By Peter Warman
Editor’s note: Newzoo and Distimo have released monthly mobile game data for April 2013, listing top worldwide games and publishers for iOS App Store and Google Play. Peter Warman, CEO of Newzoo, contributes his analysis.
Top iOS Games
Warner Bros. Injustice: Gods Among Us has stormed the April iOS charts to take the number four spot. The newly released title is a free-to-play collectible card game based on the heroes of DC comics. Its rapid success is further testament to the power of games based on established franchises. Further examples include The Hobbit which is sitting at number seven in the list and The Simpsons Tapped Out which claims positions eight and 12 (US & Canada version). DC’s comic book rival Marvel has seen its hugely popular game War of Heroes slowly dropping down the charts where it now sits at spot 18.
The top the iOS games remained unchanged once again this month. There are some surprising exits from the list including the newly debuted 4 Pics 1 Word from LOTUM Gmbh and Dragon Vale from Playdom.
EA’s Real Racing, which debuted last month at number 14 is notably missing from this month’s list. This is due to the decision of EA to release the game in two versions- one of which is exclusive to the U.S., Canada and Japan. Combined revenues of both versions would place the racing title at position 12 on the list.
Rankings based on gross sales in 44 countries including key markets US, UK, DE, FR, IT, ES, NL, BE, BR, RU, AU, CN and JP.
Top iOS Publishers
The top 5 iOS publishers remained unchanged again this month, with Supercell still claiming the top spot followed by Electronic Arts and King.com. Disney, who debuted at number 13 last month, have now dropped from the list. Asian publishers Square Enix and Applibot have also fallen from the top 20.
Rankings based on gross sales in 44 countries including key markets US, UK, DE, FR, IT, ES, NL, BE, BR, RU, AU, CN and JP.
Top Google Play Store Games
Focusing on the PlayStore, Puzzle and Dragons was once again the best performing game in terms of revenues with last month’s number two from WeMadeEntertainement also retaining its position. Candy Crush Saga from King is the best performing Western game at number three in the list.
There are a total of six new entries in the charts, with Mobage’s hit title Rage of Bahamut noticeably absent.
Rankings based on gross sales in 34 countries including key markets US, UK, DE, FR, IT, ES, NL, BE, BR, RU, AU, CN and JP.
Top Google Play Store Publishers
The top five publishers remain the same this month, but have changed positions with LINE Corporation now at number one and WeMade Entertainment at number four. There were four new publishers on the list this month, all coming from Asia and at the expense of Zynga and Electronic Arts, who have dropped off the list entirely.
King.com, EA Swiss Earl, Kabam and Gameloft remain the only Western publishers in the list, furthering the divide between a substantially Western dominated iOS store and an Asian dominated Playstore.
Rankings based on gross sales in 34 countries including key markets US, UK, DE, FR, IT, ES, NL, BE, BR, RU, AU, CN and JP.
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