The DoF Masterclass: From an Idea to Scale at a Supersonic Speed
Hybridcasual is the buzzword that refuses to fade. It sits at the intersection of hypercasual’s low CPIs and casual’s monetization depth. But as every studio chasing the trend quickly learns, the model isn’t simple. It’s not enough to tack a meta onto a hypercasual core. Success requires a rethink of publishing, design, monetization, marketing, and scaling.
That’s why we pulled together a Masterclass series with the people who have been shaping this space from the inside. Here are the key lessons from five conversations with leaders from Unity’s mobile publishing solution: Supersonic.
From Prototype Mills to Full-Stack Partners
Igor Bereslavski, GM at Supersonic
Hybridcasual is more than “hypercasual plus IAP.” The winning formula is acquisition efficiency paired with long-term engagement. Publishers, once mere prototype-testing factories, now act as full-stack partners, helping to refine designs, optimize monetization, manage live operations, and, of course, market the games.
The market is crowded, with hundreds of studios sending prototypes every month. The danger is obvious: endless me-too products launched into saturated subgenres. The opportunity lies in spotting emerging trends before the herd and daring to back something different.
For developers seeking a publisher, it ultimately comes down to the contract. Partnerships that work best aren’t transactional; they’re pipelines for long-term success. In practice, both publishers and developers look for partners not just for the good times, but for the long term as well. And the contracts ought to support that.
Key Takeaways
Hybridcasual = marketable and highly accessible core game + stats-based progression + live operations + dual monetization - high production values - long development times.
Live ops are mandatory for the sustained success of a hybrid casual game. This has transformed publishers into co-builders, not just launch platforms.
Great marketability comes from the ability to stand out. Avoid me-too products, or face high user acquisition costs.
Depth Without the Bloat
Guy Agiv, New Games
A hybridcasual hit starts with a core loop that offers both instant gratification and repeatable depth. The development journey unfolds in circles: validate the core, strengthen retention hooks, and then layer monetization without breaking flow.
Publishers and developers shift roles along this path. Early, it’s about collaboration and experimentation; later, publishers bring market knowledge and growth firepower.
The biggest misconceptions? That hybridcasual equals hypercasual plus meta, that retention can wait until after launch, and that depth must equal complexity. The truth is simpler: elegance beats clutter. And you can’t chase engagement without delivering the fun.
Key Takeaways
A strong core loop balances dopamine hits with replayability.
Retention and monetization should be layered progressively.
Depth doesn’t mean complexity. Simplicity sustains engagement.
Ads Don’t Kill Retention, Bad Ads Do
Maayan Aharonovitch, Monetization
Monetization succeeds when it reflects player maturity. Early players lean into rewarded ads; more invested players seek progression through IAP. Segmentation is more than just “ad users” versus “spenders.” The real insight comes from motivations, engagement patterns, and timing.
The economist’s job isn’t mystical—it’s building economies that grow with the player lifecycle and balance ad load with incentives to spend. Many developers delay monetization until after retention. That’s a mistake. Monetization needs to be part of the design from the very first sprint. And no, ads don’t kill retention. Badly integrated ads do.
Key Takeaways
Monetization should evolve with player maturity.
Segmentation must go deeper than “ads vs IAP.”
Monetization design belongs at the start, not the end.
Why One Viral Ad Won’t Save You
Karen Levy, Creative Operations
A killer creative doesn’t guarantee traffic. Success comes from structured testing, controlled volume, and relentless iteration. It’s not quantity over quality—it’s finding the sweet spot where you can test at scale without drowning in noise.
AI is already accelerating creative pipelines, but breakthroughs still require human insight. On channels, UGC-style ads are winning big, especially on TikTok and Reels, while polished static formats fade. The myths persist: that one viral ad can scale a game, that AI can replace creative teams, and that polish beats authenticity. In practice, players reward what feels real.
Key Takeaways
Winning ads come from structured testing, not luck.
AI accelerates production but doesn’t replace human creativity.
Authentic UGC-style ads consistently outperform glossy fakes.
Scaling Isn’t a Milestone, It’s a Grind
Samantha Benjamin, Growth
If game development is art, scaling is systems thinking. Samantha compared it to solving a puzzle with shifting parameters: CPI, retention, and platform dynamics never sit still. Profit-sharing doesn’t mean profit if scale burns more than it earns.
As downloads plateau, the “spray and pray” era of hypercasual scaling is dead. Growth now demands precision—segmented strategies, LTV modeling, and the ability to forecast where the curve bends, not just where it stands. The biggest misconception? That scaling is a milestone you unlock. In hybridcasual, scaling is perpetual.
Key Takeaways
Scaling means constant adjustment as metrics shift.
Growth without efficiency burns profit.
Scaling is a process, not a one-time achievement.
Hybridcasual is a Business Model and a Mindset
On the surface, hybridcasual games look rather simple. But don’t judge the book by its cover. To make it as a hybridcasual game demands the speed and volume of hypercasual games, the systems of mid-core design, and the stamina of a casual game's live ops.
As these conversations make clear, success requires mastery across the board, which means that the chart-topping titles are often backed by tens, if not over a hundred, senior industry professionals from game designers and programmers to data analysts, marketers, and creatives. The sheer scope of work is why developers seek out publishers to partner with.
In the end, this masterclass is not about chasing the hybridcasual buzz. It’s about building and scaling the kind of games that cut through the noise, capture hearts, and prove that mobile still has room for breakout hits.
