Q2 2025 marks a turning point for hybrid casual games with revenue doubling YoY among the top 10 titles. Puzzle & arcade dominate, while action lags behind. Leaders like Color Block Jam, Screwdom, All in Hole, and Hole People showcase distinct monetization playbooks.
For developers, investors, and product teams, the lesson is clear: The future of casual gaming lies not only in accessible mechanics, but also in sustainable monetization and continuous live-ops strategies.
Who Is This Analysis For?
Game Publishers & Developers
Seeking new growth opportunities and sustainable monetization models
Investors & Industry Analysts
Evaluating the long-term viability of hybrid casual games
Product Managers & Designers
Looking for proven strategies to boost retention and in-app purchase revenue
Key Questions Answered
Q1: How are hybrid casual games different from traditional hyper-casual games?
- Since 2024, hybrid casual titles have moved to the center stage, blending lightweight mechanics with deeper monetization
- Unlike hyper-casual (ad-driven), hybrid casual games combine in-app purchases, battle passes, and ad-removal packages for more reliable revenue streams
- For a deeper breakdown of sustainable models, see our analysis of the Hybrid Casual Monetization Blueprint with Coin Sort
Q2: What happened in Q2 2025?
- The Top 10 hybrid casual games doubled their IAP revenue YoY
- Puzzle games contributed over 50% of total revenue, arcade games about 35%, while action titles trailed at 2%
- Puzzle games surged with a 137% YoY growth rate, confirming the ongoing "Puzzle Revolution"
- Case studies such as Knit Out: A Hybrid Casual Puzzle Game Case Study demonstrate why puzzle mechanics dominate engagement and revenue
2025 Q2 Hybrid Casual Games TOP10 Ranking
Top 1–5: The Familiar Leaders
Why it works: A clever loop combining block puzzle + parking mechanics, monetization centered on IAP, supported by strong UA campaigns.
Rollic's ability to repeatedly deliver global hits is explored further in Rollic Strategy: Innovation, IP Expansion & Skin Swaps.
Jumped from #9 to #2, revenue grew 705% QoQ.
Success drivers: Shift from 2D to immersive 3D screw puzzle, plus season passes and themed events.
Reimagines the classic Hole.io loop with goal-driven progression + event-based monetization.
Released in 2021, peaked in March 2024. Despite slight decline, remains one of the longest-lasting leaders.
Monetization insight: Ad removal + "skip tickets" that let players bypass rewarded ads while still receiving rewards.
Top 6–10: New Challengers & Returning Titles
Q2 debut at #6, with $5.5M IAP revenue; lifetime revenue approaching $10M.
Gameplay: Classify stickmen by color into holes, while managing limited slots → tactical puzzle depth.
Monetization:
- Golden Pass contributes 6–8% of monthly IAP
- Ad-removal + continue packages generate 30% of monthly IAP ($1M in July 2025)
Industry Insights
- Puzzle supremacy: Now >50% of hybrid casual revenue, accelerating quarter by quarter
- The "Hole" trend: 215 new games launched with "hole" in the title Jan–Jul 2025 (vs only 15 in the same 2024 period)
- Yarn & theme-based innovation: Titles like Knit Out prove how thematic hooks can set puzzle games apart
- Balanced monetization: Instead of aggressive countdown-driven IAP, Hole People uses stamina + optional purchases, preserving player satisfaction
Strategic Takeaways
- Developers should double down on puzzle and arcade hybrids as the strongest growth engines
- Long-term winners will balance ads, in-app purchases, and user experience
- Leveraging viral themes & visual hooks (e.g., "hole" or "yarn" motifs) remains a proven way to capture attention
Conclusion
Q2 2025 marks a turning point for hybrid casual games:
- Revenue doubled YoY among the top 10 titles
- Puzzle & arcade dominate, while action lags behind
- Leaders like Color Block Jam (Rollic Games) , Screwdom, All in Hole, and Hole People showcase distinct monetization playbooks
For developers, investors, and product teams, the lesson is clear: The future of casual gaming lies not only in accessible mechanics, but also in sustainable monetization and continuous live-ops strategies.
(To be continued — Part 2 will explore emerging competitors and deeper monetization strategies.)
Featured Levels
Explore these specially selected levels that showcase the best of Knit Out's puzzle design:
Level 880: Strategic Knot Planning
This stage requires players to carefully organize highly tangled threads. Success depends on planning rope paths and matching the correct spools with strategic precision.
Level 881: Multi-Color Coil Challenge
Multiple colored coils are intertwined, requiring precise control of movement order to avoid tangles. Players must think logically about sequence and timing.
Level 882: Extreme Knot Complexity
With heavily interwoven ropes, this level tests spatial reasoning and color-matching skills. One wrong move can lead to failure, demanding high concentration.
Level 883: Obstacle-Rich Thread Maze
Obstacles and increased thread volume push the difficulty higher. Players need careful observation and often tool assistance to overcome the dense knot challenges.
Level 890: Chain Knot Strategy
This level centers on large chain knots. Players must pre-plan every step to avoid worsening the entanglement and to reach the correct spool connections.