Can you imagine a day without a smartphone? Neither can we. Mobile devices have been ingrained in every pore of our society, including the gaming industry.
The following text uncovers the reasons behind the dominance of smartphones in mobile gaming.
The State of Mobile Gaming Market in Numbers
According to Statista, revenue in the mobile game industry is projected to reach US$315.90bn in 2023. The most significant percent will be generated in China, amounting to US$97,350.00m in 2023, while the ARPU (the average revenue per user) is expected to be over US$160.00 in 2023.
The same research shows that the number of users will reach 2.32bn in 2027; the user penetration will be over 25% in 2023, and it’s projected to increase to over 29% by 2027.
Mobile Gaming Industry: Growth Factors
The numbers behind the mobile gaming industry’s growth are fascinating. But let’s see what drives that growth.
Smartphones Have Grown to Be Multi-Tools
The internet conquered the world; new communication solutions appeared; there are many ways to connect with family and friends wherever they are in the world. Also, smartphones have become a critical element of professional correspondence. Aside from sending emails and communicating with coworkers, we can perform a considerable number of job tasks via our smartphone devices.
Smartphones have also entered the entertainment sphere, enabling us to watch sports games, movies, TV shows, concerts, etc. Finally, the gaming industry has recognized the power of modern-day mobile devices, expanding its offer to mobile users.
Smartphones Lead to a Diverse User Base
Those growing up in the early 2000s remember games installed on mobile phones, although the internet was not still available on these devices. Of course, things are drastically different today, but the love for games didn’t vanish. On the contrary, games grew in popularity thanks to modern mobile devices.
Smartphones allow people of all ages and gaming experiences/preferences to enjoy their favorite titles. For instance, we now have gamers who want casual games such as Subways Surfers and Candy Crush, designed solely for entertainment.
In addition, smartphones are powerful enough to support strategic and battle royale games. Among the most popular strategy games available on mobile phones are Clash of Clans, Clash Royale, and Arena of Valor, while battle royale gamers use smartphones to play Apex Legends and PUBG Mobile.
Still, the story doesn’t end with video games. The advances in technology allowed casinos to enter the digital space. Players no longer have to go to brick-and-mortar casinos to play their favorite games.
Instead, they can enjoy online roulette, slots, online blackjack, and poker from the comfort of their home. Or, thanks to mobile devices and the rise of mobile gambling, players can now access online casinos from their mobile devices anytime, anywhere.
Feature-Rich Devices
As the number of features added to smartphones grows, the power of these devices increases. First, storage capabilities have grown, so now we have smartphones with 1 TB of storage. Secondly, new versions come with more robust processors capable of quickly processing any data.
As a result, gamers are no longer limited to mobile games like Candy Crush Saga and Cut The Rope. Instead, the features added make smartphones capable of supporting graphic-intense games, like the previously mentioned PUBG Mobile, as well as, Asphalt and Call Of Duty Mobile.
Last but not least, titles like Call Of Duty Mobile Season 2 offer a multiplayer option, enabling you to enjoy your favorite game with others, which confirms that mobile gaming doesn’t eliminate that social aspect of video games.
The Trend Draws Game Developers
Regardless of the industry, companies that want to stay competitive must adapt to changes and follow trends to meet users’ preferences. The gaming industry is no different. And, as more and more people engage in mobile games, game developers focus on optimizing their offer for mobile.
Even some household names in the industry, such as Konami, Ubisoft, and Riot Games, have optimized their most popular titles—League Of Legends, Assassin’s Creed, and PES—to smartphones.
As a result, entering the mobile gambling market opens doors to additional revenue streams. Game publishers can use various monetization options, such as playable ads, engaging ads, and rewards ads. One of the most popular is the subscription model, where a player pays monthly fees for in-game rewards to a game developer.
The Future of Mobile Gaming Is In the Cloud
Google and Microsoft are among the companies offering gaming services in the cloud, allowing players to enjoy console games on smartphones; the only condition is a solid internet connection. Given the figures we presented in the first section and the reasons making the gaming industry attractive to gamers, it’s almost evident that other giants in the digital space, such as Amazon, are soon to jump on that train.
