Releases Taxonomy
We classify every feature, event, season, and piece of content from the apps we track. The system is updated regularly, and this page reflects the current version.
Market, Genre, and Subgenre
Section titled “Market, Genre, and Subgenre”Every tracked app is classified by market, genre, and subgenre. Apps often have several play modes, and the classification describes the main one.
| Market | Genre | Subgenre |
|---|---|---|
| Casino | Casino | Bingo, casual casino, poker/cards, other casino, and slots |
| Casual | Lifestyle | Customization and interactive story |
| Casual | Puzzle | Action puzzle, bubble shooter, classic match-3, hidden objects, merge, other match-3, other puzzle, puzzle and decorate, tile blast, trivia, and word |
| Casual | Simulation | Adventure, breeding, sandbox, time management, and tycoon/crafting |
| Casual | Tabletop | Board, card, and solitaire/mahjong |
| Core | RPG | Fighting, idle RPG, MMORPG, puzzle RPG, squad RPG, survival, and turn-based RPG |
| Core | Shooter | Battle royale, FPS/3PS, sniper, and tactical shooter |
| Core | Strategy | 4X strategy, build and battle, card battler, empire simulation, MOBA, tactical battler, and tower defense |
| Racing and Sports | Racing | Arcade, drag, kart, and racing simulator |
| Racing and Sports | Sports | Arcade, realistic, and sports manager |
Release Types
Section titled “Release Types”Releases fall into one of four types.
Features are permanent releases tied to the meta experience, with no time limit on availability. Leaderboards, profiles, lobby updates, and clubs are features.
Seasons are a kind of feature where each version runs for a limited time and the release is expected to return on a predictable schedule. Collection sets and battle passes are seasons.
Events run for a limited time, such as Monday to Wednesday. They are usually smaller and shorter than features, though some are large and long-running.
Content is the core player activity in an app. In slots it is machines, in bingo it is rooms, and in match-3 it is levels.
Mechanic Families
Section titled “Mechanic Families”Releases are classified by their primary mechanic, based on what the release asks players to do and what its rewards are tied to. A release can also carry subfamilies for its additional mechanics. Most releases could fit several families, and the primary family is the one that best describes the main mechanic.
| Family | Definition |
|---|---|
| Accelerators | Increase the power, impact, or efficiency of play |
| Banks | Save a percentage of spend or rewards to be unlocked later |
| Bonuses | Give free value to players, often on a timer, for retention |
| Challenges | Tasks players complete in any order |
| Clubs | Groups players choose to join, working toward goals or competing with other groups |
| Collections | Players collect a set of items for a completion prize or milestone rewards |
| Competitions | Players compete against other players |
| Cosmetics | Improvements or updates to how the app looks or feels, such as UI updates |
| Currencies | Changes to currencies, economies, stores, and items |
| Custom Design | Cosmetic customization options for players |
| Exchanges | Trade one currency for another item or currency |
| Expansions | New play areas, such as rooms, worlds, play modes, or VIP lounges |
| Flows | Player experiences such as the new user experience, ratings, and surveys |
| Hazards | Level elements or blockers that increase difficulty |
| Interactions | Social releases with direct or indirect interaction |
| Leaderboards | Stand-alone leaderboards or rankings |
| Levels | Players level or upgrade something, such as pets or buildings |
| Mini-Games | Smaller, shorter games outside the app’s usual mode of play, such as scratch cards |
| Missions | A linear set of tasks players complete in sequence |
| Notices | Product announcements, terms of service updates, or privacy updates |
| Other | Releases that do not fit any other family |
| Profiles | Player settings, profiles, and controls |
| Purchases | Anything involving spending real money on in-app items |
| Quests | Players complete tasks to progress on a map or map-like mechanic |
| Rewards | Reward players for engagement or spend, outside the bonuses family |
Clubs does not cover short-term randomized team events. Exchanges covers permanent trading, and a limited-time version belongs in Rewards.
Content Taxonomy
Section titled “Content Taxonomy”Content buckets vary by genre, because the core activity does.
| Genre | Buckets |
|---|---|
| Casino | Bingo rooms and slot machines |
| Casual | Hazards, accelerators, and other |
| Core | Heroes, abilities, and equipment |
| Racing and Sports | Equipment, terrain, vehicles, and players |
Player Dynamics
Section titled “Player Dynamics”Player dynamics tags describe how players interact during a release. A release can be collaborative without being a club mechanic, and a club event can have players competing inside a club while clubs compete with each other.