12 Most Important Gaming KPIs


The top KPIs are vital in the gaming industry as they enable developers and publishers to measure the performance, engagement, and profitability of their games. They help in understanding player behavior, pinpointing successful features, and identifying areas that require improvement.

By tracking metrics such as daily active users (DAUs), average revenue per user (ARPU), and retention rates, companies can make data-driven decisions to optimize gameplay, enhance user experience, and increase monetization.

This article showcases the Most Critical 12 KPIs for Gaming and Associated Benchmarks.

1. Monthly Active Users (MAU)

Monthly Active Users (MAU) serves as a critical performance indicator for understanding user engagement and retention.

This KPI directly influences business outcomes such as revenue growth and customer loyalty. A higher MAU indicates a robust user base actively interacting with the platform, which can lead to improved financial health and operational efficiency.

Conversely, low MAU may signal issues in user experience or market fit, necessitating immediate attention. Learn more about the Monthly Active Users (MAU) KPI.

View Common Pitfalls
View Improvement Levers

We have 2 benchmarks for this KPI available in our database.

View Monthly Active Users (MAU) Benchmarks

What is the standard formula?
Count of Unique Users per Month


Related KPI Categories

2. Retention Rate

Retention Rate is a vital KPI that measures customer loyalty and satisfaction, directly impacting revenue stability and growth.

High retention rates often correlate with increased customer lifetime value and lower acquisition costs. Businesses that prioritize retention can achieve significant operational efficiency and strategic alignment, leading to improved financial health.

A strong retention strategy fosters a data-driven decision-making culture, enhancing overall business outcomes. Learn more about the Retention Rate KPI.

View Common Pitfalls
View Improvement Levers

We have 6 benchmarks for this KPI available in our database.

View Retention Rate Benchmarks

3. Churn Rate

Churn Rate is a critical KPI that reflects customer retention and satisfaction, directly influencing revenue stability and growth.

High churn rates can indicate underlying issues in product quality or customer service, which may lead to increased acquisition costs. Organizations that effectively monitor and manage churn can enhance their financial health, optimize operational efficiency, and improve ROI metrics.

By leveraging data-driven decision-making, businesses can identify trends and implement strategies to reduce churn, ultimately aligning with broader strategic goals. Learn more about the Churn Rate KPI.

View Common Pitfalls
View Improvement Levers

We have 4 benchmarks for this KPI available in our database.

View Churn Rate Benchmarks

4. Average Revenue Per User (ARPU)

Average Revenue Per User (ARPU) serves as a vital metric for assessing customer profitability and financial health.

It directly influences revenue growth, customer segmentation, and pricing strategies. A higher ARPU indicates effective monetization of user engagement, while a lower figure may signal missed opportunities for upselling or cross-selling.

Companies leveraging ARPU can enhance their management reporting and drive data-driven decisions. Learn more about the Average Revenue Per User (ARPU) KPI.

View Common Pitfalls
View Improvement Levers

We have 2 benchmarks for this KPI available in our database.

View Average Revenue Per User (ARPU) Benchmarks

5. Customer Acquisition Cost (CAC)

Customer Acquisition Cost (CAC) is a vital metric that gauges the cost of acquiring new customers, directly impacting financial health and profitability.

A high CAC can indicate inefficiencies in marketing and sales strategies, leading to reduced ROI. Conversely, a low CAC suggests effective customer engagement and cost control.

This KPI influences critical business outcomes, including revenue growth and customer lifetime value. Learn more about the Customer Acquisition Cost (CAC) KPI.

View Common Pitfalls
View Improvement Levers

We have 7 benchmarks for this KPI available in our database.

View Customer Acquisition Cost (CAC) Benchmarks

6. Conversion Rate

Conversion Rate is a crucial performance indicator that measures the effectiveness of marketing efforts in driving desired actions, such as purchases or sign-ups.

It directly influences revenue growth, customer acquisition costs, and overall ROI. High conversion rates signal effective engagement strategies, while low rates may indicate misalignment with target audiences or ineffective messaging.

Organizations that prioritize this metric can enhance operational efficiency and make data-driven decisions. Learn more about the Conversion Rate KPI.

View Common Pitfalls
View Improvement Levers

We have 7 benchmarks for this KPI available in our database.

View Conversion Rate Benchmarks

7. Cost Per Install (CPI)

Cost Per Install (CPI) is a crucial KPI that measures the cost-effectiveness of acquiring new users through app installations.

