For Kong Studios's upcoming projects, should resources be allocated to developing new mobile games or expanding Guardian Tales with additional content and features?

Introduction

The trade-off we're examining today is whether Kong Studios should allocate resources to developing new mobile games or expanding Guardian Tales with additional content and features. This decision is crucial for the company's growth strategy and product portfolio management. I'll analyze this trade-off by considering market trends, user engagement, resource allocation, and long-term business impact.

Step 1

Clarifying Questions (3 minutes)

• Context: I'm thinking Guardian Tales is currently Kong Studios' flagship product. Could you confirm its current market position and performance relative to competitors?

Why it matters: Helps assess the risk and potential of expanding vs. diversifying Expected answer: Strong performer but facing increased competition Impact: Would influence whether to double down on Guardian Tales or spread risk

• Business Context: Based on industry trends, I assume mobile gaming revenue is primarily from in-app purchases. Is this true for Kong Studios, or do you have other significant revenue streams?

Why it matters: Affects the potential impact of new games vs. expanding existing ones Expected answer: Primarily in-app purchases with some ad revenue Impact: Would guide feature prioritization for expansion or new game monetization strategies

• User Impact: I'm guessing Guardian Tales has a dedicated player base. Can you share any insights on user retention and engagement metrics?

Why it matters: Indicates the potential for expanding the existing game Expected answer: High retention but plateauing engagement Impact: Would influence decision between deepening existing content or attracting new users

• Technical: Considering the complexity of Guardian Tales, I'm curious about the scalability of its current architecture. How easily can new features be integrated?

Why it matters: Affects the feasibility and cost of expansion Expected answer: Modular architecture but some legacy systems Impact: Would determine the effort required for expansion vs. building new games

• Resource: Given the specialized skills needed for game development, I'm wondering about the current team composition. Do we have separate teams for Guardian Tales and new game development?

Why it matters: Influences the ability to pursue both strategies simultaneously Expected answer: Core team for Guardian Tales, smaller new game team Impact: Would affect resource allocation and hiring strategies