Disney Solitaire: A Promising Start to Something Bigger

A Cozy Classic Gets the Disney Treatment Let’s be honest—most solitaire games are fine. Some are fun. But Disney Solitaire? It’s something else. SuperPlay teamed up with Disney ( help from Playtika ofc. ) to launch a game that feels like flipping through a deck of nostalgia. The game dropped globally in 17th April 2025, and it’s basically what happens when TriPeaks solitaire crashes into the Disney universe and they decide to throw a party. Think: cards, characters, cozy vibes, and just enough challenge to keep things interesting. Also, full disclosure: I’m someone who absolutely loves Solitaire Grand Harvest. It’s one of my favorite games. So when I saw Disney Solitaire pop up—especially with Disney IP behind it—I was immediately curious. My hope is that with the right liveops, events, and regular updates, it can rise to that same level. And honestly? It’s off […]

Aylin YAZICI April 19

Analysis

The Addictive and Wildly Profitable World of Solitaire Grand Harvest

How Solitaire Grand Harvest Turned a Simple Card Game into a $1 Billion Mobile Empire? If you told someone that a solitaire game could generate over $1 billion in revenue, they might raise an eyebrow and ask, "Is it made of gold cards?" But that's exactly what Solitaire Grand Harvest has done. From humble beginnings as a card game, Solitaire Grand Harvest has grown into one of the most successful and addictive mobile games of all time. With a brilliantly balanced blend of solitaire mechanics, farm-themed progression, and casino-inspired monetization, this game redefines what a casual title can achieve. Whether you're a casual gamer curious about why this game is so beloved, a game designer trying to dissect its secret sauce, or just someone who appreciates clever mobile design, this is one journey through the fields of innovation worth taking. And for me personally? This […]

Aylin YAZICI April 14

Analysis

Pizza Ready! – From Dough to Domination: The Idle Arcade Success

If there’s one thing we can all agree on, it’s that pizza is a universal love language. So when Supercent decided to channel that into a mobile game, it’s no wonder they struck gold. Or in this case, a piping hot slice of success. Pizza Ready! didn’t just show up – it dominated. It became the mozzarella on the hyper-casual genre’s crust, the sauce that bound mobile gamers together. But how did it manage to do that? Well, buckle up, because we’re about to dive into the gooey, cheesy center of why Pizza Ready! became one of the most downloaded and, surprisingly, most monetarily delicious games of the past year. 🎮 The Simulation Gold Rush - Why Everyone’s Making Arcade Idle Games Here’s the thing – making an arcade idle game might seem like the easiest recipe in the book. You’ve got the simplified […]

Aylin YAZICI April 8

Analysis

What the Hex! is Going On? Agave Games’ New Soft Launch

Soft-launching in Canada & Brazil. Data: AppMagic Casual puzzle game lovers, it’s time to pay attention—Agave Games just dropped a new title into soft launch, and if you’ve been following their recent $18 million investment, you know the industry has its eyes on them. The game? What the Hex!—a mix of color-sorting puzzles with a Monopoly GO! style town-building meta. I played it, and here’s the scoop on what it’s all about, how it plays, and why people are curious about Agave’s next move. A Hexagonal Spin on Sorting Puzzles If you’ve played Hexa Sort, you’ll feel right at home with What the Hex! The gameplay is simple but strategic: you stack and merge hexagonal tiles of the same color to clear space and meet level goals. Sounds easy? Well, not so much. The game doesn’t hold your hand for long—later levels introduce more colors, trickier […]

Aylin YAZICI March 18

Analysis

Lucky Defense Analysis: 111%’s Risky Bet That Won Big

An All-in-One Deep Dive That's Actually Fun to Read! Alright, let’s talk about Lucky Defense—the game that took the classic tower defense genre, rolled the dice (literally), and ended up creating one of the most chaotic, fun, and weirdly addictive experiences out there. This isn’t your average game analysis. Nope. We’re going full throttle into the depths of Lucky Defense—from its epic rise, gameplay mechanics, wild community moments, and even the monetization that’ll make you ask, "Am I gambling or gaming?" So, buckle up. It’s about to get lucky (or unlucky) 🎉 The Origin Story: When Luck First Struck Lucky Defense was officially launched by 111% (a South Korean dev studio) on May 23, 2024. And it didn’t just drop quietly—it absolutely exploded in South Korea. We're talking about skyrocketing to the #1 download spot and pulling in over $11 million in revenue within its first two months. Not too shabby for […]

Aylin YAZICI March 17

Analysis

The Sweet Art of Feature Adaptation

In the ever-evolving landscape of the gaming industry, it's no secret that games often draw inspiration from one another. This cross-pollination of ideas isn't confined to a single genre or platform; it's a universal phenomenon that drives innovation continuously. Whether it's a unique gameplay mechanic from an indie title or a groundbreaking event in one of the biggest franchises, developers consistently look to each other to spark creativity and fuel progress. When a new feature or event makes waves in a particular game, it's only natural for others within the same genre to take notice. After all, if something resonates with players, why not explore its potential in a similar context? However, in a world where game updates are dissected in real-time by every other developer, keeping such innovations under wraps has become virtually impossible. The moment you introduce a […]

Ahmetcan Demirel January 6

Journal

350+ feature references from the top 100 mobile games.

I've collected 350+ feature references from the top 100 mobile games. What's inside:🎮 FTUE (First Time User Experience)🎟️ Season Pass🎁 Daily Bonus🔥 Starter Pack🛒 Shop🏆 Win/Lose Screens📖 Storytelling...and much moreHow to get it:1. Comment 'references' below.2. Add me as a connection so I can DM you.3. I'll send you the link to the Figma board → Duplicate and use it as you wish.References are gathered using the Playliner platform.

