RESULTS · Match 3 Puzzle Game
Level 10 reach was 55% higher in the later period.
The game became difficult too quickly. Players were losing and leaving before they reached the stronger parts of the game.
Before-and-after telemetry from May to July 2026.
THE MAIN MOVEMENTS
Before and after, shown side by side.
Reach to Level 10
+55%Win rate
+7.5 pointsLoss rate
-10.1 pointsToken 3
+10.5 pointsTHE FULL PROGRESSION
How player reach changed across the game.
This chart compares player reach before and after the changes.
Player reach before and after balancing
Each line compares a level with the Level 1 count from that same period. The clearest difference is in the early game.
Level 10 reach was 55% higher in the later period. The improvement continued beyond the early game.
THE NUMBERS BEHIND THE CHART
Reach at selected checkpoints
Each level is compared with the Level 1 count from its own reporting period.
Show checkpoint data
| Level | Before reach | After reach | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Level 1 | 100% | 100% | Starting base |
| Level 5 | 32.06% | 36.04% | +12.4% |
| Level 10 | 14.41% | 22.34% | +55.0% |
| Level 20 | 9.71% | 12.69% | +30.7% |
| Level 40 | 5.88% | 12.18% | +107.1% |
| Level 100 | 2.94% | 7.61% | +158.8% |
The comparison uses the period before 17 June and telemetry from 17 June–30 July 2026. Reach compares each level with the Level 1 count from the same period.
What was happening
The opening curve asked too much too soon. Losses were high enough to stop players before they had time to understand the loop and reach the better parts of the game.
What the data showed
Level 10 reach rose from 14.4% to 22.3% of each period’s Level 1 count. The win rate rose by 7.5 points, losses fell by 10.1 points, and Token 3 improved by 10.5 points.
What we did
We reviewed the levels and specified what each problem level needed. Depending on the level, that meant more moves, a layout change, or better thresholds for two-token and three-token clears.
A REAL PART OF THE WORK
An example of what we delivered
See the recommendations
| Level | Objective | Moves | Token 2 | Token 3 | Check after release |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Level 4 | Drop Item 1 + Drop Item 2 | 28 → 31 | 8,000 | 10,000 | Win rate, moves left, and quits |
| Level 9 | 12 Dirt | 27 → 31 | 9,500 | 11,500 | Win rate, quits, and replay after a win |
| Level 34 | 12 Dirt | 11 → 16 | 5,900 | 7,350 | Win rate, moves left, and token attainment |