Summary
- • In-app ads account for 56% of overall mobile game monetization.
- • Asia-Pacific accounted for 56% of global mobile game revenues in 2020.
- • In 2021, mobile gaming generated $90 billion in revenue worldwide.
- • The average mobile game player spends about 20 minutes per session playing.
- • Hyper-casual games account for 45% of all game downloads.
- • 62% of mobile game revenue comes from iOS users.
- • The top 1% of mobile game spenders account for 58% of total in-game revenue.
- • Match-3 games generate the highest in-app purchase revenue per user.
- • Mobile games with rewarded video ads see a 4x higher retention rate.
- • Mobile game ad revenues are expected to reach $93 billion by 2024.
- • 52% of mobile gamers prefer free-to-play games with ads over paid games.
- • The average revenue per daily active user (ARPDAU) for mobile games is $0.32.
- • Casino games account for 31% of all in-app purchase revenue in mobile gaming.
- • Mobile game ads have a 12.11% average click-through rate (CTR).
- • 76% of mobile gamers watch rewarded videos to earn in-game currency.
Grab your virtual joystick and buckle up for a wild ride through the lucrative world of mobile game monetization! Did you know that in 2021, mobile gaming raked in a whopping $90 billion in revenue worldwide? With in-app ads reigning supreme at 56% of overall monetization and Asia-Pacific leading the charge with 56% of global game revenues, its clear that the mobile gaming industry is a cash cow waiting to be milked. From hyper-casual games dominating downloads to iOS users swiping the majority of the revenue pie, this blog post is your cheat code to unlocking the secrets behind the numbers. So, level up your knowledge and get ready to power through match-3 games, chase the top spenders, and watch those rewarded video ads for a chance to score big in this billion-dollar game of pixels and profits!
Game genre statistics
- Hyper-casual games account for 45% of all game downloads.
- Hyper-casual games see 2.6 billion downloads per month globally.
- Puzzle games represent 15% of all mobile game downloads.
- Match-3 games account for 37% of the global mobile game market revenue.
- Strategy games generate the highest average revenue per user (ARPU) at $5.24.
Interpretation
In the chaotic world of mobile game monetization, hyper-casual games reign supreme, capturing a whopping 45% of all downloads and boasting a mind-boggling 2.6 billion monthly downloads worldwide. Puzzle games may trail behind at 15%, but it's the match-3 genre that's laughing all the way to the bank with a commanding 37% share of the global market revenue. However, it's the strategic players who truly know how to play the game, earning a princely average revenue of $5.24 per user. In this gaming landscape where every move counts, it's clear that while fun is essential, strategy is where the real money's at.
Mobile gaming revenue
- In 2021, mobile gaming generated $90 billion in revenue worldwide.
- The global mobile gaming market size was estimated at $77.2 billion in 2020.
- In 2020, mobile games accounted for 51% of the global gaming market revenue.
- The global mobile game market is forecasted to reach $120.1 billion in revenue by 2023.
- Mobile game ad revenue in China is estimated to reach $7.2 billion in 2021.
- Mobile games generate 50% of all global app store revenues.
- The global mobile gaming market is projected to reach $186.9 billion in 2024.
Interpretation
In the ever-evolving world of mobile gaming, the monetary figures are no child's play. With a revenue jump from $77.2 billion in 2020 to a staggering $90 billion in 2021, it's clear that tapping and swiping have become big business. Mobile games are clearly having their moment in the sun, accounting for over half of the global gaming market revenue in 2020. As we look ahead to 2023, where the forecasted revenue is expected to hit $120.1 billion, it seems the game is far from over. In China, where mobile game ad revenue is estimated to hit $7.2 billion this year, it’s evident that the East is also embracing the game-changing trend. Buckle up, folks, because the global mobile gaming market is set to hit a whopping $186.9 billion by 2024, proving that when it comes to gaming on the go, the numbers are no small feat.
Monetization trends
- In-app ads account for 56% of overall mobile game monetization.
- 62% of mobile game revenue comes from iOS users.
- The top 1% of mobile game spenders account for 58% of total in-game revenue.
- Match-3 games generate the highest in-app purchase revenue per user.
- Mobile game ad revenues are expected to reach $93 billion by 2024.
- 52% of mobile gamers prefer free-to-play games with ads over paid games.
- The average revenue per daily active user (ARPDAU) for mobile games is $0.32.
- Casino games account for 31% of all in-app purchase revenue in mobile gaming.
- 59% of mobile gamers are willing to watch ads in exchange for in-game rewards.
- The average conversion rate for in-app purchases in mobile games is 2.4%.
- Mobile games with in-app purchases generate 48% of all app store revenues.
- Mobile game players spend an average of $9.39 per month on in-app purchases.
- Mobile game publishers earn an average revenue of $0.20–$0.40 per daily active user.
- Location-based monetization in mobile games increased by 247% in 2020.
- The average eCPM (effective cost per mille) for rewarded video ads in mobile games is $20.
- Mobile game ad revenue grew by 59% in 2020, reaching $46.2 billion.
- Mobile game users aged 26-35 spend the most on in-app purchases.
- The average cost per install (CPI) for mobile games is $2.96.
- Mobile game ad revenue per user is expected to grow to $44.60 by 2026.
- 47% of mobile game revenue comes from in-app purchases.
- Mobile in-app ads account for 82% of total app revenue.
