Maglev
Publishing
The next level of digital publishing is here
IDENTITY
A full-service publisher founded by game industry veterans focusing primarily on mobile and pc games. We have an in-depth talent base ready to assist the developer at every stage — from concept to market roll-out and beyond.
Problem
Game developers face many hurdles getting their game to market: limited resources, funding, marketing, strategic distribution, technical and legal issues, etc. Finding a great game or app publisher is a lot like finding a great general contractor. The most experienced are busy on large projects and are very expensive. Developers know there is a huge lack of experienced publishers — with the game development experience to evaluate a game or app and with the resources that are ready and willing to invest in projects.
Solution
The key to success for the developer is to partner with a publisher like Maglev. We bring our years of experience in game development and marketing to publishing. We recognize what it takes to get a project market ready. We also evaluate and assist the developer looking to get a product to market and have the resources and tools at hand to successfully market the project worldwide. Our passion is to discover projects looking for the next creative level-up.
Target Market
Free apps comprise 85% of the total app market. The most popular free apps are gaming, music, social networking, weather, news, entertainment and navigation. App usage varies by country as well as by market segment. We’re looking for developers who have a solid game idea and a dedicated team, know their target market, and have a functioning MVP of their proposed product. Gamers represent an incredibly diverse group, both in geographic and demographic differentiators. Consumers from nearly all age segments play video games. Gamers come from all backgrounds with all levels of education and income represented in the gamer population.
The Competition
When it comes to publishing a game, developers have several options to choose from, including self-publishing and publishing through a third-party. Self-publishing a game refers to the process of releasing a game independently, without the assistance of a publisher. However, self-publishing also requires developers to handle all the tasks involved in releasing a game, such as testing, localization, marketing, and customer support, which can be time-consuming and resource-intensive. Developers can also choose to publish their game through a third-party publisher. This can be a good option for developers who need support and resources to help them finish and release their game, but they may have to give up some control and a portion of the profits in exchange. There are over 95 companies who have published at least one game in this past year. Many of those only publish their own IP. It is hard to find a full service publisher who is expanding like Maglev.
Sales Channels
Ultimately, the choice of sales channels hinges on your specific target audience. These are the key distribution channels: Google Play Store, Apple App Store, and Samsung Galaxy Store. Other channels include: Social Media, email Marketing, Advertising, Programmatic User Acquisition, and OEM App Discovery (preinstalls).
Marketing Activities
To begin with, a comprehensive marketing plan is essential. In mobile games, innovative UA (User acquisition) strategies are key. Our plan is to leverage app store optimization (ASO), create compelling visual assets, take advantage of content marketing, use paid ads and performance marketing tactics, engage with influencers and gaming communities, and analyze LiveOps data to iterate strategy.
Revenue
Most games and apps today are free to play. Revenue is made in two important ways. One is through advertising and/or an offer wall. The second revenue stream is in-game purchases. If you charge a fee for the game or in-game purchases, all pay the platform (Apple App Store, Google Play, Samsung, Steam) a 30% fee off the top. A third revenue stream could be driving players to the developer’s website to buy in-game power-ups, etc., which circumvents the platform’s fee of 30 percent.
Expenses
There are many expenses involved in publishing a game or app. First, is the product finished or are there monetary needs to complete development? Once development is complete, the product must be tested. Once there is a release candidate, then it must be put into the channel. Those expenses include localization, marketing, advertising, and user acquisition (UA). Once the product is launched, there are customer support expenses and updates are needed to keep it fresh.
MILESTONES
Games are developed and published with milestones that are managed monthly for usually 12 to 18 months. Games are released to market in usually three phases by country to test gameplay and concept. User acquisition (UA) or advertising spend follows the game roll-out with maximum spends in worldwide release.
PARTNERS AND RESOURCES
A game title could find a partner by over-branding and licensing their game with a known name. For example, an ocean game could over-brand with the Smithsonian, Sea World, or the Jacque Cousteau Society. Depending on the game, there are many licensing opportunities.
The mobile publishing sector
Global Mobile App Revenue Growth
In 2024, global mobile app revenues are projected to reach approximately $522.7 billion, up from $315.3 billion in 2020. This significant growth underscores the lucrative potential of the mobile app publishing industry.
Mobile Apps Leading the App Market
Mobile apps dominate the app publishing sector, with total downloads expected to reach 255 billion in 2024. This highlights the central role mobile apps play in users’ daily lives and the immense opportunities for publishers.
Extensive User Base
There are over 6.8 billion smartphone users worldwide as of 2024, providing a vast and continually growing market for mobile app publishers to tap into.
High User Engagement
Mobile users spend an average of 4.8 hours per day on their devices, with apps accounting for a significant portion of that time. This high level of user engagement presents substantial opportunities for app publishers to capture and retain user attention.
Surpassing the Movie Industry
The global movie industry’s box office revenue is projected to be about $41 billion in 2024, an order of magnitude less than the mobile app market’s revenue.
Outpacing the Music Industry
The global music industry is projected to generate approximately $44 billion in revenue in 2024, which is one twelfth of the mobile gaming industry’s earnings.
Why Maglev?
No one has put it together quite like we have . . . the game concepts, the digital publishing, and the backend technologies. Our team’s talent, experience, and vision have built a fresh and innovative platform. We run lean and we run fast. We’re on the track to success where there is no limit.
Proven Track Record
We have the expertise and creativity to develop engaging and compelling mobile games.
Innovative Game Design
We are committed to pushing the boundaries with creative game designs that captivate players and set new trends.
Collaborative Publishing
We have the resources and connections to deliver a successful game and publishing experience like no other.
Next-level LiveOps Backend
We have the backend software to take game analytics to the next level and create whole new monetization streams.
Strong Market Understanding
We have a deep understanding of the whole gaming market — PC, console, and mobile — including player preferences, monetization strategies, and emerging trends.
High Growth Potential
We see the mobile gaming market as one of the fastest growing sectors in the entertainment industry surpassing both the music and movie industries.
Dedicated Customer Focus
We prioritize the needs and success of our customers, delivering accelerated solutions that truly stand out.
Want to see more?
Contact us for a private code to take a peek inside at our latest data sheets.
