2021 marked a banner year for mobile gaming, with active user bases surging exponentially. Eight standout titles, including PUBG Mobile and Free Fire, surpassed $1 billion in player spending, according to data from Sensor Tower, a leading mobile analytics firm.
Mobile games have thrived since the pandemic began, cementing their status as a powerhouse industry for two straight years. Sensor Tower reports highlight an upward revenue trajectory driven by heightened gamer investment. Here's a breakdown of the games that hit this milestone.
Sensor Tower data confirms Tencent's PUBG Mobile topped the charts once again, no surprise given its record-breaking Q3 2021 performance. To date, it has amassed $2.8 billion in global player spending. Close behind is Tencent's Honor of Kings, which nearly matched it and recently became the first mobile game to reach $10 billion in lifetime revenue.
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MiHoYo's Genshin Impact ranks third, having rocketed past $1 billion in player spending just months after launch. Much of its revenue stems from China and Japan. Roblox and Coin Master also surged past the $1 billion mark this year.
Nintendo's augmented reality classic Pokemon GO (launched 2016) and puzzle favorite Candy Crush Saga both exceeded $1.2 billion, though Pokemon GO saw a dip from prior-year highs.
Garena's Free Fire is the newest entrant to cross $1 billion, fiercely competing with battle royale giants like PUBG Mobile, particularly in Asia. Its upgraded version, Free Fire MAX, launched this year and quickly gained massive traction.
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