Cosmic Lounge nets €4 million to use AI tech to create mobile puzzle games
Game Developer
APRIL 25, 2023
The studio was quietly formed in 2022 by a group of former King, Seriously, and Next Games developers.
2022 Mobile Puzzle 
How Mobile Game Developers Are Using Anime to Boost Engagement and Revenue Across the Globe
Game Refinery
MARCH 20, 2025
With all that immense popularity, its perhaps unsurprising to note that anime has crept into the mobile market, too. Weve seen everything from the likes of PUBG x Jujustu Kaisen, to Puzzles & Dragons x Demon Slayer, Fortnite x Naruto, and Grand Summoners x One Punch Manto name a few historic examples.
Animation 
130
130 Join 5,000+
Insiders
Sign Up for our Newsletter
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
Trending Sources
The Rise of Hybridization in Mobile Games: How Developers are Genre Mashing Their Way to Success
Game Refinery
MAY 4, 2023
We’ve been writing about the growth of ‘hybrid’ mobile games – when a title merges two or more genres to create an entirely new gameplay experience – since 2020, but hybrid games have evolved a lot since then, especially when it comes to the game genres that are being merged together.
Mobile Gaming 275
275 
Report: Mobile puzzle games have made $42bn in the last decade
GamesIndustry.biz
SEPTEMBER 12, 2023
A new Sensor Tower report says mobile puzzle games have generated $42 billion since the company began tracking data in 2013. Real-time puzzles such as Tetris and Traffic Jam Fever saw significant growth between January 2022 and March 2023, with a 103% increase in downloads and a 64% rise in revenue.
Puzzle 113
113 
Game-Changing Storytelling: How To Integrate Narrative Elements in Mobile Games
Game Refinery
NOVEMBER 30, 2023
To put you on the right track, we’ve taken a deep dive into four games that have delivered innovative storytelling in four subgenres: Merge Puzzle from the Casual category, and MMORPG, Action RPG, and 4X Strategy from the Mid-core category. Gossip Harbor (source: GameRefinery platform).
Mobile Gaming 260
260 
How Istanbul Became the New Capital of Mobile Gaming – And Where It’s Headed Next
Deconstructor of Fun
MARCH 10, 2025
Trkiye has rapidly established itself as one of the world's most dynamic mobile gaming hubs. Today, Istanbul holds the undisputed crown of the world's mobile gaming capital. Today, Istanbul holds the undisputed crown of the world's mobile gaming capital. Harder Questions: Can Trkiye Break Out Beyond Puzzle & Casual?
How Mobile Game Developers Are Using In-Game Collaboration Events to Boost Player Retention
Game Refinery
NOVEMBER 23, 2022
If you’re looking for ways to improve player retention for your mobile game, hosting a collaboration event with a well-known franchise as part of your LiveOps might be the answer you’re looking for. To figure out what makes a brand collaboration successful, let’s look at some recent examples of in-game collaboration events in mobile games.
Mobile Gaming 243
243 
[Event Spotlight] How Mobile Game Developers Can Boost Engagement In The Casual Puzzle Genre With Competitive 1v1 Events
Game Refinery
FEBRUARY 8, 2024
Following the high-level trend of hybridization across mobile , more and more casual games have started introducing competitive elements into their live event strategies. This has become especially prevalent in the puzzle subgenre, with around 75% of casual puzzle games in the US top-grossing 200 implementing these features.
Puzzle 130
130 
[Event Spotlight] How Mobile Game Developers Are Driving Player Engagement With Race Events
Game Refinery
JUNE 15, 2023
The rise of hybridization in mobile games has resulted in game developers experimenting with new gameplay mechanics and features from other genres to drive engagement, something that’s often done via limited-time events.
Racing 219
219 
12 Ways to Take Battle Passes to the Next Level in Mobile Games
Game Refinery
OCTOBER 26, 2023
The ever-changing nature of the mobile market means that new monetization mechanics are constantly emerging and evolving. Battle passes have crept into almost every mobile game genre imaginable, with our platform showing that 66% of mobile games in the top 20% have incorporated the feature.
Mobile Gaming 237
237 
The top 22 mobile games of 2022
Game Analytics
DECEMBER 28, 2022
Casual strategy games have definitely made their mark in 2022. Masters of simulation, this studio is renowned for making popular sim games for mobile. But not only is it the first to make it to mobile, it’s also the first one to be free to play. Summoners War: Chronicles is yet another MMORPG to make it to mobile.
