We continue our review of 2024 together with top managers and experts from the games industry (and related fields). Up next is an interview with David Fernandez Remesal, CEO of Sandsoft.
What was the year like for Sandsoft? What would you like to highlight in terms of achievements?
2024 has been an incredible year for Sandsoft, and I’m personally proud of what we’ve achieved. Despite the broader challenges in the gaming industry, including layoffs and major mergers and acquisitions, Sandsoft has continued to experience steady growth and expansion.
We kicked off the year in a truly special way, celebrating the opening of our Barcelona studio with an unforgettable party. We also announced an exciting partnership with NetEase, aimed at strengthening the gaming industry in the MENA region. This is a big step forward for us and for the entire gaming community in the region.
Another highlight for us was the launch of Pocket Necromancer, our mobile arcade RPG game designed to appeal to a wide audience. The game is already bringing a lot of joy to players worldwide. Throughout the year, we’ve been fortunate to attend industry events where we shared our expertise and drew inspiration for future projects. We also hosted a series of mixers, including our first-ever event in the US, where we connected with peers across the industry.
Pocket Necromancer
But our growth wasn’t just about projects and partnerships. In 2024, we expanded our team by 34%, and we are particularly proud of the diverse, global community we’re building here at Sandsoft. Today, our team includes game makers from nearly 30 different nationalities, with women now making up almost 22% of our workforce.
As exciting as this year has been, there’s so much more ahead – and we can’t wait to share what’s next with you all. Stay tuned for something amazing.
These successes would not have been possible without our talented, passionate team, as well as our incredible partners. I’m incredibly grateful for their dedication and hard work, and for the collaborative spirit that drives us forward every day.
How has the situation on the games market changed from your point of view?
One of the most notable shifts in the industry has been the merging of traditionally distinct game types. The days of clear boundaries between high-quality, IP-driven titles and hyper-casual games are fading. Instead, hybrid games are now blending the depth of IP-heavy products with the accessibility and simplicity of casual games. This trend allows for more engaging gameplay, while also tapping into the casual audience that craves accessible yet entertaining experiences.
As AI and automation continue to reshape user acquisition and monetization strategies, they provide us with the tools to better understand and target player behaviors, allowing us to create more tailored and engaging experiences. This evolution has underscored the importance of product quality, which ultimately drives sustained growth.
The gaming market is showing encouraging signs of recovery after a stagnant 2023. This year, we’re seeing a gradual but meaningful return to growth, with the global market projected to expand by 2.1%, reaching $187.7 billion. While market consolidation and flat playtime trends remain challenges, they also create opportunities for nimble studios to differentiate themselves.
Regional dynamics are another interesting aspect. Growth in emerging markets like Latin America and the Middle East & Africa is outpacing the more established regions, signaling new opportunities for expansion. At the same time, mobile gaming continues to lead in revenue share, while the PC gaming segment is gaining momentum this year. Looking ahead, I believe the market’s evolution – driven by landmark releases, technological advancements, and changing player behaviors – positions 2024 as a turning point for the industry.
What was the year like for the genre you work in?
The hybrid-casual space has experienced exciting growth and transformation this year, and I’m thrilled to see how Sandsoft is contributing to these developments. Despite some predictions of a slowdown in mobile gaming, we’ve seen continued expansion, driven by a mix of fresh ideas and the ever-growing influx of new players. While major titles and franchises continue to hold strong, the hybrid-casual market remains dynamic and open to innovation, making this an exciting time for both established companies and new entrants.
The growing popularity of hybrid monetization, combining ads with in-app purchases, has also played a significant role in driving the profitability and sustainability of hybrid-casual games. As the market matured, studios realized that simple mechanics alone are no longer enough to maintain player interest. By offering players multiple ways to engage – through both in-app purchases and ad-based rewards – games can generate more consistent revenue and keep players engaged longer.
At Sandsoft, we are excited to be at the forefront of these changes, and we look forward to what the future holds in this rapidly evolving genre. Hybrid-casual games are one of our bets, and I believe we’re just getting started with what’s possible in terms of gameplay innovation and monetization strategies.
What trends in your niche do you expect to intensify or emerge in 2025?
