Hyper-Casual Game Case Study: How a New Entrant Gets Its Initial 1,000 Downloads in One Week?

"After days and days of developing & testing, your mobile game is finally published in App Store but nearly no downloads come to you..."

Are you suffering from the same problem?

There are too many competitors, and as an indie developer, the budget required for paid ads to do game promotion is too high.

In this context, let's see how a hyper-casual game "HC" (codename) promoted to get its first 1,000 downloads in one week!

App Story

 Hyper-Casual Game "HC" 

• Platforms: iOS / iPadOS App Store

• Region: United States

• Size Category: Small Indie Game Development Team

• Initial Downloads: 200~ downloads in the first month post-launch.

• User Ratings & Reviews:  Ratings averaged around 2.5 stars due to technical issues; frequent negative reviews

• Budget: $200-300

"HC" is a puzzle game developed by an U.S. indie game development team.

It got off to a very frustrating start in App Store, achieving only about 200 cumulative downloads in the first month.

But then again, due to a limited budget, it was difficult to gain exposure through extensive paid advertising in the fiercely competitive hyper-casual game market.

Occasionally, the team lead of "HC" learned about ASO World on LinkedIn. With the help of the ASO expert team, the game achieved:

• 1,000+ Organic Downloads in one week

• Ratings from 2.5 to 4.1

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Step 1: App Diagnosis

The collaboration began with a free ASO Diagnosis, our ASO expert identified some key areas need to be improved in its App Store optimization:

1. Metadata: Title & Descriptions contain too less information

2. Keywords: Few keywords ranking and Low visibility score

3. Ratings & Reviews: Average ratings are lower than 3.0

Afterwards, ASO World professional team provided several customized solutions for the Hyper-Casual Game and discussed with its developer team with detailed plans.

Step 2: Meta Data Optimization

Our first action in ASO focused on metadata optimization, which is the most direct information presented by an app in the app store.

For the app name & description, we generally advise beginners to fully utilize every character because each word can potentially help you be more easily found in searches, and this also involves certain keyword rankings.

>>> A Comprehensive Guide to Maximizing App Metadata in App Store & Google Play

If you're unsure about how to optimize, take a look at your competitors!

It can be observed that, aside from a few top brands (which already have established user recognition), many casual games add descriptions of gameplay or content after their names to provide more precise information.


(Data Source: Foxdata)

So, we add some game details and ensure the core keywords of the game cotaining to make full use of the 30-character-limit of App Store.

As for Description, some strategies were taken to improve the text presented:

• Highlighted functional features and exclusive advantages.

• Included app information and essential keywords in the first 1-2 sentence(s).

• Reduced repetitive keywords.

• Removed keywords that directly reflect the app category.

>>> ASO Guide For Startups: How to Maximize the Effectiveness of App Description?

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Example:

 Original Description (Before Optimization) 

"Free to play, join the fun today!"

Game HC is a free casual game where you can pop colorful bubbles. This fun and addictive bubble shooter game lets you shoot and match bubbles.

Play Game HC now to start the popping madness!

Our game it's free puzzle games and will be so entertaining and challenging."

 Optimized Description (After Optimization) 

Game HC: Burst Bubbles with Brilliant Strategy!

"Immerse yourself in Game HC, where classic bubble shooting is reimagined.

Experience the thrill of precisely popping bubbles to create massive combos and enjoy enchanting sound effects that enhance every level. With Game HC, each session brings new excitement!

Beyond traditional gameplay, discover our unique COMBO system that rewards skillful matches and strategic planning. Drag and align colorful bubbles to fill rows or columns, clearing them off the board with stunning animations and earning bonus points:

• Dynamic Combos: Achieve multiple eliminations simultaneously to unlock cool animations and score big!

• Strategic Gameplay: Your success depends on your ability to think ahead and execute perfect shots.

Features of Game HC:

• Simple controls make it easy for anyone to pick up and play.

• No need for an internet connection—enjoy Game HC anytime, anywhere.

• Delightful graphics and captivating audio effects provide an exceptional gaming experience.

How to Play Game HC:

• Drag bubbles onto the board; pop them by forming complete rows or columns.

• Continuous supply of different shaped bubbles keeps the game challenging.

• Plan your moves strategically to maximize your score with upcoming bubbles.

Become a Master of Bubble Shooting:

• Don't wait for the perfect shot; create space and opportunities for high scores even when conditions aren't ideal.

