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Report
Mobile & PC Gaming Benchmarks 2026
The global gaming landscape in 2026 reflects a challenging environment for player retention, as metrics across Day 1, Day 7, and Day 30 continue a downward trend established in previous years. Data indicates a widening performance gap between average titles and the top 10% of performers. While the industry has historically relied on the 40/20/10 rule for retention percentages, current benchmarks suggest a shift toward a more realistic 35/15/5 standard. Median Day 1 retention currently sits at approximately 22%, while the top tier of games maintains a 40% threshold. This decline becomes more pronounced over time, with median Day 7 retention dropping to 4% and Day 30 retention falling to a mere 0.7%. The analysis emphasizes that early engagement is the primary driver of long-term success, noting that players typically churn within the first five to fifteen minutes if the value proposition is not immediately clear. Effective onboarding must transition from functional tutorials to demonstrations of core gameplay pleasure to mitigate this early loss. Despite the seemingly low median figures, the data is influenced by a high volume of indie and early-stage projects. Established studios often utilize in-house data solutions, meaning the highest-performing titles are frequently absent from public benchmarks. Geographic and genre-specific contexts remain vital for interpreting these statistics, as hybrid-casual and midcore games exhibit vastly different long-term retention profiles. While the mobile market faces significant headwinds in maintaining a loyal player base, the situation is viewed as an evolution of player expectations rather than a fundamental failure of the platform. Success in this climate requires developers to focus on immediate engagement and recognize that the widening gap between median and top-tier performance necessitates more sophisticated retention strategies than those used in previous cycles.
GameAnalyticsJan 2026
Report
Mobile Gaming Benchmarks 2025
This analysis provides a comprehensive overview of mobile gaming performance metrics for the 2024 calendar year. Based on data from 11,600 games and approximately 1.48 billion monthly active users, the findings offer a global perspective on player retention, engagement, and regional behavioral trends across both iOS and Android platforms. The data indicates a general decline in retention compared to the previous year. Day 1 retention for the top 25% of games fell to between 26% and 28%, while 75% of all games failed to maintain a Day 28 retention rate above 3%. Platform-specific data shows that iOS consistently outperforms Android in early retention, though Android users typically engage in more frequent daily sessions. Engagement metrics reveal a median daily playtime of 22 minutes, though top-tier immersive titles can exceed four hours. Geographic analysis highlights significant cultural variations in playstyles. The Middle East leads globally in retention across all milestones, while Africa and Asia show the highest session counts despite lower retention and shorter individual sessions. Conversely, North America and Oceania favor a "fewer but longer" approach, characterized by lower session counts but the longest average session lengths. Genre-specific performance remains distinct, with Board, Card, and Puzzle games maintaining the highest long-term loyalty. While Multiplayer games achieve the longest individual session lengths due to their immersive nature, they struggle with the lowest overall retention rates. These benchmarks serve as a baseline for developers to evaluate game health, optimize user acquisition costs, and refine monetization strategies through improved content pacing and onboarding.
GameAnalyticsJan 2025
Report
Tower Defense Games - Industry Snapshot
Tower Defense games represent a high-performing sub-genre within the casual arcade category, characterized by exceptional monetization and engagement depth. Analysis of 2020 industry data reveals that the top 5% of Tower Defense titles significantly outperform related sub-genres like Idlers, Platformers, and Board Games in financial efficiency. Specifically, these top-tier games achieve a conversion rate of 3.83%, more than double that of their closest competitors, and maintain an Average Revenue Per Daily Active User (ARPDAU) of $1.66. This financial strength is further evidenced by an Average Revenue Per Paying User (ARPPU) of $83, suggesting a highly committed and spending-prone player base. Engagement metrics for the genre are equally robust, with top-performing titles commanding an average daily playtime of 130 minutes. While Day 1 retention sits at 40%, slightly lower than some competing sub-genres, Day 7 retention remains competitive at 15%. Geographic performance varies by metric; Italy leads in Day 7 retention at 39%, while France sees the highest daily playtime at 210 minutes. China stands out as the most lucrative market for conversion, reaching a rate of 8.7%. The success of the genre is attributed to its accessible core mechanics, high replayability, and the ease with which developers can integrate meta-features such as PvP modes, daily challenges, and RPG elements. These features allow for significant meta-game shifts with minimal content overhead. Notable titles entering the market in 2020, such as Rush Royale and Towerlands, exemplify the trend of blending traditional defense mechanics with strategy and role-playing elements to drive long-term player investment. This data is derived from a network of over 134,000 integrated games and 1.8 billion monthly cross-title players.
