Exclusive Q&A w/ Ivan Trancik, CEO and Founder of SuperScale

Ivan, can you share your personal journey and passion for gaming? What inspired you to enter the gaming industry, and are there any particular games or experiences that had a profound impact on you?

My journey into the gaming industry has been a lifelong passion. Starting as a competitive gamer during my university days, I combined this enthusiasm with my studies in big data and analytics. It was the combination of this love for gaming and expertise that led me to co-found Exponea, a customer data & experience platform. However, my true calling came when a gaming studio with 40 million monthly players approached us, eventually inspiring the foundation of SuperScale in 2015. Games like Counter-Strike and Age of Empires profoundly impacted my trajectory, showing me the potential of gaming as not only a passion but also within business and how they can be amazing tools to educate and learn through. For example, playing Age of Empires as a young kid improved my English skills tremendously.

Taking a step back to the inception of SuperScale, what was the initial vision that drove you to establish the company? How has that vision evolved over time, and what milestones have you achieved that align with your original goals?

SuperScale was founded with a vision to merge gaming with data analytics, unlocking the remarkable potential of good games. Initially, we sought to optimize games using data insights, a concept met with skepticism from non-gaming crowds. However, our persistence and intuition prevailed and over time, our vision evolved to seamlessly integrate game marketing and big data with development and game enhancement. We’ve achieved significant milestones, from engaging partnerships with industry giants like EA and Big Fish to leveraging big data analytics and strategic marketing initiatives to optimize mobile games to reach over 2 billion downloads. Our journey aligns with the original goal of harnessing data to enhance the user’s gaming experience and create a lasting impact on the games industry.

Looking at the evolving gaming industry, how do you perceive the current landscape and the opportunities it holds for companies like SuperScale in Europe?

The current gaming industry landscape is incredibly dynamic and, despite recent struggles in comparison to the previous boom years, full of opportunities for European companies. We’ve positioned ourselves at the intersection of gaming and analytics and can leverage our incredible team of experts as well as technological innovations like artificial intelligence to forge stronger strategic partnerships with the creators of great games, helping them manage and grow their games. As the gaming market returns to growth, our expertise in optimizing game performance and enhancing user acquisition/engagement positions us to be a key player in this thriving industry in Europe but also in other key markets such as the US.

Advancements in technology are shaping the future of gaming. How is SuperScale leveraging technological innovations to optimize game performance and engage players?

Technology is indeed a driving force in the gaming industry. At SuperScale, we harness technological innovations such as AI and machine learning to analyze game data comprehensively. Our Game Analysis Technology identifies market opportunities and player segments. In the future we aim to integrate Generative AI and Large Language Models into our team’s workflow to optimize decision-making for developers and enhance the gaming experience. These advancements enable us to offer actionable insights, empowering executives and large game studios and developers of games to make informed choices and unlock untapped potential of the games industry.

You mentioned one of SuperScale’s offerings is a Legacy Game Management service. Can you tell us more about how this service helps game developers manage and sustain their legacy games, and what benefits it provides for both the developers and the gaming community?

Our comprehensive Game Management suite encompasses a range of services, which includes new and live games. A key component of this suite is our Legacy Game Management offering which is designed to breathe new life into existing games, ensuring they remain engaging for players and profitable for studios. For developers, this service offers vital support in maintaining and updating legacy titles, optimizing monetization strategies, and attracting new players. Simultaneously, the gaming community benefits from the continued enjoyment of beloved games with improved features and new and engaging content. By revitalizing legacy games, we create a win-win scenario for players and developers alike, enhancing player experiences and extending the life cycle of cherished titles for studios and publishers.

Addressing the aspect of game monetization, what are SuperScale’s insights and strategies concerning in-game purchases and freemium models, focusing on the current market dynamics?

In-game purchases and freemium models are pivotal in the mobile gaming landscape. Our strategy revolves around finding the right balance between generating revenue and providing players with a rewarding and enjoyable experience. We emphasize value-driven in-game purchases that enhance gameplay without compromising user satisfaction. By understanding player preferences and market dynamics, we tailor our approach to optimize monetization while ensuring players perceive value in their purchases, contributing to a sustainable and mutually beneficial ecosystem.

Reflecting on your journey as the CEO and Founder of SuperScale, what key advice or insights would you share with aspiring gaming entrepreneurs in Europe, considering the dynamic and competitive nature of the industry?

My advice to aspiring gaming entrepreneurs in Europe is to follow your passion and trust your instincts. Embrace risks and challenges as they are stepping stones to success. Surround yourself with a talented team, as collective expertise is key. Building strong industry connections and being patient throughout the journey is vital. Additionally, never underestimate the potential of your game; believe in its success and tirelessly work towards realizing your vision. The video games industry is one that transcends stereotypes and geographic barriers, it brings people together. The enjoyment and passion in the development of a game bleeds through into the user’s experience in playing it, so enjoy what you do to the fullest! Lastly, stay updated with industry trends and technologies, adapting to changes swiftly.

Lastly, looking ahead into the future, are there any upcoming projects or developments from SuperScale that you’d like to share with our European gaming audience?

We have several exciting projects and partnerships are currently underway. Unfortunately, due to our confidentiality clauses, we cannot delve too deeply into the specifics. Nevertheless, we can reveal that SuperScale is actively collaborating with additional partners worldwide, and in the coming year and beyond, we’ll be overseeing an increased number of games across a wide range of mobile gaming genres.