LilyxGame

When you gather devs from two time zones, you get a call that’s part game design, part therapy session, and all chaos. Every Friday, we pretend it’s “just another daily sync,” but deep down we know it’s group therapy for code, caffeine, and debugging trauma. ☕💻🔥 Swipe for 20 seconds of awkward silences, random skyscraper backgrounds, and that one guy (Ali) who always joins from a jungle (or is that just his plant? 🌴). Game on, team. Happy Friday!

Sure, it’s not a case study or market stat, yet it’s about building the future of gaming in MENA...so this one’s a must-read… And this year, unlike previous ones, I had the chance to attend with both of my co-founders, Iman Rahmanian and Ali Rahmanian , which made the experience even more meaningful. Big thanks to Pocket Gamer Connects and the Dubai Esports and Games Festival for putting together another awesome experience. This year’s PGC Dubai and GameExpo were packed with energy, inspiration, and some amazing conversations: Huge shoutout to Kevin Raham Soltani. Our conversation was one of the highlights , as an Iranian-American, he’s deeply supportive and genuinely cares. He kept the convo going all the way up until his flight back to LA , respect! Finally got to meet someone from AppQuantum ,Irina Solomina ,I think it was their first time showing up at a MENA event (especially PGC Dubai), and we’re thrilled to see them here! Had a great chat with Khalid Omran from DMCC Gaming Centre. They’re doing some incredible work supporting gaming businesses , truly helping shape the future of the ecosystem. It was a pleasure catching up with Selim Ozturk 🔜 Dubai Game Expo , such a pro and a genuinely kind person. Excited to see what the future holds between him and LilyxGame. Got to talk with Joseph Saadé and discover a super creative studio he mentioned: Ash Games Studio, led by Yaser Alahmadi🔜 Dubai Game Expo. Their game on Steam blends Arab culture and clever game design in a way I’ve never seen before , and the numbers back it up. Super impressive! Caught up with Fawaz AlMutawaa from Merak Capital, always something new and exciting coming out of the Saudi gaming scene. Appreciate the insight as always! Big thanks to my friend Shehroz Ali one of those rare people who keeps opening new doors (and making us laugh along the way). It was great talking to Walter Somol 🔜 Digital Dragons and Nordic Game from Epic Games. He flew in from the US, and it’s always inspiring to see people who go out of their way to support creators. As developers, we’re really grateful for that kind of advocacy. And of course, thanks to Gokce Kozandagi for inviting us to the Xsolla party! Always a pleasure seeing Nick Phipps again , I hope he’s not too tired of my game design questions by now 😅 We wrapped it all up with four full days at GameExpo Summit , lots of fun, great energy, and even more connections. If you haven’t been yet, mark it for next year. Let’s keep building this community together!

Happy Nowruz to All! To all my Persian friends, نوروزتان پیروز! And to all my friends around the globe, may this spring renew your spirits and bring abundance to your lives. As we welcome the Persian New Year, I want to extend my heartfelt wishes to everyone celebrating Nowruz. This ancient festival marks the first day of spring and symbolizes renewal, hope, and the rejuvenation of nature. Nowruz is not just about the change of the calendar; it’s a time to gather with loved ones, reflect on the past, and set intentions for the future. It's a moment that brings us together, regardless of where we are in the world. This year, I hold a special thought for my homeland, Iran. I hope for a future where peace prevails and significant, positive changes lead to greater freedoms and opportunities for its people. May this Nowruz bring a fresh start for everyone, near and far.

What happens when you entrust creators with your game marketing? Well, Homa's 'Clean It' achieved: ✔️ 55% lower CPI ✔️ 60% higher CVR ✔️ Reduced cost per purchase by 50%? Through using TikTok's Creative Challenge, Homa got authentic TikTok creator generated content at scale. Content that resonated with audiences because it was made by creators specifically for them. When you give creators the opportunity to tell your story, the results speak for themselves. Watch now to find out more and find the full case study link in the comments below ⬇️ Credits: Production: Gravity Road Creator: @Spectrexgaming #MobileGameMarketing #MobileGames #TikTokForBusiness #GamingOnTikTok #Homa

Mobile Gaming Industry Analysis: Insights from State of Mobile 2025 by Sensor Tower The "State of Mobile 2025" report by Sensor Tower presents a detailed exploration of the mobile gaming industry, revealing significant shifts and trends that shape the current landscape and forecast future developments. This extensive analysis dives into genre dynamics, publisher performances, game longevity, and strategic focuses that are pivotal in today’s market. Industry Overview and Strategic Consolidation: In 2024, the mobile gaming sector saw a strategic consolidation, with the number of new games in the top 1,000 US rankings decreasing from over 200 in 2020 to just above 100. Despite this reduction, average downloads per game remained stable at 1–2 million. This highlights a strategic pivot toward prioritizing quality and depth in game development over sheer quantity, reflecting a growing preference among developers and publishers to invest in crafting fewer, more engaging titles. Dominance of Core Genres and Innovations: Core genres such as Shooters and MOBAs, including prominent titles like 'Call of Duty: Warzone Mobile' and 'Squad Busters', continue to see strong adoption and revenue growth. These genres capitalize on complex, engaging mechanics that attract dedicated gamers. Meanwhile, evergreen titles like 'Roblox' and 'Subway Surfers demonstrate their adaptability and enduring appeal, consistently topping download charts due to their ability to remain relevant through updates and community engagement. Emerging trends in Strategy and Lifestyle games are opening new avenues for growth, with developers introducing more interactive and immersive elements that resonate with both new and seasoned gamers. Revenue Insights and Market Dynamics: The Strategy genre led global consumer spending in 2024, generating $17.5 billion. RPGs followed closely with $16.8 billion, and Puzzle games generated $12.2 billion, driven by complex gameplay mechanics and engaging storylines. Noteworthy publishers such as Tencent with 'Honor of Kings' and Scopely with 'MONOPOLY GO!' dominate the market by leveraging core titles to capture and maintain significant revenue shares. Geolocation games demonstrated the highest market concentration, suggesting a niche but highly dedicated player base, with the top three titles capturing 72.1% of the downloads. Publisher Performance and Market Trends: Tencent’s 'Honor of Kings' continues to drive significant revenue with its deep engagement mechanics. Scopely’s adaptation of 'MONOPOLY GO!' into the Coin Looters genre has proven highly successful, showcasing innovative monetization strategies that keep players engaged and spending. THE REST  IN THE COMMENTS BELOW: