Mobile Gaming Poised to Hit $77.2 Billion in 2020

Mobile Gaming Takeover: Casual Games Rule the Board

When the first half of 2020 rolled around, it was casual games that stole the spotlight—and the download charts. They grabbed a whopping 80 % of all global downloads, leaving the big‑league core games with a modest 19 % and the cash‑in‑the‑casino apps scant 1 % of the pie.

What the Numbers Really Mean

Casual Games: 80 % of all downloads – the unstoppable crowd‑pleasers.
Core Games: 19 % – second‑place, still loved by a dedicated fan base.
Casino Games: 1 % – the smallest slice, a niche but no less exciting for the lucky few.

Game Luster’s Verdict

Another snapshot from Game Luster backs up these findings, showing casual games with a 58.86 % market share during the same period.

Other Genres in the Mix

Puzzle Games (Solitaire): 56.5 % share – still a close contender.
Arcade Games: 55.08 % share – rolling high scores and nostalgic vibes.

Bottom Line

In short, 2020’s mobile gaming scene was a one‑way ticket to the casual game lounge, with the other genres playing a supporting role. Whether you’re a casual fan or a core gamer, there’s no denying that those easy‑to‑pick‑up titles became the big winners on screens worldwide.

Hyper Casual Game Installs Double Globally as China Records 300% Increase in Gaming Sessions

Hyper‑Casual Games: The Rising Kings of Mobile Gaming

Imagine a world where one swipe can turn you into a mastermind developer and one tap can make you a millionaire—no kidding! That’s the wild reality of hyper‑casual games, the fresh‑out‑of‑tzar beating the rest in the casual genre.

Growth That’ll make your phone dizzy

30 % of all casual downloads belong to the hyper‑casual crowd.
In 2019, they were the top 78 % of the most downloaded new games – that’s a staggering 78 %!
70 % surge in Installs‑per‑Mille (IPM) that same year.
Between Dec 2019 and Mar 2020, installs exploded double‑time – a 103 % jump.
China was the pioneer, with a 3.5× bump in those four months.
⏱ Gaming sessions in China shot up 300 % in March compared to December, setting the pace for the rest of the world.

Where Mobile Gaming Is Cashing in

Newzoo puts the $77.2 billion mobile gaming market at the top of the 2020 charts—almost half (48 %) of the global industry’s $159.3 billion worth. It’s the fastest‑growing segment, growing at a 13.3 % annual rate, outpacing PC and console.

From Wallet to Ads: Money Flow in the App Stores

Apple App Store & Google Play Store – 74 % of total consumer spend is on games.
Q2 2020: $19 billion spent on mobile games – a 15 % rise from the previous quarter.
Casual games rarely ask for in‑app purchases; they thrive on ad revenue. Statista predicts mobile ad spend will hit over $280 billion by 2022.

Why The Numbers Matter (and Why You Should Care)

Every time you pick up a hyper‑casual app, you’re contributing to a booming ecosystem that’s reshaping what it means to play. The numbers are real, raw, and downright addicting—so next time you see a simple endless‑runner, give a nod to the whole industry that’s behind it.