Summary
Rotab Games faced financial difficulties after their publisher abruptly ended their partnership. Through content expansion and monetization improvements, Ciao Games helped Rotab’s game Epic Blast achieve a 200% increase in in-app purchases and a 90% D7 retention rate. This case study highlights how the right publishing partnership can turn struggling games into success stories.
Background
Rotab Games, a young game development studio based in Egypt, has been creating mobile games for over three years. Founded by an experienced game maker, the studio has launched several titles across various genres, including action, casual, and puzzle games.
While the team had strong game development expertise, they lacked the experience needed to successfully publish and monetize their games. For over a year, Rotab Games partnered with a publisher under a pay-per-prototype (PPP) model, earning just enough to sustain operations. However, when the publisher unexpectedly ended the collaboration, the studio was left in financial distress, pushing it to the brink of bankruptcy.
Challenge & Goal
Determined to turn things around, Rotab Games sought a new publishing partner and connected with Ciao Games, known for its fair revenue-sharing system, strong publishing support, and in-house user acquisition capabilities.
Ciao Games quickly identified an opportunity in Rotab’s Match-2 puzzle game, Epic Blast. The goal was clear: maximize the game’s revenue by boosting player engagement and creating meaningful opportunities for monetization. To achieve this, the publishing team developed a strategic roadmap focusing on content expansion, monetization optimization, and overall quality improvements.
Solution
To bring Epic Blast to its full potential, Ciao Games implemented several key improvements:
Content Expansion
350 New Levels: Extended gameplay longevity and engagement.
Core Gameplay Features: Introduced turn-based Boss Battles, Loot Baskets, and Starting Boosters to add variety and depth.
Mini-Games: Launched daily "sort" mini-games to provide quick, engaging breaks.
Battle Pass: Implemented a Battle Pass system, combining in-app purchases (IAP) with engagement-driven rewards.
Monetization Solutions
Rewarded Ads: Optimized placements and introduced additional rewarded ad opportunities.
IAP Updates: Rolled out a new starter offer and sales packs to encourage purchases.
Offerwall Integration: Partnered with MyChips to provide more ways for players to earn in-game currency.
Engagement Boosters
Daily Rewards: Encouraged consistent logins with a structured rewards system.
Tutorial Improvements: Improved the onboarding to ensure smooth player progression.
Quality Improvements
UI/UX Updates: Improved interfaces for a more intuitive gameplay experience.
Bug Fixes & Performance Tuning: Eliminated pain points and improved overall stability.
Results
With these updates and optimizations, the partnership with Ciao Games led to impressive results for Rotab’s game Epic Blast.
Retention rates improved significantly: On Android and iOS, D7 retention jumped by an impressive 90%. Players also responded positively to the new monetization strategies, leading to a 200% increase in in-app purchases. The introduction of optimized starter offers and sales packs made it easier for players to invest in their gaming experience, while the integration of rewarded ads and an offerwall provided new revenue streams from non-paying users.
As the game continues to scale and perform well, Ciao Games looks forward to its continuing collaboration with the Rotab Games team and even greater success ahead.
Let’s Turn Your Game into a Success Story
The success of Epic Blast demonstrates the value of partnering with an experienced publisher. Even underperforming games can thrive with the right strategy and expertise. By working with Ciao Games, studios can:
- Maximize Revenue: Utilize proven monetization strategies to increase IAP and ad revenue.
- Boost Player Retention: Implement engagement features that keep players coming back.
- Access Expert Support: Benefit from a dedicated publishing team that understands game growth.
We’re passionate about helping game studios unlock their full potential. Whether you have an existing game or are preparing for a new launch, our expertise in monetization and player engagement can help you achieve extraordinary results.
Play Epic Blast on Google Play Store
Play Epic Blast on App Store