Mobile games are increasingly popular among people of all ages, including older adults, for entertainment, mental stimulation, and social connection. Recognizing this trend, AviaGames has partnered with Duke University Pratt School of Engineering to study how skill-based mobile games may support cognitive engagement and healthy aging.
Through May 2026, AviaGames and Duke University will explore how players interact with mobile games and how structured gameplay may support attention, decision-making, motivation, and social connection among older adults. The research also aims to understand better how well-designed digital games can contribute to broader conversations about aging and mental engagement as mobile gaming continues to grow.
Research Focused on Solitaire Clash Player Trends
The research will center on Solitaire Clash, a card game and one of AviaGames’ flagship titles. It has become one of AviaGames’ most successful titles, with more than 60 million downloads and 450 million monthly tournaments. The game has maintained a strong presence within the mobile solitaire category across platforms such as iOS and the Galaxy Store. By studying how players interact with the game, researchers hope to better understand how skill-based gameplay may support cognitive activity and long-term engagement.
Solitaire Clash brings the classic Klondike solitaire experience into a modern mobile format, offering both solo and multiplayer challenges that allow players to participate in competitive tournaments while enjoying familiar solitaire mechanics.
In addition to tournaments, the game includes events, mini-games, and themed activities that add new layers of strategy and engagement. Through this study, researchers will examine how players interact with these features and whether structured challenges help encourage focus and motivation.
Inside the Duke University Student Research Behind Solitaire Clash
The research project will run through May 2026 and will be conducted by a team of engineering students from Duke University’s Pratt School of Engineering. Working through the university’s Product Lab, the student team will lead structured interviews with Solitaire Clash players and compile research findings based on player feedback and behavioral analysis.
These interviews will allow the research team to gather firsthand perspectives from players, helping them better understand why individuals engage with the game and how they experience its competitive features. The research will also involve synthesizing player insights and identifying broader behavioral trends that may emerge from the study.
For Duke University students, the collaboration offers a valuable opportunity to gain real-world research experience. By working with a top-performing mobile application and its active player base, students can explore how product research, user experience, and digital design intersect in the mobile gaming industry.
Gaming Industry and Academic Collaboration
According to AviaGames CEO Vickie Chen, the partnership reflects the commitment to learning more about its player community while supporting research-driven discussions around mobile gaming and cognitive engagement.
“Avia is excited to collaborate with Duke University’s renowned Pratt School of Engineering’s Product Lab to study cognitive engagement and player behavior in aging populations,” said CEO Vickie Chen. “Working with Duke allows us to deepen our understanding of our player community while supporting thoughtful, research-driven conversations.”
Anna Wilson, Executive in Residence at Duke University’s Pratt School of Engineering, also highlighted the educational value of the partnership. She explained that product development education becomes more meaningful when students are able to work on real-world projects and receive mentorship from experienced companies.
By collaborating with AviaGames, Duke students gain insight into how research, product development, and user engagement strategies come together within the mobile gaming industry.
Solitaire Clash and the Future of Mobile Gaming Research
The collaboration between AviaGames and Duke University’s Pratt School of Engineering highlights ongoing efforts to better understand how mobile games may influence player engagement and cognitive activity. By analyzing player behavior in Solitaire Clash, researchers are exploring how structured gameplay and timed challenges may support focus, motivation, and social connection, especially among older adults. The partnership also provides students with hands-on research experience through product analysis and player interviews.
As the study continues through May 2026, insights from player feedback and behavioral patterns may contribute to broader discussions about the role of digital games in mental engagement and healthy aging. Interested in the game featured in this research? Learn more about Solitaire Clash and download the game to experience a modern take on classic Klondike solitaire enjoyed by millions of players.
