Match3 Games Market Overview: Mechanics, Monetization, Trends, UA & Creative Strategies for Success

In this episode, we dive deep into the world of match3 games, exploring their core design, the evolution of game mechanics, and what it takes to succeed in this highly competitive genre. We look back at the historical context of match 3 games, discuss today’s market leaders, and highlight the challenges faced by new entrants.

Our conversation focuses on striking the right balance between luck and skill in gameplay while emphasizing the need for innovative design to captivate players and drive revenue. We examine key elements like visual clarity, game mechanics, and player engagement, as well as the importance of balancing difficulty with player satisfaction.

We also explore the rise of the restoration meta in casual games and new progression mechanics, like win streak systems, that drive player retention. User acquisition strategies are another hot topic—highlighting the high costs of acquiring players for match-3 games and the role of ad monetization.

Additionally, our conversation touches on the role of playables in advertising, the evolution of creative strategies, and the latest trends in game advertising, emphasizing the importance of constant innovation in a saturated market.

This episode is packed with actionable insights for anyone looking to thrive in the match3 genre and beyond!

This is no BS gaming podcast 2.5 gamers session. Sharing actionable insights, dropping knowledge from our day-to-day User Acquisition, Game Design, and Ad monetization jobs. We are definitely not discussing the latest industry news, but having so much fun! Let’s not forget this is a 4 a.m. conference discussion vibe, so let's not take it too seriously.
Panelists: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Jakub Remia⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠r,⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Felix Braberg, Matej Lancaric⁠
Special Guest. Laura Taranto
Podcast: https://creators.spotify.com/pod/show...
Join our slack channel here: https://join.slack.com/t/two-and-half...


Chapters

00:00 Epic intro
01:24 The Importance of Core Design in Match-3Games
10:29 The Evolution of Game Mechanics and Monetization
16:26 Current Market Leaders and Their Strategies
22:27 The Illusion of Control in Match-3 Games
29:10 Challenges for New Entrants in the Match-3 Genre
40:36 The Importance of Game Mechanics in Match-3 Games
47:14 Visual Clarity and Ergonomics in Game Design
57:12 Evolution of Match-Three Games and Their Mechanics
01:03:15 The Restoration Meta in Casual Games
01:10:16 Narrative and Player Engagement in Game Design
01:22:08 Evolution of Game Mechanics
01:30:35 User Acquisition Strategies in Match-3 Games
01:48:39 Ad Monetization Techniques in Mobile Games
02:02:27 Evolution of Game Mechanics and User Engagement
02:10:26 Trends in User Acquisition and Advertising
02:20:55 The Shift in Creative Strategies for Match-3 Games
02:26:30 Emerging Trends and Innovations in Game Advertising
02:34:53 Final Thoughts on the Future of Match-3 Games

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Laura Taranto
  / laurataranto  
Matej Lancaric
User Acquisition & Creatives Consultant
⁠https://lancaric.me
Felix Braberg
Ad monetization consultant
⁠https://www.felixbraberg.com
Jakub Remiar
Game design consultant
⁠  / jakubremiar  
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Takeaways

Core Puzzle Design is Crucial: A solid, engaging puzzle design is essential to attract and retain players in the competitive match-three genre.

Balancing Difficulty is Key: Striking the right balance between challenge and satisfaction is critical for long-term player retention.

User Acquisition is Complex: High user acquisition costs require careful balancing with retention rates and innovative UA strategies like minigames, playables and AI-driven campaigns.

Visual Clarity & Speed Matter: Clear visuals, differentiated game pieces, and appropriate gameplay speed significantly impact player satisfaction and usability.

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