DDDigger is an arcade battle game by Treeplla, released in January 2025, and it is still making $100K+ monthly revenue according to AppMagic.
Let’s break down what makes its design so engaging and sticky.
Unique Theme
The game puts players in charge of an extraterrestrial mining operation while battling enemy mobs, and its well-designed FTUE introduces them to the core setup, versatile perks system, and dexterity-based controls like timed jumps, fever mode, and treasure collection. The game features diverse gameplay settings, multi-phase bosses, and rich meta systems, while the rift mode offers a flipped take on the core gameplay with daily keys and rewards to keep things fresh. On top of that, the energy system cleverly allows free retries after a player’s first success in each session, lowering friction and encouraging deeper engagement.
Progression Layer
The game leans heavily on casino-inspired mechanics combined with strong live ops integration. Gacha-based unlock systems are used for units, weapons, and even crafting, while most live ops features feel tightly woven into the core gameplay through their presentation, giving players more reasons to stay engaged. This includes endless modes with high-score leaderboards, endless offers, and an adventure mode with battle passes and daily missions. A mission board further guides players through the game’s rich content without letting them feel lost. Additionally, skippable cutscenes, flashy visuals, offline earnings, and skill trees provide additional layers of engagement. Finally, a cross-promotion hub connects players to the publisher’s broader portfolio, further strengthening metrics.
Hybrid Monetization
The game uses a hybrid monetization model that combines IAPs and IAAs. Banner ads are always present, while interstitials appear at level ends with attached rewards to minimize frustration. RV ads are integrated throughout the experience, giving players opportunities to multiply level rewards, boost offline earnings, revive, refill, unlock missions, gain extra perks, or claim shop rewards. On the IAP side, the game offers a rich shop with bundles, speed-ups, slot unlocks, and endless offers to drive long-term spending. A particularly clever design is the ad removal path: instead of a single purchase, players can gradually buy intermediate IAPs that grant ad skip tickets, eventually leading to a free no-ads tier—turning monetization into a progressive journey rather than a one-time decision.
Share your thoughts on this game’s design down below. And don’t forget to follow me for more exciting insights on games.
Original Post: Kavindu Priyanath-Linkedin
