Mobile Gaming Marketplace for Africa’s Premier Brand

case study ·

Apps

Gaming

Mobile

About this project

As Africa’s leading publisher of mobile games and interactive content, Carry1st set out to expand its market reach and provide customers with easier access to top-ups, passes, gift cards, subscriptions, and vouchers for games and lifestyle services across the continent.

We partnered to address this challenge by developing a user-centric mobile shop compatible with iOS and Android that integrates their proprietary payment system and over 200 popular payment methods.

This case study unveils how we fueled Carry1st’s significant sales growth and helped the brand position itself as a trailblazer in the African gaming market.

What services did we perform?

01.
PRODUCT DISCOVERY

02.
PRODUCT DESIGN

03.
iOS APP DEVELOPMENT

04.
ANDROID APP DEVELOPMENT

05.
MAINTENANCE

Tablet and mobile screens presenting Carry1st's games and assets.

Project in numbers

+ 5,000,000

Yearly Downloads

A testament to the app's remarkable popularity and ability to captivate the audience.

+ 30,000

Monthly Active Users

A steadily growing user base, thriving across both iOS and Android platforms.

Project Challenges

The apps aimed to enable the seamless purchase of digital content, including gaming products, even in the face of slow network speeds and limited credit card accessibility. With a target audience spanning countries like Nigeria, South Africa, Kenya, Ghana, Egypt, and Morocco, it was also essential to tailor them to the distinct preferences of each market.

Balancing Competitiveness & Lucrativeness

Prioritizing the apps’ economy, we first had to optimize the flawed commission model. The aim was to create a solution that would entice digital content providers but, at the same time, ensure Carry1st's sustained profitability.

Enhancing Business Logic

Due to the significant deficiency in business logic and lack of essential calculations on the backend side, we needed to develop our own solutions. We seized this opportunity to engage in collaborative problem-solving with the client.

Navigating Regulations

Given the unique nature of Carry1st's offerings and the specific feature set of the app, we had to efficiently navigate Apple guidelines to meet stringent restrictions imposed by the App Store.

TRUSTED BY INDUSTRY PIONEERS

There is no better recommendation than the opinion of a satisfied customer. See what founders and managers say about cooperation with CrustLab.

Tinotenda Mundangepfupfu

Co-Founder & CTO

What impressed us most was their dedication to delivering value. They combined technical expertise with a clear understanding of our business goals. Their technical know-how and business expertise are impressive. What’s crucial is that we could rely on them for valuable guidance throughout the whole cooperation.

Wiktor Grabarczyk

CEO

It was pretty impressive how quickly they got acquainted with the project requirements and identified the challenges ahead. We also appreciated their dedication and eagerness to bring the highest value from day one.

SCOPE OF WORK

While the client contributed to the project by providing the backend and web front, we took charge of developing native mobile applications for the two leading operating systems.

01.

Product Discovery

In our quest for project delivery excellence, we started by gathering essential information and requirements. Recognizing the urgency, we assembled a seasoned team and established a solid cooperation within just a month!

Facing a stringent timeline and ambitious goals, we swiftly put our resources to work. Cooperating with the client’s team, we intensified our efforts to deliver functional solutions within the predetermined timeline.

02.

UX/UI Design

The client provided the initial designs and let us refine them to guarantee an exceptional user experience.

Our UX/UI team engaged in brainstorming sessions with Carry1st’s in-house designer, synergizing collective strengths. This resulted in aesthetically appealing but also highly functional and user-friendly prototypes.

03.

Product Development

We developed both applications from scratch, integrating them with the backend provided by Carry1st. Yet, it quickly turned out that functionalities included in the project roadmap didn’t align with the backend capabilities. We addressed this issue by making necessary modifications to the business logic and producing calculations crucial for optimal performance.

Due to the specific features included in the apps, we also had to adapt to stringent restrictions imposed by the App Store. Leveraging mobile development know-how, our team provided insights on adjusting features to guarantee compliance with strict marketplace guidelines.

Despite the challenges, our team exemplified adaptability, enabling us to launch the Android and iOS applications just six months after the project’s kick-off.

04.

Maintenance

We’ve been handling the maintenance phase since the first launch to ensure seamless functionality and top-tier performance. Focusing on app stability, the team has diligently monitored the app’s performance, constantly reviewed incidents, and promptly addressed any issues.

Core Features & System
Components

Only three months after the release, an astonishing 30% of the company’s sales have been generated through mobile apps. Let’s delve into the features and capabilities that powered this success.

Robust Loyalty System

The implemented loyalty system goes beyond rewarding transactions. With every coin spent, users earn discount points that can be redeemed for products, driving engagement and inspiring more purchases.

Payment Flexibility

The apps support payments with globally recognized credit cards like MasterCard and Visa. But with African users in mind, we've gone the extra mile by integrating locally popular payment methods such as PayPal, BitPay, Chipper, and over 200 more.

A tablet and mobile screen presenting Carry1st's login panel and assets.

Easy and Secure Login Process

Both applications leverage native biometrics such as TouchID and FaceID for quick access to the account. Plus, customers can enjoy seamless authentication with popular Google, Facebook, and Apple accounts. Safety and convenience – perfectly balanced.

Seamless Transactions

In-app transactions are even more hassle-free with Gems. Purchased in a local currency with a low exchange rate, Carry1st’s proprietary payment simplifies the check-out process and allows seamless transfers between friends.

Smart Shopping Dashboard

Thanks to a super intuitive interface, users can easily navigate among a multitude of products. With well-organized categories, finding desired items becomes a breeze. Mobile shopping has never been easier.

Infallible Fraud Prevention

Recognizing the value of safe transactions, we've partnered with Nethone – a fraud detection solution. This AI-powered tool identifies deceitful behavior, safeguarding users' accounts and protecting their precious Gems from any potential threats.

Social Sharing Program

Sharing products and achievements across social media platforms is also possible thanks to Carry1st's referral program. With multiple sharing options, users can connect with others, showcase their discoveries, and earn rewards for valuable recommendations.

The mobile screen presenting Carry1st's game top-ups and vouchers.

The mobile screen presenting Carry1st's help and contact.

On-demand Support

When users need support, they can easily connect with Carry1st’s agents or AI-powered bots through popular social media channels like WhatsApp, Instagram, or Facebook.

Personalized Push Notifications

Integrations with tools like CleverTap and Singular guarantee that users are the first to know about hot deals and special offers, delivering timely updates straight to their notification panels.

Result

Our solution revolutionized Carry1st’s digital reach, connecting African consumers with a lightning-fast app that turns mobile-first into mobile-best. Against the odds of low-speed networks, the apps perform like a powerhouse with a 99,6% crash-free rate. Organic adoption and in-app purchases continue to soar, driving an impressive annual revenue.

Two mobile screens on the sides and a tablet screen in the middle presenting the app's dashboard.

We found the performance results very satisfying. The apps run smoothly with almost no crashes, and their reliability has helped us attract more mobile users. Currently, the apps contribute to a fair portion of our overall sales, and we anticipate this to rise even more in the future.