• Relax—there's no time pressure here. Take your time to think through each move for maximum impact.

Wherever life takes you, whether you're looking for relaxation after a long day or just need a fun break, Game HC is here to entertain and challenge you!"

Catch us on Facebook: [Facebook Page]

Have suggestions or feedback? Reach out at [email]. We are dedicated to providing an unmatched bubble-shooting adventure.

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Tips: Avoid duplicating keywords and using unnecessary or prohibited terms, as these practices do not improve search indexing and may violate platform guidelines. 

Step 3: Keyword Optimization

After addressing metadata, our next focus was on enhancing keyword strategy for "HC".

The goal was to improve visibility in search results by targeting keywords that potential users are likely searching for but aren't overly saturated with competition.

Keyword Research

Firstly, we conducted comprehensive keyword research to identify high-traffic yet low-competition keywords relevant to hyper-casual puzzle games.

We used ASO tools to analyze market trends and competitor keyword strategies. This helped us uncover underutilized keywords that could drive more organic traffic to "HC".



>>> How to Conduct Keyword Research & Increase App Visibility at ASOWorld?

Selecting Keywords

From our research, we selected a mix of short-tail and long-tail keywords:

Short-tail keywords were essential for basic visibility (e.g., "puzzle game", "brain teaser"), while long-tail keywords (e.g., "logic puzzle game free", "casual brain game") targeted specific user queries and intended to capture a more engaged audience.

Implementation in Metadata

We strategically placed these selected keywords across different parts of the app's metadata:

• Title: Incorporated primary keywords directly into the title without making it feel stuffed or unnatural.

• Subtitle: Used effectively to include secondary key phrases which complemented those in the title.

• Description: Integrated both types of keywords throughout the description, especially in the first few lines, ensuring natural readability while maximizing SEO benefits.
  
  

We maintained an optimal keyword density of about 2-5% in the description text to avoid penalties from over-stuffing while ensuring enough frequency for algorithmic recognition.

The placement focused on higher relevance and prominence at the beginning sections of descriptions and subtitles.

By meticulously selecting appropriate keywords and embedding them thoughtfully within HC's app listing, we aimed not only to enhance its discoverability but also attract a more precise audience segment likely interested in hyper-casual puzzle games.

These efforts are expected to lead directly towards increased downloads and improved user engagement levels with regular reviews for ongoing optimization.

Keyword Install & Ranking

Our ASO experts also suggested keyword installs services, which can significantly enhance app's keyword visibility so as to boost organic downloads.

"HC" team lead's initial goal is to reach 1,000 downloads in the second month. However, after experience our keyword services, "HC" appears in App Store Ranking and achieved the goal with in only ONE WEEK!

Step 4: Ratings & Reviews

For the hyper-casual game "HC," improving ratings and managing reviews was crucial to enhancing its App Store presence and credibility.

According to our research, about 80% of mobile users consider app ratings when deciding whether or not to download an app, underscoring their importance in influencing decision-making processes similar to personal recommendations from friends.

Both Google Play and Apple's App Store algorithms favor apps with better ratings, as these metrics signal quality and reliability to users.

Given the initial average rating of around 2.5 stars due to technical issues, our approach needed to be strategic and focused.

Response Management 

Game "HC" didn't reply to players whatever positive or negative reviews previously, this can be a reason why its ratings kept dropping.

Part of maintaining good ratings involves actively monitoring incoming reviews and responding appropriately—whether thanking users for positive comments or addressing complaints swiftly.

This shows prospective players that the developers are committed to creating a satisfying user experience.

We helped to draft some proper responses and reply to EVERY single reviews to ensure a good user experience.

Bug Fixing

Meanwhile, lots of players complainted in app reviews that Game "HC" have a bad performance in response and in-app ads. 

We communicated with "HC" team about issues collected from app reviews and helped with bug fixing.

Guaranteed App Reviews Service

We utilized our Guaranteed App Reviews service tailored for both iOS (iPhone/iPad) platforms, ensuring that the game receives high-quality, positive feedback consistently over time.

After ASO, the hyper-casual game "HC" received more positive reviews and its ratings increased from 2.5 to 4.1.

Key Results

Within one week of implementing these strategic enhancements:

• Get first 1,000 Users in One Week

• Average rating improved from 2.5 stars to 4.1 stars.

• Appear in ranking of casual game category

Click "Learn More" to drive your apps & games business with ASO World app promotion service now.