Mobile Games Keep Raking in Billions, and You’re Probably Helping
Image Credit: Candy Crush | Written by Andrew Bame
Ever wonder why you’re bombarded with mobile game ads promising drama, frustration, or "the ultimate challenge"? It’s because those games are money-printing machines.
Last year, four more mobile games joined the exclusive “$1 billion revenue” club, according to a report from Sensor Tower. The new big hitters? Tencent’s Brawl Stars and Dungeon & Fighter, as well as heavily advertised Last War: Survival Game and Whiteout Survival. Meanwhile, old favorites like Candy Crush Saga (Microsoft’s cash cow now), Roblox, and Royal Match stayed on the list, helping bring the total to a record-breaking 11 billion-dollar games in 2024.
Why Mobile Games Are Swimming in Cash
Mobile games are much cheaper to produce than blockbusters like Grand Theft Auto 6, but they rake in profits through microtransactions and ads. Think of those extra lives or shiny in-game currency you buy, plus the ads these games run. It’s a perfect storm of easy-to-make games and a steady stream of money.
But it’s not just the usual in-game spending. Many games double as advertising powerhouses, using their massive player bases to sell premium ad space. The twist? Some of those ads and monetization strategies are... let’s say, less than wholesome.
The Dark Side of Mobile Gaming Ads
Mobile games have mastered the art of rage-inducing ads. Some show frustrating “fake gameplay” scenarios to trick you into downloading, while others use pop-ups or “dark patterns” that are annoyingly hard to close. It’s all designed to manipulate players into spending money or trying the game “the right way.”
The FTC has started to take notice, going after shady practices. For instance, they reached a settlement with Tapjoy, a mobile ad company accused of misleading users about in-game rewards. But in a statement, FTC commissioners argued that app-store giants Apple and Google are the real culprits:
“Apple and Google dominate the app store ecosystem, imposing steep taxes and regulations. Under their ‘taxation,’ developers have been forced to rely on shady monetization tactics like manipulation and surveillance to stay profitable.”
The Billion-Dollar Frustration Machine
This ad-driven, microtransaction-fueled model has created a mobile gaming industry worth billions. And as long as we keep downloading these games—whether out of curiosity, boredom, or sheer annoyance—it’s only going to grow.
So next time you’re rage-tapping through a poorly designed ad, just remember: someone out there is getting very, very rich.
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