SayGames vs Zynga

What Makes a Game Ready for an Entertainment IP?

In a guest post for PocketGamer.biz, SayGames COO Denis Vaikhanski discusses when a mobile game is ready for an entertainment IP collaboration, using the Tower War × Terminator 2: Judgment Day event as a case study. The collaboration was integrated into Tower War's existing progression systems rather than as a cosmetic layer, leading to over 2.5 million participating players, a 40% increase in in-app revenue, and up to 45% growth in daily downloads. Vaikhanski emphasizes that IPs should amplify already successful games, and that successful partnerships are built over years, as exemplified by the five-year evolution of Tower War and its developer Pavetra. The article highlights the publisher's role in creating opportunities and the developer's focus on game quality.

• More than 2.5 million players participated in the Tower War × Terminator 2 collaboration event.
• In-app revenue increased by approximately 40% during the collaboration.
• Daily downloads grew by as much as 45%.

SayGames uses analytics to tune hybrid puzzle difficulty

SayGames describes its data-driven approach to balancing level difficulty in hybrid puzzle games so that challenge, retention and monetisation coexist. Producer Pavel Korbut explains the studio’s test-and-learn process: release levels early, track metrics such as fail rate, churn, attempts, booster usage and rewarded ad views, form hypotheses, and run A/B experiments. The company stages new level chains to limited audiences and tests content packs before full rollout. SayGames reports steady in‑app purchase growth (May 2024: $3.53M; May 2025: $6.19M; May 2026: $8.49M per Sensor Tower) and highlights design techniques such as controlled “close win” tension and smoothing or shifting difficulty spikes to improve pacing and LTV.

• SayGames uses player data and continuous A/B testing to tune level difficulty in hybrid puzzle games.
• SayGames’ reported in-app purchase revenue was $3.53M (May 2024), $6.19M (May 2025), and $8.49M (May 2026), according to Sensor Tower.
• The studio tracks metrics including fail rate, churn, number of attempts, booster usage, level duration, and rewarded ad views to evaluate levels.

Jonathan Knight Promoted to Chief Games Officer at NYT

Jonathan Knight has been promoted to the newly expanded role of chief games officer at The New York Times, where he will continue to lead the publication's games operation. Knight, who joined NYT in September 2020, has overseen the growth of its games portfolio, including the acquisition and integration of Wordle and the launch of Crossplay. His responsibilities include managing the P&L and publishing pipeline for popular games such as The New York Times Crossword, Spelling Bee, Connections, Strands, and Pips. Before joining NYT, Knight held senior positions at Warner Bros. Games, Zynga, and Electronic Arts, with a track record of leading major game franchises and large teams. The appointment reflects NYT's continued investment in games as a key engagement and subscription driver.

• Jonathan Knight has been appointed chief games officer at The New York Times.
• Knight joined The New York Times in September 2020.
• He previously served as SVP and Head of Games at The New York Times.

Zynga News: Top Eleven Brings Roshn Saudi League and Global Superstars to 2026/27 Season

Zynga's news page has been updated with new press releases, including Top Eleven's partnership with the Roshn Saudi League, Zynga Poker's collaboration with Keegan-Michael Key, and Spades Plus teaming up with NBA All-Star Anthony Edwards.

Top Eleven Brings Roshn Saudi League and Global Superstars to 2026/27 Season

Zynga's Top Eleven game adds the Roshn Saudi League and global superstars for the 2026/27 season.