Garena Free Fire Max, Poki & more: The secret sauce behind their explosive popularity!

The mobile gaming industry is undergoing a seismic transformation in the way players discover and engage with games. A new survey of 2,003 gamers across the US and UK reveals that 50% of players have earned real-world rewards—such as cash and gift cards from brands like Netflix and Amazon—simply by playing mobile games. The findings, part of an in-depth study by Almedia, highlight the impact of rewarded gameplay on user acquisition and retention.

Rewarded Gaming Fuels Industry Growth

After two years of decline, mobile gaming revenue rebounded in 2024 with a 3% year-on-year increase. Rewarded gameplay has played a key role in this resurgence, fundamentally changing how gamers choose and stick with their favorite titles. The study finds that 54% of gamers are playing more games now than in previous years, with 42% attributing this rise to rewards and incentives.

Popular mobile games such as Garena Free Fire, Free Fire MAX, Poki, and Truck Slam have embraced reward-based models to attract and retain players. According to the survey, 72% of players who have previously earned real-world rewards consider them an important factor when deciding to try a new game, while 76% are more likely to recommend a game with rewards compared to one without.

Engagement & Retention at an All-Time High

Gaming studios, including industry leaders like Innplay Labs, Mad Brain Games, and Playtika, are leveraging rewarded gameplay through Almedia’s market-leading rewards platform, Freecash, which boasts over three million monthly active users. The data underscores the power of rewards in extending playtime and building long-term engagement:

71% of players reported increased playtime due to rewards.

85% continue playing a game even after the rewards end.

23% of players expect to spend on in-app purchases to unlock higher-tier rewards.

Moritz Holländer, Founder and CEO of Almedia, commented, “Never before in gaming have we seen real-world rewards adopted on such a massive scale. This shift is fundamentally redefining how players choose what to play and how they stay engaged with gaming content.”

Future of Rewards: From Mobile to Console?

With the success of rewarded gaming in mobile and web games, industry experts predict similar reward models will soon expand to consoles. Almedia’s previous study in January 2025 surveyed 500 game developers, with 90% of those who implemented reward-based campaigns expecting to see similar systems on consoles in the near future.

Key Findings:

50% of mobile gamers have received real-world rewards.

75% feel positive about mobile games offering real-world rewards.

54% of gamers are playing more mobile games than they did 3-5 years ago.

42% of these gamers attribute their increased playtime to rewards.

72% of rewarded players say rewards are crucial in their decision to try a new game.

85% continue playing after rewards end.

76% are more likely to recommend a rewarded game.

65% of players who have only received in-game rewards say they’d be more likely to try a game if real-world rewards were offered.

As gaming giants like Garena Free Fire, Free Fire MAX, Poki, and Truck Slam continue to innovate their monetization and engagement strategies, it’s clear that rewarded gaming is more than just a trend—it’s the future of player acquisition, engagement, and retention.