Updated Mar 17, 2026 by Newzoo
Genre is the primary driver of mobile-game discovery for 49% of players across nine major markets, outweighing both advertising and recommendations.
Strategy games generate the highest lifetime value and revenue per install due to dense monetization layers including loot-box bundles, consumable boosts, and limited-time offers.
Puzzle games, which attract a demographic that is approximately 70% female and 60% aged 35+, suffer from high churn because only 17–32% of players feel satisfied with current offerings.
Aggressive monetization is a primary driver of attrition, causing over one-third of Korean RPG players to abandon games due to pushy in-app purchases.
Over 80% of U.S. puzzle and hyper-casual players, as well as 68% of Japanese puzzle players, are willing to return to a game after a 30-day hiatus if notified of new content.
While puzzle players prioritize stress relief and time-killing, their retention is bolstered by frequent live events and diverse level-goal designs, with social engagement influencing 20–30% of users.
Genre is the primary driver of mobile-game discovery for 49% of players across nine major markets, outweighing both advertising and recommendations.
Strategy games generate the highest lifetime value and revenue per install due to dense monetization layers including loot-box bundles, consumable boosts, and limited-time offers.
Puzzle games, which attract a demographic that is approximately 70% female and 60% aged 35+, suffer from high churn because only 17–32% of players feel satisfied with current offerings.
Aggressive monetization is a primary driver of attrition, causing over one-third of Korean RPG players to abandon games due to pushy in-app purchases.
Over 80% of U.S. puzzle and hyper-casual players, as well as 68% of Japanese puzzle players, are willing to return to a game after a 30-day hiatus if notified of new content.
While puzzle players prioritize stress relief and time-killing, their retention is bolstered by frequent live events and diverse level-goal designs, with social engagement influencing 20–30% of users.