All in Hole vs Hole.io: How Two Black Holes Are Devouring the Mobile Market

Eat. Grow. Repeat. What All in Hole and Hole.io Teach Us About Scaling Games Analysis by Aylin Yazıcı. Feel free to contact me. Hybridcasual Market Momentum in Q1 2025 The hybridcasual market came into 2025 swinging. In just the first quarter, the top 10 games brought in $87 million in net IAP revenue. That’s a 67% jump from last year and a clear sign that this mix of quick, accessible gameplay with deeper systems is still working. One of the biggest stories of the quarter was All in Hole from Homa. It climbed to the number two spot overall and pulled in $17.7 million. That’s not a typo. It tripled its Q4 revenue and became a breakout hit almost overnight. But this isn’t just about a game making money. All in Hole marked a big shift in the Eat & Grow genre. This was a […]

Aylin YAZICI July 3

Highlights

Q&A with Roi Glazer, General Manager of Solitaire Grand Harvest

What do you get when you mix solitaire, farming, and The Smurfs? Apparently... a top-grossing mobile game. Also one of my favorite games of all time. Solitaire Grand Harvest, published by Playtika, has quietly grown into the #1 highest-grossing solitaire game in the U.S., with over $1 billion in lifetime revenue and more than 71 million downloads worldwide. Datas from Appmagic At the center of it all is Roy Glazer, General Manager of the game, who’s helped shape its evolution from a card game to a full-blown live ops ecosystem. Solitaire Grand Harvest has been thriving for years — not something every mobile game can say. What do you think is the real secret to its long-term appeal? Solitaire Grand Harvest is the #1 highest-grossing Solitaire game in the U.S., attracting hundreds of thousands of daily players worldwide. Its success […]

Aylin YAZICI May 21

Analysis

Whiteout Survival vs. Kingshot: A Masterclass in Genre

When one studio launches two of the biggest strategy games in the world, the only question left is: which one should you obsess over first? What You’ll Read: In this analysis, we’re diving deep into the frosty survival saga of Whiteout Survival and the flashy medieval mayhem of Kingshot — both powered by Century Games. You’ll get: A full breakdown of how both games launched, grew, and hooked players What makes each gameplay loop tick — from tapping bandits to freezing your citizens How they make money (and why you might want to spend) The ads that got you to download — and the drama that came with them Live ops secrets: who’s evolving faster, and what’s coming next Who’s winning globally, who’s catching up, and what it means for the future of 4X Whether you’re here to pick your next obsession, decode smart […]

Aylin YAZICI May 13

Highlights

Disney Solitaire: A Promising Start to Something Bigger

A Cozy Classic Gets the Disney Treatment Let’s be honest—most solitaire games are fine. Some are fun. But Disney Solitaire? It’s something else. SuperPlay teamed up with Disney ( help from Playtika ofc. ) to launch a game that feels like flipping through a deck of nostalgia. The game dropped globally in 17th April 2025, and it’s basically what happens when TriPeaks solitaire crashes into the Disney universe and they decide to throw a party. Think: cards, characters, cozy vibes, and just enough challenge to keep things interesting. Also, full disclosure: I’m someone who absolutely loves Solitaire Grand Harvest. It’s one of my favorite games. So when I saw Disney Solitaire pop up—especially with Disney IP behind it—I was immediately curious. My hope is that with the right liveops, events, and regular updates, it can rise to that same level. And honestly? It’s off […]

Aylin YAZICI April 19

Analysis

The Addictive and Wildly Profitable World of Solitaire Grand Harvest

How Solitaire Grand Harvest Turned a Simple Card Game into a $1 Billion Mobile Empire? If you told someone that a solitaire game could generate over $1 billion in revenue, they might raise an eyebrow and ask, "Is it made of gold cards?" But that's exactly what Solitaire Grand Harvest has done. From humble beginnings as a card game, Solitaire Grand Harvest has grown into one of the most successful and addictive mobile games of all time. With a brilliantly balanced blend of solitaire mechanics, farm-themed progression, and casino-inspired monetization, this game redefines what a casual title can achieve. Whether you're a casual gamer curious about why this game is so beloved, a game designer trying to dissect its secret sauce, or just someone who appreciates clever mobile design, this is one journey through the fields of innovation worth taking. And for me personally? This […]

Aylin YAZICI April 14

Analysis

Pizza Ready! – From Dough to Domination: The Idle Arcade Success

If there’s one thing we can all agree on, it’s that pizza is a universal love language. So when Supercent decided to channel that into a mobile game, it’s no wonder they struck gold. Or in this case, a piping hot slice of success. Pizza Ready! didn’t just show up – it dominated. It became the mozzarella on the hyper-casual genre’s crust, the sauce that bound mobile gamers together. But how did it manage to do that? Well, buckle up, because we’re about to dive into the gooey, cheesy center of why Pizza Ready! became one of the most downloaded and, surprisingly, most monetarily delicious games of the past year. 🎮 The Simulation Gold Rush - Why Everyone’s Making Arcade Idle Games Here’s the thing – making an arcade idle game might seem like the easiest recipe in the book. You’ve got the simplified […]

