The reason for Finland's success, 5 learnings from Unite 2014, and where Godus found its followers

Last week's top 5 stories

• 5 Success doesn't just happen. You have to create the right environment

  

  The Finnish games industry is bursting at the seams with success stories, so it's not surprising that every developer and publisher under the sun is trying to find out what provide its cutting edge.

  However, according to Suvi Latva, the coordinator of Neogames Finland, there isn't a Finnish 'secret sauce' that helps them succeed where so many others have failed.

  No, the Finnsh scene is thriving because it has a healthy, active, and inclusive gaming ecosystem.

  "From an ecosystem point of view, the aim of our operations is to create as positive as possible an environment in which game companies can do their business," explained Latva.

  "I am often asked how long this success will last. Our estimate is a long time, because this success is not based on the success of one company but of many."

  
  

• 4 Game Insight's new CEO on going 3D and hardcore while becoming more player-centric

  

  After making a name for itself in the realm of 2D gaming, mobile developer Game Insight has decided it wants to set sail upon the high seas of 3D.

  It's a bold change of tact, which is exactly why the company brought in new CEO Anatoly Ropotov: a man with over 15 years of industry experience under his belt.

  Of course, only time will tell if Game Insight's new boss can lead them to glory, but that didn't stop us from quizzing him to find out more about this brave new world.

  "It's a competitive market, but I think we can find niche core genres that EA, Glu and Gameloft haven't explored.

  "Because that's what we want to do with all our games; become more player-centric."

  
  

• 3 InMobi on how its native first emotionally lead approach can increase CPMs to $20

  

  Advertsing firm InMobi used to refer to itself as "the world's largest independent mobile advertising network".

  However, the company now likes to introduce itself as an "the world's largest mobile native advertising exchange", a subtle change that hints at the outfit's new direction.

  InMobi believes that it's new 'native first emotionally lead' approach can help increase CPMs to $20. It's a bold statement, which is why we caught up with InMobi CEO Naveen Tewari to find out more about the changing face of mobile advertising.

  "Gaming accounts for around 40 percent of time in our network," explained Tewari.

  "The opportunity for game developers is so great, we want to make sure they are using it.

  "We've spent a lot of time looking at how users interact with ads, particularly in terms of their emotion state."

  
  

• 2 5 things we learned at Unite 2014

  

  Unity's annual Unite conference is easily one of the industry's most interesting events, which, combined with the fact that it also blends the passion of a consumer expo with the conviction and deliver of a trade event, makes it a must-see gig. 

  Unfortunately, that showbiz sheen comes at a cost, and while Unite's host cities of San Francisco, Amsterdam, Vancouver, and Seattle are a treat for the eyes, they're not exactly within everyone's reach - or budget.

  You don't need to worry about that though, because PocketGamer.biz editor Keith Andrew was in Seattle to make sure that you didn't miss a thing. 

  "Obviously all of Unity's growing list of acquisitions get to share the limelight at Unite, and Everyplay – the brain child of the now Unity-owned Applifier – had its time on stage during the conference," said Andrew.

  "It's very easy to get wrapped up in the idea of things getting "bigger" and "better" at these events – at any conference, half the battle is scouting out the genuine announcements often hidden amongst the ones puffed up mostly by hot air – but Everyplay genuinely seems to be changing.

  "No longer will it merely be a tool for gamers to upload gameplay videos. Rather, as detailed by Applifier CEO Jussi Laakkonen, Everyplay is soon to become a social platform that sits neatly within your game, operating almost as a self-managing Facebook page"

  
  

• 1 How Godus found followers in Europe but apostasy in the US

  

  Much like Jesus Christ himself, Godus  has something of a big reputation.

  Though, the game isn't famous for redefining the God-sim, or blowing the minds of gamers all over the world. No, Godus  is a victim of its creators' good-natured, but ultimately misguided, hype.

  Godus, is, of course, a Peter Molyneux game, and that's a big cross to bear.

  Unfortunately, Molyneux sets the bar high, and, more often than not, he simply can't meet his own impossible expectations.

  It's a cycle that leaves gamers, fans, and those people simply willing Molyneux to hit a home run, disappointed, but is it a cycle that's finally been broken?

  We found out in last week's Charticle.