Mobile gaming just might be the future of video games, we know it’s certainly the present. A recent report released by data and analytics company GlobalData forecasts that by 2030, mobile gaming will generate $195bn in revenue. Considering that mobile gaming generated a reported $124bn in 2023, that’s a massive jump in growth over just a few years.
The lucrative field of mobile gaming has resulted in many game developers pivoting towards creating mobile games and away from the more traditional video game formats for console and PC gaming. This move simply increases the rate of growth as players can now find mobile games of the same quality as any other type of video game.
In this article, we’ll break down some of the reasons why so many game development studios are pivoting to mobile games. We’ll discuss the main reasons why mobile gaming is so popular among audiences and why developers are moving towards creating mobile games. Then we’ll look at the most important sectors of the mobile game world that are driving this change.
Why Players Prefer Mobile Games
There are numerous reasons why players have been choosing to play mobile games over other types of video games, leading to the massive surge in mobile gaming revenue. One of the most important reasons is that mobile games don’t require the purchase of any extra equipment, such as an expensive console or gaming PC.
Similarly, most mobile games have a lower financial entry point. Unlike traditional games, which are fairly expensive up front, most mobile games operate on a different monetization system. The majority of popular mobile games are free to download and play. They are monetized through optional in-app purchases. These purchases are typically for small in-game upgrades, like extra lives, access to special areas or improved items. They can improve the experience but aren’t required. For people who are unsure whether they’ll enjoy a game, not having to pay for it before playing it is a huge advantage.
Another reason for the huge rise in the number of mobile gamers is that mobile games appeal to a wider audience than traditional video games do. This is partly because mobile games tend to be much simpler to play than traditional video games. There are no controllers, and the gameplay tends to be much less complex.
In addition, mobile games don’t have the same associated stereotypes that classic video games do. People who might have felt like video games aren’t for them don’t necessarily feel the same way about mobile games because they’re such a new genre.
When taken as a whole, all these reasons make it obvious why mobile games have begun to generate such a vast amount of revenue. They attract new players, have an adaptable payment system and are easy to play.
Why Developers Are Moving To Mobile Games
Developers have been moving to creating mobile games over traditional video games in recent years. This tech brain drain has caused some issues in other video game sectors as the top talent is being recruited away to mobile game studios. Some of the appeal of mobile game development is obviously due to the financial benefits of working on a team creating a lucrative, viral game.
Financial reasons aren’t the only ones. Creating games for a mobile platforms has its own challenges. For developers who enjoy the excitement of doing something new, this is a fun challenge to take on. The other appeal of mobile games is that they have a much quicker turn-around time than traditional video games. Developers can take a game from idea to reality in a very short period of time, which is incredibly rewarding.
The possibility of porting mobile games to PC and console is another reason why developers are moving to mobile. They can create mobile games without sacrificing any of the engagement, creativity and profitability that comes with creating multi-platform games.
Some of the most popular types of mobile games that have fueled this high revenue return include:
iGaming
One of the most important sectors of the entire gaming market and of the mobile gaming market is iGaming. Online casinos and online sportsbooks have rapidly been expanding worldwide as laws regulating the industry have become more lenient. An online casino guide like newcasinos.com/ shows just how fast and far the iGaming industry has progressed and how big the mobile iGaming market has grown.
The days of the low-fi poker rooms of the 90s are so far in the past that we barely remember them. Today’s online casinos have all the bells and whistles of land-based casinos and more. Most of the major online casinos offer thousands of unique slot games. This makes for fertile territory for developers.
Puzzle games
Puzzle games are what really exploded the mobile gaming industry into the giant we see today. Puzzle games come in all types, though word games and match three games are the most popular. One of the main reasons that puzzle games have become such a major component of the industry is that they have an incredibly wide player base.
These types of games appeal to players across all demographics, including older players who may have previously not felt comfortable playing video games. The educational or mentally stimulating aspect also makes it possible for people who consider gaming a pointless hobby to reevaluate their opinion.
RPGs
One of the more surprising mobile game genres that has experienced massive success is RPGs. Role playing games have always had a large audience, but they previously seemed to be too complex for mobile devices. Developers have been able to adapt RPGs to suit mobile capabilities.
This has resulted in a rush of players who are eager to explore new worlds and dive into new adventures without having to invest in a gaming computer or the latest console system. Some mobile RPGs are even continuations of existing RPG franchises, which further adds to the appeal.
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