AppMagic vs Newzoo

Puzzle Games Out-Earn RPGs Long-Term Despite Slower Start

A new report from AppMagic, titled 'The First $1m: What 158 Mobile Games Tell Us About Launching in 2026', analyzes 158 mobile games that surpassed $1 million in player spending this year. The report finds that while RPGs reach the $1 million milestone faster (median 62.5 days) than puzzle games (median 126 days), puzzle games achieve higher median lifetime revenue ($4.3 million) compared to RPGs ($2 million). Puzzle games, especially merge-2 and sort subgenres, dominate with 80% of puzzle revenue. IP-based games have a head start, with 48% reaching $1 million within 30 days, but the lifetime revenue gap between IP and original games narrows significantly. The report suggests that a quick start is not always a reliable indicator of long-term success, and puzzle games' strong performance warrants closer attention.

• AppMagic report analyzed 158 mobile games that surpassed $1 million in player spending in 2026.
• Puzzle games take a median of 126 days to reach $1 million, compared to RPGs at 62.5 days.
• Puzzle games have a higher median lifetime revenue of $4.3 million, while RPGs have $2 million.

Non-gaming Apps Beat Mobile Games in IAP Revenue Since 2016

According to a new AppMagic report marking its 10th anniversary, non-gaming apps such as TikTok and AI chatbots have led in-app purchase (IAP) revenue since 2016, surpassing mobile games. Mobile games last led in 2016. Honor of Kings and Free Fire remain top gaming titles but are outperformed overall. ChatGPT was the most downloaded app in 2025, while TikTok has been the top-grossing app annually since 2020. The report highlights significant revenue discrepancies among games: Among Us had 930 million downloads but only $52 million in IAP revenue, while Umamusume earned $1.6 billion from 19 million downloads. Some games, like Gossip Harbor, Kingshot, and Honor of Kings, continue to see revenue growth year-over-year, suggesting that despite the dominance of non-gaming apps, successful gaming franchises can still thrive.

• Non-gaming apps have led in-app purchase revenue since 2016, overtaking mobile games.
• TikTok has been the top-grossing app globally each year since 2020.
• ChatGPT was the most downloaded app globally in 2025.

Pokémon TCG Pocket Reaches $975M in Two Years

Pokémon Trading Card Game Pocket celebrated its second anniversary, having generated approximately $975.2 million in net revenue across Google Play and the App Store, according to AppMagic. This places it among the most successful mobile launches, though its second-year earnings of $233.7 million represent a 68% decline year-over-year from its first-year total of $741.4 million. The game, launched on October 30, 2024, is developed by DeNA and published by The Pokémon Company and Creatures Inc. Despite the slowdown, it remains profitable and ranks 30th in the top-grossing charts for 2026. The article highlights key revenue spikes tied to new card set releases, noting that daily earnings in the second year failed to surpass $3 million. The game does not rely on in-game ads.

Wardogs Tops Newzoo's September PC Revenue Charts

Bulkhead's Wardogs topped Newzoo's September PC revenue charts, surpassing EA Sports FC 27, within its first three weeks of Early Access. Marvel's Wolverine ranked fourth in console revenue, achieving the highest monthly dollar sales for a Sony-published title since Helldivers 2 per Circana. Halloween: The Game and The Blood of the Dawnwalker both reached Top 10 in PC and console revenue. Bodycam climbed 20 places to No.6 in PC revenue after a major update. Control Resonant, Remedy's first self-published title, debuted at No.18 in PC and No.17 in console, surpassing one million units in its launch month. Newzoo analyst Mert Şahin commented on crowded market dynamics and pricing strategies ahead of GTA 6's release.

• Wardogs topped Newzoo's September PC revenue chart in its first three weeks of Early Access.
• Marvel's Wolverine ranked fourth in console revenue and achieved highest monthly dollar sales for a Sony-published title since Helldivers 2.
• Control Resonant, Remedy's first self-published title, surpassed one million units in its launch month.

Carry1st focuses on commerce, payments in Africa and Middle East

South Africa-based Carry1st has pivoted its business model over the past 12-18 months towards its commerce platform, comprising Carry1st Shop, Pay1st, and Flow1st. The company now treats Africa and the Middle East as a single region, leveraging local expertise and payment infrastructure to help global gaming partners monetize. A joint analysis with Newzoo forecasts MEA games revenue to reach $8.53 billion in 2026, with revenue growth outpacing player growth. Carry1st's Africa Cup esports tournament continues to expand, with a prize pool of $30,000 in 2026, qualifying for global championships. The company emphasizes localised payment rails and local leadership as key to unlocking spending potential in the region.

• Carry1st pivoted to commerce platform with Carry1st Shop, Pay1st, and Flow1st.
• MEA games revenue projected at $8.53 billion in 2026, up 10.3% YoY (Newzoo).
• Carry1st Africa Cup prize pool doubled to $30,000 in 2026.

Newzoo: No Single Growth Model for Games Market

Newzoo's latest forecast projects the global games market will reach $213.9 billion in 2026, up 6.1% year-over-year, with growth driven by an expanding player base rather than conversion improvements. The global player base is expected to grow 4.4% to 3.7 billion, while spenders rise 4.7% to 1.65 billion, with average revenue per spender at $129.6. Mobile remains the largest platform with $121.1 billion in revenue (up 6.8%), despite a 25% year-over-year decline in global downloads and a 30% increase in cost per install. Newzoo highlights divergent growth paths across PC, console, and mobile, with no single model for growth. Direct-to-consumer channels are becoming more significant, with most tracked publishers generating at least 39% of gaming revenue directly from consumers. Growth in mobile players is shifting geographically, with Central Southern Asia, Southeast Asia, and the Middle East & Africa expected to account for 80% of new players.

• Global games market forecast to reach $213.9 billion in 2026, up 6.1% year-over-year.
• Mobile revenue expected to reach $121.1 billion, up 6.8%, despite a 25% year-over-year decline in downloads.
• Cost per install increased 30% to $0.56 in H1 2026.