Comment & Opinion

The latest differences in casual games between the global and Chinese mobile game market

TopOn VP of marketing monetisation Harry Yang compares two high-performing games

The latest differences in casual games between the global and Chinese mobile game market

Although COVID-19 is now spreading around the world, the expected performance of the global mobile game market in 2020 is still very high.

According to Sensor Tower, in 2019, the total estimated revenue of global mobile games for App Store and Google Play (Chinese Android app stores are excluded) reached $6.17 billion, which has increased 14.8% from 2018. Based on an analysis of Chinese third-party Android app stores, App Annie predicts that the global mobile game market will reach $100 billion in 2020.

The scale of the Chinese mobile game market is also expanding. According to data provided by Chinese official agencies, the total revenue of the Chinese mobile game market reached $23 billion in 2019, which has increased $3.5 billion (a growth rate of around 18.0%) compared with 2018. The userbase for the Chinese mobile game market has reached 620 million, which has increased 3.2% compared with last year.

Among the popular game categories in both markets, Action and Role-playing games are the most profitable game types, and casual games are the most downloaded game category.

As a global ad mediation platform, TopOn compared the user acquisition costs and the eCPM data of major ad formats between major countries and China in February, and used Woodturning 3D and Sunny Pig Fun as case studies of the two markets to reflect the similarities and differences.

Similarities and differences between casual gameplay in the global market and the Chinese market

Casual games have seen new changes in Q1 in 2020, whether in the global market or the Chinese market.

In February, the most popular game in the global market was Woodturning 3D, which has gameplay similar to a popular video on YouTube. The hypercasual genre has entered stage 3 - getting inspiration from real life.

The most popular game in the Chinese market was Sunny Pig Fun - a "money making" game. During the recent Spring Festival holiday, this type of game was very popular in the Chinese market.

Comparing these two games, they have many similarities:

a. For the product level.
They are close to real life and have localized characteristics, shorten the distance with players through matching their interests, and are very easy to learn and play, with simple and direct operations. Players can do it all with only one finger.

Both of the games have also considered their sustainability. They combine simple playing methods with the games' internal growth system and value system to extend users' interest and freshness, increase the playing time.

b. For the monetization level.
Both games use an ad-focused monetization model and contain rewarded videos, interstitials and banners. They both have similarly-designed ad scenarios - get extra coins or tools through rewarded videos, display interstitials while switching game scenes, and banners that will not affect users' operations.

There are also several differences:

Sunny Pig Farm, outside of its traditional monetization, has added a localized characteristic – the 'red packet' mode. Increased playing time and attracting users to invite more friends to join by using the players’ desire for making money. The developers have designed seven ad scenarios to stimulate it.

Woodturning 3D takes its interesting playing method as its core to guarantee the long-term retention rate and attract more users through its reputation.

Interstitials are more frequent, and users will watch 2-3 advertisements while completing one entire sculpturing process. Furthermore, the cross-promotion feature has been added to acquire more free new users for the developer's catalogue of games.

These two games have profound implications to help developers understand the global market and the Chinese market.

a. Similarities:

Products: A straw shows which way the wind blows. Themes that are closer to life which are more attractive for both Chinese & global markets. Simple operations & easy playing methods can quickly chase and keep player. The value of players can be further explored through game numerical control and sustainable scenarios.

Good games will become popular around the world. Take Voodoo's Woodturning 3D as an example, which is very popular in China as well. A local distributor has published it in Chinese app stores on behalf of Voodoo and earned lots of profit as a result.

Monetization: As for the designs of in-app advertising scenarios and formats, they are quite similar with each other in both the Chinese & global markets. Gaining new users for your catalogue of games through cross-promotion could be widely used as well.

b. Differences – Localization:

Localization is a key part for publishing. Of course, the requirements for casual & hypercasual games are lower than midcore & hardcore games.

One point should be noted that localization is not only limited to the product itself. It also contains:

Policies and local app stores: In China, the government controls the key parts of the game distribution process. Also, there are various app stores for Android apps except Google Play.

User acquisition: Different app stores have their own UA channels. Even for the open market, the ways and channels to gain new users are quite different from non-Chinese markets.

Monetization: Developers need to use local ad platforms. Furthermore, local ad formats like the splash screen ad will help publishers to increase their revenue.


About the Author

Harry Yang is the VP of Marketing Monetisation at TopOn. He has nine years of experience in the Internet industry, six years of experience in digital advertising, and two years overseas work experience, in charge of commercialization and the marketing business.

About TopOn

TopOn is an ad mediation platform that helps global app developers to move to the next ad monetization stage. You will find a perfect fit for your monetization strategy through marvelous advanced features like Real-time Header Bidding, A/B Test, Segment Management and Cross Promotion.

TopOn has cooperated with lots of game developers and studios, including JoyPac, Joytap Games, Leiting Games, Tiptop, Cybergate, MiniPlay etc. There are over 2,000 games and more than 60 million accumulated users are using TopOn right now. Do not hesitate to try us immediately. Find out more at www.toponad.com.

PocketGamer.biz regularly posts content from a variety of guest writers across the games industry. These encompass a wide range of topics and people from different backgrounds and diversities, sharing their opinion on the hottest trending topics, undiscovered gems and what the future of the business holds.