Skill Games: The Past, Present, and Future of Casual, Competitive Gaming

Greg CanessaSenior Vice President and General Manager

GSN Games / Sparcade

What are skill games and why should you care?

My Background in Games

• 25+ years• Passion is ecosystem creation• My CV:• Creator of XBLA• Oversaw Battle.net • Led Activision Mobile • VP, Game Platforms @ PopCap• GM of Sparcade

What Makes a Game of Skill?

game type (chance/skill) wager

payout

game of chance wager

payout wager

game of chance

payout

= social casino

= skill games

= sweepstakes

Skill Games Origins: On the Web

20031999

But even further back…Golf Tournaments, Bowling Leagues, Carnival Games, etc.

Skill Games Today: On Center Stage

eSports: Start with hardcore genres

eSports: Migrating to mid-core

Fundamentals: skill competition, prizing and embracing a vibrant community of passionate players

Skill Games for the Mass Market: A Perfect Storm of Opportunity

Casual Game Ubiquity

Rise of eSports; Competitive Gaming

on Center Stage Mobile: Ultimate Install Base

Other Factors: F2P limitations, static App Store, big mobile brands

Skill Games: Broad Audience

$9B by 2017*Appeals equally to

all demographics**

50% of iOS install base TAM in U.S. alone**

40% of mobile users would play for money**

*Source: Magid Associates, 2014

**Source: GSN Consumer Testing

Introducing Sparcade

Sparcade Learnings

• Single destination • Lead with big brands• Known play patterns• Fairness • Low stakes = excitement• Significant free experience • Social layer and meta game

Considerations for Making a Skill Game

Player Factors

o Is this game skill-based?o Can I get better at it?o Is it fun to play over and over?

Business Factors

o Play session lengtho Conversion potentialo Ability to stay true to the

brand?o Is it a lasting franchise?o How does IAP impact win state? Mobile

Factors

o Great touch controlso Fits on a mobile displayo Asynchronous playo Social feature compatibility

Not Every Game Works…

Examples of mobile games that won’t work:

Of the Top 50 Grossing Titles in the App Store…

Only 8 meet the criteria to be a skill-adapted game

Games of Chance

Long Play Session, Too IAP Dependent

Casino, dice, poker

Card battlers, city builders, sims, RPGs

What Are Some Genres That DO Work?

Extremely popular and quick to play

Endless Runners

Perfect for skill but concentrated IP

PhysicsFlickers

Quick flick- based gameplay

Side Platformers

Proven genre for skill and mobile

Puzzle &Match-3

Skill-based and strong nostalgia

RetroArcade

Timeless appeal and very casual

Card &Board

Hunting, pool, racing and more

CasualSports

The Opportunity: Beyond Free to Play

Create a new monetization model and industry category in the

App Stores

As an industry, we have a rare opportunity to establish a completely new ecosystem on mobile

New way for players to interact with your game; viable design

alternative to F2P

Devs

PublishersPlayers

Industry

Unlock a competitive

community that exists for your brand

A new way to compete in games you love and take

part in a passionate community

Thanks! Q & A