We track 20,000+ game rankings daily across 5 countries. Each mechanic gets a BUILD NOW / BUILD SOON / WATCH / WAIT verdict from rank velocity + discourse signals, cross-validated daily. A streak badge (🔥 10D) means the same signal held for that many consecutive days.
▸ How to read this
BUILD SOON (≥3.0) — One source leads, the other hasn't confirmed yet. Signal is building — worth watching closely.
WATCH (≥1.0) — Early signal. Discourse mentions rising but charts haven't responded yet.
WAIT (<1.0) — Cooling or saturated. Too many publishers, demand slowing.
Score (0–10) = rank posture + momentum + Steam overlap + discourse echo + market saturation. BUILD NOW threshold = 5.0.
🔥 10D streak = same signal for 10 consecutive days — that's conviction, not noise.
CONVERGENT = charts AND discourse align. This is the signal class with 97% historical hit rate.
| Mechanic | Verdict | Score (0–7) | Signal Drivers |
|---|---|---|---|
|
PuzzleTRIPLE CONVERGENCE🔥 13D↑ 7d since Jun 15
Puzzle has been BUILD NOW for 13 consecutive days — the longest active streak on the platform. Steam HOT; Reddit HOT; Telegram HOT; 2 studios expanding footprint. High confidence — multi-source convergence. ▸ Match3 Puzzle leading (15 new entries · 88%)
|
BUILD NOWsignal accumulating 11pOPEN MKTOPTIMAL WINDOWGAINING: 2 pub | 7.5 | mobile:CONVERGENT steam:HOT reddit:HOT telegram:HOT tenure:SUSTAINED(83HELD) saturation:OPEN studio:CLUSTER(2) |
|
SimulationEMERGING
Simulation entered BUILD SOON 1 day(s) ago (early posture). Steam HOT; momentum emerging. Moderate confidence — two-source confirmation. ▸ Idle Tycoon leading (11 new entries · 85%)
|
BUILD SOONOPEN MKTGAINING: 2 pub | 4.8 | mobile:EARLY momentum:EMERGING steam:HOT tenure:SUSTAINED(84HELD) saturation:OPEN |
|
Survival🔥 7D
Survival has been BUILD SOON for 7 consecutive days — the longest active streak on the platform. Steam HOT; Telegram HOT. High confidence — multi-source convergence.
|
BUILD SOONOPEN MKTWINDOW NARROWING | 4.2 | mobile:EARLY steam:HOT telegram:HOT tenure:SUSTAINED(84HELD) saturation:OPEN |
|
Merge🔥 5D
Merge is BUILD SOON with a 5-day conviction streak building. Reddit RISING; Telegram HOT; 2 studios expanding footprint. High confidence — multi-source convergence. ▸ Hyper Casual leading (9 new entries · 82%)
|
BUILD SOONOPEN MKTOPTIMAL WINDOWGAINING: 2 pub | 4.0 | mobile:PROVEN reddit:RISING telegram:HOT tenure:SUSTAINED(83HELD) saturation:OPEN studio:CLUSTER(2) |
|
Rpg🔥 4D
Rpg is BUILD SOON with a 4-day conviction streak building. Steam HOT; Reddit HOT. Moderate confidence — two-source confirmation.
|
BUILD SOONOPEN MKT | 3.8 | steam:HOT reddit:HOT tenure:SUSTAINED(83HELD) saturation:OPEN |
|
Action🔥 4D
Action is BUILD SOON with a 4-day conviction streak building. Steam HOT; Reddit HOT. Moderate confidence — two-source confirmation.
|
BUILD SOONOPEN MKT | 3.8 | steam:HOT reddit:HOT tenure:SUSTAINED(84HELD) saturation:OPEN |
|
Tapping🔥 5D
Tapping is BUILD SOON with a 5-day conviction streak building. Telegram HOT; 2 studios expanding footprint. Moderate confidence — two-source confirmation.
