As we approach the end of 2024, mobile gaming in Korea continues to evolve, with new entrants making waves on both iOS and Android platforms. However, the strategies behind which games climb the top-grossing charts differ significantly between these two operating systems. This article takes a closer look at the popular categories on iOS and Android based on revenue in the Top 100 charts, highlighting the trends, strategic choices, and factors driving success.
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iOS Revenue TOP 100: Action and Casual Games Lead the Way
iOS Top 100 Revenue Game Categories, South Korea, Jan-Sep 2024
In 2024, action and casual games have emerged as the most popular categories among new titles that managed to break into the iOS Top 100 revenue chart. However, it’s not just the choice of category that has driven these games’ success—there are deeper strategic reasons at play.
Many of these action and casual games incorporate strong RPG (Role-Playing Game) elements, blending the fast-paced gameplay of action games with the depth and progression of RPG mechanics. This hybrid approach helps cater to a broader audience, drawing in casual players while offering RPG fans the immersive experiences they enjoy.
One standout in this category is eFootball™, which, despite traditionally falling into the sports genre, has been classified as an action game in the iOS rankings. This strategic categorization speaks to the broader flexibility developers are adopting in finding the right niches for their games.
Key Commonalities Among iOS Hits
While the category is certainly a factor, what sets many of these new iOS chart-toppers apart are:
- Strong IPs: Intellectual property (IP) continues to be a major driver of success. Games tied to well-known franchises or with established characters tend to attract loyal fanbases and achieve higher revenue.
- Distinctive Edge: Whether it’s through a unique concept, clever tagline, or humorous marketing campaigns, these games stand out by offering something memorable. In an oversaturated market, even small differentiators can create a significant competitive advantage.
Android Revenue TOP 100: The RPG Powerhouse
Over on Android, the picture is quite different. RPGs dominate the revenue charts, maintaining a strong foothold in Korea’s mobile gaming landscape. MMORPGs, in particular, continue to perform well, though many of the top titles from previous years have been replaced by newer contenders. The focus on RPGs stems from their ability to attract high ARPPU (Average Revenue Per Paying User) players—those willing to spend significantly within games for exclusive items, customization, and power-ups.
Android Top 100 Revenue Game Categories, South Korea, Jan-Sep 2024
While RPGs hold the revenue crown, casual games are also making an impact in terms of downloads. Titles such as Legend of Mushroom, Last War, Lucky Defense, and Royal Match have seen significant traction. However, the primary difference here is that while casual games gain a broader user base, RPGs are still the category that drives the most revenue. This distinction reflects the differing monetization strategies—RPGs often rely on in-app purchases and gacha mechanics to generate income, while casual games frequently adopt an ad-supported or freemium model.
Strategic Category Selection: The Key to Success?
A notable takeaway from the Android and iOS analysis is the strategic category selection by game developers. Despite their dominance in different categories, developers are making deliberate choices to place their games in categories that maximize potential revenue or downloads, depending on the platform. On iOS, action and casual games often offer faster engagement and a broader appeal, while Android’s RPG-heavy approach taps into a user base that is more inclined to make in-game purchases.
Interestingly, there are substantial differences in the number of games per category between iOS and Android, further underscoring the importance of choosing the right genre. Developers targeting high-paying users often skew towards RPGs on Android, while iOS seems to cater more to hybrid categories that blend casual gameplay with in-depth mechanics.
Conclusion: Understanding the Market Nuances
In 2024, the mobile gaming landscape in Korea remains highly competitive, with both iOS and Android showcasing different strengths. While iOS trends toward action and casual games with RPG elements and clever marketing tactics, Android continues to be dominated by revenue-generating RPGs. Success in this market is not solely determined by the choice of category but also by strong IPs, distinctive marketing strategies, and a nuanced understanding of each platform’s user behavior. Developers aiming to break into the Top 100 charts will need to adapt their strategies accordingly, finding the right balance between category selection and user engagement.
