Mobile Game Series Surpasses 10 Billion Downloads in a Decade
Before diving into the article, it’s essential to clarify that there aren’t many game series that have achieved the remarkable milestone of over “zero” downloads, especially when the number is limited to just a few fingers. However, within a single decade, this gaming franchise has surpassed 10 billion downloads, making waves across the global gaming community. The standout IP is My Talking Tom, developed by Outfit7!
In fact, My Talking Tom has become a significant part of the childhood experience for many players around the world. Certainly, its unique charm has captivated a wide audience since its launch, featuring a grey cat that interacts with players and “talks” back with cheerful sounds… Despite such distinctive experiences, My Talking Tom has received immense recognition and quickly achieved over 100 million downloads within just 1.5 years of its release.
As of 2020, the total downloads for this gaming series had already surpassed 10 billion. By July 2024, Outfit7 confirmed that its game series (including over 20 games) had reached 23 billion downloads—nearly three times the total population of the entire globe. Among these, the monthly active users of the Talking Tom games remain a staggering 470 million.
However, Is Talking Tom Losing Its Popularity?
Since 2017, Jinke Cultural Industries (Jinke) from China acquired Outfit7 for $1 billion, transforming “Tom the Cat” into a separate brand within the “domestic” market. Despite ongoing success and bringing significant revenue, the game is increasingly facing “stiff competition”.
According to Sohu, Jinke’s recent IPO has been met with mixed responses, leading to a decline in market valuation. However, this IPO has yet to have a significant impact, with the current state of “Tom the Cat” indicating that the brand must endure a challenging phase and is not receiving substantial attention.
Additionally, to stay relevant in today’s trends, Jinke is also proactively launching new merchandise, drawing inspiration from “Tom the Cat” to maintain brand recognition. Nevertheless, despite these efforts, the current valuation is seen as lacking creativity, and the brand continues to face significant competition from various emerging rivals.
It is evident that the challenges facing the My Talking Tom series serve as a clear testament to the competition within the mobile gaming market, where fame and success cannot be sustained without continuous innovation and effective development strategies. Although it was once a symbol of a new era boasting hundreds of millions of users, “Tom the Cat” now requires a touch of magic to reclaim its golden age.
Source: Sohu