Struggling with UA and player retention in a post-IDFA world? Minigames are the answer
Game Refinery
APRIL 6, 2023
With increased competition from IDFA regulation changes and new games consistently entering the market, two of the biggest challenges facing publishers and mobile game studios are acquiring new players (UA) and keeping those players in your game (player retention).
Mechanics 236
236 
Stumble Guys vs. Eggy Party: Which Fall Guys Clone Is the King of Mobile?
Game Refinery
JANUARY 5, 2023
They say imitation is a form of flattery, and there’s no shortage of mobile games that share a striking similarity with other popular titles in the PC, console and mobile markets. Why isn’t there a mobile version of Fall Guys? That said, there are arguments for and against releasing a mobile version of Fall Guys.
Mobile 130
130 
Untold Stories of ex-Activision Blizzard King’s Founders
Deconstructor of Fun
NOVEMBER 4, 2024
In the second edition of The Alumni Effect, we’re focusing on another industry powerhouse: Activision Blizzard, which also includes the mobile gaming giant King. While this is a decrease from previous years—$153 m in 2022 and $158m in 2023—the steady number of deals indicates continued VC interest in startups founded by ex-ATVI employees.
Mobile 52
52 
Why Renovation and Construction Elements Are Becoming More Popular in Casual Games
Game Refinery
SEPTEMBER 28, 2022
Mobile game developers are constantly looking for new ways to bring in new players and keep existing players engaged with their games. As our snapshot report into casual mobile games shows, players can’t get enough of renovation and construction elements. No wonder these same elements are so popular in mobile games!
Mobile Gaming 130
130 
How to Leverage Trends and Motivations to Build Better Casual and Hyper-Casual Games
Game Refinery
NOVEMBER 2, 2022
Competition is fierce in the mobile game market, but even more so for developers of casual and hyper-casual games. So, what can mobile game developers do to increase the chances of their games performing well? Put simply: the mobile game market is currently seeing a lot of hybridization. Social and LiveOps.
Build 130
130 
The Case of Playrix and why Product-Market fit is a Moving Target
Deconstructor of Fun
FEBRUARY 27, 2023
Follow Nebo on everything mobile growth > @eniac W hen AppTrackingTransparency was introduced, many predicted the doom and gloom situation and the death of mobile gaming. It's no secret that Match 3 is the most competitive mobile gaming genre. moment for many folks in the mobile gaming industry, including Playrix.
Mobile Gaming 132
132 
(The Unofficial) Deconstructor of Fun 2022 Gaming Awards
Deconstructor of Fun
DECEMBER 27, 2022
2022 was incredibly eventful (as you can read about below) and we are looking forward to starting the new year with all of you in a few days! 2022 GAMES AWARDS: And the winner is… The Biggest News Item of 2022 Looking back, 2021 was truly booming in terms of game news. 2022 has been the opposite. Subscribe here!
Games 52
52 
The State of the Mobile Games Market in 2023
Deconstructor of Fun
JANUARY 17, 2023
State of the Mobile Games Market The Western mobile games market , which we broadly analyze by removing the Chinese, Taiwanese, Japanese and Korean markets from the numbers, saw overall installs climb by 14% to 47.5B Noticeably, Tencent’s PUBG Mobile and Garena’s Free Fire were both down 37%.
2022 Predictions #2 How to win after Fortnite's and Why Going Cross-Platform is Mandatory for Mid-Core Games
Deconstructor of Fun
JANUARY 31, 2022
An essential data platform for all mobile gaming studios. Well, one of the biggest trends in mid-core games is growing your business on mobile and beyond. In 2021 the Mid-core category continued to dominate on the revenue side, bringing 45% of all In-App Purchase (IAP) revenues in mobile markets (excluding China, Japan, and Korea).
2022 Predictions #4 Casino Games Brace for Impact
Deconstructor of Fun
FEBRUARY 13, 2022
An essential data platform for all mobile gaming studios. As people were locked down and real-life casinos shut down, casino games on mobile made bank. Casino on Mobile Trends, Demographics, Audience, and IPs. The drop of downloads will most likely lead to declining revenue in 2022. Access all previous predictions here.
Games 52
52 
14 low-budget, highly successful story games
Game Analytics
DECEMBER 5, 2022
Available on mobile, console and PC. Available on mobile devices, Apple watch and PC. Available on mobile devices only. Published in 2022. Available on mobile. Horror in the Darkness is a text-based horror puzzle-esque game. Available on mobile, console, PC and Switch. Let’s dig in. Reigns by Nerial.
