Kabam Expands to PC Gaming

Kabam, a leading mobile game publisher, is venturing beyond its traditional mobile gaming space. Following the success of its RPG shopkeeper sim Shop Titans on PC, the company is now preparing for a simultaneous launch of its upcoming turn-based fantasy RPG King Arthur: Legends Rise on both PC and mobile platforms. This move reflects a broader trend in the mobile gaming industry, where companies like Zynga and Tencent are exploring the console market, and Playtika has opted to discontinue new mobile game releases due to high acquisition costs. We spoke with Tyler Black, Kabam's VP of Product, to understand the driving forces behind this shift and the company's decision to expand to PC. Black attributes this change to the evolving player experience, with gamers now expecting a seamless experience across various devices, including PCs, TVs, consoles, and mobile phones. As technology advances, players want the freedom to play their games on any platform without being constrained by device or form factor. In response, game developers must adapt to these changing demands and follow their players to whichever platform they choose. While Kabam has no current plans to bring King Arthur to consoles, Black does not rule out this possibility in the future. The company's experience with porting Shop Titans to PC has prepared them for the challenges of launching a game on multiple platforms simultaneously. However, Black notes that launching a game on both PC and mobile at the same time is a more complex endeavor than porting a mobile game to PC. The benefits of a multiplatform launch, according to Black, lie in the increased reach and audience engagement. By launching on both platforms simultaneously, Kabam can create a bigger splash and tap into the synergies between PC and mobile gaming communities. One of the primary challenges in developing a cross-platform game is ensuring that the experience is consistent and engaging across different devices. Black emphasizes that what works on mobile may not necessarily work on PC, and vice versa, due to differences in interface, gameplay mechanics, and player expectations. To address this, Kabam has focused on creating a unified experience that meets the unique demands of each platform. For instance, the company has adapted certain feature sets to be more mobile-focused, while others are optimized for PC. Black highlights the importance of play session length and player focus, noting that mobile players tend to have more targeted and focused play sessions, whereas PC players may have longer sessions with less intense focus. To avoid competitive imbalances, Kabam has implemented measures to ensure that players on one platform are not disadvantaged compared to those on another. The company's monetization systems are designed to be platform-agnostic, allowing players to engage with the game's economy in a way that feels natural and intuitive, regardless of the device they use. When asked about advice for other mobile developers transitioning to cross-platform development, Black recommends leveraging the support and expertise of technology platform providers, such as Unreal. By partnering with these providers, developers can tap into their knowledge and experience, avoiding common pitfalls and streamlining the development process.