This week’s NextBigGames breakdown brings one of the biggest surprises of the year — Habby and 111% forming an official joint venture, marking a powerful new alliance in the global mobile gaming landscape. Alongside that, we’re looking at the explosive rise of Sorry World, multiple AI-driven investments, and a wave of innovative new launches that cleverly reinvent proven mechanics. Let’s dive in!
Card Jam Puzzle (IEC Games Australia) – IEC Games introduces Card Jam Puzzle, a creative blend of the popular Sky Rush queue system with Multi Card Jam mechanics, resulting in a fresh hybrid puzzle loop. The game stands out for its smooth transitions between movement and card management, making the experience both familiar and newly engaging.
Color Stack Shot (Loop Games) – Loop Games brings a new twist to the This is Blast style with Color Stack Shot, powered by a dynamic conveyor belt mechanic. This innovation adds momentum, timing, and a more active sense of progression, pushing a well-known template toward greater pace and excitement.
Water Jam (Alkacom) – Alkacom’s Water Jam reimagines the beloved Gecko Out mechanics, but this time enhanced with satisfying liquid physics. The blend of pouring, splitting, and redirecting water transforms simple path puzzles into visually rich, tactile interactions that make each level feel rewarding.
Marble Arrow (Taninity Game Studio) – Marble Arrow takes inspiration from Arrows by Lessmore, introducing a clever twist with connected marble mechanics. This combination of directional strategy and tied movement creates a deeper challenge curve, appealing to players who enjoy thoughtful, chain-reaction puzzle design.
Twisted Liquid (COG Interactive) – COG Interactive launches Twisted Liquid, merging Twisted Tangle gameplay with liquid-based physics for a refreshing untangling experience. The addition of flowing elements makes obstacles feel more dynamic and visually satisfying, elevating a classic mechanic through movement and fluidity.
In a landmark alliance, Habby and 111% have formed an official joint venture, combining two powerhouse studios known for top-charting hits. This partnership aims to amplify their development capabilities and expand global publishing reach, marking one of the most influential strategic moves of the year.
Airoclip has secured $2.75M in seed funding, led by T-Accelerate Capital, to scale development of Tap Hexa, a title inspired by Hexa Away but enriched with deeper story meta elements. The investment signals growing confidence in hybrid puzzle titles supported by narrative layers.
AppMagic is expanding beyond mobile by launching Steam Analytics, giving developers deeper insight into the PC and premium gaming markets. This move strengthens AppMagic’s position as a cross-platform intelligence provider while responding to studios exploring multichannel growth.
PolyDream has received $500K in new investment to boost development of White Desert, its visually distinct FPS title. The funding will help scale production quality, refine gameplay, and prepare the game for wider international distribution.
Sorry World (Gameberry Labs × Hasbro) – Sorry World continues its phenomenal climb, hitting $7K → $25K → $70K in revenue from August to mid-October. Backed by its official partnership with Hasbro, the game is experiencing breakout momentum, proving the power of combining nostalgic IP with smart mobile-first design.
Wool Crush Escape Traffic Jam – Wool Crush takes the classic rescue-puzzle formula — Girl Rescue meets Dragon Out — and elevates it with thread-based mechanics that add a tactile layer to puzzle solving. The game has generated $120K in the last 30 days, showing strong traction thanks to its unique twist.
Tile in Hole (Lihuhu) – Lihuhu’s Tile in Hole builds on the momentum of All in Hole, bringing a fast-scaling variation that has grown from $4K to $27K between August and September. Its simplified but addictive loop is proving effective for quick UA testing and broad audience appeal.
Fruit Hole (One Tap Global) – Fruit Hole blends Hole People-style mechanics with the flair of fruit slicing, creating a deeply satisfying gameplay loop. With 800K downloads and $25K in IAP revenue, the game is showing strong early indicators and potential for high-volume casual scaling.
Pixel Flow (Loom Games) – Loom Games’ Pixel Flow reinvents a This is Blast framework using conveyor-style mechanics, offering a unique twist that players are responding to. With 130K downloads and $35K in IAP, the title is gaining momentum and is poised for a significant breakout if UA scales effectively.
Perfect for developers, publishers, investors, and mobile gaming enthusiasts looking to stay updated on what’s scaling, what’s trending, and where the next big opportunity is emerging.
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