ReportA Liftoff Company
2023 A Liftoff Company Midcore Gaming Apps Report
1 Jan 202332 pages~28 min full read
Midcore mobile games now account for approximately one-third of U.S. iOS gaming revenue, driven by high player engagement and diversified monetization.
See it on page 17Strategy games, specifically 4X-build and battle titles, dominate the top-grossing segment, claiming seven of the ten highest-earning iOS midcore games.
See it on page 17Acquisition costs for midcore titles are significantly higher on iOS at $2 per install compared to $0.73 on Android, yet they achieve an average day-seven return on ad spend of 4.3%.
See it on page 7Shooter titles and EMEA markets currently lead performance metrics, delivering the highest returns on ad spend at 6% and 4.4% respectively.
See it on page 4Top-tier midcore games maintain engagement and revenue through intensive LiveOps, running an average of 15 simultaneous events like PvP seasons and guild competitions.
See it on page 30Publishers are increasingly bypassing app storefronts by directing players to external web stores to offer better-priced bundles, a trend adopted by titles like Clash of Clans and Star Wars: Galaxy of Heroes.
See it on page 28Midcore titles demonstrate superior long-term viability, as almost all new releases that remain in the top 200 for a full year belong to the midcore category.
See it on page 18Midcore mobile games now represent roughly one‑third of U.S. iOS gaming revenue, a share that has expanded thanks to higher player engagement and diversified monetization streams. The average cost per install on iOS is about $2, roughly double the figure for casual titles, while Android users cost only $0.73 per install. Despite higher acquisition costs, day‑seven return on ad spend averages 4.3 % overall, with shooters and EMEA markets achieving the highest returns (6 % and 4.4 %, respectively). These figures underscore the importance of sustained LiveOps to maintain high lifetime value among midcore players.
Genre analysis shows that strategy games—particularly 4X‑build and battle titles—dominate the top‑grossing segment, accounting for seven of the ten highest‑earning iOS midcore games. Shooter titles such as Call of Duty: Mobile and PUBG Mobile anchor the shooter category, while Genshin Impact remains the sole RPG in the top‑ten. New releases that remain within the top 200 over a full year are almost exclusively midcore, highlighting their longer‑term engagement and monetization potential.
Publishers increasingly bypass Apple and Google storefronts, directing players to external web stores after the Epic‑Apple lawsuit opened that possibility. Leading titles—including Game of Thrones: Conquest, Clash of Clans, Star Wars: Galaxy of Heroes and Star Trek Fleet Command—use these sites to offer better‑priced bundles. Concurrently, top midcore games maintain high LiveOps activity, running an average of 15 simultaneous events such as PvP seasons and guild competitions to drive engagement and in‑app purchase revenue.