As we look ahead to 2025, I’m truly excited about the trends that will shape the future of the gaming industry, and I believe we’re on the cusp of some remarkable developments. At Sandsoft, we’re already seeing signs of these shifts, and I’m eager to embrace them alongside our talented team.
One trend I expect to intensify is hybrid monetization, where the combination of in-app purchases (IAP) and ad-based revenue continues to evolve. As the market matures, we’ll see studios refine how they balance these two revenue streams. This will mean even more sophisticated targeting and user segmentation, allowing games to better cater to the diverse needs of players.
Another major shift will be AI-driven personalization. In 2025, AI will play a critical role in not just how we approach user acquisition, but also player retention and in-game experiences. It’s going to help us understand player behavior on a deeper level, allowing us to create even more personalized, dynamic content. This personalization will keep players engaged for longer, making their experience more immersive and meaningful.
The blurring of genre boundaries is another trend I’m excited about. We’ve already seen this happening with hybrid games that mix elements from casual, strategy, and RPG genres. In 2025, this will only accelerate, as developers like us look to introduce deeper mechanics while maintaining accessibility for a broad audience. The ability to bring new experiences to both casual and more hardcore players is something I’m particularly passionate about.
In terms of cloud gaming, we’ll see even more advancements, enabling players to access high-quality gaming experiences without needing expensive hardware. Cross-platform play will continue to grow, allowing gamers to connect seamlessly across devices and platforms. This will make gaming even more inclusive and accessible, and we’re excited to be part of this transformation.
WebGPU is certainly a trend worth highlighting when discussing the future of gaming. It enables games to run effortlessly across both mobile devices and PCs without the need for dedicated apps or installations, making browser-based gaming far more practical and engaging. Additionally, WebGPU breathes new life into the web gaming space, reminiscent of the Flash games era but with significantly improved graphics and performance. For developers, it opens up a fresh and exciting market to explore, offering shorter development cycles, rapid feedback, and a compelling alternative to closed ecosystems like Roblox or Unreal Engine for Fortnite.
Overall, 2025 is shaping up to be a year of incredible innovation for the industry. As these trends continue to unfold, I’m excited for the opportunities they will bring to our team and the gaming community at large.
What plans does the company have for 2025?
Looking ahead to the next year, we have some incredibly exciting plans at Sandsoft, and I can confidently say that we are more committed than ever to delivering high-quality experiences for players worldwide.
First and foremost, we’re focused on expanding our game portfolio, with several new releases lined up that we believe will entertain and engage players for years to come. Our team has been working tirelessly on exciting titles that combine innovative gameplay with accessibility, ensuring that our games reach and resonate with a global audience. We’re also deeply committed to enhancing the gaming experience through continuous updates, new features, and dynamic content that will keep players coming back for more.
In 2025, we plan to push even further into new genres and hybrid gaming experiences, building on our strengths in the hybrid-casual genre while exploring new territory. As we’ve seen in recent years, player preferences are rapidly evolving, and we’re constantly adapting to create games that are not only fun but also foster long-term engagement. Our goal is to create experiences that players can enjoy for years, whether they’re looking for quick fun or deeper, more immersive gameplay.
Beyond game development, we’re also focused on growing our global presence. We’re continuing to expand our talented team, as we believe that diverse perspectives and expertise are key to driving innovation and staying ahead of the curve in this fast-paced industry. We’ll also be working closely with partners, such as our exciting collaborations with NetEase and The Sandbox, to strengthen the gaming ecosystem in the MENA region and beyond.
At Sandsoft, we’re also passionate about building a strong, vibrant community around our games. We plan to create more spaces for our players to connect, share experiences, and shape the future of our games together. This commitment to community is something that will continue to grow and evolve next year, as we look for new ways to engage and listen to the voices of our players.
Overall, 2025 is going to be a year of innovation, growth, and creativity at Sandsoft. We’re thrilled about the projects we’re working on and the direction we’re headed, and we can’t wait to share more with the world. We’re not just planning to release new games – we’re planning to create experiences that will entertain, inspire, and bring joy to players worldwide for years to come.
Thank you to everyone who has been part of this incredible journey so far. The best is yet to come!