What’s Next for Match-3 Puzzle RPGs?

The Match-3 Puzzle RPG genre has been a stalwart of mobile gaming, blending engaging puzzle mechanics with RPG depth. This article focuses on discussing this segment’s current state and predicting future trends and directions. Note: This article includes data from AppMagic, Match-3 Puzzle RPG segment. Current State of Match-3 Puzzle RPGs Titles like Empires & Puzzles by Small Giant Games and Zynga, as well as Puzzle & Dragons, have set high benchmarks according to AppMagic. Empires & Puzzles, for instance, still rakes in approx. $10M per month via IAPs — bolstered further, most likely, by its webshop presence. These games exemplify longevity and profitability in this segment. Empires & Puzzles, Revenue (Source: AppMagic). While the classics thrive, the market has not really seen new launches. The last significant entry I recall was Call of Antia, which launched with promise, leveraging […]

Antti Kananen January 2

Journal

The Next Frontier in 4X: Pure Hybrid Casual 4X Games

The 4X Strategy Games genre, known for its complexity and depth, has long dominated the hardcore space, even after post-IDFA — but, how? Mostly, and very recently, thanks to hybrid casual elements slipping into 4X onboarding, first time user experience (FTUE), and UA strategies. This article focuses on discussing about current and upcoming trends for 4X Strategy Games, with emphasis on Hybrid Casual elements slipping into the genre. Note: This article has data from AppMagic; 4X Strategy segment. Growth Trend for 4X Strategy Games As mobile games continue to evolve due to e.g., post-IDFA effects, hybrid casual elements have been slipping into the 4X ecosystem — specifically to onboarding, FTUE, UA, and driving users to learn the 4X gameplay and systems around it through mini-game takes. Thanks to this the segment has been actually growing lately, instead of churning out […]

Antti Kananen January 1

Analysis

Thinking About Making a Screw Puzzle Game?

Thinking about making a Screw Puzzle game (/Nuts & Bolts game)? You should think again! The market may look appealing, but you should rethink. This article discusses about the current state of a Screw Puzzle segment and what these games should do to start getting more downloads and revenue. Note: This article has data from AppMagic; Screw Puzzle segment. Current State of Screw Puzzle Segment AppMagic paints the picture; the genre has seen its peak, and is now on a downward trajectory. From Q4 2023 to Jul-Sept. 2024, the market saw fast growth, peaking in downloads and revenue — but, now the story is different: Downloads A steep decline, driven by a churning retention profile, rising CPIs due to saturation, and a slowing ROAS profile. Screw Puzzle segment, Top 100 Downloads (Source: AppMagic). In terms of downloads, after a big […]

Antti Kananen January 1

Analysis

Hexa Sort Puzzle Segment: Growth, Challenges, and Lessons

The Hexa Sort sub-segment, led by Hexa Sort by Lion Studios, remains as a promising, yet still small, Casual Puzzle / Sort Puzzle sub-segment. This article dives deep into one of the interesting phenomena’s which were spotted in 2024: the Hexa Sort game and the sub-segment it has formalized (/is giving inspiration for). The article discusses trends as well as future opportunities for this particular sub-segment. Note: This article has data from AppMagic, Hexa Sort and its competitors. State of the Hexa Sort Puzzle Segment Hexa Sort: The Leader Hexa Sort stands as the king of the hill, leading in IAP revenue and Ads revenue. Its success lies in balanced, well-planned UX, tying engagement with monetization: 🔹 Dopamine-driven gameplay encourages positive reviews, rewarded video views, and currency use, blending monetization with satisfaction. 🔹 This game design drives strong monetization while […]

Antti Kananen January 1

Analysis

Match 3D Puzzle Games: Bright Future for 2025 and Beyond

The Match 3D puzzle game segment continues to dominate, showcasing resilience and strong growth in both revenue and downloads. This article discusses about current state of the Match 3D Puzzle Games segment as well as gives trends and predictions for 2025 and beyond. Note: This article has data from AppMagic, Match 3D segment. Match 3D Outlook According to AppMagic, titles such as Triple Match 3D by Boombox Games, Match Factory! by Peak, and Match 3D by Lion Studios have established themselves as leaders by combining engaging puzzle game mechanics with good-fitting meta-features. These games have not only captivated casual players but also maintained their positions as high-performing titles in mobile game markets. Match 3D segment, Top 100 Revenue (Source: AppMagic). Match 3D segment, Top 100 Downloads (Source: AppMagic). Why They’re Thriving Match 3D games succeed because they tap into core […]

Antti Kananen January 1

Analysis

The Next Billion-Dollar Merge Games

Merge games segment on mobile has seen interesting takes in past couple years, from Merge Mansion originally boasting the genre up — with Travel Town and Gossip Harbor raising their heads up as followers, who managed to raise to the genre’s top.This article focuses on looking beyond what is currently out there, with giving some trends and predictions for the near and longer future, in terms of what type of merge games we would be seeing (hopefully) — and, discussing, why these introduced topics could make sense for the genre.Note: This article has data from AppMagic; Merge Games segment.Innovation Meets DepthMerge games have proven their staying power with Travel Town and Gossip Harbor blending solid grid management with narrative-driven building layers (in terms of grid management and how it boasts from engagement to economy and monetization, Travel Town has done […]

Antti Kananen December 31

Journal

Why Business Modeling Your F2P Mobile Game is Important?

