ReportApptica
Mobile Games on iOS: Winter Results and Forecasts for Spring 2022
1 Jan 202215 pages~8 min full read
Games accounted for 11.3% of all new iOS releases during the winter 2021–2022 period, significantly lower than the 81% share initially anticipated by pre-order data.
Puzzle games were the most active gaming genre in winter 2021–2022, with approximately 2,200 new titles representing 17.1% of all game releases.
Gaming is projected to dominate the spring 2022 release cycle, currently accounting for 82.4% of all apps in the pre-order phase.
Simulation and Role-playing games are the most anticipated genres for spring 2022, each comprising 26.5% of upcoming titles.
Over 12,400 new game titles were launched on the iOS App Store during the winter 2021–2022 season.
While Lifestyle and Utilities each captured 10% of winter releases, the spring 2022 outlook shows a shift toward increased developer interest in Productivity, Dating, and Medical applications.
This analysis examines the performance and distribution of iOS mobile applications during the winter of 2021–2022 while providing a strategic forecast for the spring 2022 season. The primary objective is to identify market trends by comparing pre-order data with actual release statistics. The scope is global, focusing specifically on the iOS App Store ecosystem across various categories and gaming genres. Data was sourced exclusively from the Apptica platform, utilizing its pre-orders section to gauge developer intent and market direction.
Findings indicate that while games were expected to dominate the winter release cycle at 81% of all upcoming apps, the actual market composition was more diversified. By the end of winter, games represented 11.3% of total new releases, followed closely by Lifestyle and Utilities at 10% each. Within the gaming sector, over 12,400 titles were launched. Although Simulation games were predicted to lead, Puzzle games emerged as the most frequent release, totaling approximately 2,200 titles and accounting for 17.1% of new games. Other significant genres included Action and Adventure, while Role-playing and Sports categories saw fewer releases than initially projected based on pre-order volume.
The forecast for spring 2022 suggests continued dominance for the gaming category, which accounts for 82.4% of apps currently in the pre-order phase. Simulation and Role-playing games are tied as the most anticipated genres, each representing 26.5% of upcoming titles. The analysis also notes a shift in non-gaming categories, with an increase in Productivity, Dating, and Medical apps, while Food and Drink applications have disappeared from the spring pre-order list. Key takeaways emphasize that Puzzle, Role-playing, and Simulation genres remain the primary drivers of the iOS market, maintaining steady growth and developer interest moving into the next quarter.