It directly impacts financial health by influencing marketing budgets and ROI metrics. A lower CPI indicates better operational efficiency in user acquisition strategies, while a higher CPI may signal inefficiencies or misalignment with target thresholds.

This metric also plays a significant role in forecasting accuracy and strategic alignment, as it helps organizations assess the effectiveness of their marketing campaigns. Learn more about the Cost Per Install (CPI) KPI.

View Common Pitfalls
View Improvement Levers

We have 10 benchmarks for this KPI available in our database.

View Cost Per Install (CPI) Benchmarks

What is the standard formula?
Total Advertising Costs / Total Number of Installs


Related KPI Categories

8. Engagement Rate

Engagement Rate serves as a critical performance indicator, reflecting how effectively a business connects with its audience.

High engagement rates often correlate with increased customer loyalty, brand awareness, and ultimately, revenue growth. This metric is essential for assessing the impact of marketing strategies and content effectiveness.

Companies leveraging engagement data can make informed, data-driven decisions to optimize campaigns and enhance operational efficiency. Learn more about the Engagement Rate KPI.

View Common Pitfalls
View Improvement Levers

We have 2 benchmarks for this KPI available in our database.

View Engagement Rate Benchmarks

9. Revenue Growth Rate

Revenue Growth Rate is a critical performance indicator that reflects a company's ability to expand its top line over time.

It directly influences financial health, operational efficiency, and strategic alignment, making it essential for management reporting. A consistent upward trend indicates robust demand and effective cost control metrics.

Conversely, stagnation or decline may signal underlying issues that require immediate attention. Learn more about the Revenue Growth Rate KPI.

View Common Pitfalls
View Improvement Levers

We have 7 benchmarks for this KPI available in our database.

View Revenue Growth Rate Benchmarks

10. User Engagement Rate

User Engagement Rate is a critical performance indicator that reflects how effectively a digital platform retains and interacts with its audience.

High engagement often correlates with increased customer loyalty, leading to higher conversion rates and improved financial health. Conversely, low engagement can signal issues with content relevance or user experience, potentially impacting overall business outcomes.

Organizations that leverage this metric can make data-driven decisions to enhance user experience and optimize marketing strategies. Learn more about the User Engagement Rate KPI.

View Common Pitfalls
View Improvement Levers

We have 9 benchmarks for this KPI available in our database.

View User Engagement Rate Benchmarks

What is the standard formula?
(Total Active Users / Total Users) * 100


Related KPI Categories

11. Feature Adoption Rate

Feature Adoption Rate is a crucial KPI that reflects how effectively new functionalities resonate with users.

High adoption rates can lead to improved customer satisfaction and retention, ultimately driving revenue growth. Conversely, low rates may indicate a disconnect between product offerings and user needs, potentially stalling business outcomes.

Organizations that prioritize this metric can better align their development efforts with customer expectations, enhancing operational efficiency and ensuring strategic alignment. Learn more about the Feature Adoption Rate KPI.

View Common Pitfalls
View Improvement Levers

We have 6 benchmarks for this KPI available in our database.

View Feature Adoption Rate Benchmarks

What is the standard formula?
(Total Users of New Feature / Total Users) * 100


Related KPI Categories

12. Social Share Rate

Social Share Rate measures how effectively content resonates with audiences, influencing brand visibility and engagement.

A higher rate indicates successful outreach strategies, driving customer acquisition and retention. This KPI serves as a leading indicator of marketing effectiveness, allowing businesses to gauge the impact of their campaigns on social platforms.

By tracking this metric, organizations can align their content strategies with audience preferences, ultimately improving overall marketing ROI. Learn more about the Social Share Rate KPI.

View Common Pitfalls
View Improvement Levers

We have 3 benchmarks for this KPI available in our database.

View Social Share Rate Benchmarks

What is the standard formula?
(Number of Shares / Total Number of Users) * 100


Related KPI Categories


These 12 KPIs were selected for the Gaming KPI database to provide a comprehensive view of user behavior and financial performance. They span acquisition, engagement, retention, and monetization metrics, balancing leading indicators like Conversion Rate and Feature Adoption Rate with lagging metrics such as Revenue Growth Rate and ARPU. This subset captures the full user lifecycle and operational-financial interplay critical for gaming products.

