Game Design Library is a hand-curated, catalogued collection of game design links. Learn more
https://www.deconstructoroffun.com/blog/2021/3/21/royal-match-the-new-king-from-turkey
match-3 game analysis Royal Match mobile
An in-depth look at Royal Match, how it fits into the match-3 puzzle mobile industry, and how it recombines, innovates, and removes elements from other games to create something which a much better user experience for players.
https://twitter.com/emojipopcast/status/1379890929897598976
match-3 Royal Match game analysis difficulty
A short Twitter thread analyzing how Royal Match maintains a casual difficulty while providing high-skill bonus levels for expert players to try, every ten levels. These are optional, high-risk, high-reward levels.
https://www.gamerefinery.com/how-to-crack-the-match-3-code-part-2/
match-3 mobile cross-game analysis consumables
An in-depth analysis at what makes Candy Crush Saga and other meta match-3 games successful. Topics covered include currencies, boosters, rarity, collapse vs. swiping, IP, demographics, narration, and meta systems.
https://www.uxreviewer.com/home/2020/5/9/how-to-crack-the-match-3-code-part-1
match-3 mobile core loop cross-game analysis
Analysis of what makes Match 3 games so successful - simplified core loop, low player effort, short sessions - and how players now expect collapse-type mechanics, meta mechanics, in-game currency, and story in their match-3 games.
https://www.gamerefinery.com/the-future-of-match-3-what-you-need-to-know-part-iii/
A look at the delicate balance of multi-dimensional meta match-3 games: every game element must balance the core layers. Find what parts of those two genres work together, add non-linearity, unique mechanics, dynamic items to buy, and rich social aspects, like ladders.
https://www.gamerefinery.com/the-future-of-match-3-what-you-need-to-know-part-ii/
match-3 monetization mobile IAP
An analysis of single-dimensional match-3 games, and three tips to make excellent ones, based on data: provide lots of things to play with, supply new mechanics over time, and lower the barrier for in-app purchases (IAP)
https://www.gamerefinery.com/the-future-of-match-3-what-you-need-to-know-part-i/
match-3 monetization mobile IAP
A look at single-dimensional match-3 games (with one core mechanic) vs. multi-dimensional meta games, the trade-offs for players, and some common game design elements that often characterize successful games
https://www.gamedeveloper.com/design/match-game-mechanics-an-exhaustive-survey
A thorough analysis of all the fundamentally different types of mechanics in Match-3 games: topology (grid shape and size), player actions, match conditions, gravity, block spawning, and auto-match.