GameAnalyticsJan 2025
Report
Mobile Gaming Benchmarks for Q1 2024
This analysis provides a comprehensive overview of mobile gaming performance benchmarks for the first quarter of 2024, focusing on retention rates, session lengths, and session counts. The data is derived from a study of over 10,000 games using the GameAnalytics platform, representing approximately 1.67 billion monthly active users. The scope covers four major geographic regions—North America, Europe, the Middle East, and Asia—across fifteen distinct game genres categorized into casual, classic, and mid-core segments. Key findings indicate a global median day 1 retention rate of 22.91%, dropping to 4.20% by day 7 and 0.85% by day 28. North America leads in overall retention across all measured intervals, particularly in mid-core titles where day 1 retention averages 31.7%. Classic games, including board, card, casino, trivia, and word games, consistently outperform other genres in long-term retention and engagement frequency. Puzzle games are noted for their stability, maintaining solid performance across all regions with minimal fluctuation. Engagement metrics reveal a global median session length of 4.45 minutes. Europe recorded the longest sessions, specifically in the card game genre where the top 25% of games exceeded 25 minutes. In contrast, the Middle East and Asia show shorter median sessions, often under 5 minutes, despite high performance in specific categories like casino games in Asia, which reached nearly 23 minutes. Daily session counts generally average between 4 and 5 across all regions, though the Middle East shows the highest frequency of play for puzzle and word games. The methodology utilizes quantiles to provide a holistic view of the industry, comparing the top 25%, median, and bottom 25% of games to help developers benchmark their performance against both average and elite standards.
GameAnalyticsMar 2024
Report
2023 Roblox Report: Behind the Data
The 2023 Roblox Report, produced by GameAnalytics, provides a comprehensive analysis of player behavior and performance benchmarks across the Roblox platform. The study is based on 2023 data from thousands of games that utilize the GameAnalytics SDK, representing over 50% of total player engagement on the platform. The dataset includes a significant sample of high-performing titles, featuring 300 games with over one million monthly active users and 60 titles exceeding ten million monthly sessions. The findings reveal a highly fluid player base, with 47% of users accessing the platform via both mobile and desktop devices. Engagement is characterized by high frequency rather than single long sessions; over 50% of players engage at least twice daily, and the top 5% of games successfully bring players back more than 3.5 times per day. While the average session length for half of the tracked games is under six minutes, elite titles in the 95th percentile sustain engagement for nearly 30 minutes per session. Monetization remains a significant challenge on the platform. Only 4.2% of players spend Robux within games, and more than half of those spenders contribute less than $1 annually. However, a small segment of high-value "power spenders" drives the majority of revenue, with the top 5% of games earning approximately $77 per playing player annually. Retention is identified as a universal struggle across the platform regardless of game quality; Day 1 retention typically ranges between 12% and 15%, dropping to near 1% by Day 90. The report concludes that success on Roblox requires optimizing for cross-platform play, implementing aggressive LiveOps to counter natural retention decay, and focusing on session frequency to drive monetization.