Track Retention Rate alongside Churn Rate to diagnose user loyalty trends—rising churn with flat retention signals engagement issues. Monitor CAC in relation to ARPU to assess acquisition efficiency; a high CAC with low ARPU indicates unsustainable spending. Compare Engagement Rate with Social Share Rate—divergence suggests users interact with the product but do not amplify reach, highlighting marketing or virality gaps.

Prioritize Monthly Active Users (MAU) and Retention Rate first, as they require minimal data integration and reveal core user base health. Next, implement CAC to evaluate acquisition cost-effectiveness. These KPIs provide immediate diagnostic power and guide resource allocation. The full set of Gaming KPIs, with detailed formulas and benchmarks, is available in the KPI Depot database.

Subscribe for Full Access to KPI Depot
Unlock smarter decisions with instant access to 20,000+ KPIs and 30,000+ benchmarks. Only $499/year.


Subscribe Today for Only $499


Related Best Practices


These best practice documents below are available for individual purchase from Flevy , the largest knowledge base of business frameworks, templates, and financial models available online.


KPI Depot takes you from KPI intelligence to finished deliverable. Consultants, strategy teams, FP&A leaders, and analytics teams use it to answer the two hardest questions in performance management, what to measure and what the target should be, and then to produce the scorecard itself.

The difference is intelligence, not just data. Anyone can list metrics. Every KPI in KPI Depot carries 13 practical attributes, from formula and measurement approach to diagnostic questions, risk warnings, and Balanced Scorecard perspective, across 15 corporate functions and 153 industries. And every target you set is grounded in our database of 34,304 source-attributed benchmarks, each detailing metric value, company size, time period, industry, geography, sample size, and source. Benchmark data at this scale is otherwise the domain of research services costing thousands to hundreds of thousands of dollars per year.

When your metrics are selected, KPI Depot finishes the job: export an interactive Strategy Map, a Balanced Scorecard with formulas and tracking columns, or a CSV KPI pack, and go from research to working deliverable in hours instead of weeks.

Formerly the Flevy KPI Library, KPI Depot is trusted by teams at organizations including Accenture, EY, IBM, PepsiCo, Samsung, and Vodafone.

Got a question? Email us at [email protected].



Each KPI in our knowledge base includes 13 attributes.

KPI Definition

A clear explanation of what the KPI measures

Potential Business Insights

The typical business insights we expect to gain through the tracking of this KPI

Measurement Approach

An outline of the approach or process followed to measure this KPI

Standard Formula

The standard formula organizations use to calculate this KPI

Trend Analysis

Insights into how the KPI tends to evolve over time and what trends could indicate positive or negative performance shifts

Diagnostic Questions

Questions to ask to better understand your current position is for the KPI and how it can improve

Actionable Tips

Practical, actionable tips for improving the KPI, which might involve operational changes, strategic shifts, or tactical actions

Visualization Suggestions

Recommended charts or graphs that best represent the trends and patterns around the KPI for more effective reporting and decision-making

Risk Warnings

Potential risks or warnings signs that could indicate underlying issues that require immediate attention

Tools & Technologies

Suggested tools, technologies, and software that can help in tracking and analyzing the KPI more effectively

Integration Points

How the KPI can be integrated with other business systems and processes for holistic strategic performance management

Change Impact

Explanation of how changes in the KPI can impact other KPIs and what kind of changes can be expected

BSC Perspective

NEW Mapping to a Balanced Scorecard perspective (financial, customer, internal process, learning & growth)


Compare Our Plans


FAQs about KPI Depot


What does unlimited web access mean?

Our complete KPI and benchmark database is viewable online. Unlimited web access means you can browse as much of our online KPI and benchmark database as you'd like, with no limitations or restrictions (e.g. certain number of views per month). You are only restricted on the quantity of CSV downloads (see questions below).

What's the difference between the Basic and Pro plans?

Both plans include unlimited web access to the full KPI database and benchmark database, interactive Strategy Maps for every KPI group, and 2,000+ OKR examples.

The Basic plan includes 5 CSV downloads per month and is designed for individual research use.

The Pro plan includes 20 CSV downloads per month and unlocks the full deliverable workflow: save your customized Strategy Maps and export them as Balanced Scorecard CSV templates, complete with KPI names, formulas, monthly tracking columns, and links to benchmark data. Open the export in Excel and start tracking immediately.

