Top Game Genres by Revenues and Downloads

This analysis examines the performance of mobile game genres by evaluating the 1,000 most downloaded and 1,000 highest-grossing titles over a 30-day period. The research focuses on Tier-1 West markets—comprising the US, UK, Canada, Germany, France, and Australia—and Tier-1 East markets, including China, Japan, Korea, and Taiwan. By utilizing lifetime-LTV (lifetime value) metrics based on in-app purchase net revenue, the study provides a comprehensive overview of genre viability and market evolution between 2015 and 2020.

Key findings indicate that Asian markets exhibit a higher density of games with exceptionally high average LTV, such as Fate/Grand Order ($430 LTV) and Lineage M ($220 LTV). However, the analysis cautions that high LTV often correlates with significant production costs, including advanced technical requirements and extensive content, which may create high barriers to entry for developers. Furthermore, the data reveals shifting market shares, noting a decline in Real-Time Strategy (RTS) revenue in both Western and Eastern markets, while Third-Person Shooters (TPS) and Arcade Racing titles have emerged as significant growth drivers.

The study highlights that market performance is frequently dominated by individual blockbuster titles. For instance, 95% of the revenue generated by the MOBA genre in Tier-1 East markets is attributed to a single game, Honor of Kings. Similarly, download spikes in Western markets are often linked to specific high-profile releases like Pokémon Go or Call of Duty. While hypercasual games remain a major force in download volume, the research finds that newer categories like Idle/Clicker games have yet to achieve comparable market penetration. The methodology emphasizes that genre success is often volatile, with many categories rising and falling based on the performance of one or two flagship products.