This list is all about the 10 largest and most successful Free2Play games of 2019. Among them are titles for PC and consoles, but mobile games are clearly in the foreground.
What kind of games are these? These top 10 are the Free2Play games that generated the highest revenue in 2019. Since they are all free to play, the revenue was generated through digital content in stores.
Where do the data come from? The market research company SuperData has established a ranking of the highest-grossing Free2Play games of 2019. The data comes from various sources, which, according to the website, consist of data partnerships with publishers, developers, and payment services.
The data is considered a reliable measure of the success of games and is used worldwide.
In another article, we have already presented the 10 most successful Buy2Play titles.
10. Last Shelter: Survival
Genre: Multiplayer strategy game| Developer: Long Tech Network Limited | Platform: Android, iOS | Release date: October 13, 2017 | Revenue in 2019: $1.1 billion
What is Last Shelter? Last Shelter is a multiplayer strategy game for smartphones. The goal is to survive against hordes of zombies attacking your last stronghold in a desolate wilderness.
You play the role of a leader who builds a base and recruits troops and legendary heroes. You can also manufacture vehicles and weapons of all kinds.
With these, you will face off against the advancing hordes of zombies and also against other players. Last Shelter features a significant PvP element, and your base can even be completely destroyed.
How does the game finance itself? The game has an in-game shop where the developers offer various cosmetic items. However, reviews of the game note that some also provide a gameplay advantage.
Purchased items can also be lost and apparently need to be repurchased.
In which countries is it particularly successful? According to the website Appbrain, Last Shelter: Survival is particularly successful in Canada, Switzerland, and Iran. There, it ranks in the top 10 in the Play Store charts.
9. Game for Peace
Genre: Battle Royale | Developer: Bluehole/Tencent | Platform: Android, iOS| Release date: May 8, 2019 | Revenue in 2019: $1.2 billion
What is Game for Peace? Game for Peace is the Chinese version of PUBG-Mobile. It is very similar in gameplay, but the publisher Tencent has made some changes:
- The level of violence in the game has been toned down, and blood has been replaced with harmless effects.
- There have been adjustments to the story, and the game has been made more Chinese with content such as the Chinese Air Force.
- Players between 16 and 18 years old are allowed to play for a maximum of 2 hours a day.
How does the game finance itself? The biggest difference between PUBG and Game for Peace lies in the financing model. You can purchase progress in the Battle Pass, achievements, and loot boxes for real money.
2019 was accordingly successful for Game of Peace. According to Sensor Tower, the game made $14 million in the first 72 hours.
In which countries is it particularly successful? Game of Peace was released for the Chinese market. It is reasonable to assume that the game is also most successful there.
8. Fate/Grand Order
Genre: Role-playing game | Developer: Delightworks/Sega Interactive | Platform: Android, iOS| Release date: July 29, 2015 (Japan) | Revenue in 2019: $1.2 billion
What is Fate/Grand Order? Fate/Grand Order is a turn-based RPG from Japan. The player takes on the role of the Master and commands a group of Servants, who are historical or mythological figures from various cultures. You can and must collect these over time.
Servants have different types of abilities and can be combined in various ways. Additionally, spells can be cast by the Master that influence the battle.
Fate/Grand Order is based on the “Fate” franchise and has its own film and manga series.
How does the game finance itself? Fate/Grand Order primarily finances itself through loot boxes. It is considered the epitome of Pay2Win. Through the boxes, particularly strong heroes can be obtained, leading some players to invest a lot of money.
In which countries is it particularly successful? The mobile game enjoys great success especially in Japan. There, it made 82% of its more than $3 billion in revenue.
However, according to Appbrain, it is also ranked number 1 among RPGs in Canada and the USA on the Play Store.
7. Crossfire
Genre: Shooter | Developer: Smilegate | Platform: PC | Release date: May 3, 2007 (Korea)| Revenue in 2019: $1.4 billion
What is Crossfire? Crossfire is a tactical shooter from Smilegate, who also develop the MMORPG Lost Ark. It has many similarities with Counter Strike and is also referred to as the Korean version of it.
In the game, the Black List terrorists and the Global Risk soldiers fight against each other. There are various game modes, including Team Deathmatch, Search and Destroy, and Elimination.
Since 2011, it has also been playable in Europe, although the version differs from the Korean one. In 2017, Smilegate announced that they wanted to conquer the western market with E-Sports. At E3 2019, they announced the Xbox version Crossfire X, which is set to release in 2020.
How does the game finance itself? Crossfire has been one of the highest-grossing games worldwide since 2013. This is also due to the fact that players can buy stronger weapons directly for real money.
While it is possible to eliminate opponents with a headshot using standard weapons, the Pay2Win accusation has been present since its release in Europe.
In which countries is it particularly successful? Of the over $10 billion that Crossfire has made since its release, a large portion comes from China and South Korea. In 2013 alone, the revenue in China was over 1 billion dollars.
6. Pokémon GO
Genre: Mobile game | Developer: Niantic | Platform: Android, iOS | Release date: July 6, 2016 | Revenue in 2019: $1.4 billion
What is Pokémon GO? The “Augmented Reality” game Pokémon GO should be known to every gamer. It makes your dream of becoming a trainer come true by allowing you to catch, train, and battle Pokémon in the open world.
In the game, you can also interact with other players, host battles, and trade your Pokémon.
Your main goal is to complete the Pokédex. For this, you have access to Pokémon from five generations now.
How does the game finance itself? In Pokémon GO, you can buy balls, potions, but also raid passes and incubators for your Poké Eggs in the shop.
The latter gives you a small advantage, especially if special versions of Pokémon are only available for a short time.
In which countries is it particularly successful? Pokémon GO is especially successful in the USA and Japan. There, it accounts for 36.2% and 29.4% of its revenue, respectively.
However, Germany ranks third, contributing 6% of the total revenue.
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