Core Insights - In November 2025, global mobile game spending reached $6.68 billion, a month-over-month decrease of 2.8% [5] - The United States led the market with a 32.3% share of total revenue, followed by China (iOS only) at 14.4% and Japan at 12.4% [5] - Global mobile game downloads totaled 3.62 billion, down 4.1% month-over-month [9] Revenue Rankings - "Last War: Survival Game" topped the global revenue chart, driven by its alliance-based gameplay and competitive live operations [2] - "Whiteout Survival" and "MONOPOLY GO!" ranked second and third, respectively, due to impactful seasonal events that enhanced user engagement [4][5] - "MapleStory: Idle RPG" led the revenue growth list, benefiting from strong IP appeal and targeted monetization strategies [6] Download Rankings - "Block Blast!" was the most downloaded game, supported by continuous content updates and a Thanksgiving-themed event [8] - "ROBLOX" secured the second position, aided by significant operational events throughout November [8] - "Solitaire Associations Journey" topped the download growth list, combining classic card mechanics with word association gameplay [10] User Engagement Strategies - Publishers focused on thematic rewards and social activities to boost user engagement during November [4] - Seasonal events like "Thanksgiving Festival" and "Turkey-tastic Times" effectively maintained player activity and monetization [5][6] - The success of these live operations highlighted the importance of seasonal rewards and collectible-driven mechanisms in enhancing user participation [5]

Core Insights - Live Ops has become the "central nervous system" for long-term operations in mobile F2P games, evolving from simple event scheduling to a complex, data-driven ecosystem that supports player engagement and monetization [3][4] - There is a noticeable trend of convergence in Live Ops strategies among leading games in the casual puzzle genre, indicating a unified and efficient approach [4][9] - Key performance indicators such as D90/D1 retention rates and average daily playtime are converging around 25% and 38 minutes, respectively, across major titles in the casual puzzle category [9][10] Live Ops Strategy Trends - Leading casual puzzle games are adopting similar Live Ops strategies, reflecting a high level of efficiency and effectiveness [4][9] - Daily prize events have become a standard feature in casual puzzle games, designed to attract daily logins through significant rewards [15][19] - A shift from purely competitive events to a hybrid model that includes personal achievement has been observed, enhancing participation among a broader player base [21][23] Key Live Ops Features - The introduction of an "infinite album" collection system has replaced traditional seasonal collection models, allowing for continuous engagement and completion motivation among players [29][30][34] - Live Ops strategies are increasingly designed to cater to diverse player segments, balancing engagement and monetization without compromising the gaming experience [35][36] - The dual focus on achievement/completion and social/competitive motivations is crucial for driving player retention and monetization [38][41] Conclusion - A robust Live Ops strategy is essential for success in the casual puzzle game market, as it not only meets the needs of key player segments but also drives fundamental business metrics [43]

Investment Rating - The report does not explicitly state an investment rating for the mobile gaming industry in East Asia Core Insights - The East Asia mobile gaming market is projected to show strong growth, with a total download of 1.93 billion in Q1 2025, marking a 3% increase from Q4 2024, indicating high player engagement and demand for new content [32][33] - In-app purchase (IAP) revenue for the region reached $625 million in Q1 2025, ranking seventh globally, showcasing significant monetization potential driven by a large user base and improved digital payment systems [32][34] - The report highlights the success of top games like "Mobile Legends: Bang Bang" in maintaining long-term user engagement and operational success in the East Asian market [19][34] Summary by Sections East Asia Mobile Gaming Overview - The report provides a comprehensive analysis of the mobile gaming market in East Asia, covering revenue and download trends, major game types, and country-specific performance [19][27] Download and Revenue Trends - In Q1 2025, Indonesia led the region with 870 million downloads, a 9% increase, while Thailand topped the revenue charts with $162 million, driven by strong digital payment infrastructure [34][35] - The overall download growth in East Asia is expected to drive player spending, establishing a foundation for revenue growth [32][33] Game Type Performance - Casual and arcade games dominate download volumes, while strategy and role-playing games lead in revenue, indicating diverse player preferences [38][40] - The report notes that games with strong social features and personalization, particularly RPGs, effectively convert player engagement into revenue [38][40] Country Highlights - Indonesia's mobile gaming market is characterized by strong performance in simulation and arcade genres, while strategy and MOBA games lead in revenue [45][46] - Thailand's market shows a diverse revenue landscape with sports games leading in income, while puzzle games see significant download growth [51][53] - Vietnam's market reflects a strong demand for diverse gaming experiences, with both local and international titles performing well [56][58] Top Games and Market Dynamics - The report lists top-performing games in the region, highlighting the impact of new titles and established franchises on market dynamics [41][59] - Games like "Garena Free Fire" and "Last War: Survival" are noted for their strong performance in downloads and revenue, showcasing the competitive landscape [41][59]

Core Viewpoint - The article discusses the recent challenges faced by the mobile game company Magic Tavern, including layoffs and underperformance of new projects, potentially influenced by its parent company AppLovin's sale and ongoing issues [1][5][54]. Group 1: Company Background and Performance - Magic Tavern, established 12 years ago, is recognized for its successful titles such as "Matchington Mansion" and "Project Makeover," which have generated significant revenue, with "Project Makeover" ranking in the top 4 for revenue in the casual puzzle genre in 2024, exceeding $100 million [3][4]. - The total estimated revenue for these two main products from 2020 to April 2024 is approximately 76 billion RMB [4]. - Despite strong revenue from its successful products, the company has recently faced difficulties, including a reported layoff affecting over 50% of its marketing team [1][5]. Group 2: Product Development and Strategy - The company initially struggled with its early products but shifted focus to the global market, recognizing the potential of casual games, particularly in the "match-3" genre [15][29]. - The transition to a "match-3 + simulation" model began with the success of "Matchington Mansion," which integrated simulation elements into traditional match-3 gameplay, enhancing user engagement [30][34]. - "Project Makeover" further refined this approach by incorporating themes appealing to female players, such as beauty and transformation, which helped it achieve rapid downloads and significant revenue shortly after launch [36][40][48]. Group 3: Market Challenges and Future Outlook - The competitive landscape for match-3 games is intense, with established titles like "Royal Match" and "Candy Crush Saga" dominating the market, making it challenging for new entrants to gain traction [42][44]. - The recent performance of the new product "Modern Community" has been disappointing compared to previous hits, raising concerns about the sustainability of the company's successful formula [50][53]. - The layoffs and underperformance of new projects may indicate a need for the company to adapt its strategies and explore new avenues for growth in the mobile gaming market [54].