History of Match 3

The combined lifetime revenue of the big Match 3 games is $24 Bil. 🤑 and 5 Bil. downloads 🤯 on mobile. We covered the 13 years long evolution in our most longest and comprehensive episode yet 😎 looking at the top grossing games in the current charts. The overall trend of the market suggest it is an elite club as during the last 3 years there are no new games with critical scale as Laura pointed out. Space Ape Games's Chrome Valley Customs, released in 2023, being the most successful one with $40 Mil. lifetime revenue. To get a comparison, Dream Games's Royal Match was doing $20. Mil. a month 1 year after release, currently $120 Mil. per month 😅 and even King's Candy Crush is still making $80 Mil. a month, being a 13 years old game 👵. Having […]

Jakub Remiar December 19

Journal

Mobile Gaming in South East Asia

South East Asia is a region with strong potential for growth in the coming years, particularly within the mobile sector. This includes mobile gaming, non-gaming apps, and the overall mobile industry. I got a lot of questions about data for this region. For that reason I created that report covering mobile topics (with strong focus on mobile gaming and mobile apps) in South East Asia (especially: Vietnam, Thailand, Cambodia, Indonesia, Singapore, Philippines, Malaysia). - general data about internet and mobile in South East Asia - detailed data about mobile gaming in South East Asia - detailed information about mobile apps in South East Asia

Mariusz Gąsiewski December 19

Journal

Is your game fun?

🚀 Ultimate guide to understand if your game is fun 🔑 11 key items on measuring Fun𝟭. 𝗣𝗹𝗮𝘆𝗲𝗿 𝗘𝗻𝗴𝗮𝗴𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗥𝗲𝘁𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻• Return Rates: Measures how often players come back.• Churn Analysis: Helps identify why players stop playing.• Time Spent Playing: Indicates how captivating the game is.𝟮. 𝗖𝗵𝗮𝗹𝗹𝗲𝗻𝗴𝗲 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗙𝗹𝗼𝘄• Progression Curves: Smooth difficulty increases keep players motivated.• Balance Between Challenge and Skill: Ensures the game is neither easy nor hard.𝟯. 𝗦𝗼𝗰𝗶𝗮𝗹 𝗜𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗮𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗖𝗼𝗺𝗺𝘂𝗻𝗶𝘁𝘆• Multiplayer Features: Enhances fun through cooperation or competition.• Community Engagement: Active forums and events foster a sense of belonging.𝟰. 𝗡𝗮𝗿𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗦𝘁𝗼𝗿𝘆𝘁𝗲𝗹𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗴• Player Choices Impacting Story: Increases investment through agency.• Engaging Plot and Characters: Deep stories and relatable characters draw players in.𝟱. 𝗨𝘀𝗮𝗯𝗶𝗹𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗿𝗼𝗹𝘀• Intuitive Interface: Easy navigation keeps focus on gameplay.• Responsive Controls: Smooth mechanics enhance player satisfaction.• Accessibility Options: Makes the game enjoyable […]

M. Ali Saatchi December 19

Journal

‘Pick Me Up’ By SuperSonic

HYBRIDCASUAL STUDIES“PICK ME UP” BY SUPERSONIC & HIBOX Hello, Mobile Gaming Fanatics! 🤪Last month, I posted about Supersonic from Unity's competition for new Hybridcasual titles (link in the comments). 💪Among the sub-genres being focused on in the competition is Idle Resource Management (IRM).To support your search for a new IRM 🤩, I bring you a study of the new game that is starting to be successful, “Pick Me Up”.Developed by Hibox and published by Supersonic, “Pick Me Up” is an excellent case of how to build an IRM game from an everyday theme.The theme of “Pick Me Up” is the car-sharing business (a.k.a. Uber). 🚗📲Hibox's version is detailed and fine-tuned, giving the player the feeling of opening a new ride-sharing startup! 👏👇 Swipe through the slides below and see similarities between the game and the Uber app. 👇The game has […]

Carlos Pereira December 19

Analysis

Match Factory’s Success and Gameplay Mechanics

Match Factory, a standout in the Match-3D genre from Peak Games, has quickly captured players’ attention, generating an impressive $350K in Daily Revenue. But what’s driving this success? By dissecting its gameplay mechanics, difficulty curve, monetization strategy, and player engagement features, we can better understand how Match Factory blends the best practices from its predecessors while putting its own spin on the genre. Revenue Graph Game Design & Core Gameplay At its heart, Match Factory is a match-3D puzzle game with a classic yet refined twist. Players tap on items on the grid to create matches of three or more identical items. When successful, the items disappear, and new items fall to fill the gaps, making for a fast-paced, satisfying gameplay loop. But beyond these basic mechanics, Match Factory layers in complexity, keeping players hooked level after level. The core objectives revolve around matching and clearing items, […]

Aylin YAZICI December 18

Journal

Apple: Most-downloaded Games of 2024

As 2024 ends, Apple has revealed the most downloaded games and apps in the U.S. You can find the year-end charts on the App Store’s Today tab for iPhone and iPad. These charts highlight the top Apple Arcade games and the most popular free and paid apps and games. This list follows the 2024 App Store Awards announced last week. It’s interesting to see a mix of new games and long-time favorites, like Monopoly Go, Roblox, Minecraft, Royal Match, Subway Surfers, Stardew Valley, and Among Us. Top Apple Arcade Games NBA 2K24 Arcade EditionSnake.io+Hello Kitty Island AdventureSneaky SasquatchBloons TD 6+Sonic Dream TeamNFL Retro Bowl ’25Disney Dreamlight ValleyCooking Mama: Cuisine!Solitaire by MobilityWare+ Top Free iPhone Games Block Blast！Monopoly Go!RobloxCall of Duty: Warzone MobileTownshipLast War:SurvivalRoyal MatchBrawl StarsSubway SurfersMy Perfect Hotel Top Paid iPhone Games Minecraft: Play with FriendsHeads Up!Geometry DashPapa’s Freezeria To […]

