There are plenty of mobile game clusters around the world: San Francisco, Helsinki and Stockholm are some the best known in the west.
But the reason isn't just because there are a lot of mobile games developers there.
These locations also have companies who can offer associated services, ranging from finance and funding to technical support, community-building, human resources, PR and marketing etc, not to mention a high quality of life for employees.
Like London, Berlin is a large European capital city, which is perhaps why it can't be classed as a cluster.
All manner of businesses and start ups operate in such cities, so games companies who are there are part of a wider commercial base, rather than being a key sector.
Nevertheless, a short trip to Berlin to see some of its companies does offer the opportunity to see how the German games industry is reacting to the rise of mobile.
Playing everywhere
Historically very strong in PC and browser gaming, companies like GameDuell are now aggressively taking their games cross-platform. We spoke to CEO Kai Bolik about the challenges and opportunities the casual web publisher's facing.
Offering a complete different sort of gaming experience, hardcore PC publisher Aeria Games is also investing heavily in mobile, as we learned from its European CEO Pascal Zuta.
Indeed, what's fascinating is that it operates its mobile games as standalone releases, so a French version for the French App Store, a German version for the German App Store, alongside a main English language version, of course.
It's an expensive approach, but one that's already demonstrating success.
Big and small
Berlin's not just about hundred-strong publishers though.
Small start-up SlipShift is going for the best of both worlds, developing casual mobile experiences alongside hardcore browser games. It's all about being open to all parts of the games industry, explains CEO Philipp Willers.
There are opportunities for service companies too.
One such is GameGenetics. It's a distribution or user acquisition channel. It works closely with the big browser and PC online publishers like Nexon, BigPoint, Wargaming.net, Gameforge, Ubisoft and Aeria.
As they start to release mobile games, it's shifting its business likewise, as CEO Alexander Piutti tells us.
And, of course, there are lots of other companies in Berlin. Maybe next time, we'll get to visit the likes of Wooga, HitFox, SponsorPay, Trademob, and Exozet.
News
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.
Top Stories
News
3 hours, 19 minutes ago
Week in Views - Squads busted, Apple crushed, War zoned and Snoozin' with the Snorlax…
News
3 hours, 19 minutes ago
Week in Views - Squads busted, Apple crushed, War zoned and Snoozin' with the Snorlax…
Feature
4 hours, 31 minutes ago
Speaker Spotlight: Dubai Future Foundation's Faisal Kazim on leading Dubai's gaming charge
Feature
10 hours, 19 minutes ago
New release roundup: The best new mobile games from cartoony cats to sports stars
Events
Esports Future Summit | Middle East | Apr 27th |
Dubai GameExpo Summit 2024 | Middle East | May 1st |
The MENA Games Industry Awards 2024 | Middle East | May 2nd |
GameDev Atlantic 2024 | May 4th | |
Mobidictum Meetup Berlin May 2024 | Europe | May 7th |
Mobidictum Meetup Tallinn May 2024 | Europe | May 21st |
Israel Mobile Summit 2024 | Middle East | Jun 6th |
DevGAMM Vilnius 2024 | Europe | Jun 14th |