--- static_export_time: "2026-07-30T17:35:19+00:00" title: "Creatives Trends for Top Casual Mobile Games" description: "Dive deep into the creatives trends among top casual games and gain expert ASO insights to improve your creatives' optimization process." url: "/en/aso-blog/creatives-trends-for-top-casual-mobile-games" locale: "en-US" image: "https://www.apptweak.com/img/2023/12/1200x627_with-title_social-media-80.png?auto=compress%2Cformat&q=95" --- # Creatives Trends for Top Casual Mobile Games ![Justin Duckers](/img/2023/03/justin-1.jpg?auto=format%2Ccompress&w=200&h=200&fit=crop)by  **Justin Duckers** App Growth Consultant at AppTweak Last updated on December 12 2023 — 9 min read Summarize with AI Subscribe to our monthly newsletter Subscribe to our monthly newsletter When it comes to app store games, creatives are the key to success. These eye-catching elements are what convince visitors to download and play a game. [Research shows](https://www.nngroup.com/articles/how-little-do-users-read/) that visitors pay little attention to written text, instead being drawn in by captivating images. That’s why **optimizing your creatives is crucial for capturing store visitors** and keeping them away from competitors. [A/B testing is a valuable tool](/en/aso-blog/basics-of-a-b-testing-in-aso) for optimizing creatives, but it’s only as effective as the hypothesis behind it. To develop a strong hypothesis, it’s essential to conduct prior research into the market and competition. **Analyzing the strategies of top players in the market** is a smart approach to identifying best practices. After all, their presence in the top charts indicates they have mastered the art of attracting attention and converting store visitors. In this blog post, we’ll dive deeper into the creative trends among the top casual games, and provide insights to help you improve your own creative optimization process. * * * ## Discover the general creative trends for your category Let’s first start by looking at general creative trends within Games – Casual category on both Google Play and the App Store. AppTweak’s [Metadata Benchmarks](/en/aso-blog/compare-your-app-metadata-to-category-benchmark-aso-trends) offers a quick overview of the common metadata practices among the **top 50 apps in your chosen category**. By leveraging these benchmarks, you can make **data-driven decisions for your creative design process**. This information can help you quickly make important decisions for your creative designing process (e.g. portrait vs landscape screenshots) without necessarily having to do the extra, time-consuming effort of A/B testing to know what store visitors of a specific category prefer. Here’s what we’ve observed in the Casual games category: - Top casual games use icons with **multiple bright colors** - **Characters** (often **animals** ) frequently appear in the game icons - On the App Store, **portrait screenshots are the norm** , as these games are typically played in portrait mode - On Google Play, **portrait and landscape screenshots** are used almost equally - Half of the top casual games **feature a video** , while the other half does not. **A/B testing** can help determine if videos improve conversion rates ![Make data-driven decisions for your creative design process by leveraging benchmarks observed on both the app stores](/img/2023/12/top-casual-infographic.png?auto=format&fit=scale&h=690&q=95&w=768) _Make data-driven decisions for your creative design process by leveraging benchmarks observed on both the app stores. Source: AppTweak’s Metadata Benchmarks._ ## Define the competitive landscape Once you’ve completed this initial research, it’s time to dive deeper into analyzing the top casual games. You can do this by checking the **icons, screenshots, and videos of each game** individually **in the top charts** for the Games – Casual category. #### Expert Tip Note that the top charts are usually linked to a specific date. If you want to see trends for games that consistently rank high over a specific time period, [AppTweak’s Market Intelligence](/en/market-intelligence) can help. Simply select your category, go to **Market Share** , and check the top apps. ![Looking at games with the highest market share over a given period gives you a better idea of which competitors are the strongest in a specific category](/img/2023/12/market-intell-for-creatives.png?auto=format&fit=scale&h=499&q=95&w=768) _Looking at games with the highest market share over a given period gives you a better idea of which competitors are the strongest in a specific category. Source: AppTweak’s Market Intelligence_ ## Speed up your research with AppTweak’s ASO Creatives Explorer Analyzing the creatives of multiple apps across different countries and app stores can be incredibly time-consuming. That’s