ReportSensor Tower
Cross-Platform Gaming: Bridging Mobile and PC/Console
1 Jan 202534 pages~32 min full read
Mobile remains the primary driver of scale with 52 billion projected downloads and $82 billion in in-app purchase revenue for 2025, while PC and console segments generate over $12 billion from 1 billion units sold.
See it on page 10Unified cross-platform ecosystems, exemplified by titles like Genshin Impact and Delta Force, significantly improve player retention by enabling seamless progress synchronization across devices.
See it on page 23Publishers should adopt one of four strategic models—companion apps, 'lite' discovery versions, adapted standalone experiences, or full cross-play—to bridge the gap between mobile reach and PC/console engagement.
See it on page 16A resilient gaming portfolio requires balancing high-volume mobile genres like Simulation and Puzzle with high-depth PC/console genres such as RPGs and Shooters to optimize monetization and franchise longevity.
See it on page 28Mobile platforms currently function as global discovery engines for mass acquisition, whereas premium titles like EA SPORTS FC 25 and Marvel Rivals anchor high-value engagement on Steam, PlayStation, and Xbox.
See it on page 30The 2025 market analysis, based on Sensor Tower data across 100 global markets, highlights that strategic cross-platform design is essential for converting mobile's vast reach into long-term brand loyalty.
See it on page 8The 2025 gaming landscape is defined by the convergence of mobile accessibility and PC/console depth. The primary thesis suggests that while mobile serves as a global discovery engine and a source of steady growth, PC and console platforms anchor brand prestige and high-value engagement. To maximize franchise value, publishers must strategically bridge these ecosystems through purposeful cross-platform design, turning mobile’s vast reach into lasting loyalty.
Data highlights a significant scale disparity between platforms: mobile is projected to reach 52 billion downloads and $82 billion in in-app purchase revenue in 2025, while the PC and console segment generates over $12 billion from 1 billion units sold. Mobile leaders like Roblox and Garena Free Fire drive mass acquisition, whereas premium titles such as EA SPORTS FC 25 and Marvel Rivals dominate engagement on Steam, PlayStation, and Xbox. The findings indicate that unified ecosystems, such as those used by Delta Force and Genshin Impact, strengthen retention by allowing players to switch devices without losing progress.
The scope of the analysis is global, covering over 100 markets with specific digital advertising data from 14 major regions, including the United States, Japan, and the United Kingdom. It focuses on the first three quarters of 2025, utilizing Sensor Tower’s proprietary App Performance, Video Game, and Pathmatics Advertising Insights. Methodology involves statistical sampling of digital ad placements and estimated revenue from the App Store and Google Play, excluding third-party Android stores and direct web payments.
Four strategic models for expansion are identified: companion apps for engagement, "lite" versions for mass discovery, adapted standalone experiences for genre diversification, and full cross-play models for community unification. The conclusion emphasizes that a resilient portfolio must balance high-volume mobile genres, such as Simulation and Puzzle, with high-depth PC genres like RPGs and Shooters to maximize monetization efficiency and franchise longevity.