Horror 109
109 
Soft Landing to Conversion – Introducing Onboarding Best Practices PART 3
Game Refinery
JUNE 23, 2022
Let’s find out what kind of interesting monetization features aimed specifically at new players can be found in top mobile games from East to West! For example, the Puzzle RPG Dragon Ball Z Dokkan Battle has a Single-Summon limited to new players who are just starting to compile their character roster.
Mechanics 130
130 
Supercell’s Strategic Initiatives that Will Transform the Company
Deconstructor of Fun
APRIL 12, 2023
In February, Ilkka Paananen, the beloved CEO of Supercell, and arguably one of the faces on the Mount Rushmore of Mobile Games Executives, published his yearly blog post. All in all, Ilkka’s yearly blog is an inspirational and quite sincere vision of the top brass of a major mobile games company. Hay Day has exceeded $2B. Both amazing.”
Mobile 118
118 
Based 2023’s data, which casual game genres are likely to perform well in 2024?
PreMortem.Games
FEBRUARY 28, 2024
2023 turned out to be no less challenging for the mobile market than the year before. User spending went down by around 3.5%, following the decline trend of 2022. Idle Tycoon : a developing genre with good potential and risk/reward ratio that seemed rather promising in 2022. Top image: Merge Mansion.
Data 104
104 
Tower of Fantasy – Is the Game Really a Genshin Impact With a Social Twist?
Game Refinery
OCTOBER 11, 2022
Tower of Fantasy was launched in the global markets in August 2022, luring players to the game with its “Genshin with an MMO experience” headlines. So, does it live up to the promise? Tower of Fantasy is a new MMORPG developed by Hotta Studio and published by Perfect World and Level Infinite. appeared first on GameRefinery.
Fantasy 130
130 
Playtika goes from social casino to casual - and that’s not good
Deconstructor of Fun
NOVEMBER 14, 2022
We're talking about massive layoffs across the tech industry and gaming in particular, new mobile game studios from NetEase and Nintendo, Playtika's latest earnings report, the dramatic and sudden collapse of FTX and the ongoing creator royalty debate going on in the world of NFTs. ? Subscribe here! year-over-year, comprising 54.9%
Mobile 52
52 
Clash Quest, the Unofficial Postmortem
Deconstructor of Fun
SEPTEMBER 19, 2022
Clash Quest is Supercell’s most recent attempt at disrupting the puzzle category through titles like Smash Land , Spooky Pop, and Hay Day Pop , each of them trying to achieve success from different angles. Clash Quest 101 In terms of gameplay, Clash Quest can be categorized as a blast-based midcore Puzzle game with some RPG components.
Puzzle 52
52 
Predicting the Future of Supercell’s Brand New Studio
Deconstructor of Fun
DECEMBER 13, 2022
TWiG #212 - Apple's New Price Points / Game Genre Taxonomy pt 2 / Nintendo's Mobile Strategy ? As the Supercell blog post stated a year ago, “ We are establishing this new team to pursue a specific goal: assemble and enable the best talent in North America to create what’s next across any platform, not just mobile. Subscribe here!
Studios 52
52 
Google x Deconstructor of Fun Istanbul Event: Highlights and Videos
Deconstructor of Fun
APRIL 2, 2022
Gaming expert speakers talked about the hottest topics in the gaming industry from 2022 predictions to rising game categories, from blockchain & NFT gaming to launch strategies. Mobile games market predictions in 2022 Michail Katkoff, Savage Game Studios, and Deconstructor of Fun.
Mobile 52
52 
ESA report leans into gaming’s positive benefits
Game Daily
JULY 14, 2023
Preferences: The top five genres show how much mobile and casual games influence the market. They are currently puzzles (63%), arcade (52%), skill & chance (44%), shooters (42%) and action (41%). 64% use mobiles – 12% only play on smartphones. consumer spend on video games in 2022 came in at 56.6
Console 52
52 
Music continues to rise inside metaverse gaming
Game Daily
JUNE 19, 2023
A separate game invites players to solve a logic puzzle. Dream Idols is initially available for various VR platforms, including Meta and Vive, with mobile releases planned for the future. In 2022, Meta scored a major coup by staging a concert with Foo Fighters. Every genre of games brings in a new audience along with it.
Games 52
52 
Why Rovio is Such a Juicy Catch
Deconstructor of Fun
FEBRUARY 23, 2023
The company disclosed that it had already submitted a bid on November 16, 2022, for €8.50 These efforts were hampered by what it identified as increased market competition, particularly in the puzzle genre. in Q4 2022 despite overall Rovio revenue decline—and a stable core portfolio. But this wasn’t Playtika’s first offer.
Co-op 52
52 
Know How Much It Costs to Make a Game Before Investing!
