You could argue that gaming still doesn’t quite get the respect that it deserves. The industry is worth more than Hollywood and the music industry combined, games have cinema-worthy storylines and soundtracks, and there is an exceptionally diverse range of playing experiences available. And yet, video games aren’t yet as respected as much as other mediums. You imagine that’s slowly changing, however. For one thing, gaming is becoming too big to ignore.
In recent years, it hasn’t been “regular” video games that have ballooned in popularity. It has been mobile gaming, which offers a level of experience that other gaming types cannot provide. So, what’s behind the massive drive in popularity for mobile gaming? Let’s take a look at some of the key reasons.
Better Technology
If you want a glimpse of how fast humans can progress within ten years, just take a look at the games that were available to play on mobile in 2012 and the games available to play on mobile in 2022. Back then, it wasn’t so much a lack of creativity that produced poor games but a lack of technology. The early iPhones were more a symbol of hope rather than something tangibly awesome. Now, smartphones really are exceptional devices, and that means you can find brilliant games in stunning quality. It’s no wonder people are drawn to the game offerings on the app stores. Technology advances have ensured that they’re extremely high quality.
A Variety of Games
Mobile gaming couldn’t have become the juggernaut that it is, (estimated value: $139 billion), if only a limited number of games were available. Today, smartphone owners can enjoy a wide range of titles on their devices. Indeed, in many ways, the range of games is almost as wide as it is on desktop and video game consoles. You can play sports games like FIFA and Madden; you can play poker and other card games at a virtual casino on mobile; and you can play MMO games such as Forge of Empires. These games aren’t a diminished version of the real thing, they’re just different, and that’s a testament to the rapid development of mobile gaming technology.
More Smartphone Owners
There was a pretty big reason why mobile gaming could not have taken over the world in, say, 2016: most of the world did not have a smartphone. Back then, only 49% of the global population had such a device. Today, nearly 84% of the population has a smartphone. That’s remarkable in itself. From a mobile gaming perspective, it all makes sense — the more people that can play your game, the greater the number that will play. It’s all about audience size. Today, there’s a sizable smartphone audience, which aligns perfectly with the increase in the quality of the games themselves. And this audience is only expected to grow in years to come.
A Different Experience
Mobile gaming used to sit in the shadow of more credible and better-respected gaming consoles, such as the PlayStation and Xbox. But today, mobile gaming doesn’t offer an inferior experience; it offers a different experience. You can’t play your PlayStation on your way to work. You wouldn’t load up your Xbox if you just wanted to play a game for five minutes. Mobile gaming fills the gap that more traditional gaming consoles cannot fill.
Final Thoughts
The mobile gaming industry has gone through its learning curve. It has ironed out the kinks. Now, with plenty of income to play with, we can expect the mobile gaming industry to enjoy the fruits of its positive feedback loop. After all, the money, the technology, and the audience are all there.
