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

Youtube: https://youtu.be/-THrT_jrtZE

Join our slack channel here: https://join.slack.com/t/two-and-half-gamers/shared_invite/zt-2um8eguhf-c~H9idcxM271mnPzdWbipg

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

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

01:10:16 Narrative and Player Engagement in Game Design

01:22:08 Evolution of Game Mechanics

01:48:39 Ad Monetization Techniques in Mobile Games

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

02:34:53 Final Thoughts on the Future of Match-3 Games

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Laura Taranto

https://www.linkedin.com/in/laurataranto/

Matej Lancaric

User Acquisition & Creatives Consultant

⁠https://lancaric.me

Felix Braberg

Ad monetization consultant

⁠https://www.felixbraberg.com

Jakub Remiar

Game design consultant

⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/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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