Blog
Stories from the field
Notes from the team — what we learn building AI monetization for Unity and Unreal studios.
Jun 16, 2026 · 7 min read
Streak mechanics: the line between reward and obligation
A daily streak can pull a player back or make the game feel like work. Here is the design line between the two and why it shows up in retention data.
Jun 16, 2026 · 7 min read
Notification permission timing: when to ask, not what to say
Most studios ask for notification permission in the first five minutes. That's why their permission rates are low. Here is when to ask instead.
Jun 16, 2026 · 7 min read
Collection mechanics: completion as the long retention loop
Collection mechanics are quietly one of the strongest retention tools in mobile gaming. Here is what separates the ones that work from the ones that don't.
Jun 15, 2026 · 5 min read
Third-party Android app stores: what actually changes
Google is clearing the way for rival Android app stores. Here is what that means for distribution, pricing, and support before you plan around it.
Jun 15, 2026 · 4 min read
AI-generated content: what Steam and Google now require
Platforms are now drawing a line between AI tools used in development and AI content players actually see. Here is where that line sits in 2026.
Jun 15, 2026 · 5 min read
Ad creative doesn't decay evenly — plan around that
A winning ad doesn't die on a fixed schedule. Here is how creative lifespan differs by format and network, and why that should set your refresh cadence.
Jun 14, 2026 · 5 min read
Compensation currency after an outage: what it costs
Handing out currency to apologise for downtime is the fastest fix available. It is also a change to your economy, and the bill arrives weeks later.
Jun 14, 2026 · 5 min read
AI companions won't fix retention bolted onto an old game
AI companion features are the newest retention pitch in mobile games. Here is why most bolt-on attempts fail and what actually has to change.
Jun 13, 2026 · 7 min read
Player feedback as a structured analytics input
Most studios treat player feedback as customer service. The teams that treat it as analytics extract systemic signals the metrics dashboards can't surface alone.
Jun 13, 2026 · 7 min read
Live game balance patching: the discipline behind it
Balance complaints are loud, subjective, and constant. Here is how to separate the signal from the noise and run patches that actually improve the game.
Jun 13, 2026 · 6 min read
iOS vs Android monetisation in 2026: the gap is closing
iOS players spend more per download. Android has more players. Here is what the 2026 data actually says about how to allocate across the two platforms.
Jun 12, 2026 · 7 min read
The 2-second emotional hook: what ad creative does now
The first two seconds decide if a player watches your ad. Here is what that opening has to do — and why feature-list creative is structurally dead in 2026.