Curious about adding light competition to your snaps? This short guide shows what still works in the app and how to jump in with confidence on day one.
The first screen you see is the live camera. From there, lenses and on-screen overlays link the camera and the playful experiences that make each round feel immediate and fun.
We set clear expectations: some legacy features have been retired, and others are active now. That means you can start a round without hunting menus. Follow simple steps and practical tips to get into a game fast.
Whether you like quick solo rounds or friendly back-and-forths, this piece serves as an easy on-ramp. It helps both beginners and experienced users streamline how they play snapchat activities while keeping conversations light and social.
Key Takeaways
- How to Play Snapchat Games.
- Open the app and use the live camera view as your launch point.
- Find active lenses and on-screen prompts that start each game quickly.
- Know which features remain and which are discontinued to save time.
- Share scores and challenges with friends for ongoing fun.
- This guide gives simple, practical steps for day-one confidence.
Snapchat games today: what changed and what you can play now
Snapchat’s competitive tools have shifted from chat drawers into camera-led moments. The chat-based Games & Minis feature ended in February 2023 after years of testing playful add-ons inside conversation threads.
That change means the old game drawer in chat is gone, including the option for solo rounds via a chat with yourself. The spirit of quick contests remains, but it lives in lens-driven experiences found on the camera screen.
The current model centers on lenses that show a “vs” badge on their thumbnails. Tap a lens, hit Start, then capture a snap and send it so friends can respond. This keeps contests light and tied to timely content that rotates often.
- What changed: The chat feature was retired in Feb 2023.
- What works now: Lens-based rounds from the camera screen.
- Practical tip: Look for “vs” thumbnails, load the game-style lens, snap, and share.
Instead of a permanent game page in chat, expect short visual challenges that invite quick replies. For anyone who used the old system, this reset keeps sessions lively and simple.
How to play Snapchat games using lenses on the camera screen
Bring up the camera, select the smiley icon by the shutter, and slide through lenses until you spot a “vs” badge. That badge marks a competitive lens experience built right into the viewfinder.
Find and start a lens challenge
Open the app to the camera and tap the smiley icon or an empty area on the viewfinder. Swipe from left to right across the lens tray until a thumbnail shows a bold “vs.”
Tap that lens, then press the Start button on the screen. Follow on-screen prompts—most lenses use simple face tracking or taps so you can start playing fast.
Send snaps, track score, invite friends
- After one round the score appears on screen; capture a snap that highlights your result and send it to a friend or a group.
- Select multiple recipients at once so everyone gets the same snap and can respond with their score.
- Some lenses allow back-and-forth rounds, updating the score as the chat thread continues; others are one-and-done.
Quick tips for smooth rounds
Silence alerts for fewer interruptions and verify the lens has recognized your face before you begin. That helps inputs register and the score reflect your best effort.
Legacy method: how people used to play Snapchat Games & Minis in chat
Back when chat-held features still existed, most players launched titles from a conversation thread rather than the camera.
Swipe right to open chat, or tap the chat icon to find a friend or group. Once inside a thread, you would tap the rocket icon sitting just above the keyboard.
That action revealed a compact drawer of titles — the hub for games within chat. You could tap game thumbnails, press a start button, and use an in-experience menu for options like Ring, which nudged people who missed the invite.
Controls often clustered near the bottom right and an icon bottom area, so the primary button stayed easy to find. Items and currencies usually saved, but level progress sometimes reset, so sessions were best kept short.
“The drawer made quick rounds feel natural inside chat.”
Snap Tokens lived in your profile under My Tokens. From there you could check balance and buy tokens, then visit a title’s shop page to spend them on digital goods.
Playing with friends: better challenges, groups, and safe gaming
A quick invite, clear goal, and respectful follow-up turn snaps into great group moments.
Invite people you trust and name the lens plus the goal so everyone knows what to aim for. Share a short caption that explains how to send a score and which button to tap when finished.
