Category: Mobile Gaming

Mobile games on the rise worldwide

| February 18, 2013

mobile games around the worldReport provides insight on the growth of mobile games around the world

Newzoo, a market research firm, has released a new report concerning the growth of mobile games throughout the world. Mobile gaming has become a very popular pastime for many consumers as well as a very influential force within the game industry. Consumers have shown their favor for mobile games because of their accessibility and ease of use, while game developers have taken a strong interest in mobile platforms because financial opportunities and the prospect of reaching a massive audience.

Mobile games market growth 33% in 2012

According to the report from Newzoo, there are now more than 500 million mobile gamers throughout the world. Together, these consumers have spent a total of $9 billion throughout 2012, growing the mobile games market by 33% over what it had been in 2011. Newzoo predicts that the market will continue to grow in the coming years due to the growing number of people purchasing smart phones and tablets.

Free-to-play games are most popular among consumers

The report notes that free games are, by far, the most popular among consumers. While free-to-play games have strong support, these mobile games do have monetization systems in place that can generate profit for their developers. Most free-to-play games offer special services or features that players have to pay for in order to access. In most cases, these features are not necessary to enjoy the game, but consumers tend to purchase these features anyway. These paid features, as well as in-game advertisements, provide developers with considerable profit despite the fact that their games are free-to-play.

Mobile payments revolve around gaming

Newzoo notes that the United Kingdom boasts of the highest number of consumers willing to pay money on mobile games, whether they are free-to-play or not. The U.S. has seen the most growth in the number of mobile gamers there are and U.S. gamers tend to spend more time on their mobile devices, according to the report. The report also notes that approximately 66% of all money spent through a mobile device goes toward gaming.

Mobile games making a splash in Australia

| February 17, 2013

Mobile games AustraliaAustralian market sees shift due to mobile games

Mobile games have been having a major impact in Australia. The Interactive Games and Entertainment Association (iGEA), leading game industry group based in Australia, has announced that the country’s game industry reported more than $1.16 billion in retail sales last year. Much of these sales were in the realm of mobile games. While mobile games adding momentum to sales in the game industry may not be a surprise, the effect they are having on consoles may mark a major shift in the retail side of the game business.

Console sales on the decline

According to iGEA, the rise of mobile games is having a major impact on consoles. For nearly the entirety of the game industry’s existence, consumers have relied on consoles to play their favorite games. The advent of mobile technology changed that, however, giving consumers the ability to play games from a smart phone or tablet. These devices has made it more convenient for consumers to game, thereby leading them away from consoles and toward mobile games.

Mobile games expected to see promising growth this year

The iGEA notes that the rise of mobile games has lead to the decline of console sales in Australia. Consumers throughout the country are favoring mobile devices for gaming and digital purchases. Technology analysis firm Telsyte estimates the mobile games sphere to experience 18% growth in 2013, backed from $620 million revenue generated in this sector during 2012. The firm expects that the growing popularity of mobile games will continue to have an impact on console sales well into the future.

Next gen consoles poised to compete with mobile games

A new generation of gaming consoles is on its way. Both Sony and Microsoft have plans to introduce their respective next gen systems this year. Both systems have been hyped aggressively and are highly anticipated among consumers, but whether they will be able to overcome the challenges they are facing from mobile games has yet to be seen. Sony and Microsoft may have taken steps to ensure that their consoles appeal to mobile gamers as it is expected for next gen consoles to include mobile elements.