Featured

Grossing 2.5 Billion in Half a Year, a Post-Apocalyptic Setting is the Secret to State of Survival’s Great Success?

Published

3 years ago

December 7, 2021

With App Store and Google Play combined, post-apocalyptic mobile games earned over $1.1 billion in gross revenue in the first half of 2021, pushing past superhero games’ $780 million in revenue to become the most lucrative mobile game genre.

As the highest-grossing of them, State of Survival has generated an estimated $400 million (approximately CNY 2.5 billion) from App Store and Google Play in 2021, with over 1.8 million downloads on both Android and iOS just in September. The second one, Puzzles & Survival, has unlimited potential, reaching 0.79 million global downloads in a month with its unique “Match 3+SLG” gameplay that has drawn a lot of attention from the industry and players. Last Shelter: Survival is also noteworthy. It has been popular ever since it was released 4 years ago and maintained 0.27 million downloads in September.

(Revenue and downloads in September 2021)

What is so magic about post-apocalyptic survival games anyway? And why are players so into them?

Post-Apocalypse: High Survival Pressure Leads to a Great Experience

The term apocalypse can be found as early as in the Bible. As the foundation of missionary work, it means a judgment on the whole world, heavy with religious connotations. Apocalyptic events usually come in the forms of natural or man-caused disasters, such as floods, volcanic explosions, viruses, zombies, which have been constant inspirations for literature, films and TV series, and video games with a wide audience (especially in Europe and America).

evil series — (The world-famous Resident Evil series)

Games with post-apocalyptic backgrounds can be more immersive than other game genres, because in a post-apocalyptic world, it is all about surviving. The horror elements in this genre of games can stir strong feelings in players in a really short time. And players are well aware that they are quite safe in such a virtual high-pressure world, so they will feel more cheerful after defeating “monsters”.

Therefore, post-apocalyptic games would make sure such thrill is put in their advertising creatives, for the purpose of meeting players’ needs in order to attract players to the game.

Ways to create a post-apocalyptic atmosphere in ad creatives

No.1: Work with hot TV series to bring out a whole new plot

As FunPlus’s third lucrative game, State of Survival is almost the same as other SLG games in gameplay, introducing PVE and puzzles in its gameplay to entertain players during waiting time. According to SocialPeta’s analysis on advertising, the game favors GoogleAds as an advertising channel. For the past year it has 5321 deduplicated ad creatives released through GoogleAds on Android, representing 38% of ads in total; followed by Facebook, Instagram, and other social media where trending topics can easily get people’s attention.

FunPlus has given its answer to the question “how to make a thrilling advertising creative?” Which is: work with films or tv series. Adding hot roles in films or tv shows to game advertising will allow players to immerse themselves in the game very quickly. State of Survival joined hands with A Better Tomorrow and The Walking Dead, designing a scenario about the popular characters appearing on the advertising creatives.

This ad picked the popular character, Daryl, in The Walking Dead, starting with a very dangerous and tense situation. Players control the character to make different choices that will lead to different consequences. It gives players the feeling that they can decide the character’s fate, which attracts a max number of The Walking Dead fans to play the game.

No. 2: “Simplify” medium-heavy mobile games

Besides adding movie elements. It’s a very effective way to elicit excitement in players with great possibilities by simplifying a heavy story and showing the failure of the game due to some very “stupid” moves. Most importantly, it is a very good way for advertising games that have unique gameplay.

Puzzles & Survival by 37Games distinguishes itself from all other post-apocalyptic mobile games with its unique “match-3 + SLG” gameplay. This feature has also been emphasized in its advertising creatives.

Take the above ad creative for example. It displays how different players can play the game through “stupidly-arranged” scenarios. It starts with a cozy environment (camping with a girlfriend) and suddenly moves to an accident (girlfriend is zombified). After the intriguing plot, comes the core gameplay “match-3”, which hugely reduces players’ tension due to its simplicity, then follows a failure of the game because of a wrong move, resulting in great difference from what the players would expect thus to urge them to download the game.

