Mobile games are often seen as quick entertainment, but they’re increasingly becoming part of conversations around cognitive engagement and healthy aging. The AviaGames and Duke University partnership, running through May 2026, is exploring this through a new research initiative with Duke’s Pratt School of Engineering and its Product Lab, where engineering students will study player behavior and engagement in Solitaire Clash, Avia’s flagship title and competitive version of the classic Klondike solitaire card game.
As one of the company’s most successful titles, with more than 60 million downloads and over 450 million tournaments played each month, the game provides a large player base for examining how structured, skill-based gameplay may relate to attention, decision-making, motivation, and social interaction among older players.
A Student-Led Research Initiative
The research will be led by a team of Duke engineering students from the Product Lab, who will conduct structured interviews with players and analyze engagement patterns within Solitaire Clash. The study aims to understand how people interact with mobile games over time, what motivates continued play, and how digital games fit into daily routines.
AviaGames CEO Vickie Chen highlighted the value of collaboration:
“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,” Chen said. “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, emphasized the educational impact:
“Education in product development is most impactful when it mirrors real-world practice and mentorship,” Wilson said. “Partnering with an established company such as Avia brings an exciting and valuable learning experience to our students.”
For Duke students, the partnership also provides hands-on experience applying engineering research methods to a widely used consumer app.
Solitaire Clash Gameplay and Features
Solitaire has long been one of the most recognizable card games in the world, and its transition to mobile devices has introduced it to new generations of players. The digital versions retain the familiar gameplay while adding features that make the experience more interactive and engaging.
In Solitaire Clash, players complete timed solitaire boards that share identical layouts, allowing performance to be determined by skill and speed. As part of AviaGames’ portfolio of skill-based real money games, the app also features rotating events and mini-games such as Flower Frenzy and Puzzle Mania, giving players additional ways to engage beyond the traditional card game format.
As mobile games become a regular part of everyday routines for millions of adults, researchers have shown growing interest in how interactive digital play may support focus, problem-solving, and ongoing engagement.
Research and the Future of Mobile Gaming
The AviaGames and Duke University partnership reflects a growing interest in understanding how mobile games shape player engagement. Through May 2026, Duke’s Product Lab students will conduct interviews with Solitaire Clash players and analyze engagement trends to explore how structured gameplay may relate to attention, motivation, and social interaction among older adults.
At the same time, these conversations are expanding across the gaming industry, including at AviaGames GDC, where the company is sharing insights on skill-based mobile gaming, player experience, and industry partnerships from March 11-13, at Moscone Center in San Francisco.