What is a Benchmark?

Benchmark in game design is a reference point — a measurable standard used to evaluate how your game performs compared to genre norms, platform averages, or top competitors.

Benchmarks are not just numbers — they’re context for your decisions.

1️⃣ Definition

A benchmark is a quantitative or structural standard used to compare your game’s KPIs, loops, economy, UX, or performance metrics against established norms — to identify gaps, guide tuning, or set goals.

📍Benchmarks don’t dictate your design — they help you ask the right questions.

2️⃣ Why Benchmarks Matter

Purpose	What It Enables	Example
Retention tuning	Target D1/D7/D30 goals	F2P Mobile: D1 = 40%, D7 = 20%
Monetization modeling	Shape ARPU/ARPPU expectations	Midcore ARPPU = $5–15
Session pacing	Compare loop duration, friction, fatigue	5–10 mins/session for casual
Onboarding optimization	Benchmark time-to-fun, FTUE drop-off	FTUE completion = 80%+ ideal
Gacha balance	Rate design vs genre leaders	AFK Arena: ~2% 5★ drop rate

📍Benchmarks reveal deviation — but interpretation is what makes that useful.

3️⃣ Common Game Benchmarks

Metric	Typical Value (F2P Mobile)
D1 Retention	35–45%
D7 Retention	15–25%
D30 Retention	5–10%
Paying Conversion	1–3% (casual), 3–8% (midcore)
ARPU	$0.05–$0.30 casual, $1+ midcore
ARPDAU	$0.05–$0.15 average, $0.30+ strong
CPI	$0.50–$2.00, genre/region dependent
Session Length	5–10 mins (casual), 15–30+ mins (core)
Stickiness (DAU/MAU)	15–30%

📍Benchmarks are dynamic — track them across time, markets, and genres.

4️⃣ Design-Level Benchmarks

Focus	Benchmark
Core Loop Time	Completion ≤ 3–6 mins casual
Time to Fun	≤ 3 minutes in FTUE
Battle Length	PvP: 1–3 min (Clash Royale), PvE: 4–7 min (Hearthstone)
Gacha Pity	90 pulls = guaranteed 5★ (Genshin Impact)
Daily Task Load	5–15 minutes optimal for F2P

📍Benchmark loops and economy pacing — not just monetization. Fun per minute matters.

5️⃣ How to Use Benchmarks

Use Case	Application
Feature Planning	Compare planned feature scope vs top games
KPI Reviews	Match LiveOps curves to retention/monetization standards
Pitching / Fundraising	Show how you’ll reach or outperform key benchmarks
LiveOps Events	Benchmark engagement spike against genre events
Product Roadmap	Use data to choose next experiments or systems

📍Benchmarks are not goals by default — they’re indicators. Design upward from insight, not downward from fear.

✅ Benchmarking Checklist

Are you comparing to relevant games (genre, platform, region)?

Are your metrics fresh (not from 5-year-old charts)?

Are benchmarks informing design decisions, not just slide decks?

Are deviations explained — not blindly fixed?

Are you combining data with qualitative feedback?

📍Benchmarks don’t tell you what to be — they tell you where you are.

Summary

Term	Benchmark
What it is	A reference value used to compare your game’s metrics or structure to genre norms
Why it matters	Reveals gaps, shapes goals, supports decisions
Where it's used	Retention, monetization, pacing, LiveOps, pitches
Design goal	Use benchmarks as a mirror — not a mold

📍Benchmarking is how good games become better in context.

Great designers don’t just follow the market — they know when to meet it, when to exceed it, and when to ignore it.