GameAnalyticsMar 2024
Report
Hyper-Casual Games Benchmark Report: Q4 2022
The benchmark focuses on hyper‑casual mobile games during the fourth quarter of 2022, comparing performance metrics across iOS and Android and highlighting shifts from the previous quarter. Data are drawn from GameAnalytics, which tracks more than 100 000 titles and reaches roughly one‑third of the global mobile player base, providing a broad, cross‑regional view of the segment. Cost‑per‑install (CPI) reached an all‑time high of $0.20 median on both platforms, with the overall median CPI rising to $0.42. Android’s median CPI grew by $0.05 while iOS saw a larger increase of $0.17. Among the top ten ad‑spending countries, the United States posted the highest iOS median CPI at $0.80, overtaking France and Germany, while Brazil dropped out of the ranking. South Korea and Canada recorded the steepest CPI hikes on Android, each climbing $0.06 from Q3 2022. The report covers major markets in North America, Europe, Asia‑Pacific and Latin America, reflecting a worldwide scope. Retention benchmarks reveal a consistent advantage for iOS. In the top‑2 % of games, Day 1 retention was 45 % on iOS versus 38 % on Android, and Day 7 retention stood at 19 % versus 14 %. For the top‑25 % tier, Day 1 rates were 33 % (iOS) and 28 % (Android), with Day 7 at 10 % and 6 % respectively. Across all titles, median Day 1 retention was 24 % on iOS and 23 % on Android, while median Day 7 retention was 7 % versus 4 %. The gap between elite, good and average games is pronounced, underscoring the importance of early‑stage player engagement. Overall, Q4 2022 saw rising acquisition costs and modest but platform‑dependent retention
TenjinDec 2022
Report
Tower Defense Games 2020 Industry Snapshot
The tower defense sub-genre within the mobile arcade category demonstrated significant monetization potential and engagement depth throughout 2020. Based on an analysis of over 134,000 integrated games and 900 million unique monthly players, the sector is characterized by high-value users and strong global performance. Key financial benchmarks reveal that tower defense titles achieve an average revenue per paying user (ARPPU) of $83, significantly outperforming related genres like board games and idlers. Furthermore, the sub-genre maintains an average revenue per daily active user (ARPDAU) of $1.66 and a daily conversion rate of 3.83%, indicating a highly effective monetization funnel compared to other casual arcade segments. Geographic performance varies by metric, with European and Asian markets showing the strongest engagement. Italy leads in Day 7 retention at 39%, while France records the highest average playtime at 210 minutes. China stands out as the most effective market for monetization, boasting a conversion rate of 8.7%, nearly double that of the United States at 4.6%. These figures suggest that while Western audiences engage deeply in terms of time, Asian markets provide superior direct financial returns. The success of the genre is attributed to its accessible core mechanics, which offer immediate satisfaction and high replayability. Developers benefit from a sustainable content model where minor adjustments to characters or obstacles can shift the entire meta-game without requiring extensive new map design. The integration of meta-features such as daily challenges, cooperative modes, and PvP elements further drives player stickiness. Notable market entrants in 2020, including Kingdom Wars Defense and Rush Royale, exemplify these trends by blending traditional defense mechanics with RPG and merge elements to capture high user ratings and market share.
GameAnalyticsJan 2021
Report
Tower Defense Games: Deconstructing the Superstars (2020 Industry Snapshot)
The tower defense sub-genre represents a high-performing segment within the casual arcade category, characterized by strong monetization potential and deep player engagement. Analysis of global mobile gaming data from 2020 reveals that tower defense titles significantly outperform related genres like platformers and idlers in key financial metrics. Specifically, the sub-genre boasts an Average Revenue Per Paying User (ARPPU) of $83 and an Average Revenue Per Daily Active User (ARPDAU) of $1.66. These figures are supported by a robust daily conversion rate of 3.83%, which is more than double that of board games. Geographic performance varies across different engagement and monetization KPIs. Italy leads in Day 7 retention at 39%, while France records the highest average daily playtime at 210 minutes. However, China emerges as the most effective market for monetization, achieving a conversion rate of 8.7%, nearly double that of the United States. These statistics are derived from a massive dataset encompassing over 134,000 integrated games and 900 million unique monthly players, providing a granular view of the competitive landscape. The success of the genre is attributed to its accessible core mechanics combined with high replayability. Developers leverage meta-features such as daily challenges, PvP options, and RPG elements to drive long-term retention. By introducing new characters or obstacles, studios can shift the game meta without the resource-heavy requirement of designing entirely new maps. Notable titles launched in 2020, such as Kingdom Wars Defense and Rush Royale, exemplify these trends by blending traditional defense mechanics with innovative strategy and merging elements to maintain high user ratings and market relevance.
