In a captivating exploration into mobile gaming, role-playing games (RPGs) and strategy games have emerged as having the most dedicated fan base. An analysis by Mistplay involving over 500 mobile games and millions of players has shed light on the loyalty levels across different gaming genres. The evaluation was based on several factors, including user retention, frequency of purchases, and average user sessions.
RPGs and Strategy Games Lead in Player Loyalty
According to Mistplay's Loyalty Index, RPGs bagged the top spot with an impressive score of 87 out of 100, closely followed by Strategy games at 79. Racing games and Simulation games lagged behind with scores of 62 and 60. This underlines the strong allegiance players have towards RPGs and Strategy games in the mobile gaming community, showcasing their ability to keep gamers engaged over time.
The Allure of Lifestyle and Puzzle Games
Lifestyle games, however, excelled in terms of the average sessions per user, fuelled by their engaging gameplay. These games are adept at monetisation, ranking first in the percentage of spenders by Day 30 and third for repeat purchases. Puzzle games managed to edge out others in terms of player retention, dominating the Day 30 retention statistics, indicating a significant growth potential within a diverse casual gaming community.
The Importance of Advertising in Player Acquisition
A noteworthy discovery from the analysis is the role of advertising in appealing to potential players. Approximately half of the players decided to install a game soon after seeing an ad. The authenticity within these ads plays a crucial role, with an overwhelming 71.7% of mobile gamers believing in the importance of actual gameplay footage in ads. Despite this, 36.7% of players still claimed to ignore ads completely, highlighting the need for more innovative advertising strategies.
High-Value Spenders and Their Gaming Patterns
Players who spend over $100 in mobile games exhibit unique gaming and spending patterns. They are 28% more likely than average players to interact with at least eight games weekly. These high-value spenders are also 55% more likely to spend money to stay competitive with their peers, underlining their commitment to gaming.
Game Progression: A Key Motivator
Two dominant reasons for continued engagement in a game among players are the desire to progress (56.8%) and the fear of losing their in-game progress (50.3%). These findings emphasize the need to structure games in a way that offers players a clear sense of achievement and progression.
In conclusion, RPGs and Strategy games have proven to have the most loyal players. Nevertheless, Lifestyle and Puzzle games also hold their own in terms of user sessions and retention. As the mobile gaming industry continues to grow and evolve, understanding player behavior and loyalty will remain crucial.