Tag: activision

Mobile games may herald the demise of handheld devices

| September 30, 2013

Sony and Nintendo show concern over mobile games

The growing popularity of mobile games has been a good trend for developers around the world, many of whom had struggled for years to turn their passion into a lucrative career. While these games have become one of the most promising sectors of the global game industry, the popularity of mobile games may be causing some problems for two of the industry’s titans. Both Sony and Nintendo are beginning to show concern that games for iOS and Android devices are becoming more successful than those for handheld devices, such as the Playstation Vita and Nintento 3DS.

Mobile games are making four times the revenue as games for handheld devices

A recent report from research firms IDC and App Annie shows that games for iOS and Android platforms make four times the revenue when compared to games for Sony and Nintendo handheld devices. The vast majority of these mobile games encourage consumers to spend money by offering additional content, some of which can only be unlocked through the use of digital currencies, which can be bought at any time. Typically, games for Sony and Nintendo devices do not focus on micro-transactions and in-game purchases, which may be a missed opportunity considering the lucrative nature of mobile gaming.

Mobile Games - Handheld games lose groundUK consumers show a strong love for mobile gaming

A similar study from research firm comScore shows that more than 20 million consumers in the United Kingdom alone play mobile games every month. It is estimated that British consumers have spent an average of $400 million on mobile gaming this year alone. Many people are beginning to favor their smartphones and tablets for gaming, abandoning other handheld gaming devices that had once held their attention. This could be a problematic issue for both Sony and Nintendo, as both companies have a strong focus on promoting their handheld devices.

Publishers are flocking to the mobile sector

A growing number of influential publishers are beginning to take the mobile space more seriously. Companies like Electronic Arts and Activision are looking to take advantage of the growing popularity of mobile games, publishing a wide variety of titles that are exclusive to smartphones and tablets. Both Sony and Nintendo have expressed interest in the mobile sector, but the companies may soon be forced to embrace mobile gaming lest they be left behind by the changing interests of consumers.

Mobile games may be the doom of consoles

| May 14, 2013

Mobile games doom of consolesMobile games have caused a shift in the game industry

The game industry is beginning to shift and that has one of the largest game publishers in the world somewhat worried. Activision, which is second only to Nintendo in terms of revenue, has taken note of the stunning rise of mobile games. These games have proven to be rampantly popular with consumers of all ages and have become a very lucrative sector for the game industry as a whole. Normally, this would not be a problem as more people playing games could be considered a boon for the industry. What has Activision worried, however, is that mobile games may soon cut into the console market.

Activision foresees turbulence ahead

Activision CEO Bobby Kotick has been expressing his concerns regarding the console market recently. Consoles are currently trapped in a state of limbo, lingering between old technologies and the emergence of next generation consoles that have yet to hit the market. The current console generation has been successful for the game industry, but many believe that it has lingered too long, creating stagnation in the market and causing consumer interest to evaporate. This problem is being exacerbated by mobile games.

Mobile games expected to cut into console market share

According to Kotick, mobile games are beginning to become a serious issue for the console market. iPhones and Android devices are becoming much more popular and available to consumers. These devices are often used to play games and most of these games can be acquired for free or at a very low price, unlike console titles that typically cost $50 or more. Because of the price and convenience associated with mobile games, Kotick believes that more gamers may soon be inclined to play on mobile devices rather than actual consoles, especially as next generation consoles are expected to come at a high cost to the consumer.

Nintendo takes note of popularity of mobile games as well

Kotick has been using Nintendo’s Wii U as an example of the turbulence next generation consoles are likely to see. The Wii U is the first of this new generation, but has performed poorly in the global market. Nintendo recently acknowledged the lackluster performance of the Wii U and has been considering a foray into bring mobile games to the console in order to make it more appealing to modern gamers around the world.