Science & Tech · Big Tech & Internet · 3 hrs ago
Block Blast code allegedly uses difficulty changes to drive ad views
Developer Ayoships says it reverse-engineered Block Blast’s code and found mechanisms that may steer players toward advertisements.
The free puzzle game, made by Hungry Games, reportedly earned nearly $127 million in ad revenue from January to May 2026.
The code reportedly uses details such as a player’s phone model, location and past ad interactions to estimate their advertising value.
One alleged tactic, called “Boost then kill,” makes rounds easier before raising the difficulty, which may prompt players to watch an ad for another attempt.
The findings raise concerns that frustration and rewards may be used to increase ad views, even though the game costs nothing to download.
The claims have not been independently verified, and the findings do not show how often the mechanisms operate or whether all players experience them.
A developer known as Ayoships says reverse-engineering Block Blast’s code revealed mechanisms that allegedly adjust difficulty and rewards to encourage players to watch ads.
The free puzzle game, made by Hungry Games, reportedly earned close to $127 million from advertising between January and May 2026.
The reported code mechanisms include assessing players using device, location and past ad-interaction data.
One described technique, called “Boost then kill,” allegedly makes a round easier before increasing the difficulty.
TechRadar says the findings do not establish how often these adjustments occur or whether all players experience them.
- Who
- Ayoships, a developer who reverse-engineered the code, and Hungry Games, which makes Block Blast.
- What
- The game’s code allegedly adjusts difficulty and rewards in ways that can encourage ad views.
- When
- The reported advertising revenue was earned from January through May 2026. TechRadar published its report on October 20, 2026.
- Where
- The game is a mobile puzzle app. The sources do not state a specific location for the alleged code mechanisms.
- Why
- The alleged adjustments may encourage players to watch ads, generating advertising revenue.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Block Blast reportedly generated close to $127 million from advertising.
TechRadar published its report on Ayoships’s claims about the game’s code.
- Developer
- Ayoships
- Game maker
- Hungry Games
- Reported ad revenue
- Close to $127 million
- Revenue period
- January–May 2026
- Reported technique
- Boost then kill” combines an easier round with greater difficulty later