Kabam Expands to PC Gaming with Simultaneous Launches

Kabam, known for its mobile gaming expertise, is venturing into the world of PC gaming with its upcoming title, King Arthur: Legends Rise. This move is part of a larger trend in the gaming industry, where mobile stalwarts like Zynga and Tencent are expanding their reach to console markets, while others like Playtika are opting out of mobile game development altogether due to high acquisition costs. According to Tyler Black, Kabam's VP of Product, the company is responding to changes in the market by providing a seamless gaming experience across multiple platforms. "Players want to play their games on their PC, TV, console, or phone, and they expect a similar experience across all platforms," Black explains. "As a leading game maker and publisher, we need to adapt to these changes and provide a consistent experience across all platforms." Kabam has already dipped its toes into PC gaming with Shop Titans, but launching a game on both PC and mobile simultaneously is a different challenge altogether. Black notes that this approach complicates the launch process, but the benefits of reaching a broader audience outweigh the costs. "We want to make a big splash with our launch, and simultaneous launches allow us to reach all our target audiences at once," he says. One of the key challenges in developing a cross-platform game is ensuring that the experience is consistent across all platforms. Black emphasizes that players expect a similar experience regardless of the platform they choose, and Kabam is working to ensure that its game meets these expectations. "We're pushing the boundaries of visual fidelity and performance on mobile devices to ensure that the experience is similar to what players would expect on PC," he explains. In terms of gameplay mechanics, Kabam is making adjustments to cater to the different platforms. For example, play session length is an important consideration, and the company is working to ensure that the experience is engaging and satisfying for players on both PC and mobile. "We're focusing on player focus and intention, and we want to make sure that the experience is enjoyable and rewarding for players on both platforms," Black says. Kabam is also mindful of the potential for competitive imbalances between players on different platforms. However, Black believes that the benefits of cross-platform play outweigh the risks. "We can control for balance issues in PvP aspects of the game, and we want to ensure that players on multiple platforms have an enriched experience," he explains. The company's monetization systems are designed to be platform-agnostic, and players will be able to access the same features and content regardless of the platform they choose. "Our monetization systems are based on player behavior and economy, and we see that players will play and spend time on features that are optimized for their platform," Black notes. For other mobile developers looking to make the leap to cross-platform development, Black advises partnering with technology platform providers like Unreal. "They have a vested interest in helping you succeed, and they can provide valuable guidance and support to help you navigate the challenges of cross-platform development," he says.