If you’ve ever wondered what mobile games people are playing this year, video game market analytics App Annie has the answer. On Twitter, they published a list of 2020 first half’s top 10 US mobile games based on consumer spending — or US-made mobile games that are the most profitable for the last six months. Curious what title reigns supreme over the others? Let’s just jump straight to the list.
Note: while this article uses App Annie’s top 10 consumer spending list, specific titles’ revenue estimates had to refer to Sensor Tower’s data since App Annie’s estimates are not publicly available.
10. Marvel Strike Force
Most console gamers are waiting for Marvel’s Avengers to be released, but mobile players have been enjoying many different Marvel mash-up titles for the past few years. One of the popular ones is the 2018-launched team-building RPG Strike Force. In July 2020 the Google Play version gained 500,000 downloads and $7 million in revenue worldwide. Meanwhile, App Store version got 200,000 downloads with $10 million in revenue.
9. Merge Dragons
Although Farmville is nowhere to be seen today, Zynga’s name still manages to live on. This match-three game with a dragon theme was first released on June 29, 2017, and still pretty popular. It even had a run in with Rick & Morty. Last month, the Android version acquired 800,000 downloads and $5 million in revenue worldwide. With 300,000 downloads and $5 million in revenue on iOS.
8. Jackpot Party Casino
Of course, video games are not the only profitable gaming apps on mobile. Digital slot machine simulator such as this one managed to slip into number eight and rake in a huge amount of profit this year. 300,000 downloads with $5 million in revenue on Android and 70,000 downloads with $8 million in revenue on iOS. At least it doesn’t look as bad as Coin Master.
7. Candy Crush Soda Saga
Debuted back in 2014, this is one proof that casual mobile games and Candy Crush series won’t die anytime soon. Google Play version’s acquired 4 million downloads and $8 million in July. iOS release gained 500,000 downloads and $11 million in revenue.
6. Toon Blast
Another Zynga’s title. First debuted in 2018, this color-matching game seems to be quite popular among older people since my family members play it quite often. It also became one of the top-grossing iOS titles for July. On Android, it got 700,000 downloads and $9 million last month.
5. Call of Duty: Mobile
The game is made by Tencent, yes, but Call of Duty is still Activision’s IP. And the company is based in California, US. So it definitely still counts as a US mobile game. Anyway, on Google Play this July it gained 3 million downloads and $10 million revenue. At the same time, on Apple App Store it gained $15 million with the same amount for downloads.
4. Pokemon GO
The complete opposite of Call of Duty: Mobile. A Japanese IP that’s made by an American company. Pokemon GO is still going strong after four years thanks to its unique gameplay and consistent community support from Niantic. Last month the game gained 5 million downloads and $43 million in revenue for the Android version. The iOS version gained $44 million with 2 million downloads.
3. Fortnite
The most popular battle royale game only managed to gain third place in this year’s most profitable US mobile games list. Nonetheless, it acquired $34 million and 2 million downloads on the App Store. The Play Store version just managed to gain $2 million with the same amount of downloads.
2. Candy Crush Saga
Activision-Blizzard definitely dominates the US mobile games market again this year, thanks to buying out King back in 2016. Interestingly it is the only title on the top three mobile games that do not have other versions outside of mobile. On Android, it pulled in 11 million downloads and $16 million last month. And on iOS it gained $28 million with only Downloads 2 million downloads.
1. ROBLOX
It’s no surprise that this 14-years-old MMO game sits on the top. Not just supported by 150 million active users per month, but also by its extremely active community-made contents. Roblox founder David Baszucki even said that ‘creators’ could earn over $250 million just from making community contents. In Android last month it gained 11 million downloads and $19 million revenue. While iOS version’s gained 4 million downloads with $54 million revenue.
Expecting other US mobile games to show up or was the list predictable? Tell us what you think in the comments below.