Report: 5x more hyper-casual games released in 2022 than in 2021

Mobile game developer and publisher Azur Games has produced a report detailing how there have been more than five times the number of hyper-casual games released in 2022 than in 2021.

The details:

• Azur Games published its report on December 16, showcasing the current state of the hyper-casual games market and other trends that developers should take note of.
• The report shows that there have been more than 10,000 hyper-causal game releases in 2022, compared to just 2,000 in 2021. Since the report was released in mid-December, Azur Games also noted that 2022’s number doesn’t cover the full calendar year.
• However, the number of hyper-casual game downloads hasn’t increased proportionally. There were 10 billion downloads across the genre in 2021, which only rose to 13 billion in 2022. This means the competition between games has increased, with titles struggling to stand out in a sea of new and existing releases.
• This is even more apparent when looking at the category’s top hits. Only 12.3% of games in the top 300 releases were from 2022, while 47.7% were launched in 2021. Fruit Ninja, which was released in 2010, is still among the category’s 300 most popular titles.

What is a hyper-casual game?

• Hyper-casual games are mobile titles that require little to no practice to get started on, meaning they can capture even the most casual of gamers.
• They’re often minimalistic, with no lengthy introductions, intense graphics, or complex mechanics. Many games that fall into the hyper-casual market feature gameplay loops and high scores, with the intention of keeping players coming back for more. They’re simple to learn but impossible to master.
• While they’re a lot more bare-bones than a AAA release, these games generate millions of dollars in revenue each year through ads and in-app purchases such as extra lives, cosmetics, and premium currency.
• Ketchapp, Voodoo, and Kwalee are some notable hyper-casual developers, with games such as Crossy Road, Helix Jump, and the legendary Flappy Bird being staples of the genre.