Publisher Market Share 2018 Infographic

Key insights

6 takeaways

01
The top 10 mobile game publishers in the US controlled 42.9% of the market in late Q4 2018, a slight increase from 42.1% in Q4 2017.
02
While the overall top-tier publisher landscape remained stable, several major established names experienced a decline in market share compared to the previous year.
03
Epic Games significantly impacted the market in 2018 through the success of Fortnite.
04
Chinese publishers Tencent and Lilith Games successfully expanded their presence and gained a stronger foothold in the US mobile gaming market.
05
FoxNext Games achieved a strong market entry in 2018, driven by the performance of its debut title, Marvel Strike Force.
06
Small Giant Games demonstrated significant growth, more than tripling its market share over the course of 2018.

Summary

The mobile gaming industry in the United States experienced a period of relative stability in 2018, characterized by a concentrated market share among top-tier publishers. By the end of the fourth quarter of 2018, the top 10 mobile game publishers collectively held 42.9% of the market, a slight increase from the 42.1% share recorded in the same period of the previous year. While the overall landscape remained consistent with 2017, the data reveals significant shifts in individual publisher performance and the emergence of new competitive forces.

Several publishers demonstrated notable growth throughout the year. Epic Games secured a prominent position in the market, largely driven by the success of Fortnite. Furthermore, Chinese publishers, specifically Tencent and Lilith Games, successfully expanded their footprint within the U.S. market. Other entities, such as FoxNext Games, achieved strong initial results with the launch of Marvel Strike Force, while companies like Small Giant Games experienced substantial growth, more than tripling their market share over the course of the year.

Despite these gains, the year presented challenges for some established industry leaders, as several major publishers failed to maintain their previous market positions. The findings underscore a dynamic environment where, despite the high concentration of power at the top, individual publishers remain susceptible to fluctuations in momentum. This analysis provides a snapshot of the competitive mobile gaming landscape as of late 2018, highlighting the volatility and opportunities inherent in the sector.