Merge Mini-Game

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Gardenscapes’ Secret Ingredient, a mini-game with merge gameplay, is the latest example of Playrix using mini-games to introduce mechanics from other genres. Prior to its release in Gardenscapes, Secret Ingredient first appeared as Austin’s Childhood in Homescapes, where it has already had multiple iterations. Because Playrix reuses mini-games across multiple apps, it’s able to invest in developing unusually robust mechanics for each mini-game. 

In this report, we analyze why Playrix uses Secret Ingredient and other mini-games to target retention, and how Secret Ingredient updates its economy from previous iterations to drive more frequent engagement.

Soft-Launch and Breakout Apps

Match Tile Scenery is the newest contender in the boom of 3D matching apps, trailing closely behind the current leader, Triple Match 3D. Match Tile Scenery offers new innovations in the form of custom design progressions, cleaner arrangements of tiles, and an emphasis on strategy over speed.

SpongeBob Adventures: In a Jam offers farming sim gameplay in the vein of Klondike Adventures, but its main appeal is the SpongeBob IP. Developer Tilting Point has achieved moderate success with its other SpongeBob-themed sim app, Krusty Cook-Off.

Innovative Features and Events

This month’s noteworthy releases include a quest map combined with a battle pass in Clockmaker, a beanstalk that stores and upgrades players’ items in EverMerge, and an event that lets players send customizable valentines in Seekers Notes. 

Download the March Casual Report for our complete analysis.