The adrenaline is pumping. Following our recent announcement of the Top 5 Finalists in the Arcade Games category, the spotlight now shifts from the players to the experts who will decide their fate.
Arcade games are the heartbeat of mobile gaming defined by precision, instant engagement, and that “just one more try” magic. Judging such a dynamic category requires more than just an eye for fun; it demands a deep understanding of monetization, player retention, and the technical artistry behind scaling a hit.
To crown our winner, we have assembled a panel of five industry titans. From hybrid-casual pioneers to monetization masters at global studios, meet the experts deciding the next Rising Star in Arcade Games.
Karthikraj
Monetization Strategist, Voodoo.io
Representing one of the most influential publishers in mobile gaming, Karthik joins the jury from the monetization team at Voodoo in Paris. His work sits at the cutting edge of the industry, focusing specifically on the growth of hybrid-casual games, the very evolution of the arcade genre.
Karthik’s approach is defined by rigorous A/B testing and experimentation with emerging ad formats like playables and offerwalls. He brings a practical perspective to the panel, identifying which games have the mechanical polish and integration potential to become the next global chart-topper.
Nik Jovanovski
Producer, Sunday.gg
Great arcade games require a visionary at the helm, and Nik Jovanovski knows exactly what it takes to guide a game from concept to cult classic. As a Producer at Sunday, Nik leads product strategy across a diverse portfolio of casual titles, including hits like Dog Escape and Cat Escape.
Nik’s unique expertise lies in the transition from hyper-casual to hybrid-casual, a shift that many of our finalists are currently navigating. He is passionate about “player-first” experiences, and his role on the jury is to ensure that the winning title pairs technical execution with a clear, engaging product vision.
Roman Svirsky
Ad Monetization Lead, Ilyon
Roman Svirsky brings over a decade of high-level Ad Operations experience to the panel. Currently leading Ad Monetization at Ilyon, Roman is a specialist in navigating the complex intersection of direct and programmatic advertising.
In the fast-paced arcade world, where every impression counts, Roman’s expertise in driving revenue growth without compromising the player experience is invaluable. He looks at games through a commercial lens, identifying the titles that aren’t just fun to play, but built to scale into sustainable businesses.
Tom Dinh
Monetization Specialist, Gcenter Games
Data is the lifeblood of modern arcade hits, and Tom Dinh is a master of the numbers. As a Monetization Specialist at Gcenter Game, Tom focuses on the delicate balance between IAA and IAP. His career is marked by a proven ability to build monetization functions from the ground up, having previously led the charge at Mirai Studio for products reaching over 40 million installs.
Tom’s judging style is rooted in data-driven optimization. He will be looking for finalists that demonstrate revenue efficiency and smart LiveOps, rewarding developers who use experimentation to drive performance.
Vikram Mehta
Mobile Games Leader | Monetization & Growth Strategist, Ludia
Vikram Mehta operates at the pinnacle of mobile gaming strategy. Currently associated with Ludia, the powerhouse behind global blockbusters like Jurassic World: The Game, Vikram’s career is defined by scaling live titles and optimizing player lifecycles.
With a decade of experience in building sustainable revenue systems for globally recognized IP-driven games, Vikram brings a “big picture” perspective to the jury. He evaluates arcade games based on their product strategy and monetization design, ensuring that the winner possesses the depth needed for long-term engagement and market longevity.
The Final Evaluation
The jury has been briefed, the builds have been shared, and the testing is underway. These five experts are currently diving deep into the mechanics, retention loops, and monetization strategies of our finalists to see which one truly hits the “High Score.”
Stay tuned! The announcement of the Rising Star Awards – Arcade Games is just around the corner.
