Draft:Martin Magni
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Martin Magni | |
|---|---|
| Born | 1985 (age 38–39) Sweden |
| Nationality | Swedish |
| Occupation(s) | Game developer, entrepreneur |
| Notable work | Mekorama, Fancade |
| Website | martinmagni.com |
Martin Magnusson, known professionally as Martin Magni, is a Swedish independent game developer and entrepreneur, widely recognized for his mobile games such as Mekorama and Fancade. He is known for his creative approach to game design and for empowering players with tools to create their own content.
Early Life and Career
[edit]Martin Magni grew up in Sweden and, after developing an interest in technology and game development, moved to the small town of Åtvidaberg. He chose Åtvidaberg for its peace and quiet, allowing him to focus on his work without distractions. Despite the isolation, Magni has thrived as an indie developer, working primarily from home.
Magni's breakthrough game, Mekorama (2016), is a puzzle-platformer inspired by Monument Valley. Players control a small robot navigating intricate diorama-like levels. A unique feature of Mekorama is its built-in level editor, allowing players to create and share over 10,000 levels, adding significant replay value to the game.[1]
Mekorama and Monetization Experiment
[edit]Mekorama has been downloaded over 25 million times, but Magni's unconventional monetization strategy, where players could choose to pay after playing the game, did not achieve significant financial success. Despite the popularity of the game, Magni found that monetization in the mobile game industry is a complex challenge, with free-to-play models often dominating the market.
Magni's approach was influenced by his own experiences as a mobile game player, appreciating the ability to try games for free before deciding whether to pay. While the strategy didn't lead to significant income, it was a thought-provoking experiment in game monetization.
Fancade: A New Direction
[edit]Following the success of Mekorama, Magni launched Fancade (2020), a mobile app that combines game creation and gaming. Fancade features thousands of games created by users using the app's built-in tools, including a voxel editor and a scripting language. Magni's goal with Fancade is to trust users more by allowing them to build the content, shifting away from his role as the primary creator.
The game is still in open beta, and although it has faced some challenges in monetization and growth, Magni remains committed to the project. The app's success largely depends on user creativity and the vibrant community that builds around it.[2]
Philosophy and Work Style
[edit]Magni embraces a routine-based lifestyle, where every day is similar, and he finds consistency helps him avoid procrastination. Despite the monotony, he feels that his work environment is ideal for focusing on game development. His life in Åtvidaberg mirrors the idea of the movie Groundhog Day, with each day feeling the same, yet allowing him to steadily progress on his projects.
Magni also stays connected with his player community through platforms like Discord, where players collaborate and share game creations. He values this interaction, describing his community as a team that helps shape the direction of his games.[3]
Personal Life and Future Plans
[edit]Magni enjoys the solitude of his rural lifestyle and finds balance through activities like jogging. His mother is his biggest fan and first beta tester, providing valuable feedback on his games. Although Magni has yet to achieve significant financial success with his recent projects, he remains optimistic and continues to iterate on his games, believing in the value of persistence.
If Fancade ultimately does not succeed, Magni has expressed that he will continue to create games, as failure does not discourage him from pursuing his passion for game development.[4]
Notable Works
[edit]- Blocksworld (2012): 3D sandbox game made with Magni's old video game company Boldai AB. Sold to American company Linden Lab in 2013.
- Mekorama (2016): A 3D puzzle game with customizable levels.
- Fancade (2020): A mobile app that combines game creation and mini-games.
External Links
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ "Mekorama Review – Mechanical Valley". Retrieved 2024-12-24.
- ^ "Fancade Official Website". Retrieved 2024-12-24.
- ^ "Martin Magni's Discord Community". Retrieved 2024-12-24.
- ^ "Official Website of Martin Magni". Retrieved 2024-12-24.