81% of mobile devs are making new games, but 27% say publishers “take more than they give”

• Sandsoft’s Publisher Perception Report has revealed 81% of mobile game developers are working on new titles
• 43% of developers consider hybridcasual the most viable modern mobile market

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The games industry has been notoriously turbulent in recent years, from record revenues mid-pandemic to a subsequent slump, to mass layoffs and even studio closures, all leading to the unofficial mantra of 2024: Survive to ‘25.

Yet, despite these difficult times, The Publisher Perception Report by Sandsoft has revealed that 81% of mobile game developers are still working on new titles today.

Furthermore, 83% have raised capital to bolster development or marketing of a new game, though only 9% have progressed to the soft launch stage.

Hybridcasual is considered the most viable market in the modern landscape with 43% of developers believing so, meanwhile 34% believe casual is king and 15% still have faith in once-beloved hypercasual.

Sports, casino and strategy are the most prevalent genres currently in development.

The importance of publishers

In the 2024 video games landscape, 84% of mobile devs are using AI in the development process and 34% are leveraging blockchain technology. An overwhelming 90% believe Triple-A quality on mobile will be important in the future.

And when it comes to releasing games, 34% of devs believe publishers provide a valuable service, where 27% feel they “take more than they give”.

But according to Sandsoft’s research – conducted with 454 senior developers in the US, Spain and France – publishers are the second-biggest source of development funding behind strategic investors, and their access to capital is considered one of their three most valuable services on offer.

Publishers should be aware that the terms on offer are the most important factor in forming a deal, and that size, infrastructure and reputation also play important roles. 39% of mobile game devs consider publishers “necessary” in the market.

“In a market where launching new games is exceedingly tough, if publishers are to provide value to game developers, they have to be a force for good. We wanted to better understand the needs, hopes, and concerns of mobile game developers across the industry, so we asked them directly,” said Sandsoft CEO David Fernández Remesal.

“If you take one thing from our Publisher Perception Report, it should be that positivity and optimism endure among developers despite obvious challenges. In the quest to make fun and engaging experiences, nothing can be more important than that.”

The report also highlighted a preference for publishing deals in specific regions – MENA, Latin America, or Southeast Asia, for example – rather than a global arrangement.

Lilith Games’ AFK Journey just launched in Asia four months after its Western release, and has seen unprecedented daily revenue figures as a result.