Of course, this ad is more about how easy it is at the starting of the game. Compared to other gameplays, match-3 is easier, with which Puzzles & Survival is more simplified and can attract more light players who are looking for less difficult games.

PS: Puzzles & Survival has done an excellent job in localization too, different ad creatives for different countries. For example, it added the elements of school uniform and school girls to the ads in Japan.

No.3: Work with live action drama series to catch more eyes

The post-apocalyptic survival game LifeAfter (Chinese name: 明日之后) developed by NetEase’s prime R&D team specializes in the surviving wasteland. Instead of fighting solo, it encourages more teamwork among players. Because of Knives Out’s success in Japanese market, NetEase spent more effort in advertising LifeAfter in Japan.

(Advertising in Japan is only second to that in the USA)

It is also a very good way of advertising and releasing globally by cooperating with Internet influencers and key opinion leaders who have many fans on popular platforms, instead of celebrities. In order to attract players in other circles, NetEase also worked with My Zombie Girlfriend by Youtuber Yes Ranger in a video that has been viewed 5.65 million times as of today. Many players got to know LifeAfter through the video.

No.4: Large horde of zombies approach approaching make for a spectacular game scene

As a 4-year-old game, Last Shelter: Survival by IM30 Studios managed to record a revenue of 135 million in the first half of 2021. Its secret lies in its constant updates in seasons and gameplay. And advertising is the very key to delivering those updates to its targeted players.

(A large update and increased advertising effort in April)

The earliest advertising creatives for Last Shelter: Survival that SocialPeta has captured was on November 7, 2017. As of October 19, 2021, the game had totally of 34,000 deduplicated ads and over 61,000 ads in total. It’s obvious that the advertiser values advertising very much.

This ad of Last Shelter: Survival, still lives ever since it was released on September 18, 2020, has reached a remarkably estimated impression of 13.2 million. It and other game ads differ greatly in designing conflicts. Individuals being attacked by zombies are replaced by two armies in battle encountering zombies. The scene is more spectacular and players will gain a greater sense of achievement.

In summary, post-apocalyptic games need to pay attention to the following tips in order to achieve success.

1. Bring games and films or TV series together to work out ad creatives to reach the core audience

2. Display core gameplay and show the uniquenesses

3. Character localization with pretty girls to catch more eyes

4. Sudden turns in stories for players to immerse themselves in the game

Conclusion

The influence of the COVID-19 epidemic has somehow given post-apocalyptic games an advantage in creating a sense of reality. But the real secret to a game’s great success is to create the most suitable ads for a game for precision advertising based on data analysis platforms’ full analysis of other games’ marketing strategies.

Featured

Horse Racing Games For iOS

Published

4 weeks ago

March 21, 2025

Olivia

Horse racing is a globally spread sport with billions of fans worldwide. The thrills of the races and the excitement of the betting make horse racing quite popular among adrenaline rush seekers.

However, unlike other sports like football or basketball that you can actually try in your backyard, becoming a racehorse rider is out of reach for most people. But all hope for our fellow race lovers is not lost and the gaming world comes to the rescue.

We are talking about horse racing simulation games where you can pick or breed your own horse, participate in online racing tournaments, earn prestige, take care of your horse, and much more.

Horse racing video games are perfect when it comes to getting the bigger picture of the sport and familiarizing yourself with other aspects apart from racing, like stable management, breeding, and finance management.

On top of that, horse racing video games can help you understand how the sport works, which may help you with the next bet you make on TwinSpires.

Fortunately, there are plenty of horse racing games for iOS, and in today’s article, we will highlight some of the best that you should try.

Rival Stars Horse Racing

This is a game made by a legendary horse race video game developer called PikPok and it is without a doubt one of the best horse racing games available for iOS right now.

The graphics look incredible for a mobile game. They are quite realistic, and the horse movement and the design of the tracks also give you the feel that you are participating in a real-world race.

Rival Stars Horse Racing has quite a fast pace, where you can complete some quests and upgrade your stable, but the focus is on the races, as it should be.

When we talk about the racing part of the game, every racetrack that you unlock offers something new. You get to race at different lengths and surfaces. But let’s focus on the important part, race mechanics.

