Magic Sort Analysis: Grand Games’ New Treasure

Here’s what’s covered in this analysis article on Magic Sort:

• The Rise of Magic Sort: Financial Success and Funding
• Gameplay and Monetization: Relaxation Meets Revenue
• User Acquisition Challenges
• Visual Appeal and Player Experience
• Grand Games: A Unique Player in Casual Gaming
• Future Opportunities: LiveOps, Progression, and Global Expansion

Magic Sort: Impressive Earnings, But Can It Scale Globally?

The buzz surrounding Magic Sort has been undeniable. With the game already raking in impressive daily revenues between $80K to $100K and securing $30 million in Series A funding, things are looking bright for the puzzle game. However, there’s an interesting question lingering: Can the game sustain this momentum with its current user acquisition (UA) strategy? And more importantly, is it really set for scaling on a global level?

Magic Sort’s initial performance, especially in markets like Türkiye, has been nothing short of stellar. But there’s a bigger question at hand: Can it replicate that success in other regions, and does it have the marketing firepower to make that happen?

The Rise of the Sort Puzzle Sub-Genre

The sort puzzle sub-genre has historically been dominated by ad-revenue-driven games with relatively modest production quality. But the tide is turning. With games like Hexasort by Lion Studios introducing their unique twist on the sorting core—and a stronger emphasis on in-app purchase (IAP)-based monetization —the sub-genre is ripe for disruption.

Magic Sort is leading this wave of change, offering high-production visuals, more diverse level design, and a clear shift toward aggressive monetization strategies. It’s a far cry from the simple, ad-heavy games of the past, and players are responding to the premium feel Magic Sort brings to the table.

A Calm Yet Monetized Experience

Most water-sorting puzzle games won’t tell you if you’ve bricked your level with an incorrect move. Some games, like Colorwood, add timers to levels, adding stress and urgency to the gameplay. But Magic Sort stands out by keeping the calmness of no timers and no move limits—a smart move that enhances the relaxing nature of the game.

Instead of leaving players frustrated when they brick a level, Magic Sort turns this moment into a monetized fail-state scenario. Players immediately get an offer to add “+1 more bottle”—a mechanic reminiscent of Candy Crush’s +5 moves offer. This strategy is a win-win: it provides a quick solution for players and a lucrative revenue stream for the developers.

Adding to the premium feel, ads don’t start appearing until level 22. This thoughtful pacing gives players time to immerse themselves in the game before introducing ad monetization. It’s a strategic move that positions Magic Sort closer to the “premium casual” category while still maintaining a hybrid monetization model.

A Soft Launch Vibe: Solid Start, Room to Grow

Currently, Magic Sort is following a somewhat soft launch strategy. With only two active channels for UA — Facebook and Applovin — the game’s growth feels more like a test run rather than a full-blown global push. This mirrors what we saw a couple of months ago with Triple Match City, where the early stages of the game had limited channel reach but still managed to deliver strong performance, particularly in Turkey.

The Applovin setup is solid, with eight different playables (interactive ads that let users experience part of the game before downloading). This is great for retention and conversion, which are key for a puzzle game like Magic Sort. But what’s glaringly missing are the other major players in the UA space: no Google Ads, no Mintegral, no Moloco, and certainly no TikTok creatives — some of the most powerful tools in the industry today for scaling a game of this type.

Could Magic Sort break into broader markets without diversifying its ad strategy? If the numbers are anything to go by, this puzzle game might just have the traction it needs to expand. But as of now, the game’s user acquisition setup feels more like the early phases of testing rather than gearing up for worldwide success.

The Magic of the Puzzle: Sorting and Relaxing

When it comes to gameplay, Magic Sort is all about liquid sorting. Players are tasked with organizing different colored liquids into containers so that each one holds only one color. While simple, this mechanic offers a surprisingly engaging challenge. With increasing complexity as players progress — more containers, colors, and obstacles — Magic Sort strikes the perfect balance between fun and frustration. However, is it offering anything truly groundbreaking?

The game doesn’t quite break the mold in terms of gameplay innovation, especially when compared to its hyper-casual counterparts like Sort It 3D. Still, the strategic element required to avoid dead-ends and efficiently manage each move sets it apart, especially for casual gamers who love that “just one more try” feel.

What really sets Magic Sort apart, though, is its charm. The vibrant colors, smooth animations, and a constant stream of fresh challenges make each level feel like a small accomplishment. Plus, there are plenty of boosts and surprises along the way, adding that extra bit of strategy to keep things interesting. It’s a game that’s easy to pick up but hard to put down—perfect for those moments when you just want to unwind.

Visually, the game has been well-received. The fluid mechanics are accentuated by polished animations that make pouring and sorting water an oddly satisfying visual experience. The liquid swirls, the way it flows in and out of the bottles — every movement looks smooth and is incredibly satisfying to the player’s eye. While it may not be revolutionary, it’s certainly well-executed.

