Block Blast: Success Formula

No LiveOps. No IAPs. BUT a market Giant

Block Blast is a Giant in the Puzzle Genre. A Game has only Ad Monetization, with no traditional Retention or Monetization mechanics, is raking in Millions and holding Top-chart positions.

• Up to 1.1M Downloads Daily

• In Top-5 in Download rankings

HOW? My hypothesis – it comes down to:

• Powerful Influence and UGC Marketing Strategy

• A meticulously crafted Core Gameplay Loop and masterful Emotional and Psychological triggers:

  • just pure, calculated Engagement that keeps players Hooked

Marketing Strategy

One of the key factors behind their success is their TikTok Strategy.

Not just because Hungry Games runs its own TikTok page and paid campaigns, but because of their strong Influence and UGC strategy (User Generated Content).

There are countless videos with Millions of views across different user accounts.

They leverage a variety of themes, and one of the most popular can be seen below.

(1) Gameplay Videos

• Best Score / High-Score Tutorial – guides on how to maximize points

• Addictive Combo / "Clear ALL" Moment – satisfying plays

• Updates Presentation – showcasing new features or improvements

• Live Stream – real-time Gameplay and Engagement with the audience.

(2) Real-Life Situations

• School – targeting a younger audience

• Exams – relatable stress-relief moments

• Cultural Life – references to theatre, art, or events

• Relationships – a popular, trending, and highly relatable theme

In some videos, Block Blast isn’t even integrated into the scenario or storyline, yet it still grabs attention. They cleverly use a black & white theme for the real-world scene, then contrast it with a bright, colorful Block Blast screen – instantly making the game pop (see examples in screens 3-4).

(3) Real Physical Blocks & More

Using real-life objects that resemble in-game blocks.

Classic Mode: The Focus

For now, let’s skip Journey Mode with its level-based system and focus on Classic Mode instead. Supporting this theory, the Game’s Marketing Creatives are heavily centered around Classic Mode, making it clear where the developers see the biggest engagement and Monetization potential.

Visuals: Casino-Level Exaggeration

Block Blast’s graphic style and visual effects are designed for maximum psychological impact, much like a casino experience. From color choices to animations, everything is built to trigger Excitement and keep Players Engaged.

• Dark background for contrast – while many casual games favor white backgrounds, Block Blast goes for a neutral, dark tone. It makes the game elements pop with striking contrast, drawing immediate attention to the game.

• Bright, saturated blocks – The game pieces are bold and vibrant, designed to instantly grab attention. This color choice mirrors casino aesthetics, where high saturation keeps players Visually Engaged.

• Hyperbolized animations – Every major action gets a flashy, hyperbolized effect: glowing matches, rainbow-colored combos, explosive line clears. These aren’t just visuals - they amplify the emotional highs of gameplay.

Dopamine-driven design – The goal isn’t just to reward the player but to make every success visually and emotionally addictive:

• This isn’t just about making the game "look good." It’s about hacking the brain’s dopamine system. Bright flashes, smooth animations, and over-the-top effects create an irresistible reward loop

• Players don’t just see success - they feel it
  

Other industry examples:

• Candy Crush – reinforces wins with booming voiceovers (Amazing! Delicious!).

• Slot machines – coins pouring, bells ringing, creating jackpot euphoria – it makes small wins feel massive.

  
  

The key takeaway? Bigger, flashier, and louder wins keep players hooked.

Personal Best: What Are We Playing For?

The goal in Block Blast is simple – score as many points as you can. But while competitors rely on Leaderboards with other Player competition, Block Blast keeps it personal - you’re only competing against yourself.

"Striving to be better than you were before?" A solid life principle, right, Block Blast?

Once a player sets their 1st high score, a progress bar appears in future games, tracking how close they are to beating it. And that’s where the real magic happens:

• Because it’s your own record, you’re often pushing past 50%+ of the progress bar, creating a natural tension as you get closer to –> 100%. Anticipation builds.

• The Goal always feels realistic – after all, you’ve already reached that score once. That self-set challenge fuels Motivation and keeps Players coming back.

A simple system, but incredibly effective at driving Engagement, Excitement, and Replayability.

This concept is heavily reinforced in the Marketing strategy, with many creatives and TikTok videos focusing on Tutorials like

• "How to get the highest score?" or

• "Can you beat my record?", further driving engagement through personal achievement.

Combo Streak: My Favorite Feature

Block Blast has a brilliant combo system that kicks in when multiple lines burn in succession. Once activated, a combo streak begins, and to keep it going, you must clear at least one line every three moves.

The Visual & Emotional Hook:

• A pulsating heart appears in the Screw zone – and so does mine as the pressure builds.

• Every cleared line triggers a bright, colorful, dopamine-loaded animation that makes each success feel electric.

• The effect is so addictive that you don’t want to break the streak.

