New RPG Titles Dominate Mobile Gaming Landscape in 2025 App Store Rankings

In a recent investigation conducted by SpiceSmart, around 70% of the newly ranked mobile games in the App Store for 2025 fall within the RPG genre. This study, which focuses on 126 titles that entered the top 200 sales rankings for the first time, provides insight into the genre distribution, the use of intellectual properties (IP), and the presence of overseas-developed titles. The final findings of this research are shared with clients using the company's operational solution, Liveopsis.

Key Findings of the Study

- Approximately 70% of newly ranked titles are RPGs.
- Original titles account for about 60% of the total; however, popular Japanese IP titles led the top rankings.
- An analysis of the initial rankings following release and the sustainability of services.

RPGs Take the Lead

The investigation highlights a striking trend: 87 out of the 126 new entries are RPGs, which include various sub-genres such as action RPGs and idle RPGs. This accounts for approximately 70% of the total. Notably, in 2023, for instance, the number of RPGs had previously reached 45, suggesting consistent growth. Particularly, idle RPGs have shown a significant upward trend over the past three years, while MMORPGs and simulation games are seeing a decrease.

Original vs. IP Titles

Despite the predominance of original titles, which constitute 52% of the new rankings, the report shows that the top entries tend to be popular IP-based titles originating from Japan. Out of the seven titles that made it to the top 30, six are based on well-known Japanese anime, such as 'SD Gundam G-Generation Eternal' and 'Magical Girl Madoka Magica: Magia Exedra.' This pattern indicates a clear preference for existing IPs among top-performing games in the marketplace.

The Global Influence of Overseas Titles

The percentage of overseas titles among newly ranked applications stands at approximately 59.5%, keeping a majority share. Predominantly, titles originating from mainland China make up more than 60% of these rankings from 2023 to 2025. However, slight declines have been observed compared to previous years, which could suggest a need for domestic developers to catch up.

Service Sustainability and Initial Rankings

The survey also analyzed post-launch sales rankings and the sustainability of services. Only four titles (3.2% of the total) managed to rank in the top 200 a month after release, a decrease from 5.4% in the previous year. This indicates that achieving a successful launch is becoming increasingly critical for game endurance in the highly competitive market.

Conclusion

This report is merely an excerpt from a comprehensive study that delves into genre trends, IP usage, and foreign title representation. The complete findings are accessible to clients utilizing Liveopsis, a service developed by SpiceSmart to support mobile game market analysis. For further inquiries about Liveopsis and SpiceSmart’s suite of services, visit the company's official website.

About SpiceSmart
Established in July 2015, SpiceSmart specializes in research and analysis of the mobile gaming market, particularly in Japan and East Asia. With an array of services focused on mobile game operations and strategic business collaborations, the company provides reports to members of Liveopsis, ensuring they have the insights necessary to thrive in the competitive gaming landscape.

For more information, visit SpiceSmart.