hybrid game incubator and go-to-market accelerator that helps independent game developers produce games and bring them to market.

Formerly, Jason was a game industry consultant focused on business and cluster development, working with game studios and organizations all over the world.

Prior, he served as the executive director of the International Game Developers Association (IGDA) for nearly nine years, and was honored for his industry building efforts with the inaugural Ambassador Award at the Game Developers Conference.

In 2009, Jason was named to Game Developer Magazine’s “Power 50,” a list which profiles 50 of the most important contributors to the state of the game industry.

As a sought after expert on the game industry, Jason has lectured at conferences and universities worldwide. He also serves on various advisory boards and volunteer roles, such as co-chairing IGDA-Montreal, as an advisor to the ICT Practice of Foreign Affairs, Trade and Development Canada, and serving on the research management committee of the GRAND Network Center of Excellence

Nick Malaperiman Head of Marketing TopHouse Media

Nick Malaperiman has launched Console, PC or Mobile games since '95. Nick first started at EA, launching multiple FIFA, NBA and NHL franchises, during 7 years. Nick then started Nokia's Games marketing division, launching 300+ games/apps in 7 years. Nick was previously GM of Yummi Games, in China and Founder of Chunky Pig Marketing - now part of Roadhouse Interactive.

Oleg Pridiuk Evangelist, Defold King
Oscar Clark Chief Strategy Officer Fundamentally Games

Oscar Clark has been a pioneer in online, mobile, and console social games services since 1998. He is also author of the book, Games As A Service – How Free To Play Design Can Make Better Games.

Vladimir Funtikov Co-Founder Creative Mobile
William D. Volk Chief Futurist Forward Reality
How useful was GDC 2017 to an indie mobile developer? INDIE MAVENS Mar 13th, 2017

How useful was GDC 2017 to an indie mobile developer?

Our Indie Mavens weigh in

Aaron Fothergill Co-founder Strange Flavour
Dan Menard CEO Double Stallion
Matthew Annal MD Nitrome
Nathan Fouts Founder Mommy's Best Games
Pierre-Luc Vettier CEO Zero Games Studios
Simon Joslin Creative Director The Voxel Agents
Tanya X. Short Creative Director Kitfox Games
Travis Ryan Studio Head Dumpling Design
How did our Indie Mavens get their first jobs in video games? INDIE MAVENS Mar 3rd, 2017

How did our Indie Mavens get their first jobs in video games?

We ask, they tell

Aaron Fothergill Co-founder Strange Flavour
Ben Murch Co-Founder Perchang
Henrik Johansson Designer and artist Mediocre
Kepa Auwae Business / Design RocketCat Games
Leanne Bayley Developer We Heart Dragons
Nathan Fouts Founder Mommy's Best Games
Pierre-Luc Vettier CEO Zero Games Studios
Travis Ryan Studio Head Dumpling Design
Tips and tricks on how to survive and make the most out of GDC 2017 GDC TIPS Feb 24th, 2017

Tips and tricks on how to survive and make the most out of GDC 2017

The mobile mavens offer their advice from years of experience at the event

Christopher Kassulke CEO HandyGames
Harry Holmwood CEO Marvelous Europe

A games programmer before joining Sony’s early PlayStation team in 1994, he then founded developer Pure Entertainment, which IPO’d and launched a free-to-play online gaming service way back in 1999.

He was also a director of pioneering motion gaming startup In2Games, which was sold to a US group in 2008.

Along the way, he’s been a corporate VP, troubleshooter, and non-exec to a variety of companies and investors in and around the games sector.

Harry was European CEO of Marvelous AQL, a Japanese developer and publisher of social, mobile and console games, known for console games like No More Heroes and Harvest Moon, but now highly successful in the free-to-play mobile and web space in Japan and Asia.

Harry is CEO of Magicave.

Jared Steffes Co-founder Muxy
Jason Della Rocca Co-founder Execution Labs

Jason Della Rocca is the co-founder of Executions Labs, a first-of-its kind, hybrid game incubator and go-to-market accelerator that helps independent game developers produce games and bring them to market.

Formerly, Jason was a game industry consultant focused on business and cluster development, working with game studios and organizations all over the world.

Prior, he served as the executive director of the International Game Developers Association (IGDA) for nearly nine years, and was honored for his industry building efforts with the inaugural Ambassador Award at the Game Developers Conference.

In 2009, Jason was named to Game Developer Magazine’s “Power 50,” a list which profiles 50 of the most important contributors to the state of the game industry.

As a sought after expert on the game industry, Jason has lectured at conferences and universities worldwide. He also serves on various advisory boards and volunteer roles, such as co-chairing IGDA-Montreal, as an advisor to the ICT Practice of Foreign Affairs, Trade and Development Canada, and serving on the research management committee of the GRAND Network Center of Excellence

Oleg Pridiuk Evangelist, Defold King
Oscar Clark Chief Strategy Officer Fundamentally Games

Oscar Clark has been a pioneer in online, mobile, and console social games services since 1998. He is also author of the book, Games As A Service – How Free To Play Design Can Make Better Games.