- 74% of mobile users are open to watching rewarded video ads.
- Match-3 and puzzle games have the highest ad revenue per user at $5.64.
- 29% of mobile gamers have made a purchase based on an ad they saw in a game.
- 81% of mobile gamers have completed an in-app offer to earn virtual currency.
- 70% of mobile game revenues are generated by in-app advertising.
- The average revenue per user (ARPU) for mobile games is $54.27.
- 68% of mobile gamers have made in-app purchases to enhance gameplay.
- Mobile game ad revenue is expected to grow at a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 10.7% from 2021 to 2026.
- 63% of mobile gamers have paid for in-game currency.
- 66% of mobile gamers are open to trying ad-supported free games.
- Mobile game developers earn around $0.20-$0.25 per active user per month.
- The average revenue per paying user (ARPPU) in mobile games is $8.95.
- Interstitial ads in mobile games have an average click-through rate (CTR) of 2.79%.
- The average cost per action (CPA) for mobile game ads is $6.45.
- 65% of mobile gamers have redeemed a reward from a rewarded video ad.
- Mobile game players spend an average of $65.25 on in-app purchases annually.
- Food and beverage brands spend 17% of their digital ad budgets on mobile game advertising.
- Mobile game developers in North America have an average effective cost per mille (eCPM) of $4.12.
- The average revenue per install (RPI) for free-to-play mobile games is $0.20.
Interpretation
In the world of mobile game monetization, numbers don't lie, but they sure can make your head spin faster than a race car in Need for Speed. With in-app ads reigning supreme at 56% of the kingdom and iOS users strutting their stuff to the tune of 62% of the royal treasury, it's clear that the mobile game realm is ruled by a merry band of elite spenders, savoring their slice of the 58% revenue pie like true gaming royalty. Match-3 games play the trickster, jingling the highest in-app purchase coins per user, while the promise of ad revenue gold has the whole realm buzzing with anticipation, set to hit a mind-boggling $93 billion jackpot by 2024. In this bustling market, being a wise spender or a shrewd advertiser can mean the difference between joining the elite 1% and navigating the free-to-play sea with savvy ad-watchers at your side. So, gear up and hit that "install" button, because in this game of numbers, the stakes are high, the rewards are sweet, and the only way to win is to play smart.
Player behavior and engagement
- The average mobile game player spends about 20 minutes per session playing.
- Mobile games with rewarded video ads see a 4x higher retention rate.
- Mobile game ads have a 12.11% average click-through rate (CTR).
- 76% of mobile gamers watch rewarded videos to earn in-game currency.
- 47% of mobile gamers are more likely to click on an ad that offers in-game rewards.
- Banner ads in mobile games have an average click-through rate (CTR) of 0.18%.
- 68% of mobile gamers believe rewarded video ads enhance their gaming experience.
- Female players account for 46% of the mobile gaming audience.
- Tap-to-play ads have a 43% higher conversion rate than traditional display ads in mobile games.
- 79% of mobile gamers prefer watching opt-in ads for virtual rewards.
- The average retention rate for mobile games is 22% after the first day and 2% after 30 days.
- Only 1.9% of mobile game players make in-app purchases within the first week of gameplay.
- Rewarded video ads in mobile games have an average engagement rate of 82%.
- 33% of mobile game players say in-app ads help them discover new brands.
- 58% of mobile gamers make in-app purchases within the first week of gameplay.
- The average click-through rate (CTR) for mobile game rewarded videos is 25%.
- Instant apps in mobile games have increased user engagement by 31%.
- Time-based ads in mobile games have an average interaction rate of 35%.
- 55% of mobile gamers prefer watching playable ads over other ad formats.
- 70% of mobile gamers say that in-game ads influence their purchasing decisions.
- The average mobile game retention rate after one month is 3%.
- 82% of mobile gamers are more likely to engage with an ad that offers in-game rewards.
Interpretation
In the fast-paced world of mobile gaming, statistics have become the new high scores. With players spending an average of 20 minutes per session, it's clear that the game is on for both gamers and advertisers. Rewarded video ads shine as the golden ticket, boasting a 4x higher retention rate and an impressive 82% engagement rate. In this ad-riddled realm, where banner ads struggle to click at 0.18%, offering in-game rewards seems to be the secret code to unlocking player interest, with 47% more likely to tap into ads that promise virtual treasures. Female players make up a notable 46% of the mobile gaming population, proving that gaming is no longer a boys' club. From opt-in ads to tap-to-play adventures, it's a digital world where ads don't just interrupt gameplay, they enhance it. With 70% of players admitting that in-game ads sway their spending decisions, it's a battlefield where advertisers need to level up their strategies or risk getting game over in this lucrative market.
Regional distribution of mobile gaming
- Asia-Pacific accounted for 56% of global mobile game revenues in 2020.
- The Asia-Pacific region accounts for 47% of global mobile game app revenue.
Interpretation
In a world where thumb agility and screen addiction reign supreme, it comes as no surprise that the Asia-Pacific region continues to dominate the mobile game revenue charts. With fingers flying faster than the speed of light and wallets opening wider than the Grand Canyon, this gaming powerhouse proves that when it comes to mobile monetization, they're not just players — they're high rollers at the top of the leaderboard. So, grab your smartphone and buckle up, because in the land of mobile games, the only currency that matters is entertainment...and cold, hard cash.