Big Games
OCTOBER 10, 2023
Keep reading this blog to understand how mobile game development costs differ from AAA games. Its developers dropped the news to launch the sequel to MW2 (2022), Modern Warfare III , with updated detailing and editions like the ‘Open Combat Missions.’ Will it be a 2D puzzle or an AAA game like Grand Theft Auto V?
AAA 52
52 
The Uncomfortably Comfortable Supercell Talk
Deconstructor of Fun
FEBRUARY 19, 2024
Supercell CEO’s annual blog post is a personal, inspirational, and sincere communication method from the top brass of a major mobile games company. compared to 2022) while EBITDA reached to a hefty €580m (down 8.2% compared to 2022). As a result, Supercell has fallen from the top-10 mobile publishers’ list.
Mobile 59
59 
What’s next for Rovio? 7 Questions that Paint the Picture.
Deconstructor of Fun
MAY 18, 2023
If you liked this analysis, you’ll love: Why Rovio is Such a Juicy Catch #1 What is the rationale and Strategic interest behind Sega Sammy’s desire to acquire Rovio Entertainment Firstly, Rovio is an earnings-generating mobile gaming company with studios in Europe and Canada. 2022 net profits: Sega: 337.4M USD Rovio: 24.9M
2021 Predictions #4 Contenders Throwdown for Supercell's Mid-Core Crown
Deconstructor of Fun
JANUARY 21, 2021
This analysis will give you a full overview of the Strategy games genre, which is the second-largest genre in the Western markets after puzzle. This makes the genre second largest on mobile in (outside key Asian markets) after Puzzle games. It grew the market and became bigger than Hearthstone on mobile.
Mobile 52
52 
New AWS Survey Finds Cloud Solutions Are Top Of Mind for Game Developers in 2023
AWS Games
DECEMBER 1, 2022
This blog post presents data and findings from an annual survey of professional video game developers conducted by Amazon Web Services (AWS) during October and November, 2022, alongside details about new AWS for Games solutions and customer stories. The video game industry continued its rapid transformation in 2022. Highlights.
2020 Predictions #8: What do the Kardashians and Casino Publishers Have in Common… CA$H!
Deconstructor of Fun
FEBRUARY 3, 2020
Expect more acquisitions, new game releases and revenue diversification efforts (also outside mobile games) from Playtika, as it prepares to bulk up before an imminent 2020 IPO. This can be seen in the image below, where Simulation, Merge Puzzle and MOBA titles from Big Fish and Plarium are currently in soft-launch.
Mobile 52
52 
How Cookie Run Bakes its Monster Revenue
Deconstructor of Fun
APRIL 25, 2022
The card-battling RPG genre was one of the first in mobile games that enjoyed success at scale and popularity around the world. By embracing and encouraging gamers’ motivation to collect and to cultivate, the card battling genre has become a proven formula for mobile companies and studios to maximize their revenue.
Baking 52
52 
2021 Predictions #1 Puzzle Games Becomes the Top Grossing Genre on Mobile
Deconstructor of Fun
JANUARY 10, 2021
Mat Baker has been making mobile games for 15 years. Laura Taranto has 12 years experience in casual games and is a product advisor and puzzle game aficionado. 2020 was a very good year for mobile games. Puzzle Games in 2020 Puzzle, out of all of the genres and mobile, is the largest one when looking at IAPs only.
Puzzle 52
52 
A comprehensive guide to in-demand roles in film and games
CG Spectrum
JUNE 10, 2024
CG Spectrum's 2022 Houdini FX student showcase. Game design jobs in the industry Game designers are required for all types of video games—from console to online to mobile. What does an FX artist do? ensuring that if players fall out of bounds, they don’t get stuck).
Film 52
52 
IBM wins $44.9m in infringement lawsuit against Zynga
GamesIndustry.biz
SEPTEMBER 16, 2024
IBM has won its 2022 patent infringement lawsuit against Zynga. IBM convinced a Delaware jury that mobile developer Zynga infringed its web-based communications patents with its hugely successful mobile game, Farmville, as well as several spin-off titles. Read more
Puzzle 121
121 
2022 Predictions #1 The King is back, Merge overheats and Hypercasuals falter
Deconstructor of Fun
JANUARY 24, 2022
Summarizing an entire year of mobile gaming while providing predictions for what is going to happen next is a challenge that we at Deconstructor of Fun undertake every year. An essential data platform for all mobile gaming studios. The Macro-Level View As we know, 2020 was a year of unprecedented growth for mobile games.
Puzzle 52
52 
Let's personalize your content