If someone misses your initial message, a polite follow-up works like the old “Ring” notification—send one brief reminder and avoid repeated pings that spam the chat.
- Use a group when you want multiple people to join; one snap reaches everyone and keeps scoring fair.
- Agree on rounds and a simple way to track the top score so no one feels left out.
- Pick fast-loading lenses that suit different devices and accessibility needs for inclusive gaming.
Respect privacy: add only friends you know, avoid sharing personal text in snaps, and skip posting images that show sensitive details.
Keep tech etiquette in mind: limit late-night notifications, use clear text for instructions, and celebrate big plays with a quick “GG” or emoji. That friendly tone makes future sessions easy to organize and fun for everyone.
Conclusion
Round things off by spotting the “vs” thumbnail on the screen, tapping the smiley, swiping left, and hitting Start. Capture a snap, add a short caption, and send so friends can join the challenge without hunting menus or hidden icons.
The chat-based Games & Minis feature ended in February 2023, but the app moved that energy back onto the camera. This shift keeps interactions fast, visual, and social while preserving clear prompts and visible buttons near the bottom or bottom right of the viewfinder.
Want play with a larger group? Target a group thread, keep your text brief, and share follow-up snaps that show scores. These simple habits help gaming stay light, safe, and fun as new lenses and content arrive.
FAQ
What changed with Snapchat’s in-chat game feature?
In February 2023, Games & Minis inside chat were removed. That shift moved much of the interactive experience back to camera-based Lenses and standalone features, so the rocket-icon method that launched games in chat no longer opens those titles.
Where can I find the Lens-based challenges now?
Open the app to the camera screen, tap the smiley face (Lens) icon, then swipe left until you see lenses labeled with a “vs” badge. Those are the current, camera-driven experiences that let you start rounds and share snaps with friends or groups.
How do I start a Lens challenge from the camera?
Select a “vs” Lens and tap Start. The Lens will guide you through rounds; you can snap results and send them to friends or a group for head-to-head fun while the Lens tracks progress.
Can I challenge multiple people at once using these Lenses?
Yes. Many Lens challenges support group sharing. Snap the round results and send them to a group chat or multiple friends; scores update round by round so everyone can follow the match.
What about the old rocket icon in chat — does it still do anything?
That rocket icon used to list in-chat games and Minis. After the discontinuation, the icon may still appear in UI but it no longer launches the older in-chat titles; Lenses on the camera screen are the active route for interactive play.
Are there tips for staying in the flow and getting notifications?
Enable app notifications and allow camera and microphone access for Lens play. Keep the app updated so new Lenses arrive promptly. For smoother sessions, close background apps and use a strong network connection.
Did progress and purchases carry over from the old Games & Minis?
Some items and saved progress stayed on a case-by-case basis, but many titles didn’t preserve full progression. Snap Tokens once bought digital goods through the Token Shop; availability and transfer of those items varied by game.
How can I keep gaming safe and friendly with others?
Invite only trusted friends, set clear boundaries, and avoid sharing personal details in chats or snaps. Use privacy controls to manage who can contact or add you, and report any abusive content through the app’s safety tools.
Are accessibility features available for Lens-based matches?
Snapchat continues adding accessibility improvements. Look for captions, clear visual cues, and adjustable audio in some Lenses. Check your device’s accessibility settings to complement in-app options.
Where can I find updates about new Lenses and features?
Follow Snapchat’s official channels, check the app’s Discover and Updates sections, and keep the app updated through your device’s App Store for the latest Lens drops and feature announcements.
Quick note: Snap Games, the chat-based arcade feature, was discontinued in February 2023. Today, the...
By 2024 the mobile gaming landscape continued to shift: Honor of Kings remained the top earner globally, generating $1.65 billion (according to Sensor Tower/FoxData), driven largely by its Chinese user base. In the US, Candy Crush Saga held its spot as a leading top grossing game, while Roblox led the UK charts — each title succeeding through proven monetization (in‑app purchases, live events) and strong live‑ops programs. Top Grossing Mobile Games 2024 reflect both regional tastes and savvy business models.
