#73 - Patrick Moberg and Holly Liu

Mobile Gaming

Patrick Moberg shares insights into the evolution of mobile gaming, highlighting the transition from simple designs to more complex, character-driven games. He notes that the minimalist approach of early games like Dots allowed for broad appeal, but the demand for deeper gameplay led to the creation of Two Dots, which combined rich aesthetics with engaging mechanics 1. This shift reflects a broader trend in mobile gaming where developers balance simplicity with depth to attract diverse audiences 2.

I always felt like the less character a game had, the more like a wider audience could almost project whatever they wanted onto it.

--- Patrick Moberg

Craig Cannon discusses how this evolution impacts marketing strategies, with clean styles still effective but challenged by the need for high lifetime value games 1.

   

Esports

Holly Liu explores the potential of mobile games in the esports arena, noting the challenges of creating games that are both engaging to play and watch. She mentions that while some games like Hearthstone have succeeded, many mobile games struggle to achieve the same level of streaming appeal as their PC counterparts 3. Liu believes that the future of gaming will increasingly focus on creating games that are not only fun to play but also captivating to watch, which is crucial for esports success 4.

I don't think I've found a mobile game yet that has been interesting enough to stream.

--- Holly Liu

Patrick Moberg adds that companies like Supercell are experimenting with esports-ready games, aiming to set high standards from the outset 3.

   

Blockchain Gaming

Holly Liu discusses the integration of blockchain technology in gaming, highlighting both its potential and current limitations. She compares early blockchain games to the first Facebook games, noting their simplicity and the need for more sophisticated applications 5. Liu sees blockchain as a tool that could revolutionize ownership and transactions in games, but acknowledges the complexity of the technology as a barrier to widespread adoption 4.

Gaming definitely pushes those types of technologies forward or at least tests those boundaries of like, how far can it go?

--- Holly Liu

Patrick Moberg agrees that while blockchain offers intriguing possibilities, its success depends on making the technology seamless and user-friendly 5.