Can I try the interactive Strategy Map before subscribing?

Yes. Every KPI group includes an interactive Strategy Map that anyone can open, no subscription required. You can add, remove, and rearrange KPIs across the 4 Balanced Scorecard perspectives (Financial, Customer, Internal Process, and Learning & Growth) to build a map tailored to your organization.

Saving your customized map and exporting it as a Balanced Scorecard CSV template are Pro plan features. To help you turn that CSV into a polished, ready-to-track scorecard, we also offer 5 free Balanced Scorecard Excel templates that pair with your export.

Can I download KPI group data as a CSV?

Yes. You can download a complete KPI group (which includes all inclusive KPIs and respective attribute data) as a CSV file. To gain a better sense of the KPI data included, you can download a sample CSV file here.

Can I download benchmark data as a CSV?

Yes. On individual KPI pages, you can download all available benchmarks for that KPI as a CSV file. To gain a better sense of the benchmark data included, you can download a sample CSV file here.

Each CSV download, whether for a KPI group or for benchmarks, consumes 1 of your monthly CSV download credits.

What if I need more CSV downloads in a month?

You can purchase additional download credits at any time: $8 each on the Basic plan, $5 each on the Pro plan. Credits never interrupt your workflow, so you'll never be locked out of a download you need mid-project.

How does KPI Depot pricing compare to other benchmark data sources?

Benchmark data is traditionally expensive. Subscription research and advisory services typically run $2,400 to $70,000+ per year, and a single benchmarking assessment can cost $5,000 at nonmember rates. Compiling benchmarks yourself from public sources takes weeks of analyst time per project.

KPI Depot includes unlimited web access to all 35,625 source-attributed benchmarks on every plan, starting at $499 per year. Each benchmark documents its source, company size, time period, industry, geography, and sample size, so your targets hold up under scrutiny.

Can I cancel at any time?

Yes. You can cancel your subscription at any time. After cancellation, your KPI Depot subscription will remain active until the end of the current billing period.

Do you offer a free trial?

While we don't offer a traditional free trial, we give you plenty of ways to evaluate KPI Depot before subscribing.

You can freely browse all 400+ KPI groups across 15 corporate functions and 150+ industries. For each group, the first 3 KPIs are visible, including KPI documentation attributes (definition, formula, business insights, trend analysis, diagnostics, and more) for the first 2. The remaining KPIs in the group are tabulated on the page as well. This gives you a clear sense of the depth and quality of our KPI data.

You can also open the interactive Strategy Map for any KPI group and customize it yourself: add, remove, and rearrange KPIs across the 4 Balanced Scorecard perspectives. This is the same mapping tool subscribers use, so you can experience the full workflow before deciding (saving and exporting your map requires a Pro subscription).

You can also preview benchmark data on individual KPI pages, where you'll see how benchmarks are structured, including dimensions like geography, company size, industry, and time period.

To see what a subscriber download looks like, you can download a sample KPI group CSV file and a sample benchmark CSV file (see questions above).

Once you subscribe, you unlock full access to the entire KPI database and benchmark database with no viewing limits. We encourage you to explore the platform and see the breadth of coverage firsthand.

What if I can't find a particular set of KPIs?

Please email us at [email protected] if you can't find what you need. Since our database is so vast, sometimes it may be difficult to find what you need. If we discover we don't have what you need, our research team will work on incorporating the missing KPIs. Turnaround time for these situations is typically 1 business week.

Where do you source your benchmark data?

We compile benchmarks from multiple high-quality sources and document the provenance for each metric. Our inputs include:

Each benchmark lists its source attribution and last-updated date where available. We are constantly refreshing our database with new and updated data points.

Do you provide citations or references for the original benchmark source?

Yes. Every benchmark data point includes a full citation and structured context. Where available, we display:

We cite the original publisher and link directly to the source (or an archived link) when possible. Many KPIs have multiple independent benchmarks; each appears as its own entry with its own citation.

What payment methods do you accept?

We accept a comprehensive range of payment methods, including Visa, Mastercard, American Express, Apple Pay, Google Pay, and various region-specific options, all through Stripe's secure platform. Stripe is our payment processor and is also used by Amazon, Walmart, Target, Apple, and Samsung, reflecting its reliability and widespread trust in the industry.

Are multi-user corporate plans available?

Yes. Please contact us at [email protected] with your specific needs.