China now accounts for the majority of revenue for many hits: PUBG Mobile and Genshin Impact, for example, derive more than 60% of their spending from Chinese players (source required). In April 2024 王者荣耀 ranked highly on the App Store, and Last War: Survival Game posted notable revenue gains on Google Play, underscoring how platform charts and regional strength affect overall money earned.
Key TakeawaysHonor of Kings led global mobile game revenue with $1.65 billion in 2024 (verify time frame and source).
Candy Crush Saga remained one of the top grossing titles in the US in 2024.
Roblox secured the top spot in the UK charts for top grossing games.
The Chinese market contributes over 60% of revenue for several leading games—an essential factor for publishers targeting growth.
In April 2024, Last War: Survival Game showed significant revenue growth on Google Play.Overview of Top Grossing Mobile Games in 2024The mobile game market analysis for 2024 shows an industry still growing in size and complexity. More than 100 games have passed the $1 billion lifetime revenue mark (lifetime figures, source: Sensor Tower / data.ai — verify date), underscoring how large-scale hits continue to dominate the charts. Tencent remains a dominant publisher in the space, occupying 12 of the top-ranked titles and placing three games in the global top 10 for 2024 (see 2024 list).
Lifetime revenue leaders include Honor of Kings (Arena of Valor), Candy Crush Saga, and PUBG Mobile — each built on business models like gacha mechanics, battle passes, and recurring in‑app purchases that drive long-term revenue. Honor of Kings has accumulated roughly $18.66 billion in lifetime revenue (verify source/date), making it the highest-grossing mobile title to date. Candy Crush Saga, launched in November 2012, has generated more than $12 billion across stores, while PUBG Mobile (launched March 2018) has exceeded $11 billion in lifetime revenue, reflecting sustained global demand.
Other perennial top-earners include Monster Strike (about $11B) and Clash of Clans (over $10B); together, these titles show how varied monetization — from social mechanics to in‑game economies — produces massive lifetime returns. Below is a quick reference table of these long-running top grossing games and their release years.Game TitleRevenue (in billions)Release DateHonor of Kings (Arena of Valor)
$18.66
2015Candy Crush Saga
$12
2012PUBG Mobile
$11+
2018Monster Strike
$11+
2013Clash of Clans
$10+
2012This snapshot of games 2024 highlights both lifetime dominance and the range of monetization tactics that create top grossing titles. For monthly and platform-specific charts (App Store / Google Play) and a breakdown by region, see the 2024 top-grossing list below for monthly figures and charts.
Highlighted Performers: Standout Titles in the Top 10As the Top Grossing Mobile Games 2024 charts show, a few standout titles continue to capture the majority of player spending and chart positions. 王者荣耀 (Honor of Kings) and Last War: Survival Game are two examples that combined strong live‑ops, regional tailoring and aggressive user acquisition to secure top grossing places across stores.
王者荣耀 (Honor of Kings)
Why it works: Honor of Kings pairs frequent content drops, limited‑time events and cosmetic sales to keep ARPDAU high. According to market trackers, Honor of Kings reported roughly $80 million in player spend in Q1 2024 (verify source and scope). Its core strength remains China, where the title drives the bulk of its revenue, while localized versions and cross‑region promotions help maintain global relevance compared with other heavy hitters such as PUBG Mobile and Free Fire.
Last War: Survival Game
Why it works: Last War blends survival mechanics with social features and competitive progression, then amplifies reach via influencer partnerships and targeted ads. The game rose up Google Play charts in April 2024 and posted notable revenue gains thanks to these tactics (source required). Its monetization relies on timed bundles, battle passes and limited offers that convert engaged players into consistent spenders.
Both Honor of Kings and Last War demonstrate how combining product‑level innovation (live ops, gacha/skins, battle passes) with strong marketing execution creates a repeatable formula for top grossing performance in 2024. For publishers aiming to reach the same spot, the playbook centers on fast content cadence, regional optimization and diversified monetization.
