If you're able to capitalize on them, the sales they'll generate will make you the envy of your competitors.
But if you chase them down too late (or too early) and forget your primary revenue streams, you can be in for a lot of disappointment and red ink down the line.
This week, we saw a couple of interesting emerging channels pop up - from the integration of HTML 5 web apps to Amazon's AppStore to Nintendo's modest success with its social StreetPass games.
Whether these emerging channels will transition from narrow trickles to broad streams remains to be seen, but let's not let that distract us from looking back on the week that was.
Tools and platforms
- If you want to crowdsource, go with Kickstarter - research suggests that less than 1 in 10 Indiegogo projects reach their funding goals.
- Amazon opens its Appstore doors to HTML 5 apps, allowing them to be sold alongside traditional apps.
- Keen flare's keen on Microsoft, and reports 750,000 downloads of Royal Revolt for Windows Phone.
- Android roars past iOS and now accounts for 8 in 10 smartphones shipped around the globe.
Monetisation
- Don't forget about word of mouth - SessionM reckons that 36 percent of installs for power players come from friend referrals.
- This week's Monetizer fixes its lens on Machine Zone's hardcore Game of War: Fire Age to see just how effective it is.
- DeNA's staying true to its roots, as our chart of the week finds more than 25 percent of its revenue comes from feature phones.
- And speaking of DeNA, a strong surge of Mobage in the west helped spur its Q1 sales up 10 percent to $526 million.
- Nintendo stumbled onto success with its new premium StreetPass games, and earned $4 million in a month from them with almost no advertising expenditure.
- With nine months of cash left, what's next for Glu Mobile?
Industry voices
- 148app's Carter Dotson says it's time to wave goodbye to the age of iOS-exclusive games.
- Harry Holmwood, CEO of MAQL Europe, weighs in on why publishers still matter.
- George Osborn provides five simple steps to follow if you want to create the perfect App Store description.
- Reporting from Dare to be Digital, Peter Willington gives us a recap of the Women in Games Q&A panel.
- Kirk Mcknead gives us a look at the making of Scattered Entertainment's The Drowning.
- And Cosmocover's John Tyrrell gives his opinion on how small mobile devs can get a handle on games PR.
Funding, start ups and acquisitions
- Namco Bandai is looking to shore up its operations in North America with a new studio in Vancouver dedicated to mobile and social games.
- Zynga moves to shutter OMGPOP.com website and puts four Facebook games on the chopping block.
- ...while reportedly blocking a bid by former OMGPOP employees interested in buying back the site and its assets.
- And Zattikka begins selling off assets as the prospect of bankruptcy looms.
Cologne Events
- With GDC 2013 and Gamescom both on the horizon, there's a good chance that you'll be in Cologne later this month. If so, be sure to stop by our Mobile Mixer on the 19th or our party on the 20th
- Also on the 20th, we'll be doing our Big Indie Pitch to give developers a chance to speed-pitch their games to a panel of mobile app journos. Interested in attending? Give it a gander.