Apple’s App Store Guidelines discourage developers from using external payments and marketplaces, but developers can limit—or even entirely avoid—Apple’s fees by limiting their use of links to web stores from within their apps.

A machine in Game of Thrones Slots introduces innovative mechanics based on the IP’s theme of warring factions. Plus, in-machine challenges that increase engagement in Slotomania, a machine in Jackpot World that lets players move a frame to any reel position, and more.

A new machine in Pokerist maintains all of its components on a single reel set while still managing to create long waves of anticipation through bonuses. It accomplishes this by adding special symbols directly within base spins and frequently chaining their mechanics together.

Supercell and Chess.com created a deep cross-promotion, Clash Chess, with an exceptionally strong fit between the two brands—which increased Clash Royale’s DAU by 1M players.

Homescapes' Pharaoh's Treasure offers an unusually deep merge mini-game featuring 2.5D graphics and an extensive set of progressions. Plus, a new web store in June's Journey and win streak challenges in Matchington Mansion and Toon Blast.

Arena Legends closely resembles PvP match-3 app Match Masters, which has been a top-50 puzzle app since March 2021. Arena Legends introduces a few notable changes, including a star mechanic that rewards players based on their victory margin over opponents, and an increased frequency of reward events.

Homescapes’ Ranch Adventures adds deeper simulation elements to one of the app’s mini-games by letting players merge resources. This reflects Playrix’s recent push toward integrating more complex mechanics in mini-games from different genres in order to boost retention.

Merge Topia-Colouring Squares broke into the top 50 casual apps in January 2024. The app’s base gameplay and features draw heavily on top merge-3 apps such as EverMerge, but it distinguishes itself by integrating a progression of unique puzzle mini-games into its core loop.

Offering real-world rewards can boost engagement and UA during brand collaborations. Real-world rewards incentivize in-app engagement, increase the value of partnerships by allowing brands to direct players to their products, and appeal directly to brands’ audiences, which can increase UA for apps.

War Sniper takes a slower approach to FPS gameplay by having players aim and shoot from stationary positions, offering multiple opportunities to kill targets, and including forgiving time limits. Developer Miniclip (majority-owned by Tencent) has another sniper app, Pure Sniper, that has hovered in the top 100 action apps since July 2022.

Puzzles & Chaos entered the top 100 strategy apps in November 2023, two months after its launch. The app combines match-3 battles with 4X and RPG gameplay, similar to 37Games' Puzzles & Survival (a top 10 strategy app since 2021) and Puzzles & Conquest (a top 100 strategy app since 2020).

Raid: Shadow Legends’ Cursed City has players complete a progression of 100 battle stages to earn exclusive heroes and resources. Plus, a pipe-building puzzle mini-game in Last Day on Earth, a Hello Kitty-themed expansion in Identity V, and more.