How to Promote a Mobile Game in 2025: The Ultimate Step-by-Step Guide
So, you've built an incredible mobile game. The graphics are stunning, the gameplay is insanely addictive, and you just know players are going to love it. All you need to do is launch it, right? Oh, if only it was that easy in 2025!
With over 1 billion daily mobile gamers battling for attention, simply listing your game in app stores won't cut it. You need a rock-solid strategy to rise above the noise, and one of the most powerful tools at your disposal is a high-quality promotional video for games. But how to make a promotional video that actually drives installs? Or where do you find professional promotional video services to ensure it stands out?
Buckle up — this is your ultimate step-by-step guide to successfully promoting your mobile game in 2025.
Step 1: Know Your Players & The Market
At Asterman, we get it — market research doesn't sound exciting, but trust us, it's a game-changer. Before spending a dime on ads, you need to truly understand your audience and the industry landscape.
Here's what the 2025 gaming trends are telling us:
- Mobile gaming revenue is set to hit $105.7 billion in 2025, with hyper-casual and mid-core games dominating the charts.
- 70% of mobile gamers discover new games through ads — if you're not running them, you're invisible.
- The average player installs 8 different games per month — that's exactly why you need a solid strategy to make yours stand out.
Now, analyze your competition. What's working for them? What ad formats are they using? Learn from the best, then do it even better. And, most importantly — who's your audience? What games do they love? Where do they hang out online? Know this, and you're already ahead of the curve.
Step 2: Pick the Right Ad Formats
Not all ads are created equal. At Asterman, we believe that some are great for driving installs, while others for boosting engagement and retention. Here's what's working in 2025:
- Playable Ads – Let users try a mini-version of your game before downloading. These are 32% more memorable than banner ads!
- Video Ads – more than 70% of players download a game after watching a compelling video ad. (No worries, we've got you covered and will show you how to make yours irresistible.)
- Rewarded Video Ads – Players get in-game rewards for watching, boosting retention by 4X.
- Native Ads – Seamlessly blended into app content, delivering 25% higher CTR.
So which format should you use? There's no right answer straight away— test multiple ad types and find out what works best for your game.
Step 3: Make Killer Ad Creatives (Because Bad Ads Kill Your Budget)
Now that you know your audience and ad formats, it's time to get creative! Here's the ugly truth: if your ad looks bad, no one's clicking it. And actually worse, bad creatives skyrocket your CPI (cost per install) and sink your campaign.
It's not just us — it's the numbers:
- A well-designed ad can slash CPI by up to 50%.
- 40% of players convert better after seeing an engaging preview.
So What Makes a Great Ad?
- Show real gameplay – Fake ads = angry players & bad reviews.
- Keep it short & sweet (10-30 sec) – Shorter ads see a 72% higher completion rate.
- A/B test – Always test different versions to find the top performer.
Not sure how to create high-converting ads? Work with a professional digital production agency to get visuals that actually drive downloads. (and we know a great one! 😉)
Step 4: Master User Acquisition Ads – Hook 'Em in the First Second
In today's hyper-fast scrolling world, you've got less than 3 seconds to grab attention. If your ad doesn't stand out instantly, users will scroll right past it.
The golden rule for high-performing UA Ads — kook fast, show action, create curiosity.
How to Make High-Converting UA Ads:
- Start strong – Use eye-catching visuals from the get-go.
- Tap into human instincts – Create an emotional (not necessarily a positive one) or competitive pull
- Show gameplay, not logos – Players want action, not just a title screen.
- Evoke curiosity – Try captions like: "Can you beat this level?" or "You have 1 minute to save them!"
- Optimize for silent viewing – 85% of social media videos are watched without sound. Make sure your visuals tell the story!
And talking about testing again — concentrate on testing these "hooks" in the first 3 seconds to see what grabs the most attention.
Step 5: Go Big on Social Media & Influencers
Social media isn't just for memes and cat videos (although, we love them at Asterman) – it's a goldmine for game promotion!
- Use TikTok & YouTube Shorts – Game-related content gets 2.5X more engagement on short-form platforms.
- Run viral challenges – Games leveraging TikTok trends see 30-50% more organic downloads.
- Partner with micro-influencers – 50K-500K follower influencers drive higher engagement than big celebs.
Step 6: Track & Improve Your Campaigns
Running ads without tracking your performance is like throwing money into a black hole.
Metrics to Watch & How to Improve Them:
- CPI (Cost Per Install) – Lower it by optimizing targeting and creatives.
- Retention Rate (Day 1, 7, 30) – Increase it by ensuring your ads match actual gameplay.
- LTV (Lifetime Value) – Boost it by refining in-game monetization.
- ROAS (Return on Ad Spend) – Improve it by focusing on high-value users, not just installs.
Use analytics tools like Adjust, AppsFlyer, or GameAnalytics to track and improve your campaign's performance.
Step 7: Why Asterman is Your Secret Weapon
We're not just ad experts — we're game developers too. That means we know this industry inside and out, from crafting immersive game cinematics that hook players to delivering high-performing ad creatives that drive installs. Whether you're thinking about marketing for games on Android or iOS, we have the expertise to reach the right audience and maximize your success.
- Stunning High-Quality Ad Creatives – Our ads are designed to capture attention and drive downloads.
- Proven Data-Driven Approach – We test, analyze, and optimize every campaign for max ROI.
- Expertise in Every Ad Format – Playable ads, video ads, rewarded videos — we master them all.
- Full UA Campaign Management – We handle everything, so you can focus on making an awesome game. Plus, we keep you in the loop at every stage.
Let's make your game a hit! Partner with Asterman for expert corporate video production, high-quality game cinematics, and a user acquisition strategy that delivers real results.