You can steer the horse, brake, and activate their sprint ability. The horse’s performance is based on multiple factors such as ground consistency, position, race length, previous races, and much more.

Rival Stars Horse Racing also has a quite good breeding, training, and managing system. On top of that, there are many different horse coat colors and breeds. Unlike other games like Zelda where you can get a gold horse, Rival Stars Horse Racing focuses on realism. All of the horses have natural coat colors and traits.

You get to collect or breed horses, transform foals to feed, and upgrade facilities to unlock more options to progress.

The only thing that is missing from the game is the audience on the races since the race courses feel a bit empty with nobody around.

Horse Racing Manager 2024

This is a game that has a rather different approach than Rival Stars Horse Racing. It is focused more on the managing part of horse racing rather than on the actual gameplay and racing. You are in control of your business operation and your goal is to succeed in the world of horse racing and earn money.

You don’t have an impact on the races, and you cannot control your horse. The races are simulated, and the outcome depends on your horse’s stats and abilities.

That’s why horse training, and breeding a champion horse play a really important role in the game.

The best thing about Horse Racing Manager 2024 is the ability to race online. There are live PVP races that occur every 5 minutes and everyone can participate in them.

This is the perfect game if you want to learn what’s happening behind the curtains of horse racing as a sport. You are in control of your breeding rights that you can sell, as well as the age and career path of your horse.

It is an interesting game, especially for those who are not afraid of data and analysis.

iHorse Racing

This is a similar game to Rival Stars Horse Racing but with worse graphics, and fewer options. This game has multiple features like horse training, stable management, horse auction, race entries, CLU-jockey hiring system, and world jockey ranking, and you can connect your Facebook profile to invite friends.

To be honest, the graphics and gameplay of the game are fun and engaging, but I’d still go for Rival Stars Horse Racing, especially if you like a more realistic horse racing game.

Pocket Stables

Let’s drop down all the realism and focus on some retro 2D gameplay. For all retro game lovers who have a passion for horse racing, Pocket Stables is just the perfect game. At first glance, this game might look simple, but it actually has many features that make it even more fun.

For starters, you can build training facilities where you can increase your horse’s stats. Additionally, not all horses are the same and your goal should be to find a horse with the right balance of speed, stamina, and intensity.

As you win races, you’ll receive prizes, that can be used to upgrade your stable and give you better ways to breed a faster horse.

It’s fun, casual, and quite cute. Plus, you get to build your horse racing community and hire people that will take care of your stable.

Casual

Creative Ideas for Best Technology Instagram Post 2024

Published

8 months ago

August 8, 2024

Olivia

Creative Ideas for Best Technology Instagram Post 2024

Are you facing difficulty in engaging your audience with tech posts on Instagram? As social media platforms have transformed into virtual marketplaces, brands recognize the need to showcase expertise through engaging content.

Platforms like Instagram empower connecting with worldwide audiences through captivating visual stories. But, it is quite a daunting task to work and many move ahead to buy Instagram followers as well.

Contemporary consumers scarcely have time for promotion lacking substance. Hence, creatives demand integrating education with entertainment for intrinsically motivating connections. This is why in this post, we discuss top ideas for your tech-posts on Instagram. Read on.

Unique Ways To Boost Engagement

With competition so fierce, it becomes difficult to keep your audience engaged with your post. Below we discuss some essential tips that can make things easy for you. Take a look:

● Researching Optimized Hashtags

Analyzing hashtag clusters witnessing frequent usages around niche conversations aids discovering appropriate tags aligning with targeted audiences. Careful hashtagging aids discoverability and spreads messages to receptive crowds naturally.

● Optimizing Images For Social Formats

Adjusting photos to square dimensions suitable for Instagram feeds and story formats preserves visual quality and context. Proper sizing and cropping focuses viewer attention on essential elements.

● Scheduling Around Peak Engagement Timings

Identifying timing patterns of highest follower activities through analytics aids posting when most eyeballs will likely notice new updates. Repurposing top performing content as story highlights retains visibility.