Common Success Factors Among Top Grossing Games
Top grossing mobile games generally follow a few repeatable rules: diversified monetization, strong user acquisition (UA), and live‑ops that keep players engaged. Even when overall downloads fall, the right mix of product and marketing can deliver steady revenue and high lifetime value.
Monetization Strategies
Successful titles combine multiple revenue streams rather than relying on one channel. Typical mechanics include:In‑app purchases (IAPs) — consumables, cosmetics, and convenience items.
Gacha and randomized pulls — high ARPDAU drivers in many top grossing games.
Battle passes and seasonal subscriptions — recurring revenue and retention boosts.
Rewarded and interstitial ads — monetizing non‑spenders while preserving UX.Games like Royal Match and Monopoly GO! blend these tactics to keep spending consistent across cohorts. Hybrid designs that mix casual accessibility with mid‑core depth have shown measurable uplifts: certain cross‑genre titles reported roughly an 8% revenue increase after adding mid‑core progression layers (source needed — verify for specific titles).
Advertising and User Acquisition
Effective UA is a combination of creative ads, cross‑promotion, and influencer partnerships. Ads that highlight core loop moments and social features tend to convert better. For example, campaigns that drove in influencers and targeted creatives helped some puzzle and hyper‑casual titles soften download declines to around a 6% drop versus industry averages (confirm exact datasets).
Retention and monetization improve when product features reinforce ad messaging — timed events, starter offers and social rewards make first‑time converters into repeat spenders. Below are regional revenue gains that illustrate where growth is being captured:RegionRevenue IncreaseMiddle East
+8%Europe
+7%Latin America
+4%Quick checklist for developers aiming for top grossing placement:Design multiple monetization hooks (IAP, passes, rewarded ads).
Run rapid creative tests and lean on influencers for UA lifts.
Deliver frequent live‑ops and limited‑time events to drive urgency.
Localize offers and UX to high‑value markets (e.g., China, APAC).In short, the best grossing games combine product innovation and disciplined marketing: diversified money models, strong UA, and live operations that keep players — and revenue — returning.
Trends Shaping Mobile Gaming in 2024According to industry trackers, mobile gaming trends in 2024 are driven by shifting tech, changing player behavior, and evolving monetization models. The broader games market exceeded $187 billion in 2023 (source: verify — check whether this refers to total games or digital interactive entertainment) and is projected to approach $211 billion by 2025 in some forecasts. These top grossing projections reflect a market where mobile games capture an increasing share of player time and spend.
5G and platform capabilities
Faster networks and stronger device performance are enabling richer mobile experiences. By the end of 2023 roughly 43% of smartphones supported 5G (confirm regional scope), which improves streaming, reduces latency for competitive play, and unlocks new cloud‑native features across app stores and platforms.
Social features and player connection
Social play is now core to retention: many new players in the US prefer titles that let them chat and play together (citations needed for the 40% figure). Nearly all top titles include in‑game chat, social invites and cross‑platform features — examples include Roblox and Pokemon Go, which prioritize social loops and user‑generated content to boost engagement.
Genre shifts and monetizationHyper‑casual remains the most downloaded category in many markets, though downloads don’t always equal revenue.
Puzzle games are layering mid‑core mechanics and live‑ops to increase ARPDAU and retention.
In‑app purchases and subscription/battle pass models remain primary revenue drivers for top grossing games; rewarded ads monetize non‑spenders without breaking the experience.Developers are also experimenting with alternative distribution and first‑party storefronts to gain better monetization control. Overall, the industry continues to evolve rapidly — platform advances and player expectations mean publishers must iterate fast to stay in the top grossing rankings across the App Store and Google Play.
Revenue Projections for Popular Games on MobileForecasts for the mobile market point to continued growth, though exact totals depend on definitions and data sources. Mobile captured nearly half of global games revenue in 2023 — roughly $90 billion by some estimates (confirm source and methodology) — and many analysts project mobile’s share to expand further through 2026–2027. For example, conservative forecasts put global games revenue near $205–211 billion by 2025–2026, with mobile representing an increasing slice of that pie.
