Moon Active vs Playtika

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.

Kevin Bacon invites players to help build his farm in Solitaire Grand Harvest

Playtika announces a new collaboration between Kevin Bacon and Solitaire Grand Harvest, the hit...

Andrew Stalbow-Led Group Acquires Bath City FC

An investor group led by Andrew Stalbow, co-founder of mobile game developer Seriously, has completed the acquisition of English football club Bath City FC. The group raised over £6 million ($8.1 million) to support the club's operations and future development. Stalbow, who previously served as CEO of Seriously before its sale to Playtika, becomes the club's executive chair. The Bath City Holding Company comprises more than 50 investors from various industries. The investment aims to support the men's and women's teams, infrastructure development, and community engagement.

• Andrew Stalbow-led investor group completed acquisition of Bath City FC.
• Bath City Holding Company includes more than 50 investors.
• Group raised over £6 million ($8.1 million) in a seed round.

Publishers' Direct-to-Consumer Revenue in Q2 2026

PocketGamer.biz analyses direct-to-consumer (D2C) revenue for public mobile games companies for April–June 2026. Playtika reported $286.9m D2C revenue in Q2 (1.7% sequential decline, +63.1% Y/Y) with a 39.3% D2C share. Modern Times Group said D2C was 38% of group revenue while its Playamp division recorded 51% D2C. Stillfront reported D2C at 46% of bookings. G5’s store grew and direct mobile processing reached 17% of mobile gross. In social casino, SciPlay ($53m, 29% of earnings), Playstudios ($14.7m, +120% Y/Y) and DoubleDown ($40.5m, up from $10.7m) showed large D2C gains. The piece notes Apple’s proposal in the Epic case to allow up to a 15% commission for purchases outside the App Store, a potential structural factor affecting D2C economics.

• Playtika reported Q2 2026 D2C revenue of $286.9m, a 1.7% sequential decline and a 63.1% year‑on‑year increase; D2C share was 39.3%.
• Modern Times Group reported D2C at 38% of group revenue; Playamp division recorded 51% D2C in Q2 2026.
• Stillfront said D2C made up 46% of bookings in Q2 2026, up from 39% a year earlier.