Lighthouse Studio conducts survey on user behavior regarding mobile game churn, retention, and return; over half of users experience 'early churn'
Key facts
- Lighthouse Studio conducts survey on user behavior regarding mobile game churn, retention, and return; over half of users experience 'early churn'
- A survey by Lighthouse Studio reveals that over half of mobile game users quit within the first hour of play.
- Date: March 29, 2026
Direct answer
A survey by Lighthouse Studio reveals that over half of mobile game users quit within the first hour of play.
- Citation
- Lighthouse Studio conducts survey on user behavior regarding mobile game churn, retention, and return; over half of users experience 'early churn' (March 29, 2026)
- Source
- PR Times
- Date
- March 29, 2026
A survey by Lighthouse Studio reveals that over half of mobile game users quit within the first hour of play.
📋 Article Processing Timeline
- 📰 Published: March 29, 2026 at 17:39
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: May 26, 2026 at 21:27 (1395h 47m after Published)
Lighthouse Studio, a group company of CARTA HOLDINGS that operates the game media site 'Kamigame,' conducted a survey on 300 mobile game users nationwide regarding their habits concerning churn, retention, and returning to games.
The results show that 52.0% of respondents have experienced quitting a game within one hour, combining 'often' and 'sometimes' responses. The most common reason cited was 'the tutorial is too long' (25.3%), with 39.3% of users feeling that a tutorial is too long if it exceeds 10 minutes. 'Boredom' was the primary reason for long-term churn (38.3%), and opinions on returning to games were divided.
■ Survey Overview
Survey Period: January 28, 2026 – February 9, 2026
Target: Mobile game users nationwide
Method: Online survey
Respondents: 300
■ Key Findings
・52.0% of users have quit a new mobile game within one hour.
・Early churn within one hour is most common in 'Puzzle games' (22.3%) and 'RPGs' (19.7%).
・The most common reason for quitting within an hour is 'tutorial is too long' (25.3%).
・39.3% feel that a tutorial is too long if it lasts about 10 minutes.
・31.7% feel that daily missions taking about 20 minutes are a burden.
・44.0% have quit a mobile game they played for over a year.
・The biggest factor for long-term churn is 'boredom' (38.3%).
・39.3% stated they 'never return' to a game they have quit.
・Regarding returning to a game, 41.3% stated they 'do not require special features' to come back.
■ Survey Results
Approximately 50% have experienced 'churn within one hour'
When asked about the experience of uninstalling or stopping a new game within one hour of installation, 52.0% of respondents answered 'often' (14.3%) or 'sometimes' (37.7%).
Conversely, only 22.7% said they 'never' do this, suggesting that users decide whether to continue playing during the initial experience phase.
Early churn within one hour is concentrated in 'Puzzle games' and 'RPGs'
FAQ
What percentage of mobile game users have experienced quitting a game within the first hour of playing?
According to the survey, 52.0% of respondents have experienced quitting a new mobile game within one hour of installation.
What is the most frequently cited reason for users to quit a mobile game shortly after starting?
The most common reason cited for quitting within an hour is that 'the tutorial is too long,' accounting for 25.3% of responses.
What is the primary reason for long-term churn, where users abandon games they have played for an extended period?
The biggest factor contributing to long-term churn is identified as 'boredom,' with 38.3% of users citing it as the primary reason.
What proportion of users feel that a tutorial exceeding a certain duration is considered too long?
A significant portion of users, 39.3%, feel that a tutorial is too long if it lasts approximately 10 minutes.
What percentage of mobile game users have quit a game they had been playing for over a year?
The survey found that 44.0% of users have quit a mobile game that they had been playing for more than one year.