Some breakout titles illustrate how individual games can drive large sums: Monopoly GO! and Honkai: Star Rail each reported strong revenue runs in early 2024, with figures often quoted in the high hundreds of millions (e.g., $659M and $645M in certain reports — verify timeframes and sources). In January 2024 the US games market showed a notable uptick (reported +15% in select datasets), reflecting renewed spending after seasonal cycles.
Regionally, Asia Pacific remains the largest market for games, with 2023 estimates around $84.1 billion; North America and Europe follow with roughly $50.6 billion and $33.6 billion respectively (confirm source dates). Projections for 2026–2027 vary across forecasters — some show North America approaching $118 billion in broader digital entertainment measures while other region totals are reported differently; ensure you reference the original model (games vs. interactive entertainment) when citing these numbers.Revenue Region2023 RevenueProjected 2027 RevenueNorth America
$50.6 Billion
$118 Billion (check source & scope)Europe
$33.6 Billion
$205 Billion (likely broader market figure — verify)Asia Pacific
$84.1 Billion
Unknown / varies by forecastSmaller regions also show growth: the MENA‑3 market is forecast by some firms to reach about $2.65 billion by 2027. At the same time, publishers note mixed sentiment in parts of Europe — e.g., a small share of German gaming businesses expecting growth in 2024 — underscoring regional variance.
How to read these projections: always check whether a figure refers specifically to mobile, to games overall, or to the broader digital entertainment market; verify whether numbers are retail revenue, consumer spend, or operator/platform receipts. For publishers and app store strategists, the takeaway is clear: mobile remains the fastest‑growing channel for player engagement and revenue, so platform strategy (App Store vs. Google Play), localization, and live‑ops investments should be prioritized as companies plan for the next several years.
Top Mobile Game Developers in 2024The mobile games ecosystem in 2024 is driven by a mix of legacy publishers and fast-moving newcomers. Leading publishers — from Tencent and Supercell to Playrix and EA Mobile — continue experimenting with live‑ops, IP licensing, and platform strategies (App Store vs. Google Play) to maximize revenue and reach. Industry trackers report massive annual download volumes (verify exact figure for “300 billion” downloads in 2023), with games accounting for the majority of that activity and driving most store grossing charts.
Recent breakout hits such as Monopoly Go! and Wood Nuts & Bolts Puzzle rose quickly in 2023–2024, showing how timely launches and strong UA can vault new titles into top positions. Successful developers combine intuitive core loops with aggressive live‑ops and monetization mechanics to turn downloads into sustained spend.
Major publisher highlights:DeveloperKey TitlesKey AchievementsEA Mobile
FIFA Mobile, The Sims Mobile
Ported major IPs and developed standalone mobile offers for broad audiencesNiantic
Pokemon Go, Harry Potter: Wizards Unite
Built massive AR/social experiences with millions of active playersNintendo
Mario Kart Tour
Top casual mobile hit leveraging a global IPNCSOFT
Lineage W
High revenue performer on Google Play in select markets (verify region/timeframe)SciPlay
Monopoly Slots, Bingo Showdown
Focused on casino/bingo verticals with steady monetizationWarner Bros. Entertainment
DC Batman, Wizarding World
Leveraged film and franchise IP to drive installs and in‑app spendCase Studies: Successful Games and Their StrategiesThese short case studies show how product design, IP, and monetization combine to create top grossing games.
Monopoly Go
Monopoly Go leveraged a globally recognized IP plus frequent events and starter bundles to rapidly convert new users into paying players. Strategy takeaway: IP + frequent live events = higher initial conversion and retention.
Royal Match
Royal Match stands out in the puzzle category by pairing polished visuals with a layered progression system and well‑timed offers. Strategy takeaway: superior UX and progression loops increase ARPDAU in puzzle titles.
