March was another successful month for the mobile games industry, with GameRefinery providing insights into the market's performance during this period. PUBG Mobile celebrated its fifth anniversary by introducing the beta version of its new creative mode. This feature allows players to create their own experiences and custom player-versus-player (PVP) games.

However, there is a restriction on who can create games, as only players who meet specific requirements, such as having social media influence and map customization experience, are currently granted access. If their creations gain popularity, approved creators will unlock additional rights, although details regarding this progression system are yet to be confirmed. It remains uncertain if all players will eventually have access to these creative tools.

Survivor!.io launched a beta version of its local co-op mode, enabling players connected to the same router or mobile hotspot to play together. They can share an experience pool while showcasing their unique set of skills. Participating in the beta rewarded players with exclusive decorative items, providing an incentive for engagement.

Royal Match introduced a new recurring event called Lava Quest, challenging players to complete seven consecutive levels without any losses. At each stage, players can see the number of competitors who successfully completed the challenge. Those who conquer the quest will receive a share of the grand prize.

Call of Dragons achieved significant acclaim upon its global release. The game's high production values, seasonal approach, captivating characters, and immersive narrative propelled it to become one of the top 20-50 highest-grossing games in the American market.

Street Fighter Duel, an idle RPG based on the popular franchise, also experienced success. It reached its peak as the 25th highest-grossing title in the American market.

Success in AsiaIn China, Harry Potter: Magic Awakened introduced a clothing competition event. Players had to choose cosmetics that met the daily requirements in order to win awards, including event currency that could be used to purchase various items. GameRefinery notes that the game's monetization strategy has traditionally focused on a cosmetic economy, aligning with the game's approach in monetizing customization through this new event.

Life Makeover achieved success in China, ranking among the top 15 highest-grossing titles for the month and leading the download charts. Although the game is currently only available in China, the existence of an official English name suggests a potential global release in the near future, as noted by GameRefinery.

Goddess of Victory: NIKKE surprised the market with its dog-themed event called Bow Wow Paradise, which propelled the game to the third spot in Japan's top-grossing charts. Despite the game's previous global controversy due to sexual imagery, this new event takes a different approach by introducing a new character named Biscuit. Biscuit is designed to be a "moe-inducing character," intended to evoke feelings of affection and protectiveness due to her innocence. Players are tasked with helping Biscuit find her runaway dogs, and utilizing her in the event can help players boost their event currency.

Haikyuu!! TOUCH THE DREAM, based on the popular anime series Haikyuu!!, was released on February 28 and immediately made a strong impact in Japan. It reached number 18 in the country's highest-grossing charts and consistently ranked within the top 60. This success highlights the potential of leveraging existing intellectual properties (IPs) in game development.

Last month, Dream Games, the developer of Royal Match, expanded its operations by opening a new office in London.

Source: Lewis Rees, Staff Writer at Pocket Gamer