Key Features:

• Spellbinding Levels: A steady progression of challenging puzzles to keep you hooked.
• Wizard’s Gear: Magic tools like ‘Undo’ and ‘Shuffle’ to help you out of tight spots.
• Vivid Splashes: Eye-popping colors and smooth animations to enhance the visual experience.
• Unique Twists: Classic puzzle elements given a magical, colorful makeover.
• Boosts & Surprises: Little strategic surprises that add depth to the gameplay.
• Mystical Ingredients: Collecting ingredients to brew stronger magic and make your sorting adventures even more exciting!

Monetization Strategies: A Freemium Approach

In terms of monetization, Magic Sort employs a typical freemium model. The game is free to download and offers in-app purchases, particularly tools and boosters that help players solve difficult puzzles. The options include “Undo” and “Shuffle” tools that can alleviate some of the more frustrating dead-ends that inevitably crop up in later levels. These options are available for a fee, and as we’ve seen with similar puzzle games, this model has the potential for significant revenue generation if the game’s user base grows.

With its daily revenue reaching up to $100K, it seems that players are willing to spend on these features, which is a good sign for the game’s long-term potential. However, Magic Sort will need to refine its in-game economy and find the right balance between keeping the game fun and avoiding pay-to-win mechanics that might turn casual players away.

A Glaring Weakness: The Lack of Diverse UA Channels

While the game’s success in Turkey can’t be ignored, the current reliance on just two UA channels — Applovin and Facebook — feels like it’s holding Magic Sort back from truly scaling. With such a small advertising footprint, it’s unclear if the game can break out on a global scale, especially when competitors in the same genre are already leveraging diverse advertising strategies across multiple platforms.

A key insight here is that without diversifying their UA setup to include other platforms like TikTok, Google Ads, and networks like Mintegral and Moloco, Magic Sort might face difficulties when it comes to reaching wider audiences and acquiring high-quality users in markets outside Turkey. With a $30 million Series A funding behind it, the game should be ready to spread its wings and target new audiences with more creative and expansive ad strategies.

A Stellar Revenue Performance: Magic Sort is Cooking!

Magic Sort has already amassed $3 million from 593K installs, with almost half of the total revenue coming from just the last 30 days! The game is showing incredible potential to accelerate, especially as it gets more traction in different regions. With $1 million and 230K installs in the last 30 days alone, it’s clear that Magic Sort is finding its rhythm, and this is only the beginning.

As we move into January and February, it’ll be fascinating to see how the game continues to perform, especially when it starts to expand its user base beyond Turkey. Magic Sort is still cooking, and the numbers show that it has the right ingredients to scale.

Looking Ahead: Can Magic Sort Become the Next Big Thing?

As for Magic Sort’s future, it’s clear that the game has a solid foundation to build on. With its strong start in revenue, proven gameplay mechanics, and decent production value, it certainly has the makings of a puzzle game powerhouse. But will it be able to scale to the heights of other genre leaders like Royal Match or Triple Match City?

The potential is there, but the game needs to address some of its current limitations, such as a broader UA strategy and potential innovations in its gameplay. However, if they manage to refine their LiveOps, introduce additional progression systems (such as collectible albums or new game modes), and really nail down a more diverse set of ads, there’s no doubt Magic Sort could continue its upward trajectory and claim its place as the next big thing in the casual gaming world.

With a little more polish, the right marketing approach, and sustained player engagement, Magic Sort might just be the puzzle game that captivates audiences everywhere. For now, it remains one to watch closely.

Grand Games: The Outlier in Casual Gaming

Let’s zoom out for a second. Magic Sort is more than just a fun puzzle game — it’s the flagship title for Grand Games, a venture-backed company that’s already making waves. In just six months, Magic Sort and another Grand Games title have collectively earned over $4 million in gross app revenues. That’s no small feat for a studio that’s still in the early stages of growth.

What sets Grand Games apart is that it’s one of the few venture-backed companies in the casual gaming space. Most indie devs in this genre tend to bootstrap, but Grand Games managed to secure $30 million in Series A funding, putting them in the same company as mobile giants like Dream Games and Supercell. This isn’t just another hit puzzle game — it’s the beginning of something potentially massive.

More Features to Come

While Magic Sort is already making waves, there’s still room for growth. Features like secondary progression systems and a robust live ops event structure—similar to what we see in Royal Match—could elevate the game even further. These additions would enhance player engagement and retention, solidifying Magic Sort’s position in the market.

And let’s not be fooled by its relatively “low daily revenue” compared to puzzle juggernauts. Games in this category take time to fully mature their monetization potential, but once they hit their stride, they become unstoppable trains of success.

Is Magic Sort the Next Big Puzzle Game? 🧩🌍

The future looks bright for Magic Sort. With its addicting gameplay, stunning visuals, and promising monetization, it’s already a standout in the crowded puzzle game market. But to truly dominate globally, the team will need to scale up its UA efforts, diversify its advertising channels, and continue refining the gameplay experience.

By diversifying its marketing efforts and tapping into new global markets, Magic Sort could easily become the next big thing in mobile gaming. The potential is huge, and with the backing of $30 million, it’s only a matter of time before the game reaches its full potential.

One thing’s for sure: Magic Sort is a game you’ll want to keep an eye on. Whether or not it becomes the next big puzzle game, there’s no denying that it’s already making some serious waves. The magic is just getting started!

Analysis by Aylin Yazıcı. Feel free to contact me.