First released in 2012, Clash of Clans is a mobile strategy game developed by Supercell. Although the game is free to download, players can purchase gems, the in-game currency, to advance their villages and acquire special items. In-app revenue within the game peaked at a 1.3 billion U.S. dollars in 2015. In 2025 to date, this figure had declined to a still impressive 170 million U.S. dollars.

In 2025 to date, Clash of Clans generated over 170 million U.S. dollars in in-app purchase revenues. Supercell's main IP is still going strong after it's initial release in 2012. The more recently released Clash Royale generated 145.8 million U.S. dollars in IAP revenues during the same period.

Clash of Clans is the top-grossing mobile title published by Finnish mobile gaming publisher Supercell, generating approximately 5.8 billion U.S. dollars in lifetime in-app purchase revenues as of January 2025. Second-ranked Clash Royale has generated about 3.19 billion U.S. dollars in lifetime IAP revenues.

Finnish mobile game developer and publisher Supercell generated approximately two billion U.S. dollars in revenue in 2024. That year, the company reported annual earnings of 287 million U.S. dollars. Supercell regularly ranks among the leading Google gaming app publishers based on revenue in the United States. As of 2025, Supercell has only fully released six mobile games, all of which are commercially successful. Early beginnings: Hay Day After starting out with browser games, Supercell started developing games for mobile devices in 2011. In early 2012, the company released its first international game, Hay Day. The free-to-play game with in-game purchase options was similar to Zynga’s then-popular farming simulator Farmville and quickly became one of the top grossing mobile titles worldwide. Supercell immensely profited off the rapidly growing mobile gaming market and as of January 2025, Hay Day’s lifetime in-app revenue amounted to almost 1.4 billion U.S. dollars. Finding the niche: strategy games Released in 2012, multiplayer strategy game Clash of Clans is Supercell’s other big hit and has remained the company’s top-grossing app in 2024. The mobile app title allows players to form groups with other gamers called clans, train troops, and attack other players to earn resources. Facing off against other players in clan wars is one of the key components of the game, with loot and trophies available for the winners. Clash of Clans also features a single-player mode, but the core gameplay it based on multiplayer. Squad Busters Supercell’s latest blockbuster mobile gaming title Squad Busters was released in May 2024 and features characters from Clash of Clans, Clash Royale, Brawl Stars, Hay Day, and Boom Beach. Squad Busters is a multiplayer online battle area (MOBA) hero shooter where players compete against other players or AI opponents in multiple game modes with hero characters they unlocked via gameplay or purchases. Squad Busters was Supercell’s second-most downloaded mobile game in 2024, generating more than 46 million downloads during that year.

In 2025 to date, Brawl Stars was Supercell's most popular app, with over 28.77 million combined downloads across the Apple App Store and Google Play Store worldwide. The multiplayer title was also Supercell's top-grossing game of the year. The success of freemium mobile games All of Supercell’s major mobile gaming releases successfully use the freemium business model. This is a strategy by which players can play the game free of charge, but money is required for additional features or in-game items. Some of these items enhance gameplay, while others are purely cosmetic. The freemium business model is a recipe for success – all the highest-grossing mobile gaming apps are free-to-play (F2P) with in-app purchases. Supercell – a Finnish gaming success story Founded in 2010 and headquartered in Helsinki, Finland, Supercell is a mobile game development company that debuted its first and only non-mobile gaming title, Gunshine.net, before switching to mobile gaming. In May 2012, Supercell published its first mobile game, Hay Day, a version of Zynga's successful Facebook game FarmVille. In August 2012, Supercell released Clash of Clans, and the rest is history – currently, Clash of Clans sits at over five billion U.S. dollars in lifetime gross and is still a popular title after a decade on the market.The success of these titles led to a rapid growth of Supercell and growing interest from Asian mobile leaders. A collaboration with Japanese video game company GungHo led to a later acquisition by GungHo and Softbank Corporation, a multinational investment company. GungHo and Softbank acquired 51 percent of Supercell’s shares for a total of 1.1 billion euros — the largest price for a Finnish private company ever. After various transactions, Supercell was bought out by Chinese conglomerate Tencent Holdings in 2016. In 2024, the annual revenue of Supercell amounted to approximately 1.44 billion U.S. dollars.

