What Makes A Great Mobile Game? 10 Best Mobile Casual Games in 2008

What Makes A Great Mobile Game? 10 Best Mobile Casual Games in 2008: Slide audio & slides(53 MB)

The experts from Pocket Gamer share their insight into the key ingredients of an award-winning mobile game (and also a best-selling one - not always the same!), pick their top ten casual mobile titles of the year and then argue about their findings with an expert panel of mobile game publishers.

Delivered at Casual Connect Seattle, July 2008

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Chris James (email)

After ten years in the publishing industry serving his time as senior editor at Future Publishing and creative director of JPP, Chris founded Steel Media in December 2005 to explore developing areas of technology and create consumer-facing editorial brands that could make a difference.

The first launch, Pocket Gamer was intended to provide a professional, credible and engaging publishing treatment to the mobile games market and two years later has done just that. Not only has PocketGamer.co.uk developed into a respected industry standard and Europe’s leading online mobile games destination, it has also spawned a trade-focused b2b portal PocketGamer.biz, a regular magazine (published in partnership with leading UK mobile operators) and syndicates professional editorial to the likes of Samsung, Vodafone Live and O2.

Currently Chris is overseeing the expansion of Pocket Gamer into other territories as well as applying Steel Media’s professional publishing approach to other neglected sectors.

Steve Palley (email)

Steve Palley currently works at Vivendi Games Mobile’s Centerscore Studio as the publisher’s Editorial Guru for the North American market. Before joining VGM, he spent two years as Chief Editor of GameSpot Mobile and Wireless Gaming Review. He also founded an independent mobile games consultancy, Foci Mobile.

Sean Amann (email)

Sean Amann, GM, Mobile and New Platform Games, RealNetworks, Inc.: Over the past decade, Sean Amann, General Manager of Mobile and New Platform Games for RealNetworks, has brought to market over 30 game properties generating over $250 million in revenue. Sean currently oversees global sales and marketing for Real’s mobile, handheld, console, iTV and other non-PC game platforms. His experience with trend spotting, youth culture and consumer research gives him unique insight into the mind of the gamer. Prior to joining Real, he directed consumer marketing for Glu Mobile working with franchises such as World Series of Poker, Transformers, Diner Dash and Cartoon Network. Sean has also held a variety of roles in the traditional videogame industry working for Sega, Eidos Interactive and 3DO launching several million unit franchises. Additionally, he has consulted for companies such as Capcom and GameSpot. Early in his career, he worked in technology consulting for Accenture and IBM. Sean holds a bachelor’s degree in engineering from Rensselaer and an MBA with honors from The Anderson School at UCLA.

Rob Sands (email)

Rob Sands is Senior Manager – North American Publishing for Gameloft, a leading international developer and publisher of mobile games. In this role, Mr. Sands is responsible for driving U.S. sales in addition to managing and developing the relationship with the company’s principal accounts, AT&T and T-Mobile.

Mr. Sands’ career spans over 10 years during which he has developed a strong international background in the fields of sales, marketing and advertising. With over four years of experience in the wireless industry, he has established himself as a key figure in the mobile marketplace.

Prior to joining Gameloft, Mr. Sands worked as a Senior Account Manager for Airborne Entertainment, a publisher of mobile entertainment content. His responsibilities included account relations, business development and project management. Previous to the wireless industry, Mr. Sands pursued a very successful career in advertising. Teaming up with top ad agencies such as Fame Ogilvy & Mather, Kaspen/BBDO and Arnold Worldwide, he executed many successful campaigns which led to several prestigious awards and accolades.

Mr. Sands received his degree from the University of Boulder, Colorado with a focus on Communications and a minor in Journalism.

HOME \| LECTURES & ARTICLES \| BUSINESS OF PLATFORMS \| What Makes A Great Mobile Game? 10 Best Mobile Casual Games in 2008 audio & slides(53 MB) The experts from Pocket Gamer share their insight into the key ingredients of an award-winning mobile game (and also a best-selling one - not always the same!), pick their top ten casual mobile titles of the year and then argue about their findings with an expert panel of mobile game publishers. Delivered at Casual Connect Seattle, July 2008 DOWNLOAD Chris James (email) After ten years in the publishing industry serving his time as senior editor at Future Publishing and creative director of JPP, Chris founded Steel Media in December 2005 to explore developing areas of technology and create consumer-facing editorial brands that could make a difference. The first launch, Pocket Gamer was intended to provide a professional, credible and engaging publishing treatment to the mobile games market and two years later has done just that. Not only has PocketGamer.co.uk developed into a respected industry standard and Europe’s leading online mobile games destination, it has also spawned a trade-focused b2b portal PocketGamer.biz, a regular magazine (published in partnership with leading UK mobile operators) and syndicates professional editorial to the likes of Samsung, Vodafone Live and O2. Currently Chris is overseeing the expansion of Pocket Gamer into other territories as well as applying Steel Media’s professional publishing approach to other neglected sectors. Steve Palley (email) Steve Palley currently works at Vivendi Games Mobile’s Centerscore Studio as the publisher’s Editorial Guru for the North American market. Before joining VGM, he spent two years as Chief Editor of GameSpot Mobile and Wireless Gaming Review. He also founded an independent mobile games consultancy, Foci Mobile. Sean Amann (email) Sean Amann, GM, Mobile and New Platform Games, RealNetworks, Inc.: Over the past decade, Sean Amann, General Manager of Mobile and New Platform Games for RealNetworks, has brought to market over 30 game properties generating over $250 million in revenue. Sean currently oversees global sales and marketing for Real’s mobile, handheld, console, iTV and other non-PC game platforms. His experience with trend spotting, youth culture and consumer research gives him unique insight into the mind of the gamer. Prior to joining Real, he directed consumer marketing for Glu Mobile working with franchises such as World Series of Poker, Transformers, Diner Dash and Cartoon Network. Sean has also held a variety of roles in the traditional videogame industry working for Sega, Eidos Interactive and 3DO launching several million unit franchises. Additionally, he has consulted for companies such as Capcom and GameSpot. Early in his career, he worked in technology consulting for Accenture and IBM. Sean holds a bachelor’s degree in engineering from Rensselaer and an MBA with honors from The Anderson School at UCLA. Rob Sands (email) Rob Sands is Senior Manager – North American Publishing for Gameloft, a leading international developer and publisher of mobile games. In this role, Mr. Sands is responsible for driving U.S. sales in addition to managing and developing the relationship with the company’s principal accounts, AT&T and T-Mobile. Mr. Sands’ career spans over 10 years during which he has developed a strong international background in the fields of sales, marketing and advertising. With over four years of experience in the wireless industry, he has established himself as a key figure in the mobile marketplace. Prior to joining Gameloft, Mr. Sands worked as a Senior Account Manager for Airborne Entertainment, a publisher of mobile entertainment content. His responsibilities included account relations, business development and project management. Previous to the wireless industry, Mr. Sands pursued a very successful career in advertising. Teaming up with top ad agencies such as Fame Ogilvy & Mather, Kaspen/BBDO and Arnold Worldwide, he executed many successful campaigns which led to several prestigious awards and accolades. Mr. Sands received his degree from the University of Boulder, Colorado with a focus on Communications and a minor in Journalism.