When it comes to Kim Kardashian West, we aren’t just talking about a high-profile television personality anymore. We’re diving into the intriguing world of her mobile game business and the impressive revenue it has amassed. The game in question? None other than the ironically self-aware, Kim Kardashian: Hollywood.
A step away from a typical Keeping up with the Kardashians escapades, this game has nothing to do with reality TV. Instead, it allows players to step into a virtual Hollywood, earning fame by attending extravagant events, going on high-profile dates, and participating in acting gigs, among other activities, priorities that are very much in line with the Kim Kardashian brand.
Experts from Game Analytics regard the game as a fairly simple one, echoing free-to-play mechanics that have been used since the days of FrontierVille in 2011, or even earlier. However, what the game lacks in complexity, it more than compensates with style, substance, and a laser-focused representation of the Kim Kardashian brand. The development team at Glu delivered a high-quality mobile experience, extending the reach of free-to-play gaming to a whole new audience.
The core of the game lies in its rating feature. Participating in various activities boosts players’ celebrity status – a simple yet addictive loop for players. To visualize the popularity of the game, consider this – a 30-year-old woman reported playing the game for 30 hours a week!
Just a month after its launch, the game’s developer, Glu Mobile, surpassed Wall Street’s expectations for the second fiscal quarter. Despite predicted losses, Glu Mobile reported just a two cent loss and an impressive $35 million in revenue. The allure of the virtual Hollywood has kept Kim Kardashian: Hollywood in the top ten of the iPhone charts for downloads and revenue for an extended period.
Perhaps the game’s success was best encapsulated by Forbes featuring it as a cover story in July 2016. Since launching in June 2014, Kim Kardashian: Hollywood has been downloaded a whopping 45 million times, generating an impressive $160 million in revenue. Forbes estimates that Kardashian herself has pocketed $45 million from her mobile venture over this period. Impressively, her earnings placed her at No. 42 on Forbes’ Celebrity 100 list, with a staggering 40% of her yearly paycheck stemming from the game.
Available on iOS, OS X, Android and Facebook, Kim Kardashian: Hollywood stands as an example of how celebrity branding can be leveraged to reach beyond traditional realms of influence and into uncharted territories – in this case, the world of mobile gaming. With the game’s undeniable success, it’s clear that the world’s fascination with Kim Kardashian consists of more than just her on-screen life – it extends to her digital persona too.
This article was updated in 2025 to reflect modern realities.
Image:
[Full-width image of the Kim Kardashian: Hollywood app.]
External Links:
1. Game Analytics’ review of Kim Kardashian: Hollywood
2. Forbes’ July 2016 cover story on the game.
Paul Balo is the founder of TechBooky and a highly skilled wireless communications professional with a strong background in cloud computing, offering extensive experience in designing, implementing, and managing wireless communication systems.
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