Kwalee Climbs Higher: Among the Top 40 Mobile Game Makers in 2024
We’re really excited to share some big news! Kwalee has moved up in the PocketGamer.biz Top 50 Mobile Game Makers 2024 list, reaching the 40th spot. That's a jump of nine places from last year, which is a huge achievement for us and a reflection of the hard work of our teams and partners, as well as their dedication to bringing more innovative, artistic and fun games to players.
Shifting with the Industry
This year’s Top 50 Mobile Game Makers list, revealed at Pocket Gamer Connects Helsinki, highlights the companies that are making the biggest impact in the mobile games industry in 2024. The rankings take into account new game releases, live operations, revenue growth, innovation, and how companies have transformed their businesses to stay ahead.
A big trend this year is the rise of Hybrid Casual and Casual games. Like many other top publishers, Kwalee has successfully evolved from focusing on Hyper Casual games to embracing games that offer players content to return to for months and years. The shift has been crucial, especially in the post-ATT (App Tracking Transparency) environment, which has made it harder for game makers to rely on traditional ad-based monetisation methods.
Earlier this year, we invested €1.5 million in 8SEC, a French Hybrid Casual specialist with over 50 million downloads. This move is a key part of our strategy to keep innovating and growing in this rapidly changing space.
Expanding Our Reach
But our journey isn’t just about Hybrid Casual. We’ve been expanding into other areas too. In 2024, we teamed up with Story Giant Games to release Text Express: Word Adventure, marking our move into publishing Casual games. This game shows our commitment to exploring new genres and creating unique experiences for players.
On top of that, we’ve been growing globally, particularly in the MENA region. This year, we launched our publishing platform Hitseeker in Arabic, making it easier for developers and players in this important region to connect with us. We’ve also invested in Devolver Digital, which highlights our expansion into PC and Console games as well as mobile.
Adapting to Big Trends
Looking at the broader industry trends, it’s clear that we’re part of something bigger. The merge games genre has become more competitive, and Hybrid Casual games are leading the way. At Kwalee, along with companies like Voodoo and Homa, we've shown how adaptable we are by managing these changes and finding new ways to succeed.
Despite these challenges, we’ve stayed focused and continued to grow. Our move up to 40th place shows how far we’ve come, and we’re excited about what’s next.
Looking Forward
As we celebrate this achievement, we’re already thinking about what’s to come. With new projects, strategic investments, and global expansion on the horizon, we’re more motivated than ever to keep pushing the boundaries of mobile games.
Thanks to everyone who has supported us on this journey. Whether you’re part of the Kwalee team, a partner, or one of our billions of players around the world, we’re looking forward to another incredible year ahead!
For a look back at how we ranked last year, check out our 2023 article here.
Stay tuned for more exciting updates as we continue to make waves in mobile games!