289. Mobile Gaming in 2025: 10 Trends That Matter

State of Gaming report: https://tinyurl.com/5eyye63dIn this episode, Mishka Katkoff sits down with Sensor Tower gaming insights analyst Sam Aune to dissect the state of mobile gaming in 2025. They unpack download trends, the evolving UA playbook, the hybrid casual boom, and shifting genre engagement. The conversation dives into emerging markets, how ads really impact player behavior, and what Gen Z expects from modern mobile games. Backed by fresh Sensor Tower data, Aune breaks down where the biggest opportunities—and pitfalls—lie for today’s game makers.02:10 Current Trends in Mobile Gaming Downloads05:12 User Acquisition and Monetization Strategies07:45 Engagement Trends in Game Genres11:31 The Rise of Hybrid Casual Games16:49 Emerging Markets and Growth Opportunities23:39 Revenue Trends Across Game Genres27:36 Balancing Niche and Audience Size30:59 The Decline of New Game Releases31:56 Understanding Gen Z Players35:38 Gender Targeting in Game Development41:55 The Role of IP in Game Success45:04 Market Concentration and Expansion Strategies