Game Operational Data 2020

The more casual a game is, the easier it is to acquire users early on, but also the harder it is to keep them playing long-term. Meanwhile, because mid-core and hardcore games offer deeper layers, they tend to retain users over the long run—but at the cost of harder user acquisition.

D1 retention for casual games tops out around 70%

Classic game genres often show their highest user retention rates about a week after launch. For instance, the top 25% of word puzzle games typically see D7 retention hovering around 19%, while the top 25% of card games barely clear 18%.

By contrast, if mid-core simulation games rank in the top 25% of their category, their D7 retention tends to land around 8%. Meanwhile, top 25% casual-puzzle titles can still see 15% to 16% of users sticking around at the same mark.