Casual and midcore titles are increasingly adopting hybrid gameplay models, such as Gossip Harbor’s integration of match-3 and merge progression and Dragon Quest Smash’s blend of roguelite and co-op elements.
Midcore games like Last Z and MLB Perfect Inning are shifting monetization strategies by replacing direct real-money purchases with webstore-based currency systems.
Event-driven retention strategies are yielding measurable success, exemplified by Hay Day’s April 2026 milestone-based event, which resulted in record monthly revenue.
High-profile midcore releases are leveraging cross-platform integration and IP synergy, such as Invincible: Guarding the Globe’s Season 4 launch and Honor of Kings: World’s cross-platform ARPG/MMO expansion.
New gacha-based titles like Neverness to Everness are implementing player-friendly mechanics, such as guaranteed limited-time character drops after a fixed number of pulls.
Casual titles are evolving their core loops by introducing narrative-driven seasons, as seen in the recent updates to Monopoly GO!.
That's the gist.
Dive into the full report for the data, charts, and sources behind these takeaways.
Read the full report