Pixel P&L: The Data-Driven Playbook Indian Studios Must Adopt

India’s gaming industry is brimming with talent, yet few titles outside Real Money Games have broken through commercially. Anurag Choudhary, founder of Felicity Games, believes the key lies in optimization. With a focus on analytics and performance marketing, Felicity is helping studios bridge the gap between creativity and profitability.

Their work on Nova Solitaire highlights this approach. By overhauling early game design, streamlining user onboarding, and testing hundreds of ad campaigns, Felicity boosted player retention and revenue metrics. Second-game conversions jumped to 70%, while ARPDAU surged by over 50%—transforming a struggling card game into a sustainable product.

But these results didn’t come easy. As distribution costs soar and global competitors dominate, Indian developers face an uphill climb. Our full feature dives into the data, strategies, and lessons behind Nova Solitaire’s turnaround—and what it reveals about building a sustainable gaming business in India.

BharatBox and Shemaroo Entertainment sold out 3,333 Jab We Met digital collectibles, featuring Kareena Kapoor’s character ‘Geet,’ within 45 days on Web3 game ‘The Sandbox’, generating $40,000 in revenue.

The campaign drew 67,000 users, boosted by teaser promotions, educational content, and early engagement incentives. Three AMA sessions with The Sandbox gathered over 200,000 viewers, reflecting global interest in Bollywood IPs entering the metaverse. BharatBox’s no-code tools and play-to-earn models facilitated creator participation and player engagement, with strong buyer interest from India and abroad. 

Apple Unveils 2024’s Most-Downloaded Games and Apps

Top free iPhone games include Monopoly Go! and Roblox, while Minecraft and Heads Up! lead paid titles. On iPad, Roblox topped free downloads, with Minecraft dominating paid charts. Apple Arcade favorites featured NBA 2K24 Arcade Edition and Hello Kitty Island Adventure, showcasing a mix of new hits and returning classics.

PGL Acquires Game Server Provider Fragnet

Fragnet hosts servers for titles like Counter-Strike 2 and Call of Duty. It will operate independently but gain access to PGL’s operational support and expertise. Existing customers won’t see disruptions to Fragnet’s services, the companies confirmed in a release.

WHO Partners with Goodville to Launch AI Health Assistant

The World Health Organization (WHO) has partnered with Goodville, a mobile farming game, to introduce Sarah, an AI health assistant offering tips based on WHO guidelines. Integrated into gameplay, Sarah follows 2022’s Florence assistant, which engaged 1.5 million players. WHO sees gaming as a platform for delivering trustworthy health information.

From the 1940s to the 1970s, pinball was banned in cities like New York, Los Angeles, and Chicago over claims it was a mafia-run gambling scheme corrupting America’s youth. Authorities argued that pinball was a game of luck, not skill, making it akin to gambling and easily manipulated for profit.

The ban in New York City finally came to an end in 1976 when Roger Sharpe, a pinball expert, demonstrated in court that pinball required skill. In a dramatic move, Sharpe called his shot—predicting exactly where the ball would land—proving it wasn’t purely chance.

His performance convinced the court, and the ban was lifted, marking a turning point for pinball’s reputation. Cities across the U.S. soon followed, and pinball machines reemerged as a beloved pastime.