RPG Genre Snapshot Report June 2021

Role-playing games (RPGs) represent a cornerstone of the mobile gaming market, accounting for approximately 14% of total revenue on the US iOS platform as of mid-2021. While the genre has long been dominated by established turn-based titles like Raid: Shadow Legends and Marvel Strike Force, recent market data indicates a significant shift toward Action RPGs. This transition is driven primarily by high-production, open-world titles that bridge the gap between mobile and console-quality experiences.

The primary catalyst for this shift is Genshin Impact, which alone commands over 10% of the RPG market share. Alongside the more recent launch of My Hero Academia (MHA): The Strongest Hero, these titles emphasize narrative depth, exploration, and high-fidelity graphics. While both utilize an anime art style, they cater to different player motivations: Genshin Impact focuses on single-player exploration and skill-based combat, whereas MHA integrates more competitive social elements, including synchronous and asynchronous PvP.

Monetization within the genre remains heavily reliant on character collection mechanics and sophisticated gacha systems. Analysis of top-performing updates shows that revenue spikes are most frequently tied to limited-time "banner" gachas and IP collaboration events, such as the crossover between The Seven Deadly Sins: Grand Cross and Stranger Things. These events often introduce bespoke gameplay modes, such as tower defense or unique PvE challenges, to maintain engagement.

The findings are based on GameRefinery’s proprietary three-layered taxonomy and a motivation framework derived from a survey of over 7000 mobile gamers across English-speaking Western markets. The data specifically covers the US iOS market for the 12-month period leading up to June 2021, highlighting a clear evolution from traditional turn-based mechanics toward immersive, open-world action experiences.