Have you ever noticed how everyone you know has "Candy Crush Saga" and at least one variation of "Angry Birds" on their phone?
The rise of free apps supported by in-app purchases has led to a seemingly exponential growth in the number and reach of games made for Android, iPhone, and other smartphone platforms.
This year, app developers will bring in $26 billion in revenue from app stores. In 2017, that number is expected to hit $77 billion.
It turns out that the addicting games everyone is downloading are capturing a pretty big portion of that — the biggest players are making over $1 billion in revenue from individual games. We looked at PocketGamer and companies' individual financial disclosures to identify the firms that have surpassed the $100 million revenue mark from games that people can't get enough of.
Gameloft brought in over $100 million in revenue in the first half of 2013 with a combination of games based on movie licenses and original games inspired by console hits like "Grand Theft Auto" and "Call of Duty."
Notable games:
Thor: The Dark World
Price: Free
Gangstar Vegas
Price: $2.99
Modern Combat 3: Fallen Nation
Price: $4.99
Rovio keeps cranking out successful variations of its now-classic "Angry Birds" series, whose popularity have turned the company's iconic birds and pigs into a merchandising goldmine. It's expected to grow from last year's revenue base of $195 million.
Notable games:
Angry Birds Star Wars II
Price: $0.99 (free on Android)
Available on: Android, iOS, Windows Phone
The Croods
Price: Free
Available on: Android, iOS, Kindle
Disney's "Where's My Water?" series has brought in over 240 million downloads (with an estimated revenue of $1.66 per user) and spawned a line of merchandise, much like Rovio's "Angry Birds." With games like "Tiny Death Star" also doing well in the App Store, Disney should easily bring in over $300 million from mobile games in 2013.
Notable games:
Where's My Water? 2
Price: Free
Star Wars: Tiny Death Star
Price: Free
Available on: Android, iOS, Windows Phone
Castle of Illusion Starring Mickey Mouse
Price: $9.99
Available on: iOS
See the rest of the story at Business Insider