Games are changing. Always. As new platforms continue to emerge and capture coveted screentime, our strategy is not simply to adapt to fresh landscapes, but to seek to anticipate them.

From the early days of Zynga in pioneering social games on Facebook to our current position as a leader in mobile live operations, we’ve always thrived by looking forward and never being afraid to stick to a “fail fast” development philosophy. As the social media and gaming topography continues to shift, we have proven nimble in our approach to emerging platforms, taking swings to not only hit home runs, but also learn from misses.

Recently, Zynga has announced two game title launches which showcase our reach, deepening player engagement and boldly experimenting in new ecosystems. In August, we will launch Zynga Poker on Steam. It’s a major milestone: Our very first game, originally launched in 2007 natively on then-nascent Facebook, Zynga Poker will be available to download on one of the world’s largest PC platforms. With over 250 million lifetime downloads, Zynga Poker has long been a pillar of our portfolio, and now we’re extending its community to a brand-new audience of desktop gamers while giving current players more ways to play.

We were also thrilled to unveil Tiny Royale: ZOMBIES! on Discord in June, a reimagined take on our 2019 battle royale game originally launched on Snapchat. By bringing Tiny Royale: ZOMBIES! to Discord, we’re meeting players where they are, introducing them to a game that fits the format, tone, and pace of this always-on social space. This updated version of the social battle game builds on the fast-paced, bite-sized action of the original title while evolving the experience for the unique dynamics of Discord’s player communities, allowing players to display their unique Discord Avatars and IDs in-game and add direct links to the official Tiny Royale server in their personal servers.

These platform expansions are more than just exciting new launches, they’re a reflection of our development philosophy. We believe in building iteratively, listening closely to community feedback, and improving constantly. We’re not afraid to fail, as long as we do it quickly and incorporate learnings from every new iteration. We want to meet players wherever they are, but it’s also important to keep an eye on emerging spaces with growing potential to ensure we’re one of the first ones there. Not every platform is going to work for us, but we place an emphasis on nimble exploration when it comes to where our games could live and where potential audiences are congregating.

Both Tiny Royale: ZOMBIES! and Zynga Poker’s Steam debut are outgrowths from learnings we discovered through previous ventures onto emerging platforms, such as our web3 project Sugartown last year and 2020’s Amazon Echo exclusive Word Pop. While not everything has been a success, we have gleaned valuable insight that we believe has only strengthened our approach to broader platforms: Strong engagement, rich community feedback, and invaluable learnings that are helping shape our approach to emerging platforms.

The mobile gaming landscape is evolving fast. While mobile remains the largest and most vibrant space for games globally, players’ habits are becoming more fragmented and more platform-agnostic. Users don’t just want great games, they want great games where they already are, whether that’s on a phone, PC, or inside a chat window with friends on their favorite social platform.

Zynga is uniquely positioned to lead in this shift. We have a world-class portfolio of games, decades of expertise in live game operations, and the agility of a company that’s never been afraid to test, learn, and pivot. Our focus on player-first design, combined with a healthy appetite for experimentation, keeps us on the leading edge of the industry.

We’re excited about what’s ahead. Whether it’s Discord, Steam, or platforms yet to emerge, our mission remains the same, to bring a bit of fun to every screen, everyday. And as we expand our reach, we’ll continue listening to our players, moving fast, and shaping the future of interactive entertainment, one platform at a time.

• Scott Koenigsberg, Chief Product Officer, Zynga