|
BUILD SOONWEAK 1.11x 3pOPEN MKTOPTIMAL WINDOW | 3.5 | mobile:PROVEN telegram:HOT tenure:SUSTAINED(83HELD) saturation:OPEN studio:CLUSTER(2) |
|
Adventure🔥 4D
Adventure is BUILD SOON with a 4-day conviction streak building. Steam HOT; Reddit HOT. Moderate confidence — two-source confirmation.
|
BUILD SOON | 3.0 | steam:HOT reddit:HOT |
|
Strategy
Strategy entered BUILD SOON 1 day(s) ago (absent posture). Steam HOT; Reddit RISING. Moderate confidence — two-source confirmation.
|
BUILD SOONOPEN MKT | 3.0 | steam:HOT reddit:RISING saturation:OPEN |
| Mechanic | Score | Gap | Catalyst Event | If Fires |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Simulation | 4.75 | +0.25 needed | App Store rank confirms mobile traction (mobile EARLY→PROVEN → +1pt) | +1.0pt → score 5.75 |
| Survival | 4.25 | +0.75 needed | App Store rank confirms mobile traction (mobile EARLY→PROVEN → +1pt) | +1.0pt → score 5.25 |
Rising Stars
Titles gaining the most chart positions over 6 days — the specific games driving mechanic heat. Apple App Store · US · 2026-06-21
44K reviews
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70K reviews
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50K reviews
▸ Intel
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44K reviews
▸ Intel
104K reviews
▸ Intel
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2K reviews
▸ Intel
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| Mechanic | 06-08 | 06-09 | 06-10 | 06-11 | 06-12 | 06-13 | 06-14 | 06-15 | 06-16 | 06-17 | 06-18 | 06-19 | 06-20 | 06-21 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PUZZLE | WTCH | SOON | SOON | SOON | SOON | SOON | SOON | NOW | NOW | NOW | NOW | NOW | NOW | NOW |
| SIMULATION | WTCH | WTCH | · | · | · | · | · | WTCH | WTCH | WTCH | WTCH | WTCH | WTCH | SOON |
| SURVIVAL | WTCH | WTCH | WTCH | WTCH | WTCH | WTCH | WTCH | SOON | SOON | NOW | SOON | SOON | SOON | SOON |
| MERGE | WTCH | WTCH | WTCH | WTCH | WTCH | WTCH | WTCH | WTCH | WTCH | SOON | SOON | SOON | SOON | SOON |
| RPG | WTCH | · | · | · | · | · | · | WTCH | WTCH | WTCH | SOON | SOON | SOON | SOON |
| ACTION | · | · | · | · | · | · | · | WTCH | WTCH | WTCH | SOON | SOON | SOON | SOON |
| TAPPING | SOON | WTCH | WTCH | WTCH | WTCH | WTCH | WTCH | WTCH | WTCH | SOON | SOON | SOON | SOON | SOON |
| STRATEGY | WTCH | · | · | · | · | · | · | WTCH | WTCH | SOON | SOON | SOON | WTCH | SOON |
| ADVENTURE | · | · | · | · | · | · | · | WTCH | WTCH | WTCH | SOON | SOON | SOON | SOON |
| RHYTHM | · | · | · | · | · | · | · | · | · | · | WTCH | · | SOON | · |
| Mechanic | Validation | Lift | Signal avg | Watch avg | Pairs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tapping | ~ WEAK | 1.11× | 12 | 11 | 3d |
| Puzzle | … DATA ACCUMULATING | — | 16 | 19 | 11d |
| Roguelike | … DATA ACCUMULATING | — | 13 | 13 | 10d |
| Puzzle Rpg | … DATA ACCUMULATING | — | 14 | 15 | 10d |
Cross-vertical signal synthesis: mobile chart velocity × Steam mechanic heat × momentum direction. HIGH = all 3 signals aligned. MEDIUM = mobile confirmed, cross-platform partial. MONITORING = pre-chart signal building. EMERGING CLUSTER = days 0–7 orbit; BLOG✓ = research discourse confirming before rank data.
