Jest's Messaging Games Marketplace Disrupts App Stores with RCS Integration and 90% Developer Revenue

Jest, an innovative marketplace for messaging games, has launched to upend the mobile gaming landscape by enabling direct play within chat apps.

Leveraging RCS technology, users tap links in messages to launch browser-based games without app store downloads.

Challenging App Store Dominance

The platform offers developers a 90/10 revenue split, far surpassing the 30% commissions from Apple and Google app stores.

In its beta phase, Jest recorded over 1 million games played and 300,000 messages exchanged within four months.

Superior Metrics and Network Effects

Retention rates are 3-4 times higher than traditional apps, with user acquisition costs 30-60% lower.

A unique revenue model shares earnings: 70% to monetizing studios, 20% to acquirers, and 10% to Jest, boosting virality.

Funding and Leadership

CEO Deyan Vitanov raised $7 million in seed funding from Innovation Endeavors to onboard studios and scale.

Vitanov emphasizes messaging inboxes as the 'stickiest surface' for engagement amid declining game downloads.

Expansion and RCS Momentum

Jest eyes 14 new countries by Q3 2026 and launched a Games Fund with up to $1 million per flagship title.

Timing aligns with RCS surge, including Apple iOS 18 support and 1 billion daily U.S. messages.