Mobile games are now the dominant revenue-generating platform in the gaming industry, according to a report by Newzoo. It found mobile games accounted for 51% of global gaming revenue in 2018, equating to $70.3bn in sales. The rising popularity of smartphones and tablets and the growing numbers of free-to-play games has contributed towards the growth. The increasing quality of mobile gaming graphics and game mechanics, as well as the on-the-go and casual nature of gaming on devices, have helped to attract both casual and hardcore gamers. The rise of augmented reality and virtual reality is expected to drive further growth and innovation in the mobile industry.
Mobile Games Outperform Traditional Platforms, Accounting for Majority of Sales
Introduction
Mobile games have overtaken traditional gaming platforms, such as consoles and PCs, to become the dominant revenue-generating platform in the gaming industry. According to a recent report by Newzoo, mobile games accounted for 51% of global gaming revenue in 2018, translating to $70.3 billion in sales.
The Rise of Mobile Gaming
Mobile gaming has experienced tremendous growth in recent years, thanks to the increasing popularity of smartphones and tablets. In addition, the ease of accessibility and the growing number of free-to-play games have contributed to the widespread adoption of mobile gaming.
Furthermore, the increasing quality of mobile game graphics and game mechanics has changed the perception of mobile games from “casual” games to “serious” games, attracting both casual and hardcore gamers.
The Fall of Traditional Platforms
The rise of mobile gaming has come at the expense of traditional platforms such as consoles and PCs. Consoles have struggled to compete with the accessibility, ease of use, and low cost of mobile gaming. In addition, the high cost of developing high-quality console games has made it difficult for developers to compete in the current gaming landscape.
PC gaming has also been losing ground to mobile gaming, with many PC gamers now opting for mobile games due to their on-the-go nature and the growing number of high-quality mobile games available.
The Future of Mobile Gaming
The outlook for mobile gaming looks bright, with experts predicting that the industry will continue to grow and expand into new markets. In particular, the rise of augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR) is expected to further drive growth and innovation in mobile gaming.
However, challenges such as device fragmentation, piracy, and the increasing cost of acquiring users and retaining players will need to be addressed to sustain the growth of the mobile gaming industry.
Conclusion
Mobile gaming has emerged as the dominant gaming platform, accounting for the majority of gaming revenue globally. The accessibility, low cost, and increasing quality of mobile games have contributed to the growth and popularity of mobile gaming. While there are challenges to be addressed, the future looks bright for mobile gaming, with the potential for further growth and innovation.