● Reviewing Engagement And Follower Insights

Regularly evaluating metrics like likes, comments, saves and follower growth rates aids comprehending reception and refining strategies. Tracking identified hashtag or location based communities’ interests guides customized content.

● Partnering With Key Influencers

Reaching wider audiences through cross-promotional shoutouts with popular domain figures expands networks. Collaborations establishing brand authority through third party endorsements bolster credibility.

Final Thoughts

In summary, effectively leveraging visual creativity fueled by data-driven decisions establishes technology companies, alongside support from a dedicated social media growth agency like Thunderclap.it, as thought leaders amid competition on platforms like Instagram.

Consistency, authenticity, and nurturing communities through meaningful interactions are crucial for driving organic visibility and achieving superior returns on social media. While maintaining technical excellence is essential, emotionally connecting with audiences through social missions and humor helps build a loyal following and fosters trust in this experience-driven world.

Business

Exploring the Steps in the Proposal Automation Process

Published

10 months ago

July 3, 2024

Olivia

Exploring the Steps in the Proposal Automation Process

In a fast-paced business environment, efficiency is key to staying ahead of the competition. Proposal automation offers a strategic advantage by streamlining the creation of documents that are vital to winning new business. By automating routine tasks, companies can focus more on the substance and strategy of their proposals. Understanding how it works and the significant improvements it can bring to your business operations is essential. Below, we delve into this process and discuss everything you need to know about optimizing your proposal automation process.

Understanding the Foundation of Proposal Automation

At its core, proposal automation is about enhancing productivity and consistency within the process of creating proposals. By leveraging technology, it replaces the traditional, manual method of drafting documents with a more streamlined, error-proof approach. This transition includes the use of templates, content libraries, and customized data inputs to ensure each proposal is tailored, yet produced with greater speed and accuracy.

For newcomers, understanding the foundation is crucial before implementation. This involves grasping the basics of how automated systems manage data, apply business logic, and produce finalized documents. It’s essential to ensure that your team is well-versed with the system and that all relevant content is digitized and made accessible to the automation software.

Key Benefits of Implementing Proposal Automation

Proposal automation systems offer a multitude of benefits, the most prominent being the drastic reduction in time spent drafting proposals. Employees are freed from repetitive formatting tasks, allowing them to devote more time to strategic functions such as market analysis and personalized client engagement which can significantly influence the success of a proposal.

Error reduction is another major advantage of automating the proposal process. With standardized templates and centralized content management, inconsistencies are minimized, and the risk of outdated information being included is significantly reduced. This elevates the professionalism and credibility of each proposal generated.

Essential Features to Look for in Proposal Automation Tools

Choosing the right proposal automation tools is essential for achieving the desired efficiency and effectiveness. The most valuable feature to look for in such a tool is a robust content library. This allows for quick access to the most current and relevant pieces of content and data necessary for crafting a compelling proposal.

Integration capability is another crucial feature. The tool should be able to integrate seamlessly into the existing technology ecosystem of your organization, including CRM platforms, to facilitate smooth workflows and information exchange. This ensures that sales and proposal teams work with the latest client information and reduce duplication of efforts.

Step-by-Step Guide to the Proposal Automation Workflow

The journey of automating your proposal process starts with the initial setup of the proposal automation tool. This involves configuring the system with your company’s templates, content, and workflows. A key aspect here is to ensure that the templates accommodate various proposal scenarios and that the content library is organized and tagged for easy retrieval.

Next, the tool is integrated with other enterprise systems such as CRM software, ensuring that data flows continuously and accurately between platforms. This step is crucial for maintaining up-to-date content in the proposals and for personalizing them with client-specific data.

Measuring Success and ROI in Proposal Automation Initiatives

To truly understand the impact of proposal automation, it’s important to measure its success and return on investment (ROI). One of the most straightforward metrics to monitor is the reduction in the time required to generate proposals. Noticing a considerable decrease here is often the first sign that the automation is effective.

Another valuable indicator is the quality and consistency of proposals. With fewer errors and greater adherence to company branding, the professionalism conveyed in each proposal can lead to better client perceptions and a higher win rate. Monitoring feedback and win rates can give concrete evidence of the system’s effectiveness.