The mobile games industry boomed during the pandemic: downloads increased, as did revenues, but in 2022 the numbers are down. Ivan Fedyanin, the co-founder of hyper-casual studio Ducky, commented on the situation.

As in other areas of the game industry, the hyper-casual market generated high figures during this period thanks to games aimed at instant play, with simple but addictive gameplay. In 2020, mobile game downloads were up 38% in the first quarter of the year, and revenues were up 25%.

Today, those numbers are down: the hyper-casual gaming market lost 8.3% in the first quarter of 2022, after growing 13.5% late last year, according to AppMagic research.

Despite the drop in numbers and people’s lack of time to play games, the hyper-casual market continues to grow. This growth may not be as rapid as during the pandemic, but the mobile gaming industry is expected to grow exponentially between 2022 and 2029.

Competition among hyper-casual studios

Competition in the world of hyper-casual games is increasing as developers, publishers, and investors see the potential of these lightweight gaming models.

Investors have taken an interest in the hyper-casual genre and recognize that simple games appeal more to consumers because of the quick immersion in players.

Ivan Fedyanin, co-founder of hyper-casual studio Ducky

Developers are finding a niche in the hyper-casual genre because of the low barrier to entry. In terms of team size, a few people are enough, and the development time for these games is faster than for large, complex games.

Publishers and investors also see the opportunities that hyper-casual games offer. As the market continues to grow, developers are looking for ways to stand out from the crowd, improve marketing and find profitable partnerships.

Side note: Hyper-Casual Weekly #3.

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