Mobile gaming is becoming more and more popular
Mobile gaming is becoming a large industry, even bigger than console and PC gaming. As smartphones become more prevalent, there’s no signs of mobile gaming slowing down any time soon.
According to Statistica, there’s over 2.4 billion mobile gamers in 2020. It will most likely reach 2.7 billion by next year. The gaming market will reach $165 billion worldwide. That’s 51% of the gaming industry revenue, making mobile gaming the most popular and lucrative industry in gaming.
There are 209 million mobile game players in the United States alone. Over 56% of mobile gamers play more than 10 times a week. According to MediaKix, more than 50% of gamers are older than 34. And the majority of mobile gamers are women.
Mobiles used to be home to very simple games that were used to kill a few minutes at a time but now players have access to a huge variety of games on their mobile devices. Multiplayer games like Fortnite and solo time-killers like Candy Crush Saga are both wildly popular examples of today’s mobile gaming possibilities.
Aside from these traditional games, betting on casino games has seen a rapid gain in popularity. You can get an idea of just how many great online casino sites like the Lucky Days Casino are now available on mobile devices by checking some of the reviews at mobile-casino.com.
3 reasons mobile gaming is so popular
Mobile gaming is seriously popular but what are the reasons behind this popularity with players?
Technological Advancements
Ever-improving technology in the mobile space is probably the main reason behind the success of the mobile gaming industry. The games we play today have come a long way since the early mobile phone games of the 90s like Nokia’s hit, Snake.
Of course, the term “better technology” covers a wide range of different areas where improvements have led to a better mobile gaming experience in multiple ways.
For example, the more powerful processing of today’s smartphones means game developers can make larger, more graphically intense games that offer players more immersive experiences.
Likewise, Virtual reality and augmented reality technology has been brought to mobile devices and gives players something totally new and exciting. The success of Pokemon GO in 2016 is a testament to the possibilities of using augmented reality in mobile games.
In a different area of tech, faster internet capabilities have given rise to smoother, more enjoyable multiplayer games such as Fortnite, which can also be played with players across multiple platforms. There are 129 million mobile Fortnite players in 2020.
All of these improvements add up and come together to create unique gaming experiences on a mobile device that were unimaginable even on a computer or console just a few years ago.
Cost-effective, accessible gaming
In general, mobile games are much cheaper than PC or console games. In many cases, mobile games cost just a few dollars or are even free to play, even if you might have to put up with some advertisements mid-match.
Being cheaper means players can try out large numbers of games and have access to a huge library in their pocket.
With the improved graphics, game size, and overall gameplay experience of mobile games, the value for money is tremendous.
Even people who wouldn’t call themselves “gamers” and have never owned a console often play games on their smartphones to pass some time. This is because mobile games are simple to download, and the libraries are so vast that almost anyone can find some games they will enjoy.
Many mobile games are easy to play for short sessions where players can stop at any time then pick up where they left off later on, which makes them perfect companions on the train or in a doctor’s waiting room.
Social gaming
As previously mentioned, there’s been improved multiplayer functionality in mobile gaming nowadays. Games like Fortnite and PlayerUnknown Battlegrounds allow large lobbies of players to play against each other in real-time. Among Us, a game where mobile gamers and PC users can play together, had 18.4 million mobile downloads in August alone.
However, it isn’t just these traditional multiplayer games that have brought a big social element to gaming on mobile devices.
It is very easy to integrate a mobile game with the different social platforms players are already using on their smartphones. This means many classic games like roulette now have leaderboards, rewards and other public stats that can be shared directly with your friends on social media.
The sharing of such information adds a new social element to the games, giving a sense of both camaraderie and competition. Everyone likes to feel part of something and these social games are a quick and easy way for players to get that feeling. It’s an added bonus that friends and competitors can view a player’s in-game progress. Climbing up leaderboards can make mobile gaming a bit more addictive.
Will mobile gaming’s popularity continue?
At the moment, the popularity of mobile games and the growth of the industry shows no signs of halting. In 2019, the number of mobile gamers was 1.36 billion worldwide and has been estimated to increase to over 1.7 billion over the next few years.
Newer technologies are giving gamers better experiences, which will keep them around for the foreseeable future.
On the business front, companies are seeing the massive revenue opportunities offered by mobile games, which generated over $60 billion in 2019. Figures like this will also keep them around and lead to a constant flow of new mobile games.
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