Business modeling is key nowadays, when the mobile games funnel is operated from top of the funnel approach, in building and Live Operating your mobile game(s) successfully.This article discusses, in short, about key points and principles of business modeling — and why it’s needed for successful new game development and Live Ops in mobile games business.Why Business Modeling?The answer lies within two basic principles:1. Healthiness of your product in terms of LTV > CPI:Having your e.g., ROAS profiled properly against your UA efforts.One step down more from ROAS?Overall with that you can look into your retention metrics, retention curve, monetization KPIs as well as UA metrics, cohorts, and so on.Helps you to realize if you have business case, or not — navigation / exploration tool during iterative development; find more about iterative development and method here (https://gamesalchemy.substack.com/p/2-get-iterative-game-development):2. Prioritization for your […]

Antti Kananen December 26

Journal

D2C / Webshops in Mobile Games

2024 has been the year where D2C webshops in F2P mobile games truly peaked as a transformative trend. This article focuses on giving a short status on what’s the current state of D2C, after which the weighting moves for predicting 2025 and future developments on this front.D2C / Webshops in 2024If you’re a developer or publisher and don't have D2C strategy — it’s time to catch up fast! The numbers and patterns show it clearly: webshops are no longer an experiment; they’re a critical layer for revenue and engagement, where developers and publishers are finally able to tackle platform fees for boosting up their margins.In 2024, it’s been fascinating to see how e-commerce elements have enhanced D2C. Compared to the static storefronts, we’ve seen a step in creating seamless experiences, as developers and publishers have been managed to get required […]

Antti Kananen December 25

Journal

Stakeholder and Executive Expectations Management in Iterative Development

Iterative development vs. business. How do we as an industry still tackle it wrongly most often? Where is the trust in real iterations?This article focuses on stakeholder and executive expectations management during iterative development and it’s partly a continuation post to my post about iterative game development (see more: https://gamesalchemy.substack.com/p/2-get-iterative-game-development): Business vs. Real and True Iterative DevelopmentOverall, trying to keep it a bit shorter this time; if we would follow right type of iterative approach, we shouldn't limit ourselves with the constraints of business too much. Yet, we do that by setting strict timelines, deadlines, budgets, and such — and, sometimes, even set in place strict game design documents, and similar things, to be followed madly beyond true iterative means. What is set in place, in this context, it is usually done by management, or team in collab. with management.Real […]

Antti Kananen December 23

Journal

Mobile MMOs: Innovation Opportunities in 2025

Mobile MMOs: Innovation Opportunities in 2025 🎮🌍 The mobile #MMO genre remains an interesting frontier, offering opportunities for creative disruption. While high barriers to entry deter newcomers, the potential for innovation—and rewards—makes it a ripe area for exploration. Trends to Look in Mobile MMOs:1. Lapsed and Underserved Audiences 👨‍🔧🗡️Western gamers who grew up on #MMOs like #WorldofWarcraft now face 'constraints' by life. #MobileMMOs designed for short, flexible play could attract these players, offering them nostalgic experiences in an accessible format. E.g., creating systems where players feel empowered without excessive grinding, such as streamlined progression mechanics inspired by lighter ARPGs, would be worth to be studied. Additioanlly, MMOs can be mixed with open and non-open design, making them light while retaining key elements.2. Eastern Market vs. Western Market 📉📈MMOs flourish in Asian markets, where habits are around long sessions and intricate […]

Antti Kananen December 18

Journal

Mobile Gaming Industry: Innovation, Reinvention, and Growth

The Mobile Gaming Industry: Innovation, Reinvention, and Growth 🌟 We are living through a transformative phase in the #gamingindustry where a series of converging trends are reshaping how #mobilegames are developed, distributed, and sustained. Over the past couple years only, these changes have sparked new opportunities and challenges, setting the stage for continued growth in 2025 and beyond. If you think about it, it's pretty amazing how fast everything has evolved. Here are few things we've seen:1. High-Velocity and Emergent Innovation 🌟🚀The rise of #hybridcasual and emergent #puzzlegames games over the past few years ignited a wave of fast-paced innovation. This momentum has given birth to genres like #Match3D, while hybrid casual games are evolving towards deeper meta systems and social features. These games are no longer just fleeting experiences—they are transforming into experiences with sustained engagement, blending casual accessibility […]

Antti Kananen December 9

Journal

Match 3D Puzzle Games: A Bright Future for 2025 🧩

Match 3D Puzzle Games: A Bright Future for 2025 🧩🌟 The #Match3D puzzle game segment continues to dominate, showcasing resilience and strong growth in both revenue and downloads. According to AppMagic (Source, titles such as Triple Match 3D by Boombox Games, Match Factory! by Peak, and Match 3D by Lion Studios have established themselves as leaders by combining engaging #puzzlegame mechanics with good-fitting meta-features. These games have not only captivated casual players but also maintained their positions as high-performing titles in #mobilegames markets.Why They’re ThrivingMatch 3D games succeed because they tap into core player motivations—simplicity, relaxation, escapism, and mental stimulation—while layering on exciting advancements:🎯 Dynamic Refreshment: Regular updates with fresh content ensure players stay engaged.🏆 Progression Systems: Unlockable themes, collectibles, and personalized upgrades create a sense of accomplishment.🤝 Community Play: Asynchronous leaderboards and challenges foster a sense of competition and […]

Antti Kananen December 4

Antti Kananen

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