why we’ve developed the [ASO Creatives Explorer](https://help.apptweak.com/en/articles/8211330-how-to-use-aso-creatives-explorer) **,** a tool to help you **identify the dominant creative trends in specific categories and markets**. With AppTweak’s [GameDNA](/en/why-apptweak/appdna), a more advanced mobile gaming classification than the app store categories, you can focus your research on games that belong to a certain genre. Instead of browsing the broader Games – Casual category, you can, for instance, select the “Match & Build GameDNA” and see only those games whose creative trends are most likely to be applicable to your own (match & build) game. In a glance, you can spot the **prevailing trends in each genre.** Whether it’s the use of characters, gameplay emphasis, or unique selling propositions, **ASO Creatives Explorer** provides valuable insights for your creatives’ strategy. ![Visualize screenshots from the leading apps & games in any category, AppDNA, or GameDNA in one place with AppTweak's ASO Creatives Explorer.](/img/2023/12/aso-creatives-explorer.png?auto=format&fit=scale&h=499&q=95&w=768) _Visualize screenshots from the leading apps & games in any category, AppDNA, or GameDNA in one place with AppTweak’s ASO Creatives Explorer._ Let’s take a look at the feature graphic of the 9 most powerful match & build games according to AppTweak’s GameDNA: ![Match & Build GameDNA on AppTweak](/img/2023/12/gamedna-presentation.png?auto=format&fit=scale&h=448&q=95&w=768) _Match & Build GameDNA. Source: AppTweak’s ASO Creatives Explorer_ Noticeable trends in the mobile gaming industry include: - focus on **characters** and **gameplay** - Many games utilize **hand motions** to **simulate in-game movements** , accompanied by **concise captions** that highlight the game’s **unique selling points** , such as the absence of advertisements and mini games - The visual style of games is often **vibrant** and full of **colorful in-game elements** , with the brand name frequently displayed If your game incorporates bubble shooting elements, switch to the _Bubble Shoot_ GameDNA and do a similar analysis. ![Bubble Shoot GameDNA on AppTweak](/img/2023/12/bubble-shoot-gamedna.png?auto=format&fit=scale&h=448&q=95&w=768) _Bubble Shoot GameDNA. Source: AppTweak’s ASO Creatives Explorer_ The **bubble-shaped logos** and **vibrant colors** immediately catch our eye. These games make use of **stylized fonts** and always include the keyword “bubble” in their brand names. To rank higher on bubble shoot-related keywords, you need to think outside the box and create **[custom product pages](/en/aso-blog/guide-to-custom-product-pages-cpp) (CPPs)**. [Learn how you can use custom product pages to create more relevant content for varied users](/en/aso-blog/apple-s-ios-15-custom-product-pages-their-impact-on-aso) As you can see, creative research is just a few clicks away thanks to **AppTweak’s ASO Creatives Explorer.** With GameDNA, you can also better focus your research and put the emphasis on the game genres that matter to you the most. ## Creative trends for top casual games Whether you prefer an in-depth analysis or a broader approach, we’ve got you covered. We’ll showcase the main trends we’ve noticed among the top casual games on both app stores. ### Screenshots: Your game’s visual story **Screenshots play a crucial role in promoting your mobile game on the app stores**. On Google Play, you can display up to 8 screenshots, while the App Store allows for 10. These screenshots appear in search results and on your product page, giving you the chance to highlight your game’s unique features. Screenshots from top casual games tend to be **simple** and **minimalistic** , but here are the 5 main trends we’ve observed across both the stores: #### 1. Emphasize gameplay and UI ![Show store visitors what gameplay they may expect from your game if they download it.](/img/2023/12/creatives-7.png?auto=format&fit=scale&h=410&q=95&w=768) _Show store visitors what gameplay they may expect from your game if they download it. Source: AppTweak_ #### 2. Use short and direct captions ![Keep your screenshot captions short, simple, and engaging.](/img/2023/12/creatives-6.png?auto=format&fit=scale&h=410&q=95&w=768) _People usually don’t take the time to read when they’re on the phone, so keep your screenshot captions short, simple, and engaging. Source: AppTweak_ #### 3. Include one screenshot that focuses on branding ![For many games that already have some traction, it’s important to capitalize on brand awareness and brand recognition to boost visibility and downloads.](/img/2023/12/creatives-5.png?auto=format&fit=scale&h=410&q=95&w=768) _For many games that already have some traction, it’s important to capitalize on brand awareness and brand recognition to boost visibility and