In 2023, hybrid casual games have seen a significant boost in revenues, surging by 30%. That’s according to the latest data from SensorTower. Let’s dive in.
Hybrid casual is on a roll
As we approach the end of the year, mobile hybrid casual games are expected to make over $2.1 billion in total revenue.
The biggest increases in revenue were seen in action-based and puzzle hybrid games. The overall genre has experienced a remarkable fourfold increase in annual revenue since 2019 when it was at $600 million.
In China alone, the top 10 hybrid casual games of 2023 have made nearly $600 million in total, almost matching the global milestone set four years ago. Interestingly, this growth is not limited to a specific type of game, as hyper casual games have become less popular in China this year. Moreover, in 2023, China’s top 30 mobile revenue earners have shifted from 20% hybrid casual games in 2019 to a substantial 43%, claiming nearly half of the list in this important market.
Trend in mobile in-game purchases
Source: Sensor Tower
Globally, hybrid casual game revenues reached $1.6 billion in 2022, showing an impressive 60% yearly increase. While revenues have continued to rise, reaching $2.1 billion in 2023, the growth rate has slowed down to 30%.
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Mobile gamers are clearly embracing current retention strategies and the more midcore elements of hybrid casual games, contributing to the ongoing success of the genre as it passes the $2 billion milestone. However, as the genre continues to grow, whether it can avoid the challenges faced by hyper casual games is a key question for 2024.
Hybrid casual mobile games are also diversifying their sources of revenue beyond advertising. From January to November 2023, a notable 93% of the world’s top 100 hybrid casual mobile games have adopted the currency wallet model. Additionally, 74% and 67% of these games have incorporated Novice Gift packs and online event monetisation strategies, indicating a shift towards various and innovative monetisation approaches.
Ranking of top Chinese hybrid games
Source: Sensor Tower
One notable company highlighted in the report is Voodoo, a French developer that transitioned to a hybrid casual model last year, resulting in an impressive 250% increase in revenue.
France quickly recognised the decline of hypercasual games, with only 3% of its games produced last year belonging to the genre, while nearly twice as many had already adopted a hybrid approach.
Key takeaways
- Hybrid casual games are thriving, with a 30% revenue surge in 2023.
- China plays a significant role, with top games nearing $600 million in revenue.
- Mobile gamers embrace retention strategies, diversifying revenue sources, but challenges lie ahead in 2024.