Unity's China publishing deal, the different types of monetisation, and PlaySimple Games raises $4 million
A success story is always nice to read, particularly when it's something like PlaySimple Games raising $4 million to bolster its staff throughout the next year.
Which likely explains why the story of the studio founded by ex-Zynga staff made its way to the top of our Hot Five list for last week.
Second up, we compile a list of useful articles and videos to talk you through monetisation design and the different types of monetisation as part of our Mobile Games University.
China, marketing, and more monetisation
Third on the list is the news of Unity and Xiaomi's partnership, which sees Unity developers gaining access to Xiaomi's app store in China, as well as support with launching games in the region.
And finally, FunPlus' King of Avalon takes the top spot of the US iPhone top grossing charts, and Oscar Clark breaks down his seven rules for monetisation design.
Click the link below to find out more about the stories that caught our readers' attention last week.
#5: The seven rules of monetisation design
More Info
The seven rules of monetisation design »"Making games used to be straight forward. We only had to think about the game experience and whether what we have made was fun."
So begins Oscar Clark in his article on the seven rules of monetisation design, a key part of our recent Monetisation Design course in our Mobile Games University.
From there, he outlines seven things every developer should know about monetisation, including the importance of timing, anticipation and repetition.
If you're not keen on reading, or just want to hear Oscar talk you through it, we're also running a webinar with the man himself on December 7th. You can sign up for it here.
#4: FunPlus' King of Avalon surges to the summit of the US App Store top grossing charts
More Info
FunPlus' King of Avalon surges to the summit of the US App Store top grossing charts »Take a look at the iOS top grossing on any given day and you'll usually see one of the usual suspects - Pokemon GO, Mobile Strike, Game of War, etc.
So when a game like FunPlus' King of Avalon tops the chart for the first time since it launched in July 2016, it's worth shouting about.
The studio owes the game's success to an aggressive marketing campaign, which included recruiting Kristian Nairn - Hodor from Game of Thrones - to be the face of the game.
Whether the game can hold its position is another matter entirely, but it's still a remarkable achievement given the usual stagnant nature of the top grossing charts.
#3: Unity’s Xiaomi deal will offer developers “unparalleled access” to China’s mobile games market
More Info
Unity’s Xiaomi deal will offer developers “unparalleled access” to China’s mobile games market »Getting your game out in China is pretty tough no matter who you are, but Unity and Xiaomi have just made it a little bit easier.
The two companies have partnered to give Unity developers access to Xiaomi's app store and some help with the red tape developers have to get through just to launch their games.
Unity is getting something in return of course, as Unity Ads is now the only third-party ad service enabled on any Android app store in China.
The deal goes into action some time in 2017, but there's no specific timeframe on when developers can start publishing just yet.
#2: Mobile Games University - Monetisation Design: The different monetisation types in games
More Info
Mobile Games University - Monetisation Design: The different monetisation types in games »If you didn't know about our Mobile Games University, then you should really check it out. It's chock full of useful information about mobile games, and we're updating it pretty regularly.
Most recently, we introduced a guide to monetisation design and the different types of monetisation that games use.
It's a handy list of videos and articles from people smarter than us which explain the various aspects of monetisation, and how best to implement them in your game.
So if you don't know your IAPs from your interstitials, and couldn't even begin to talk about rewarded video, give it a look - you might even learn something.
#1: Ex-Zynga devs raise $4 million for new Indian studio PlaySimple Games
More Info
Ex-Zynga devs raise $4 million for new Indian studio PlaySimple Games »If there's one thing developers love to do, its leave big companies, form their own smaller company, and raise a few million in investment to really get them goin.
One such developer is PlaySimple Games, set up by a team of ex-Zynga developers based in India which just raised $4 million to expand its team.
Investment comes from Saif Partners and IDG Ventures India, and will be used to increase the number of staff from 22 to 50 by the end of 2017.
The studio will also continue to work on its puzzle and word games, like the already-released WordTrek and GuessUp.