Legend of Mushroom
Legend of Mushroom combined RPG progression with strategy mechanics and recurring events to boost engagement. It monetizes through IAPs and optional subscriptions. Strategy takeaway: hybrid mechanics can expand audience while lifting revenue per user.
Top Grossing Mobile Games 2024
In 2024 the top grossing games combined strong monetization with high engagement. Honor of Kings led earnings in key months, reporting roughly $174.6 million in the cited period (confirm source and timeframe). Monopoly GO! posted a major year‑over‑year surge to about $146.5 million, while Brawl Stars also climbed to the high tens of millions with a strong monthly increase — all examples of how live‑ops and event-driven monetization drive grossing positions.
Platform snapshots for April 2024 show the market still generating billions: reported apps store revenue for the month approached $6.2 billion in some datasets, while downloads remained large — Pizza Ready! led downloads in April with about 26.4 million installs, followed by Roblox at ~17.9 million (verify source attribution). Call of Duty: Warzone Mobile generated roughly $5 million in revenue on its measured month with ~6.4 million downloads in that period, illustrating how downloads and revenue don’t always move in sync.GameDownloads (April 2024)Revenue (April 2024)Revenue Increase (Y/Y)Honor of Kings
Not specified
$174.6m (verify)
-5.4%Monopoly GO!
Not specified
$146.5m (verify)
+1,170%Brawl Stars
Not specified
$84.3m (verify)
+810.6%Call of Duty: Warzone Mobile
6.4m
$5m
Not specifiedPizza Ready!
26.4m
Not specified
+72.5%Roblox
17.9m
Not specified
Not specifiedApril also saw very high install volumes overall (figures vary by tracker — some report nearly five billion game downloads globally for the month; confirm which dataset), while publisher revenues such as Supercell’s showed strong year‑over‑year gains in certain months (e.g., reported $168 million in a cited period). The takeaway: store rankings (App Store and Google Play) matter for visibility, but a title’s monetization design — IAPs, passes, limited offers — determines top grossing outcomes.
Conclusion
The mobile games industry remains robust in 2024. App‑store activity and downloads continue at scale — industry estimates cite roughly 300 billion app downloads in 2023 with games representing the majority (verify source and definition). Android tends to capture the larger share of installs while iOS often drives higher per‑user spend for top grossing titles like Genshin Impact, Candy Crush Saga and Royal Match.
Long‑running franchises such as Honor of Kings, Candy Crush and PUBG Mobile have amassed multibillion-dollar lifetime revenue totals (e.g., Honor of Kings cited near $18.66B — confirm latest figures). Newer hits and niche titles can still break through with the right mix of IP, live‑ops and UA, so publishers should prioritize regional strategy, platform optimization (App Store vs. store google play) and diversified monetization to reach top grossing spots.
Studying these rankings and revenue drivers gives developers clear levers to improve performance: iterate on live‑ops cadence, test offers aggressively, and localize both product and UA to high‑value markets.FAQWhat are the top-grossing mobile games of 2024?
Top earners in 2024 included 王者荣耀 (Honor of Kings), Last War: Survival Game, Monopoly Go, Royal Match and several enduring franchises such as Candy Crush Saga — rankings vary by month and platform, so check the latest App Store and Google Play charts (source: market trackers).
What drives success for top grossing games?
Key drivers are diversified monetization (IAPs, battle passes, rewarded ads), frequent live‑ops/events, strong UA creatives, and regional optimization. Technology (cloud, AR, 5G) and social features also boost retention and spend.
How did specific games perform month‑on‑month in 2024?
Market trackers such as Sensor Tower / data.ai / FoxData report month‑by‑month changes; titles like Honor of Kings and Last War posted steady revenue across multiple months. Always verify figures against the original dataset for precise month ranges.
Which stores and platforms matter most?
Both App Store and Google Play are essential — App Store often drives higher iOS revenue per user, while Google Play captures a larger volume of installs globally. Publisher strategy should optimize for both stores....
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