  
  

  

The Genius Behind It

This feature does more than just amplify emotions – it influences players' gameplay behaviour:

• Instead of carefully planning long-term moves –>

• I prioritize keeping the streak alive, even if it’s not the most strategic decision.

  
  

A perfect example of a mechanic that’s both: fun for the player and highly beneficial for Block Blast.

Rigged? Or Just "Lucky"?

The way Block Blast feeds pieces at the start of a round is a dead giveaway - it’s not random, it’s engineered luck.

• In the beginning, you get perfectly fitting pieces, effortlessly forming ideal combos.

• This creates the illusion of luck – like you’re naturally good at the game or just having a lucky run.

• It’s a classic casino tactic – reinforcing the feeling that you’re on a winning streak.

  
  

But as the game progresses, the “luck” fades.

• Pieces become less convenient

• Gaps start forming.

• Mistakes pile up

• ... and you lose the level
  

A smooth high-to-low emotional curve that keeps players engaged, frustrated, and eager to try again.

Don’t believe it? See for yourself Below is a screenshot of some strangely convenient pieces that DON'T appear 98% of the time - but occasionally show up just to help the Player.

• Rigged? Maybe.

• Happy player? Probably

Building the Illusion of Skill

By feeding perfect pieces early on and letting players rack up 40+ combos, Block Blast trains them to believe it’s possible. It cements a positive experience and a sense of mastery.

Later, when harder shapes appear, players still believe in their luck and the reality of big combos – fueling excitement, anticipation, and just the right amount of gambling-like thrill.

Best Move: "Likes"

In 95%+ of cases:

• when Block Blast generates 3 new blocks ➝

• there is always at least 1 way to avoid losing:

  • as long as you place them in the right spots and in the correct order. It’s not always obvious, but if you look closely, you’ll see the pattern.
    

When a level has only 1 correct move that avoids failure, Block Blast doesn’t leave it unnoticed.

• The game highlights it with a subtle yet powerful animation – floating "Likes".

• This creates a moment of validation, making the player feel smart and rewarded.

A small detail, but one that reinforces confidence and keeps players engaged.

Revive: Smart Limits, Stronger Engagement

Block Blast allows 2 Revives per Game, meaning a single round can last up to 3 full attempts if the player watches both Ads.

This setup is a perfect balance between Engagement and Monetization:

• Revives exist at all in this mode – previously, Monetization in this mode relied solely on Interstitial Ads (between attempts), which had Limited Revenue Potential.

• A clever way to introduce Rewarded Video – instead of forcing Ads, they added an option that benefits both: the Player and the Game.

• Feels like a roguelike survival loop – much like Archero and other roguelikes, the revive system extends a single run, making each attempt feel more meaningful.
  

Instead of letting players endlessly retry, Block Blast makes each attempt feel valuable, keeping them invested, motivated, and, most importantly, watching more Ads

The Huge countdown timer creates Time Pressure and FOMO, making players feel they must act fast or lose their progress – pushing them toward using Revive and watching Ads.

The Power of Limits: When "No Option" Fuels Obsession

When a player can’t buy their way out – whether it’s a limited revive system or the complete absence of IAP – it often triggers an even stronger desire to keep playing.

• No safety net = higher stakes. Without an option to buy extra chances, every run feels more intense.

• Creates a challenge mentality. Instead of paying to continue, players feel the urge to prove they can do it on their own.

• Fueled by emotions – frustration, determination, and pride. That "I’ll show them!" energy keeps players coming back, replaying again and again.
  

By removing the easy way out, Block Blast doesn’t just avoid pay-to-win fatigue – it taps into raw competitive drive, making the game even more addictive. Do you use this tactic in your game?

Adventure Mode: A Different Player Experience

Adventure Mode feels familiar - it follows a Level-based structure with 2 main objectives:

• Collect Gems

• Collect Points (earned from cleared Lines)

If a player loses, they can use Revive to continue.

This mode serves players with Different Motivations.

• While Classic Mode appeals to Achievers who chase high scores

• Adventure Mode attracts players who prefer:

  • Clear goals

  • A structured path

  • Milestones to track progress

Final Takeaway: The Secret to Block Blast’s Success

Block Blast proves that a strong Core Gameplay, Psychological Triggers, and Smart Monetization choices can drive success – even without variety of LiveOps or IAPs.

• Casino-style visuals and dopamine-driven feedback keep players engaged.

• Personal best and Streak mechanics create an addictive self-challenge.

• Engineered luck and Revive limits build anticipation and replayability.

• A strong UGC and influencer-driven TikTok strategy fuels growth.

  
  

But perhaps the biggest lesson? Sometimes, the most impactful features are the ones players don’t even notice. Subtle mechanics – like engineered luck - quietly shape engagement and retention. And in the long run, these factors play a crucial role in driving Revenue and Maximizing a Game's Profitability.