GameAnalyticsJan 2020
Report
Global Market Trends: Mobile Gaming Benchmarks (H1 2019)
The global mobile gaming landscape in the first half of 2019 reflects a significant pivot in monetization strategies, characterized by a 15-20% year-over-year decline in in-app purchase revenue metrics such as ARPPU and ARPDAU. This downturn suggests a broader industry transition toward ad-based revenue models, particularly within the hyper-casual segment. Despite this shift, mid-core genres like Role Playing and Strategy remain the primary drivers of financial conversion, maintaining ARPPU levels as high as $25 and conversion rates nearly four times higher than other categories. Geographically, China has emerged as a formidable market, with eCPM rates reaching $3.90, effectively rivaling the United States in advertising value. Performance benchmarks for the period indicate that sustainable success requires a Day 1 retention rate of at least 35% and an average session length of seven minutes. However, top-tier publishers now employ much more aggressive filtering processes to ensure profitability. Leading firms often discard 95% of projects that fail to meet a 50% Day 1 retention threshold. While "Classic" genres like Trivia and Word games demonstrate the highest long-term stickiness, the most successful developers utilize real-time data integration and advanced player segmentation to optimize game lifecycles. The integration of custom APIs and remote configuration tools has become essential for modern game management, allowing developers to adjust in-game variables without code updates. By monitoring 1.2 billion monthly active users across diverse global markets, the industry has established that high-performing titles must maintain a Day 28 retention of at least 4% to remain viable. Ultimately, the data underscores a dual-track market where mid-core titles dominate direct spending while hyper-casual games rely on extreme retention standards to fuel ad-based growth.
GameAnalyticsJun 2019
Report
Mobile Benchmarks Report GameAnalytics
The mobile gaming landscape in the first half of 2019 reflects a significant structural shift as developers increasingly pivot from in-app purchases toward ad-based monetization models. Analysis of 100,000 titles and 1.2 billion monthly active users reveals a 15-20% year-over-year decline in Average Revenue Per Paying User (ARPPU) and Average Revenue Per Daily Active User (ARPDAU). While the median ARPDAU sits at $0.02, hyper-casual games maintain viability through advertising, supported by median eCPMs of approximately $5.00. Despite these shifts, Mid-core genres like Strategy and Role-Playing Games continue to dominate financial performance, yielding the highest conversion rates and revenue generation across the industry. Engagement metrics remain the primary indicator of long-term success, with top-performing titles aiming for a 35% Day 1 retention rate and a 4% Day 28 retention rate. Classic genres, specifically Card and Casino games, lead the market in player stickiness, boasting session lengths that can reach 22 minutes compared to the broader median of 4-5 minutes. Geographic trends further highlight the rising prominence of the Chinese market, where over 60% of the population engages in mobile gaming and median eCPMs have climbed to $3.90, nearly rivaling established Western markets like the United States. Industry leaders utilize these benchmarks to streamline publishing pipelines, often requiring a minimum 50% Day 1 retention rate to greenlight titles for further optimization. Success in this competitive environment relies on the integration of real-time data, remote configuration, and advanced player segmentation to manage game lifecycles. By monitoring key performance indicators and error logs through automated dashboards, publishers can identify high-potential titles early and refine gameplay mechanics to meet the rigorous standards of the current mobile ecosystem.
GameAnalyticsJan 2019
Report
A Global Analysis of Mobile Gaming Benchmarks: 2018 Edition
The mobile gaming landscape between July 2017 and June 2018 was characterized by a widening performance gap between elite titles and the market median. Analysis of over 60,000 games and 850 million monthly active players reveals that top-tier titles in the 15th percentile maintain Day 1 retention rates exceeding 35%, whereas Day 28 retention across the board rarely surpasses 6%. This retention decay underscores the difficulty of long-term player engagement, leading industry leaders like Voodoo to implement strict 50% Day 1 retention thresholds to identify potential hits early in the development cycle. Monetization metrics further illustrate this disparity, with top-performing games generating three to four times more revenue per paying user than average titles. The Role Playing, Strategy, and Casino genres dominate financial benchmarks, with elite performers achieving an average revenue per paying user of up to $40. Furthermore, the average revenue per daily active user for top-tier games is six times higher than the median, a success largely attributed to sophisticated A/B testing of price points and the implementation of reactive in-game offers. As mobile games are projected to account for 76% of global app revenue, the ability to convert and retain players remains the primary differentiator for commercial success. While average games struggle with low conversion rates, top-performing titles achieve conversion metrics triple those of the median. These findings suggest that data-driven development and aggressive optimization of monetization funnels are essential requirements for competing in a market where the majority of value is concentrated among a small percentage of high-performing titles.
GameAnalyticsJan 2018