6 Questions To Ask Before Building That IP Based Game

By Ben Chen, SVP & GM of Developer Relations at Tapjoy

For mobile game developers, one look at the top charts on iOS and Android is enough to make you dream of what branded IP you can tap into for your next title.

From Kim Kardashian and Gordon Ramsay to MARVEL Comics and Madden NFL Football, branded IP has proven a fertile ground for developers angling for a hit game. According to a recent report from Sega Networks and Sensor Tower, games based on branded IP were one of the fastest growing categories in the space, showing a 139% growth rate in 2016.

Branded IP is one of the most battle-tested ways to ensure an effective launch and long term success. The built-in fanbase practically guarantees a certain number of downloads, and the value of the PR, marketing and virality effect of popular IP is immeasurable.

But branded IP doesn’t automatically guarantee success. For every game like Pokemon GO, The Walking Dead: Road to Survival or The Simpsons™: Tapped Out, there’s an app that simply doesn’t manage to achieve the same success, despite having a big celebrity name or brand attached to it. Developing a successful mobile game requires more than just successful IP — it also requires a lot of planning.

We take a look at six fundamental questions any developer should ask before they jump at the chance to make a game based on branded IP. Check out VentureBeat for the full article.