- User acquisition costs remain stubbornly high.
- Midcore games see revenue growth but shorter session times.
- Player fatigue with traditional battle passes is widespread.
- 'Hybrid core' combines midcore gameplay with casual meta for retention.
At the Calculus Gaming Conference 2025, Matan Fettman, CEO of Hoopo Studios, unveiled a compelling vision for the future of mobile gaming: "hybrid core." This innovative approach seeks to address critical challenges facing the industry, from escalating user acquisition costs to widespread player burnout from repetitive monetization mechanics.
Matan Fettman highlighted the current paradox in the midcore mobile gaming segment. While there's a significant revenue spike, indicating users are spending more money, the average session times are concurrently shrinking. This suggests a disconnect where players are willing to invest financially but struggle to maintain long-term engagement with the game itself. The core issue, according to Fettman, lies in an "exhaustion and burnout of common meta and monetization mechanics," citing the pervasive "battle pass fatigue" as a prime example. Players are increasingly frustrated by systems that fail to deliver satisfying rewards, leading to a feeling that "the pie may get bigger, but now it's harder than ever to take a bite out of it."
Hoopo Studios' answer to this dilemma is the "hybrid core" category, exemplified by their upcoming title, Jet Brothers. This concept draws inspiration from the success of hybrid casual games, which effectively merged hyper-casual gameplay with proven casual metas to sustain player engagement. Fettman argues that many midcore titles suffer from a "broken core loop," offering progression through matches and levels but lacking the deeper emotional attachment fostered by well-designed casual meta systems.
The strategic shift for midcore, therefore, is to emulate hyper-casual's transformation into hybrid casual. By combining skill-based, heavier midcore gameplay with highly accessible and engaging meta systems, studios can create games that not only attract a large audience but also retain players for extended periods. This combination, Fettman believes, is crucial for developing profitable and sustainable games in today's challenging market conditions.
Fettman also pointed to Israel as an ideal hub for pioneering this new category. He attributes this to two key factors: the nation's deep business expertise in crafting engaging meta systems, and an untapped pool of creative, talented developers and artists eager to work on more complex midcore projects. This unique blend of business acumen and creative talent positions Israel to lead the charge in the "hybrid core" revolution, creating games that resonate deeply with players and thrive in a competitive market.
“Basically the pie may get bigger, but now it's harder than ever to take a bite out of it.”
- Matan Fettman, CEO of HOOP-O Studios