Among the leading strategy gaming applications in the United States, the title Clash of Clans had the highest revenue, nearly 30 million U.S. dollars, as of Q2 2021. Clash Royale saw revenue of almost 17 million U.S. dollars, being the second one in this category. As of September, Clash of Clans had IAP revenues of 350 million U.S. dollars worldwide in 2021.

Derivative Mobile Game Market Outlook

The global derivative mobile game market size was valued at approximately USD 14.6 billion in 2023 and is projected to grow to USD 28.1 billion by 2032, with a CAGR of 7.5% over the forecast period. The market's growth is driven by increasing smartphone penetration, technological advancements, and rising consumer engagement with mobile gaming content.

One of the primary growth factors for the derivative mobile game market is the widespread adoption of smartphones and tablets globally. With the proliferation of affordable smart devices and improved internet connectivity, mobile gaming has become more accessible to a broader audience. This expansion has been particularly notable in emerging markets where mobile devices are often the primary means of accessing digital content. As more consumers come online, the demand for diverse and engaging mobile games continues to rise significantly.

Technological advancements also play a crucial role in the growth of the derivative mobile game market. Innovations such as augmented reality (AR), virtual reality (VR), and artificial intelligence (AI) have enriched the gaming experience, making mobile games more immersive and interactive. These technologies allow developers to create sophisticated games with complex narratives and realistic graphics, further attracting a diverse demographic of gamers. Additionally, cloud gaming technology has opened new avenues, enabling users to play high-end games without the need for expensive hardware.

Another significant driver of market growth is the evolving monetization strategies within the mobile gaming industry. Developers are increasingly adopting various revenue models, including freemium, in-app purchases, and subscription services, to monetize their games effectively. These models not only generate substantial revenue but also provide users with flexible payment options, enhancing user retention and engagement. Furthermore, the integration of social features and competitive elements in mobile games has fostered a sense of community among players, further boosting the market's growth.

The evolution of Mobile Game Software has been pivotal in shaping the derivative mobile game market. With advancements in software development, game developers can now create more complex and engaging games that cater to a wide range of preferences. The software not only enhances the visual and auditory elements of games but also improves functionality and user interface, making games more accessible and enjoyable for players. As the demand for high-quality mobile games grows, the role of sophisticated software becomes increasingly crucial, allowing developers to push the boundaries of creativity and innovation in game design.

The regional outlook for the derivative mobile game market indicates robust growth across various geographies. Asia Pacific, in particular, continues to dominate the market due to its large population of mobile users and high levels of gaming engagement. North America and Europe also show significant growth potential, driven by high disposable incomes and a tech-savvy population. Meanwhile, emerging markets in Latin America and the Middle East & Africa are witnessing rapid growth, fueled by increased smartphone adoption and improving internet infrastructure.

Game Type Analysis

The derivative mobile game market is segmented by game type into puzzle, strategy, adventure, role-playing, simulation, and others. Puzzle games have been a staple in the mobile gaming industry due to their simplicity and widespread appeal. Games like Candy Crush Saga and Tetris have garnered massive followings, appealing to both casual and serious gamers. The ease of play and engaging gameplay mechanics of puzzle games ensure a broad user base, contributing to their sustained popularity and market share.

Strategy games, meanwhile, cater to a more niche audience that seeks complex gameplay and long-term engagement. These games often involve resource management, tactical planning, and competitive elements, making them highly engaging for dedicated gamers. Titles like Clash of Clans and Plague Inc. exemplify the success of strategy games in the mobile space. The depth and complexity offered by these games ensure high user retention and often result in significant revenue through in-app purchases and subscriptions.

Adventure and role-playing games (RPGs)

In September 2022, Candy Crush Saga was the top-grossing gaming app for iPhone in the Netherlands. The match-3 game title generated more than *** thousand U.S. dollars in revenues from iPhone users. Clash of Clans was the second-most grossing gaming app title with approximately *** thousand U.S. dollars in revenue during that month.

Finnish mobile games developer and publisher Supercell reported pre-tax earnings (with deferrals) of 295.8 million U.S. dollars in 2024, an decrease from the 627 million U.S. dollars in the previous year. Supercell is the publisher of Clash of Clans, one of the top grossing mobile titles worldwide.

