An introduction to how Space Ape Games runs Live Operations. This lecture will cover a variety of topics from pricing to event schedules. This is an ideal starting point for anyone new to Live Operations or who simply wants to sanity check their own processes against another's.

1. Live Ops 101
Andrew Munden

2. ANDREW MUNDEN
LIVE OPS DIRECTOR

3. Who Am I?
2011
2013
2014

4. 2015

5. What is Live Ops?

6. What is Live Ops?
Design, create, and execute events and promotions to maximize revenue
and player happiness; while minimizing fatigue and content burn
➔ Incredibly Agile
➔ Scrappy
➔ Adaptive
Broad Definition
Do what needs to be done for a live game to succeed
A Bit More Detail....

7. Content

8. What is Content?
Game elements that can be
consumed by players.
Examples:
● Characters / Robots
● Consumable Boosts / Potions
● Dialogues / Cutscenes
● Campaign Levels

9. What is Content?
Consistently
Hitting 70%+
Event
Participation

10. Content Drives Revenue
Force of Nature
Malice Event
Wyrm's
Gambit
Birna Event
Ascended
Alandra
Scorched Earth

11. Gacha
Rival Kingdoms Transformers
Rarities Yes (Now) Yes
Duplicate
Handling
Yes Yes+
More =
Better
No Yes
A Brand No Yes

12. So, About the Bots?

13. Execution & Design

14. Live Ops Design
Frameworks
Estimated Value
Design

15. ➔Provide Consistency
➔Broad Balancing
➔Feeds Into Others
Tools
Frameworks: Dimensions of Value
Value
Item T
Dimensions of Value
● Number of Angles
● Length of Sides
● Symmetry
Modifiers
Number of Angles = 80%
Length of Sides = 20%
Symmetry = 50%
$1.00
$2.50
$1.00 x
(100%+80%+20%+50%)

16. Estimated Value
sum()

17. Events vs. Monetisation
Type Participation Monetisation
Item / Currency Sink High None
Item / Currency Tap Low High
Generates Gross Bookings Low - High High
Engagement High Low
Fatigue Low - High Low - High
● Not Mutually Exclusive
● Complimentary Monetisation & Events are Best
● Both Share Strong Similarities with Each Other
● Spending Fatigue != Playing Fatigue; but is still very real!

18. All Together
Framework
Database
Design
Validation
Ape Work
Game
Community

19. Cadence

20. Space Ape Live Ops
Highly
Technical
Live-Ops
Board

21. Events vs. Monetisation
F
I II III IV
E $
E
$
F
E $ F E
$ F
E - Engagement $ - Gross Bookings F - Player Fatigue
Event Rating System Month
I
II
III
IV
IV
IVIV
I
I I III
III II
IV
Adapts and changes dependent on:
● Content Pipeline
● Event & Sales Data
● Player Feedback
● New Features

22. LIVE OPS: LIFECYCLE MANAGEMENT
Event Release Bundles
Premium
Crystal
Pool
Free
Crystal
Pool
New
Transforme
r
Bot Crystal Sale
4 Weeks
3 Weeks
2-3 Weeks

23. Questions?