The statistics on the survival rate of mobile video games are shocking, with an 83% mortality rate within 3 years, according to a research study by SuperScale.
SuperScale, a company specializing in monetizing mobile video games, conducted a comprehensive study of 500 game developers, revealing that 43% of games fail during development. Ivan Trancik, CEO and Founder of SuperScale, described these findings as “incredible” and “disconcerting.”
The release of the Good Games Don’t Die white paper by SuperScale today sheds light on the significant challenges faced by modern mobile game development.
These striking results are based on interviews with 500 game developers in the United Kingdom and the United States, providing a grim outlook on the industry. And yet, despite the high failure rate, a significant 78% of mobile game developers continue to persevere, contributing to the ever-competitive $96.2 billion global mobile games market.
“The dilemma that gaming CEOs face today is twofold,” commented Trancik. “Firstly, there’s the challenge of retaining top talent while delivering excellent service on both flagship games and legacy portfolios.”
Insights into the revenue generation methods adopted by developers also reveal that LiveOps are being utilized in 62% of successful titles, with a further 37% of studios updating their most successful games weekly, aiming to drive long-term engagement.
Ivan Trancik, CEO of SuperScale
Fascinatingly, the report also delves into the factors contributing to the demise of mobile games, highlighting that 43% of games are scrapped before release, while 76% peak in revenue within the first year. Tragically, 83% of mobile games succumb within 3 years, signaling a challenging landscape.
Amidst these market challenges, the report observes a significant decline in the industry, with over 7,000 developers facing layoffs in 2023. A compelling 32% of mobile game developers have experienced layoffs, and almost a quarter are teetering on the brink of closure.
