Michael Khripin

In mobile game development, innovation often gets all the spotlight. But the reality behind many long-lasting hits is actually smart reuse of proven meta systems. Today, major publishers know: Once you find a meta structure that drives retention, monetization, and progression, you don’t reinvent the wheel — you copy the pattern and layer it onto new core gameplays. And it works. Let’s explore how an intelligent approach to reusing meta-game features can build sustainable pipelines of successful games. Why Meta Systems Are Core-Independent Your core gameplay can vary dramatically — match-3, merge-2, arcade runners, word puzzles, roguelike shooters — but the meta layer often follows a familiar, proven blueprint. Think about it: Players expect progression beyond the core loop.Players enjoy collection and upgrading.Players respond well to limited-time challenges.Players feel motivated by events, ladders, seasons. That’s why publishers increasingly treat meta-systems […]

In an industry that thrives on innovation, cloning games has remained a surprisingly persistent—and divisive—practice. From the earliest arcade cabinets to today’s mobile market, the idea of replicating successful formulas has never gone out of style. But what started as a strategy to ride the wave of a hit has evolved into a double-edged sword, shaping the business, art, and ethics of game development. Let’s unpack the story of game cloning in three parts: how it began, why it’s harmful, and—controversially—why it sometimes works. A Brief History of Cloning in Game Development Cloning in games isn’t a modern invention. In fact, the roots trace all the way back to the golden age of arcades. One of the earliest and most blatant examples? “Galaxian” (1979) by Namco was followed quickly by “Galaga”—a spiritual successor—but also by a sea of clones like […]

What if your game studio was staffed entirely by fantasy races? We all know how wild game development can get—tight deadlines, broken builds, and caffeine-fueled feature drops. But what if your team had literal elves polishing UI, goblins running monetization, and a necromancer maintaining legacy code? Yeah, this is totally ridiculous… but also, kind of accurate. So here it is: a totally fictional (but weirdly relatable) lineup of a fantasy GameDev studio. No offense to actual trolls, vampires, or product managers — I love you all equally. 1. Elves – UX Designers & Narrative Designers Graceful, long-lived, and deeply connected to the flow of form and function. • Create UI so intuitive it feels enchanted. • Write narrative arcs that span centuries (and tug at your heart). • Likely to complain about pixel spacing… poetically. 2. Dwarves – Backend Engineers […]

The idea of a “perfect game” — a seamless, bug-free, universally beloved masterpiece — is as much of a utopia as the concept of a flawless society. Throughout the history of game development, countless studios have chased this dream, only to be met with the harsh reality of missed deadlines, shifting player expectations, and the unpredictable chaos of the industry. Game designers, producers, and executives alike have long tried to craft the ultimate experience. Some believe in rigorous planning, some in deep player research, and others in revolutionary innovation. Yet, no matter the approach, every project inevitably collides with technical constraints, budget limitations, market shifts, and, of course, human imperfection. Why the Perfect Game is a Myth 1. The Definition of “Perfect” is Ever-Changing – What players consider groundbreaking today may feel outdated in a year. The industry evolves rapidly, […]