Market (Mobile)·Updated Mar 17, 2026 by Mariusz Gasiewski (Google)
Mobile gaming revenue growth is decoupling from user acquisition, with Google Play revenue rising 10% and iOS revenue growing 12% in 2023–2024 despite stagnant or slowing download volumes.
Market power remains highly concentrated, as the top ten publishers continue to capture the vast majority of earnings despite the overall acceleration in consumer spending.
The mobile ecosystem is shifting toward a maturity model where revenue increases are driven by monetization depth and brand loyalty rather than the expansion of the total user base.
Approximately 50% of gamers in major markets like the U.S., Germany, Japan, and Brazil prefer deep, sustained engagement with a single title rather than rapid game turnover.
Consumer acquisition is primarily driven by free-to-play pricing, recognizable IP, and accessibility through subscription services.
Smartphone dominance is near-universal, exemplified by 97% of Brazilian gamers using mobile devices as their primary platform in 2024, with console usage remaining negligible.
Gender-based preferences show distinct trends, with men prioritizing non-pay-to-win mechanics and single-player experiences, while women favor avatar customization and peer recommendations.
Mobile gaming revenue growth is decoupling from user acquisition, with Google Play revenue rising 10% and iOS revenue growing 12% in 2023–2024 despite stagnant or slowing download volumes.
Market power remains highly concentrated, as the top ten publishers continue to capture the vast majority of earnings despite the overall acceleration in consumer spending.
The mobile ecosystem is shifting toward a maturity model where revenue increases are driven by monetization depth and brand loyalty rather than the expansion of the total user base.
Approximately 50% of gamers in major markets like the U.S., Germany, Japan, and Brazil prefer deep, sustained engagement with a single title rather than rapid game turnover.
Consumer acquisition is primarily driven by free-to-play pricing, recognizable IP, and accessibility through subscription services.
Smartphone dominance is near-universal, exemplified by 97% of Brazilian gamers using mobile devices as their primary platform in 2024, with console usage remaining negligible.
Gender-based preferences show distinct trends, with men prioritizing non-pay-to-win mechanics and single-player experiences, while women favor avatar customization and peer recommendations.