In 2025 to date, Brawl Stars was Supercell's most popular app with approximately 205 million U.S. dollars in revenues across the Apple App Store and Google Play worldwide. The MOBA hero shooter title also generated more than 28 million global downloads during the measured period.

The graph presents the leading mobile game titles in India in October 2015, ranked by revenue. The mobile version of Clash of Clans, the Supercell's MMO game, generated a revenue of nearly **** billion U.S. dollars in India in the measured month.

Over the past decade, the Chinese technology group Tencent Holdings has invested heavily in developing its gaming business. In 2024, its online games grossed *** billion yuan – a considerable increase compared to the previous year. This made up almost ** percent of the Chinese tech giant’s annual revenue. Tencent’s gaming empire The entertainment giant has remained as the world’s top game publisher by revenue, leading the industry with ** million U.S. dollars in quarterly earning more than the second placeholder, Sony. Tencent's mobile games Peacekeeper Elite and Honor of Kings have been well-received in the Chinese market. In fact, the Chinese conglomerate controls stakes in some of the world’s popular games, such as League of Legends, Fortnite, and Clash of Clans. Its battle-royale game PUBG Mobile has gained immense popularity in overseas markets. The goldmine of online gaming in China In a country with over *** million gamers, the gaming market in China is massive and lucrative. Since 2017, the revenue of China’s video game industry has surpassed *** billion yuan and continued to grow steadily. Undoubtedly, Chinese consumers are highly engaged in mobile gaming. Role-playing, real-time strategy, shooter, and fighting games are the most popular genres. Besides mobile games, eSports is another booming game sector in China with role-playing games (RPG) and multiplayer online battle arena (MOBA) being the major revenue powerhouse. Having scoped out the market potential of eSports, Tencent invested in the eSports streaming platform Douyu and acquired Douyu’s biggest domestic rival Huya in **********. It is quite unlikely for other market players to shake Tencent’s dominating status in the next few years.

In 2024, Brawl Stars was Supercell's most popular app, with over 94 million combined downloads across the Apple App Store and Google Play Store worldwide. The multiplayer title was also Supercell's top-grossing game of the year. The success of freemium mobile games All of Supercell’s major mobile gaming releases successfully use the freemium business model. This is a strategy by which players can play the game free of charge, but money is required for additional features or in-game items. Some of these items enhance gameplay, while others are purely cosmetic. The freemium business model is a recipe for success – all the highest-grossing mobile gaming apps are free-to-play (F2P) with in-app purchases. Supercell – a Finnish gaming success story Founded in 2010 and headquartered in Helsinki, Finland, Supercell is a mobile game development company that debuted its first and only non-mobile gaming title, Gunshine.net, before switching to mobile gaming. In May 2012, Supercell published its first mobile game, Hay Day, a version of Zynga's successful Facebook game FarmVille. In August 2012, Supercell released Clash of Clans, and the rest is history – currently, Clash of Clans sits at over five billion U.S. dollars in lifetime gross and is still a popular title after a decade on the market.The success of these titles led to a rapid growth of Supercell and growing interest from Asian mobile leaders. A collaboration with Japanese video game company GungHo led to a later acquisition by GungHo and Softbank Corporation, a multinational investment company. GungHo and Softbank acquired 51 percent of Supercell’s shares for a total of 1.1 billion euros — the largest price for a Finnish private company ever. After various transactions, Supercell was bought out by Chinese conglomerate Tencent Holdings in 2016. In 2024, the annual revenue of Supercell amounted to approximately 1.44 billion U.S. dollars.

In 2023, Coc Coc accounted for a share of around 3.7 percent in the browser market in Vietnam. The market share of CocCoc has been declining steadily since 2017.

As of January 2024, Genshin Impact was the fastest mobile gaming app to generate five billion U.S. dollars in player spending. The RPG game, developed by miHoYo, generated one billion U.S. dollars in player spending in just six months after its initial launch on September 28, 2020. The second-fastest gaming app to generate five billion U.S. dollars in player spending was Clash of Clans, doing so within 51 months after launch.

In June 2022, Subway Surfers was the most popular Android gaming app in the United States with almost 2.3 million daily active users (DAU). The endless runner game was released in 2012 and has remained in demand ever since. Clash of Clans was ranked second with 1.87 million daily active users.