| Mechanic | Confidence | Signal Basis |
|---|---|---|
| Puzzle | MEDIUM | mobile CONVERGENT + reddit discourse — community demand signal · screw/block format driving · Color Block Jam $148M + Screwdom $120M anchor category · hybrid-casual copycat cycle active |
| Survival | MEDIUM | mobile CONVERGENT + steam present — no momentum shift yet |
| Merge | MEDIUM | mobile CONVERGENT + reddit discourse — community demand signal · merge-puzzle hybrid format steady; Block Blast 300M+ DLs anchors category |
| Tapping | MEDIUM | mobile CONVERGENT — single-platform signal |
| Shoot | MEDIUM | mobile CONVERGENT + steam present — no momentum shift yet |
| Tycoon | MEDIUM | mobile CONVERGENT — single-platform signal · COOLING — momentum reversed Jun 21; was PRE-DISCOURSE BUILD SOON; simulation category signal shifting |
| Simulation | MONITORING | WATCH: pre-chart + EMERGING · EMERGING Jun 21 · simulation/tycoon category rotating — simulation broader label gaining traction as idle-tycoon discourse cools |
| Roguelite | MONITORING | WATCH: pre-chart + EMERGING |
| Mechanic | Signal | Context |
|---|---|---|
| Survival 🔥 7d ⚠ 0.75 from BUILD NOW | 🌐 PC+MOBILE | mobile RISING · Steam HOT · score 4.2 · Whiteout Survival $3B+ lifetime · Last War $2.6B+ · 4X survival proven at $5B+ scale · mobile-native casual hybrid = the emerging opportunity |
| Creature Collection | 🌐 PC+MOBILE | mobile RISING · Steam HOT · score 2.5 · Pokémon GO $558M/yr anchor · Monster Hunter Now $270M lifetime · Palworld 25M copies validates IP demand · pre-saturation window |
| Cozy Farming | 🌐 PC+MOBILE | mobile RISING · Steam HOT · score 2.5 · $973M cozy market 2024 · 6.5% CAGR · farm-led hybrids named Q3 2026 rising format · low saturation on mobile |
| Mechanic | Age | Signal |
|---|---|---|
| SimulationBLOG✓ | ⌛ DAY 0 | absent → hot · medium conf · entered radar today |
| Mini GamesBLOG✓ | ⌛ DAY 0 | absent → hot · medium conf · entered radar today |
| RogueliteBLOG✓ | ⌛ DAY 0 | absent → hot · medium conf · entered radar today |
| CompetitiveBLOG✓ | DAY 2 | absent → hot · medium conf · in orbit 2d |
| TacticalBLOG✓ | ⌛ DAY 0 | absent → hot · medium conf · entered radar today |
| Mechanic | Transition | Signal | Evidence | Context |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Simulation | ABSENT ↑ HOT | EMERGING | 1 source ● | 14d window |
| Mini Games | ABSENT ↑ HOT | EMERGING | 1 source ● | 14d window |
| Roguelite | ABSENT ↑ HOT | EMERGING | 1 source ● | 14d window |
| Competitive | ABSENT ↑ HOT | EMERGING | 1 source ● | 14d window · 2d in HOT |
| Tactical | ABSENT ↑ HOT | EMERGING | 1 source ● | 14d window |
| Tycoon | HOT ↓ RISING | COOLING | 1 source ● | 14d window |
| Race | RISING ↓ ABSENT | COOLING | 0 sources ● | 14d window · 4d in ABSENT |
| Stack | RISING ↓ ABSENT | COOLING | 0 sources ● | 14d window · 4d in ABSENT |
| Publisher | Expansion Rate | Footprint | Category | Emerging Mechanic | Signal Implication |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Voodoo | +1.15 avg/day | 6.3 titles/day | Casual Arcade | EMERGING 0d Mini Games | Top testing machine expanding in Casual Arcade as Mini Games goes emerging |
