Data.ai’s Monthly Gaming Pulse: October 2023

October 2023 marked the beginning of Q4 with a slew of exciting new releases and the continuation of popular gaming franchises. In this edition of Data.ai’s Monthly Gaming Pulse, we delve into the breakout hits of the month and analyze the latest trends and movements in the top gaming charts.

October 2023’s Breakout Games by Download

Gacha Life 2 stole the spotlight as the top game in terms of growth. This highly anticipated sequel to a beloved dress-up game garnered a staggering 64.7 million global downloads in just four weeks. With a massive fan base eagerly awaiting its release, Gacha Life 2’s success comes as no surprise. The game dominated download charts in 10 markets including the United States, Brazil, Russia, Mexico, United Kingdom, Germany, Italy, Spain, Canada, and France. Notably, Gacha Life 2 is yet to gain momentum in terms of in-app purchases, as it primarily serves as a platform for user-generated content and monetization through platforms like YouTube and TikTok.

In addition to Gacha Life 2, Mortal Kombat: Onslaught made a significant impact, securing its place as the third breakout game and landing in the top 10 for worldwide downloads at number nine. The game, which has been downloaded approximately 10.2 million times globally, witnessed success in markets such as the United States, Brazil, Mexico, Germany, and Colombia. Impressively, it surpassed $1.17 million in consumer spending worldwide, with the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Germany, and Australia emerging as the leading markets contributing to its revenue.

October 2023’s Most Popular Mobile Games by Downloads

October 2023 brought together rising stars and established favorites in the realm of mobile gaming. Free Fire, a battle royale game, ranked third globally with over 1.42 billion downloads since its launch in 2017. Real Car Driving: Race City 3D also stood out, securing a spot on the list with its impressive global downloads. This simulation racing game dominated download charts in 10 markets across three different continents, including Egypt, Colombia, Algeria, South Africa, Venezuela, and Romania.

Block Blast Adventure Master, a puzzle and tile-matching game launched in March 2022, showcased strong performance in India, the United States, Brazil, and Indonesia.

Breakout Games by Consumer Spend

Team Battle RPG Reverse: 1999 shook up the charts, skyrocketing 452 places to claim the fifth spot for consumer spend. The game heavily invested in paid user acquisition, with nearly 70% of downloads coming from paid sources. It also earned the distinction of being one of the games of the week in October, proving that exceptional gameplay and ingenuity can fuel success.

Despite being available in select markets since May 2023, Reverse: 1999 witnessed its official worldwide release in October. Since then, it has garnered nearly 20 million downloads globally, with significant concentrations in the United States, Taiwan, South Korea, China, and Japan. The game generated an impressive revenue of $32 million in its initial months, with China contributing the majority of spending at 78%, followed by Japan, Taiwan, South Korea, the United States, and Hong Kong. In the United States, the $99.99 in-app purchase of Crystal Drops accounted for nearly 20% of overall revenue, while various other packs ranging from $4.99 to $19.99 each contributed around 10% of total spend.

In October, Taiwan, Hong Kong, and Macau witnessed high spending on the recently released racing game, 巔峰極速. Despite only amassing around one million downloads globally since its iOS launch on October 17, 2023, the game surpassed a remarkable $11 million in revenue. This translates to a spend per download ratio of $11, with 95% of spending originating from iPhone users. 巔峰極速 serves as an excellent example of the power of tailoring a game to lucrative markets and achieving global success.

Most Popular Mobile Games by App Store Consumer Spend

While game launches and user acquisition strategies influence breakout charts, the top charts for consumer spend display greater stability, with player loyalty playing a significant role in the endurance of the top games.

Unsurprisingly, long-standing favorites like Royal Match and Monopoly GO retained their positions as the top two games by consumer spend. Both games owe their popularity and enduring success to engaging gameplay.

Honkai: Star Rail experienced a surge in consumer spending, climbing five places to claim the sixth spot. The release of Version 1.4 “Jolted Awake From a Winter Dream” on October 10 played a pivotal role in this increase. The updated version introduced new characters, maps, stories, and events, creating renewed excitement among players. Honkai: Star Rail has already surpassed $750 million in consumer spend, positioning itself on the path to joining the esteemed Billion Dollar Club.

Monster Strike, another stalwart in the top grossing games, secured the seventh spot for global consumer spend. The game’s success primarily stems from spending by Japanese consumers, exceeding an impressive $10.5 billion to date.

As October 2023 drew to a close, the gaming industry witnessed remarkable growth and the emergence of breakthrough hits. Gacha Life 2, Mortal Kombat: Onslaught, Free Fire, and Team Battle RPG Reverse: 1999 all made their mark, captivating millions of gamers around the world. These games serve as a testament to the boundless creativity and innovation that drive the gaming industry forward, providing endless entertainment for players across the globe.