Pocket Champs is a hyper-casual arcade racing game by Madbox, released on February 4, 2021 and it is generating over $100K in daily revenue from IAPs alone according to AppMagic
Let’s explore the key design strategies that drive this game’s remarkable success!
Attractive Gameplay
The core gameplay revolves around players choosing a skill—run, climb, swim, or fly—and competing against five opponents in races. While these races are idle, players have to strategize by selecting the best skills before the race begins. Additionally, the game’s vibrant visuals, fluid animations and dynamic camera angles not only help to captivate players, but also enhance its creative advertising campaigns
Collection based Progression
The game’s progression is intricately tied to gadget collection and their upgrades. Before a race, players get valuable hints on the recommended gadgets for success, along with tips on how to unlock them if they don’t already have them. In addition to gadgets, there are Shapes which provide personalized aesthetic upgrades, and Mojis which offers interactive collectibles
Hybrid Monetization
The game effectively uses a blend of both IAP and ads to generate revenue while maintaining a positive player experience. Interstitial ads are thoughtfully introduced after players reach 1,500 trophies, ensuring they don’t disrupt early gameplay. Meanwhile, RV ads appear in bonus rewards, shop items, fortune wheels, and most notably, in training sessions, allowing players to reduce training times. However, to prevent ad fatigue, RV ads in training sessions are capped at five views per day. IAPs, on the other hand, are driven by shop and event offers and buying any offer not only unlocks valuable content but also removes interstitial ads, effectively encouraging more players to make a purchase
What’s your perspective on these strategies? Let me know in the comments, and stay tuned by following me for more exciting insights on games!
Original Post: Kavindu Priyanath – LinkedIn
