How This 22-Year-Old Created TikTok for Mobile Games

TL;DR

Nanog is a platform where users can create and play mobile games in a TikTok-like feed. Users can quickly generate games using AI, remix existing games, and share them with others. The platform aims to revolutionize gaming by simplifying game creation and enhancing user engagement through interactive content.

Transcript

Welcome back to This Week in Startup with me, Lon Harris. I'm Jason Calakanis. We've got Albert Brotherton and Boris Rattalov. Jason, they're the co-creators of Nanog. I really like this. This is a cool thing. It's basically Tik Tok for mobile video games. It's available right now. It's in the Google Play Store. It's in the iOS store. Guys, thanks ... Read More

Key Insights

• Nanog allows users to create mobile games quickly using AI templates, reducing development time from days to minutes.
• The platform features a TikTok-like feed where users can scroll through games, playing one after another.
• Users can remix and modify games created by others, promoting a collaborative and iterative gaming experience.
• Nanog's business model explores interactive content as a new form of advertising, integrating brands into games.
• The platform has attracted 100k users since its launch, with 20% classified as power users who play over 50 games daily.
• Nanog's retention and engagement metrics are high, with users spending significant time on the platform.
• The founders, Albert and Boris, have backgrounds in gaming and computer science, with Albert skipping college to focus on the startup.
• Nanog's future plans include experimenting with creator currency and microtransactions to incentivize game development.

Questions & Answers

Q: How does Nanog simplify game creation?

Nanog simplifies game creation by providing AI-powered templates that drastically reduce development time. Users can generate games in as little as 90 seconds by selecting a template and customizing it with AI prompts. This process allows even those with minimal programming experience to create and publish mobile games quickly and efficiently.

Q: What is the user experience like on Nanog?

The user experience on Nanog is designed to mimic the TikTok feed, allowing users to scroll through and play games seamlessly. When a user tires of one game, they can simply scroll to the next. This format encourages exploration and engagement, as users can discover and try multiple games in a short period.

Q: How does the remixing feature work on Nanog?

Nanog's remixing feature allows users to modify and personalize games created by others. Users can take an existing game, change elements such as graphics or mechanics, and then publish their version. This collaborative approach encourages creativity and community interaction, as users build upon each other's ideas and innovations.

Q: What are the potential advertising opportunities on Nanog?

Nanog offers unique advertising opportunities by integrating brands directly into games. Brands can create interactive content, such as branded games or levels, that engage users more effectively than traditional ads. This approach can lead to higher user interaction and conversion rates, as users actively participate in the branded experience.

Q: What are Nanog's user engagement statistics?

Nanog boasts impressive user engagement, with 100k users and 20% classified as power users. These power users play over 25 games per session, with an average session time of 21 minutes and two sessions daily. This high level of engagement indicates strong user interest and satisfaction with the platform's offerings.

Q: Who are the founders of Nanog?

Nanog was founded by Albert Brotherton and Boris Rattalov. Albert, the CEO, skipped college to focus on the startup, while Boris, the CTO, studied computer science at the University of Leeds. Both founders have a background in gaming, which informs their approach to developing and innovating the Nanog platform.

Q: What future plans does Nanog have for monetization?

Nanog plans to experiment with creator currency and microtransactions to incentivize game development. By allowing creators to monetize their games through additional levels or features, Nanog aims to encourage more user-generated content and increase platform engagement. These monetization strategies are still in the exploratory phase, with potential for significant impact.

Q: How does Nanog plan to sustain its growth?

Nanog plans to sustain its growth by continuously enhancing the platform's features and user experience. By leveraging high user engagement and exploring new monetization models, such as creator currency and interactive advertising, Nanog aims to attract more users and creators. The founders are committed to iterating on feedback and expanding the platform's capabilities to maintain momentum.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• Nanog, a platform akin to TikTok for mobile games, allows users to create, play, and share games seamlessly. Utilizing AI, users can generate games in minutes and remix existing ones, fostering a collaborative gaming environment. The platform's interactive content model offers brands novel advertising opportunities, potentially increasing user engagement and revenue streams.

• With 100k users and high engagement levels, Nanog demonstrates promise in reshaping mobile gaming. The founders, Albert and Boris, leverage their gaming and tech expertise to drive innovation, focusing on user-friendly game creation and interactive advertising. Future plans include exploring creator currency and microtransactions for enhanced user incentives.

• Nanog's TikTok-like approach to mobile gaming simplifies game development and enhances user interaction. By allowing game remixing and integrating brand content, the platform offers unique advertising avenues. The startup's rapid user growth and engagement metrics highlight its potential impact on the gaming industry, with future monetization experiments on the horizon.