Anton Slashcev November 8

Journal

Harsh truth for puzzle game developers:

Harsh truth for puzzle game developers: ✦ You can assemble a ‘’top-tier’’ team,✦ You can analyze the market inside and out,✦ You can utilize the ‘’state-of-art’’ mechanic,✦ You can produce a ‘’decent-polished’’ game,But if you aren’t:✧ Acquiring enough new users,✧ Monetizing aggressively without notice,✧ Using multiple networks for certain time,✧ Keeping your UA campaigns up for long time,You won’t get the results you expect.Take a moment to look at Appmagic Analytic link:https://lnkd.in/dGmX8jJ7There is not a single 2024 Puzzle Release on top.It all looks like ‘’big’’ players are making money.They all started from the bottom though.In today’s puzzle environment its not ‘’just’’ about:↳ Innovation on gameplay,↳ Aggressive UA campaign,Its about how long you can last spending:↳ Money on UA campaigns,↳ Time innovating with ‘’data’’,↳ Time and Money on your team.Its tough out there, But it is still, doable…Cheers! PS: Matej 🦩 […]

Gökhan Üzmez November 7

Journal

Super Cool Event in “Twisted Tangle” by Rollic Games

💡 Super Cool Event in "Twisted Tangle" by Rollic Games 💡 Just came across a brilliant event mechanic in "Twisted Tangle"! 🎉 Here’s the twist: the points or XP you earn to progress through event rewards are based on the seconds left on the timer when you complete each level. ⏱️ So, the faster you finish, the more points you get! 🚀This approach is fantastic, especially for puzzle games with timed challenges. It’s skill-based, so it feels super satisfying for players who master each level. Plus, from a monetization perspective, it’s genius! Players are motivated to beat levels quickly, which could lead to increased booster usage—and when those boosters run out, maybe even some purchases. 🛒What do you think of this timing-based reward system?

Michael Kopelovich November 7

Journal

Gamedev Learning Resources

Gamedev Learning Resources --- CODE1. YouTube • Brackeys (https://lnkd.in/gChH3YcW) • The Cherno (https://lnkd.in/gY4tWAH6) • CodeMonkey (https://lnkd.in/ghDu7nxh) • FreeCodeCamp (https://lnkd.in/ghDu7nxh) 2. Blogs • Unity Learn (https://learn.unity.com/) • GameDev.net (https://www.gamedev.net/) • Stack Overflow [gamedev] (https://lnkd.in/ghjn2Y5M) • FreeCodeCamp News (https://lnkd.in/gfeY3RBh) 3. Courses • Codecademy (https://lnkd.in/grprAvrn) • Udemy (https://lnkd.in/gSWtv6aB) • edX CS50 (https://lnkd.in/g6mCxmH7) • Coursera: C# (https://lnkd.in/g-bDzrYk) 4. Books • Unity in Action (https://lnkd.in/g7856DEg) • Clean Code (https://lnkd.in/gjh36jum) 5. LinkedIn • Jason Lovett • Frédéric Nowak ☁ --- ART1. YouTube • ArtStation (https://lnkd.in/gRaeb__T) • Marco Bucci (https://lnkd.in/gKXrDRf8) • FZD School (https://lnkd.in/gYv8jGY6) • Cubebrush (https://lnkd.in/g6ZPdrtj) 2. Blogs • 80.lv (https://80.lv/) • Polycount (https://polycount.com/) • Concept Art World (https://lnkd.in/gJbsgZwn) • ArtStation Magazine (https://lnkd.in/g78VG2aC) 3. Courses • Schoolism (https://schoolism.com/) • Udemy (https://lnkd.in/gRUzJubR) • Coursera: Art and Concept (https://lnkd.in/gqJAsUgk) • CG Master Academy (https://lnkd.in/g98n5Dja) 4. Books • Drawing Basics Video Game Art (https://lnkd.in/gycFewTr) • How to Draw (https://lnkd.in/gn3svR97) […]

Anton Slashcev November 6

Journal

Start using 70/20/10 Game Design Theory.

In video game design, data reigns seriously supreme. You can start using 70/20/10 Game Design Theory. Building on genre proven mechanics and standards is key to creating next hits. What is 70-20-10? Let me explain, briefly.70% of your design should be proven,Something other games in the genre,Done extremely well,Considered ‘’standard’’ for the genre.20% of it should be something better.Depending on your team,Make something better than top competitorsSomething that team can improve.10% is the element of surprise.Try something new, mix other mechanics,Go crazy, sky is the limit.Minimum risk,Maximum reward.What is your approach at game design?Cheers!PS:This method is really useful for mobile games, but sure can be effectively used in other platforms.

Gökhan Üzmez November 6

Journal

Ultimate career advice for newcomers in GameDev

The ultimate career advice for newcomers in game development: Build long-term relationships with your peers.In this industry, connections are everything.The gaming industry might seem big, but it is like a "small village." You'll keep running into the same people in surprising ways as your career progresses.Here’s why relationships matter:• You never know where your peers will be in 10 years, or where you will be. • A single connection can open (or close) big doors down the road. • Opportunities often come from those you’ve worked with before.So, here’s what to do:• Stay in touch with former colleagues. • Keep your promises and always follow through. • Help others whenever you can.The relationships you build today can lead to unexpected opportunities tomorrow.

Anton Slashcev November 3

gamedevelopment

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