downloads. Source: AppTweak_ #### 4. Highlight social activities (when relevant) ![Many players prefer games that feature social activities, be it collaborative ones or competitive ones. Make sure to feature them to appeal to a larger audience.](/img/2023/12/creatives-4.png?auto=format&fit=scale&h=343&q=95&w=768) _Many players prefer games that feature social activities, be it collaborative ones or competitive ones. Make sure to feature them to appeal to a larger audience. Source: AppTweak_ #### 5. Show your game’s features and game modes ![Showcasing the various gameplay experiences available in creatives can help convert store visitors.](/img/2023/12/creatives-2.png?auto=format&fit=scale&h=361&q=95&w=768) _Showcasing the various gameplay experiences available in creatives can help convert store visitors. Source: AppTweak_ #### Expert Tip While the trends we present here apply to both the app stores, remember that this is not always the case. Make sure to always double-check whether a trend you spotted on one of the app stores also applies to the other. ## Top casual games feature graphic trends on Google Play The **feature graphic is a visual asset available on the Google Play** and displayed in a number of places on the store: - on your product page, and - in the search results before the video starts to play It also appears in **organic and paid ad spots** in the Explore section. It should not be overlooked as, when it is displayed, the feature graphic has high visibility and high impact. Looking at top casual games on Google Play, we observed that their **feature graphics were usually quite straightforward** , mixing **gameplay and branding**. The latter ensures a quick recognition of the game no matter where it is displayed on the Play Store. _Triple Tile_ goes as far as **including a call-to-action in its feature graphi** c. ![Find the right balance between showcasing gameplay and branding within your feature graphic.](/img/2023/12/creatives-3.png?auto=format&fit=scale&h=302&q=95&w=768) _Find the right balance between showcasing gameplay and branding within your feature graphic. Source: AppTweak_ ## Update your game creatives with season-specific content Take advantage of **seasonal events to add a festive touch to your game’s visuals**. Something as simple as a falling autumn leaf or a Christmas hat can make a big impact and help you stand out from the competition. The main goal is to celebrate the event and set a festive mood. [Get your app ready for the holiday season with these useful seasonality tips](/en/aso-blog/app-seasonality-trends-for-holiday-season) Below are a few examples of top casual games leveraging seasonality in their creatives: ![Leveraging seasonality helps both match store visitors’ timely search interests as well as create novelty.](/img/2023/12/creatives-1.png?auto=format&fit=scale&h=594&q=95&w=768) _Leveraging app store seasonality helps both match store visitors’ timely search interests as well as create novelty. Source: AppTweak_ ## Localization: Tailor your creatives to different markets While [localization](/en/aso-resources/guides/complete-app-localization-guide) is a common practice for games to appeal to target users across the globe, many top casual games neglect to adapt their creatives to different cultural codes. This is a missed opportunity, as **localized screenshots can significantly boost conversion rates**. Western markets prefer minimalistic designs, while Eastern markets gravitate towards more crowded visuals and stylized captions. Take a look at these examples of [app store localization](/en/aso-blog/guide-to-app-store-localization) in Japan by top casual games: ![Translate your captions to boost your conversion rate in most markets.](/img/2023/12/creatives.png?auto=format&fit=scale&h=594&q=95&w=768) _Translate your image captions to boost your conversion rate in most markets. Source: AppTweak_ [Learn how to localize your app for Japan](/en/aso-blog/how-to-localize-your-app-in-japanese) * * * ## Conclusion Your app/game’s creative research may be time-consuming, but it’s essential for improving your conversion rate. In this post, we shared some of the methods AppTweak uses to effectively identify best practices to optimize games’ creatives. We’ve put these theories into practice and identified a set of creative trends among the Casual Games category. Now it’s your turn to apply these methods to other game categories if needed. [Start free trial](https://app.apptweak.com/accounts/new?locale=en) * * * by **Justin Duckers** , App Growth Consultant at AppTweak Justin is an App Growth Consultant at AppTweak, helping apps boost their visibility and downloads. Passionate about sci-fi and fantasy, he spends his free time walking, reading and bouldering. 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