| Gimica GmbH | +0.71 avg/day | 2.6 titles/day | Casual Arcade | EMERGING 0d Mini Games | Top testing machine expanding in Casual Arcade as Mini Games goes emerging |
| Estoty | +0.43 avg/day | 4.0 titles/day | Simulation | EMERGING 0d Simulation | Top testing machine expanding in Simulation as Simulation goes emerging |
| Outfit7 Limited | +0.29 avg/day | 4.3 titles/day | Rpg | EMERGING 0d Roguelite | Top testing machine expanding in Rpg as Roguelite goes emerging |
| Voodoo | +0.29 avg/day | 4.3 titles/day | Strategy | EMERGING 0d Tactical | Top testing machine expanding in Strategy as Tactical goes emerging |
| Voodoo | +1.15 avg/day | 6.3 titles/day | Casual Arcade | EMERGING 2d Competitive | Top testing machine expanding in Casual Arcade as Competitive goes emerging |
| Gimica GmbH | +0.71 avg/day | 2.6 titles/day | Casual Arcade | EMERGING 2d Competitive | Top testing machine expanding in Casual Arcade as Competitive goes emerging |
| Target | Leading Studio | Active | Peak |
|---|---|---|---|
|
BUILD NOW
🔥 13d↑ 7d
Puzzle
Puzzle category
|
Lion Studios Plus
Bubble Word Jam
|
4
titles top-100
|
#14
best rank
|
|
BUILD SOON
Simulation
Simulation category
|
Crazy Labs
▼ DECLINING
Sled Surfers
|
6
titles top-100
|
#10
best rank
|
|
BUILD SOON
🔥 7d
Survival
Action category
|
Voodoo
▲ GAINING
Hole.io
|
7
titles top-100
|
#7
best rank
|
|
BUILD SOON
🔥 4d
Rpg
Rpg category
|
Crazy Labs
▼ DECLINING
Lamar - Idle Vlogger
|
8
titles top-100
|
#7
best rank
|
| Category | Verdict | Score | Signal |
|---|---|---|---|
| Puzzle | EMERGING | 0.61 | Puzzle · OPEN |
| Casual Arcade | EMERGING | 0.61 | Puzzle · OPEN |
| Simulation | WATCH | 0.39 | Simulation · OPEN |
| Action | WATCH | 0.34 | Survival · OPEN |
| Rpg | WATCH | 0.30 | Rpg · OPEN |
| Strategy | WAIT | 0.24 | Strategy · OPEN |
| Studio | Velocity | Trend | Top Titles |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Voodoo▲ GAINING
⚡ April Fool's Day 2026: Voodoo acquisition, Slush raises
|
26.6 | ↑ 0.3 | aquapark.io, Flappy Dunk |
|
Crazy Labs▼ DECLINING
⚡ Embracer acquires eight studios, including Crazy Labs, Ghost
|
14.1 | ↓ 0.3 | Sled Surfers, Lamar - Idle Vlogger |
|
SayGames LTD— STABLE
|
11.9 | → 0.1 | RUSH: Xtreme, My Perfect Hotel |
|
AI Games FZ— STABLE
⚡ Pokémon Champions launches on mobile, and you can get a free
|
10.7 | → 0.0 | Pick Me Up 3D: Taxi Game, Rise Up! Protect the Balloon |
|
Electronic Arts— STABLE
⚡ Electronic Arts stock (US2855121099): $55B Saudi PIF acquisi
|
10.0 | → 0.0 | EA SPORTS FC Soccer Mobile 26, EA SPORTS FC Soccer Mobile 26 |
|
Oakever Games▼ DECLINING
|
10.0 | → 0.1 |
PC Establishment Landscape
SteamSpy top-100 · 50 titles · 2026-06-21 · structural genre dominance signal — institutional, not velocity
Shoot — top of mobile charts AND dominant in PC establishment top-100. Structural cross-platform breadth = highest build conviction: mechanic wins at scale on BOTH platforms.
Structural crossover: shoot dominant on BOTH mobile charts and PC establishment — structural platform breadth, highest conviction.