Aylin YAZICI April 8

Analysis

What the Hex! is Going On? Agave Games’ New Soft Launch

Soft-launching in Canada & Brazil. Data: AppMagic Casual puzzle game lovers, it’s time to pay attention—Agave Games just dropped a new title into soft launch, and if you’ve been following their recent $18 million investment, you know the industry has its eyes on them. The game? What the Hex!—a mix of color-sorting puzzles with a Monopoly GO! style town-building meta. I played it, and here’s the scoop on what it’s all about, how it plays, and why people are curious about Agave’s next move. A Hexagonal Spin on Sorting Puzzles If you’ve played Hexa Sort, you’ll feel right at home with What the Hex! The gameplay is simple but strategic: you stack and merge hexagonal tiles of the same color to clear space and meet level goals. Sounds easy? Well, not so much. The game doesn’t hold your hand for long—later levels introduce more colors, trickier […]

Aylin YAZICI March 18

Analysis

Lucky Defense Analysis: 111%’s Risky Bet That Won Big

An All-in-One Deep Dive That's Actually Fun to Read! Alright, let’s talk about Lucky Defense—the game that took the classic tower defense genre, rolled the dice (literally), and ended up creating one of the most chaotic, fun, and weirdly addictive experiences out there. This isn’t your average game analysis. Nope. We’re going full throttle into the depths of Lucky Defense—from its epic rise, gameplay mechanics, wild community moments, and even the monetization that’ll make you ask, "Am I gambling or gaming?" So, buckle up. It’s about to get lucky (or unlucky) 🎉 The Origin Story: When Luck First Struck Lucky Defense was officially launched by 111% (a South Korean dev studio) on May 23, 2024. And it didn’t just drop quietly—it absolutely exploded in South Korea. We're talking about skyrocketing to the #1 download spot and pulling in over $11 million in revenue within its first two months. Not too shabby for […]

Aylin YAZICI March 17

Analysis

Surprise, You’re Hooked: The Fun World Of Gacha Games

Here’s what’s covered in this analysis article on Gacha; What is Gacha? Why Do People Love Gacha Games? Types of Gacha Systems: Not All Are Created Equal Supercell’s Secret Sauce: How They Do Gacha Right The Depth of a Gacha System: Why It Matters Trading Cards, Gacha-Style: A Familiar Twist The Psychology Behind Gacha: Why We Keep Coming Back Ethical Concerns: Is Gacha Gambling? The Gacha Balancing Act Analysis by Aylin Yazıcı. Feel free to contact me. What is Gacha in Mobile Gaming? A Beginner’s Guide to the Fun (and Madness) If you’ve ever played mobile games, or even just browsed the app store, you’ve probably stumbled across games that boast vibrant characters, cool weapons, or flashy loot. And somewhere in those games, you’ll hear the word “gacha.” But what does it mean? And why do people go crazy over it? Let’s break […]

Aylin YAZICI January 28

Analysis

Magic Sort Analysis: Grand Games’ New Treasure

Here’s what’s covered in this analysis article on Magic Sort: The Rise of Magic Sort: Financial Success and Funding Gameplay and Monetization: Relaxation Meets Revenue User Acquisition Challenges Visual Appeal and Player Experience Grand Games: A Unique Player in Casual Gaming Future Opportunities: LiveOps, Progression, and Global Expansion Check out: The ‘Why’ Behind Grand Games’ $30M Investment Magic Sort: Impressive Earnings, But Can It Scale Globally? The buzz surrounding Magic Sort has been undeniable. With the game already raking in impressive daily revenues between $80K to $100K and securing $30 million in Series A funding, things are looking bright for the puzzle game. However, there’s an interesting question lingering: Can the game sustain this momentum with its current user acquisition (UA) strategy? And more importantly, is it really set for scaling on a global level? Magic Sort’s initial performance, especially […]

Aylin YAZICI January 16

Analysis

Royal Kingdom’s Big Gamble: Is It the Next Match-3 King?

Here’s what’s covered in this deep analysis article on Royal Kingdom; Royal Kingdom’s Launch & Early Challenges Core Mechanics & Features Financials & Monetization Strategies Royal Kingdom vs. Royal Match Retention & Player Engagement Tactics The Future of Royal Kingdom User Acquisition & Marketing Total Downloads & Revenue Royal Kingdom’s Big Gamble: Can It Usurp the Throne? The mobile gaming landscape is more competitive than ever, with developers constantly testing new waters. Enter Royal Kingdom, a bold new entry in the match-3 puzzle space. But is it poised to take over the crown from the mighty Royal Match? You’ll find an intriguing combination of mechanics that separate it from the usual suspects like Candy Crush and Royal Match. This game is much more than just a pretty face with an addictive core loop. Let’s dive deep into the nuts and bolts of this game and its […]

Aylin YAZICI January 9

Analysis

Match Factory’s Success and Gameplay Mechanics

Match Factory, a standout in the Match-3D genre from Peak Games, has quickly captured players’ attention, generating an impressive $350K in Daily Revenue. But what’s driving this success? By dissecting its gameplay mechanics, difficulty curve, monetization strategy, and player engagement features, we can better understand how Match Factory blends the best practices from its predecessors while putting its own spin on the genre. Revenue Graph Game Design & Core Gameplay At its heart, Match Factory is a match-3D puzzle game with a classic yet refined twist. Players tap on items on the grid to create matches of three or more identical items. When successful, the items disappear, and new items fall to fill the gaps, making for a fast-paced, satisfying gameplay loop. But beyond these basic mechanics, Match Factory layers in complexity, keeping players hooked level after level. The core objectives revolve around matching and clearing items, […]

Aylin YAZICI December 18

Aylin YAZICI

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