Scott Foe Chief Product Officer Ignited Artists
Shintaro Kanaoya CEO Chorus Worldwide

Founder and CEO of Chorus Worldwide, a publisher for Western mobile developers seeking success in the Asian markets, Shintaro has over 20 years' experience within the gaming industry.

He has worked in various roles from game production, localisation, marketing and business development at companies such as EA, SCEE, Rare and Microsoft.

Will Luton Founder/CPO Village Studio Games Village Studio
William D. Volk Chief Futurist Forward Reality
Why did Take-Two buy Social Point? MOBILE MAVENS Feb 21st, 2017

Why did Take-Two buy Social Point?

What's the motivation for the $250 million deal?

Harry Holmwood CEO Marvelous Europe

A games programmer before joining Sony’s early PlayStation team in 1994, he then founded developer Pure Entertainment, which IPO’d and launched a free-to-play online gaming service way back in 1999.

He was also a director of pioneering motion gaming startup In2Games, which was sold to a US group in 2008.

Along the way, he’s been a corporate VP, troubleshooter, and non-exec to a variety of companies and investors in and around the games sector.

Harry was European CEO of Marvelous AQL, a Japanese developer and publisher of social, mobile and console games, known for console games like No More Heroes and Harvest Moon, but now highly successful in the free-to-play mobile and web space in Japan and Asia.

Harry is CEO of Magicave.

Jared Steffes Co-founder Muxy
Nick Malaperiman Head of Marketing TopHouse Media

Nick Malaperiman has launched Console, PC or Mobile games since '95. Nick first started at EA, launching multiple FIFA, NBA and NHL franchises, during 7 years. Nick then started Nokia's Games marketing division, launching 300+ games/apps in 7 years. Nick was previously GM of Yummi Games, in China and Founder of Chunky Pig Marketing - now part of Roadhouse Interactive.

Scott Foe Chief Product Officer Ignited Artists
William D. Volk Chief Futurist Forward Reality
as Will Google Play integration in digital wallets affect Indian game revenues? INDIAN MAVENS Feb 10th, 2017

Will Google Play integration in digital wallets affect Indian game revenues?

A side-effect of demonetisation, but will it have an impact?

Ankush Madad Co-Founder and Creative Head Dropout Games
Joel Johnson DigiKhel
Laxmi Desai-Khanolkar CEO and co-founder Apar Games
Shailesh Prabhu Founder Yellow Monkey Studios

Shailesh Prabhu is an Indie Game Designer from India who has been designing games for over ten years. Seven years ago he founded Yellow Monkey Studios and is the recipient of numerous game design and entrepreneurship awards around the world. Socioball, HUEBRIX, It’s Just a Thought are some of his recent games. Shailesh is also an excellent cook, loves playing tennis, gardening and DIY projects apart from sporting facial hair.

Srinivasan Veeraraghavan Co-founder Roosh Interactive
What do mobile game developers think of iOS 10.3's new in-app rating and review features? MOBILE MAVENS Feb 8th, 2017

What do mobile game developers think of iOS 10.3's new in-app rating and review features?

Update makes ratings a breeze, but is it important?

John Ozimek Co-founder Big Games Machine

John is co-founder of PR and marketing company Big Ideas Machine. Also an all-round nice guy...

Julia Lebedeva Business Development Director Nevosoft

Julia joined Nevosoft as a public relations manager in 2009 and took a fresh look on interacting with the casual games audience. She has a master’s degree in linguistics and more than three years of experience in the entertainment industry, working as a morning show hostess and as the program director at a radio station. Her current role at Nevosoft sees her responsible for the company’s B2B connections and for searching out new ways of growing the business.

Oscar Clark Chief Strategy Officer Fundamentally Games

Oscar Clark has been a pioneer in online, mobile, and console social games services since 1998. He is also author of the book, Games As A Service – How Free To Play Design Can Make Better Games.

Scott Foe Chief Product Officer Ignited Artists
Torulf Jernström CEO Tribeflame
Vladimir Funtikov Co-Founder Creative Mobile
William D. Volk Chief Futurist Forward Reality
How will integrated reviews and ratings in iOS games affect indie developers? INDIE MAVENS Feb 3rd, 2017

How will integrated reviews and ratings in iOS games affect indie developers?

Our Indie Mavens weigh in

Aaron Fothergill Co-founder Strange Flavour
Kamina Vincent Producer Mountains
Leanne Bayley Developer We Heart Dragons
Matthew Annal MD Nitrome
Nathan Fouts Founder Mommy's Best Games
Pavel Ahafonau Co-founder Happymagenta
Pierre-Luc Vettier CEO Zero Games Studios
Sebastian Lindén CEO & Creative Director Qaos Games
Travis Ryan Studio Head Dumpling Design
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