Four Mobile Game Trends to Look Out for in 2021

GameRefinery's analyst team identifies four mobile game design trends expected to shape 2021, drawing on observations across Chinese, Japanese, and Western markets. The piece, published in January 2021 and originally run on PocketGamer.biz, is a qualitative forecast rather than a data-driven study, with limited quantitative backing and no stated survey or sample methodology.

The first trend, "mobile social 2.0," describes games adding hangout spaces and virtual events long familiar on PC and console. Chinese titles such as Audition Online and QQ Speed have offered these for years, while Project Sekai's virtual live concerts, Call of Duty Mobile's DJ lounge, and Roblox's Lil Nas X performance (reportedly 33 million attendees) show the idea spreading. Such spaces aid retention and support cosmetic monetization, as with Tennis Clash's Gucci collaboration.

The second trend concerns Match3 and Chinese casual games. Match3 remains the largest Western sub-genre, generating just over 17% of US iOS mobile game revenue. Innovation in meta layers, seen in Gardenscapes, Homescapes, and Project Makeover, keeps the genre open to newcomers. The analysts also argue China's well-monetizing, live-ops-rich casual market is overlooked, and predict at least one Chinese-originated casual game will sustainably enter the Western top-grossing 100 by the end of 2021.

Third, shooters are expected to diversify beyond battle royale. CrossFire buries its battle royale mode in the menu, and PUBG Mobile added Metro Royale, suggesting some player fatigue. Lilith's Farlight 84 may fill the gap left by Fortnite's absence, and Apex Legends Mobile is a title to watch.

Fourth, mobile MMOs may be ready for a breakout in the vein of Genshin Impact, through multi-platform or cross-platform release and high-fidelity art, as Moonlight Blade demonstrates. Summoners War: Chronicles and Warhammer: Odyssey are due in 2021. Other themes to watch include licensed games, the MOBA rise following League of Legends: Wild Rift, and how easing pandemic restrictions affect play habits.