ReportGameRefinery
Match-3 Genre Snapshot Report: May 2021
1 Jan 202520 pages~7 min full read
Candy Crush Saga remains the market leader with a 16.74% share and a revenue per download (Rev/DL) of $11.27 as of Q1 2021.
See it on page 6Project Makeover demonstrates the most aggressive growth in the sector, capturing a 10.57% market share with a high-premium monetization strategy yielding a $45.51 Rev/DL.
See it on page 9Modern match-3 success is driven by fast-paced core loops, quick animations, and progression systems integrated with home or makeover themes, as seen in titles like Royal Match and Project Makeover.
See it on page 9Monetization in the genre relies heavily on consumable boosters, lives, continue options, and recurring engagement events like guilds and tournaments.
See it on page 8Player motivation data indicates that match-3 users are primarily driven by mastery of milestones and escapism, while social competition remains a lower priority.
See it on page 18Differentiating mechanics such as 'no-fail' levels, mystery boxes, and avatar customization are increasingly used to distinguish titles within the competitive subgenre.
See it on page 20The document presents a comprehensive analysis of the mobile match‑3 puzzle segment for Q1 2021, focusing on revenue performance, genre characteristics, and player motivations. It identifies the top five match‑3 titles—Candy Crush Saga, Homescapes, Project Makeover, Gardenscapes, and Toon Blast—detailing their market share changes, revenue per download (Rev/DL), and year‑over‑year growth. Candy Crush Saga leads with a 16.74% share and a Rev/DL of $11.27, while Project Makeover shows the strongest growth at 10.57% share and a Rev/DL of $45.51, reflecting its premium monetization strategy.
The analysis breaks down genre features, noting that Royal Match and Project Makeover exemplify modern match‑3 design: fast‑paced gameplay, quick animations, and a progression system tied to home or makeover themes. Monetization models emphasize consumable boosters, lives, and continue options, with special events such as guilds, recurring tournaments, and exclusive levels driving engagement. The document also highlights unique mechanics—bonus “no‑fail” levels, mystery boxes, and avatar customization—that differentiate titles within the subgenre.
Player motivation data from a US sample classify drivers into escapism, mastery, social interaction, and management. Match‑3 games score high on mastery (completing milestones) and escapism, while social competition scores lower. The report’s methodology relies on GameRefinery’s SaaS dashboard, aggregating download and revenue metrics across the US market for Q1 2021. Overall, the document underscores that successful match‑3 titles combine rapid core loops with layered progression and event systems to sustain high monetization rates.