Ömer Yakabagi December 18

Journal

Experts’ Favorite Games of 2024

What is your favorite game to play in 2024?I asked 5 Game Industry Experts, here they are: Matej , UA and Marketing Consultant,Capybara Go!You know him from two & a half gamers,His pick is an absolute revenue making machine,Scaling big time in mobile platform, Eric, Principal at Gossamer ConsultingWorld of Warcraft: The War Within.‘’Even after 20 years, WoW remains the gold standard for the MMO genre.’’And he is absolutely right.This particular expansion features‘’ ↳ a compelling storyline ↳ innovative additions like scalable Delves, ↳ the Hero Talents system, ↳ and Warbands for shared character progression’’ Renata, Head of PR at UGC NinjaRoyal Match by Dream GamesShe is particularly interested in Level and progress system, and as she isAround lvl 777, it’s safe to say she is addicted.Sergei, LiveOps Director Wargaming,Astro Bot and also mentioned Helldivers 2.We know he like spending […]

Gökhan Üzmez December 18

Journal

Smart Signal Integration: UA Boost by 50%

In the competitive world of app growth and user acquisition (UA), the quality and quantity of signals sent to your UA channels can make or break your campaigns. Whether it’s SDK integrations, Conversion API (CAPI) data, or Mobile Measurement Partner (MMP) events, the richness of these signals defines your ability to optimize and scale effectively. Let’s explore why signal growth is vital and how standard and custom events play a pivotal role. What Are Signals in UA? Signals are the data points shared with advertising platforms, providing insights into user behavior, campaign performance, and downstream events. These signals enable platforms like Meta, Google, TikTok, and Applovin to optimize ad delivery, targeting, and bidding in real-time. The three main sources of UA signals are: SDK Events: Embedded in your app, SDKs send key events directly to UA platforms or MMPs. CAPI […]

Doruk Kasoglu December 18

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 Games Downloads Heatmap 2024

Mobile Games Downloads Heatmap 2024 Here’s the breakdown by genre, with all the numbers:1. Hypercasual Games (https://lnkd.in/epJ6KA2Y) • Total Downloads: 12.9B (-9.9%) • Puzzle: 3.0B (-11.1%) • Arcade: 2.7B (-12.2%) • Runner: 1.5B (-14.5%) • Idle Arcade: 1.0B (21.9%) • Shooter: 542.8M (7.1%) • Simulation: 1.1B (-9.7%) • Clicker/Idle: 197.2M (-15.3%) • Other genres like Rhythm (-22.5%) and Satisfaction (-12.5%)2. Casual Games (https://lnkd.in/e6MViVcK) • Total Downloads: 28.3B (-1.3%) • Match-3: 885.3M (-19.9%) • Merge: 608.6M (20.5%) • Kids: 4.6B (0.8%) • Simulation: 4.3B (3.6%) • Bubble Shooter: 398.0M (-16.7%) • Hidden Objects: 235.4M (9.7%)3. Midcore Games (https://lnkd.in/eJ7_A4Ed) • Total Downloads: 12.4B (+0.4%) • Shooter: 2.4B (-3.2%) • Racing: 1.0B (10.0%) • Action/Brawl: 427.7M (34.9%) • Real-Time Strategy (RTS): 408.5M (14.6%) • Action RPG: 263.9M (20.5%) • Idle RPG: 234.5M (17.1%) • Card Battler: 97.1M (15.6%)Key Takeaways: • Hypercasual continues to […]

Anton Slashcev December 18

Journal

Survive(d) to 2025

As we head into 2025, the gaming world is buzzing with possibilities. New platforms, evolving player expectations, and industry shifts are all setting the stage for an exciting year. Drawing from insights shared by developers, publishers, and players, here’s a look at the key trends poised to shape gaming in 2025. “Play Anywhere” Is the Future Gaming is no longer tied to a specific device. In 2025, the “play anywhere” model is going to take off in a big way. Developers are focusing on creating seamless cross-platform experiences, whether on PC, console, mobile, or even web browsers. With the M4 chip, iPads are now capable of running increasingly complex games. While Apple’s early release of Death Stranding on iOS may have been ambitious, it signals the arrival of premium AAA titles on mobile. The technology is here, and 2025 is likely to […]

Adam Smart December 18

Journal

Sports Apps are becoming increasingly popular.

Sports apps are becoming increasingly popular. As I work on the business side of the sports industry, I decided to examine three types of sports apps: Sports Betting, Sports News, and Sports Games—from a data perspective. I am sharing some part of my analysis in this post. It should be interesting for anyone working with those topics and/or interested in Sports topics in general. A few elements: ▪️ Sports Betting grew significantly in 2023 and is growing strongly in 2024 still ▪️ That growth is especially visible on iOS (2023 was a period with very strong growth on Android and 2024 that focus moved more towards improving user quality, growing user loyalty) ▪️ Sports News and Sports Games have slower growth, although they have still very significant scale ▪️ We see more and more apps that focus not only on […]

Mariusz Gąsiewski December 18

Journal

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