Consumers prefer iOS over Android when it comes to mobile games
Mobile games are very popular for consumers all over the world. These games have become one of the most favored pastimes for those with iOS and Android devices and there are no signs that mobile games will become unpopular in the foreseeable future. Arbitron Mobile, a mobile behavior analytics firm, has released a new survey concerning which mobile platform consumers prefer for gaming. The survey shows that Apple devices are the most popular platforms for mobile games on the market.
iPhone has become a massively popular gaming platform
According to the survey, 85.7% of consumers prefer to use mobile games on an iOS device. Approximately 76% of consumers favor Android devices. The iPhone is the most popular device among gamers, accounting for an average of 12 hours and 23 minutes of engagement in mobile gaming in December 2012. Overall, mobile games take up the majority of time people spend on mobile devices, iOS or otherwise. Social networking comes in second, but consumers typically play mobile games through such networks.
Mobile games represent promising marketing opportunities
The popularity of mobile games presents a major opportunity for advertisers and game developers. Because the majority of the time consumers spend on their mobile devices is devoted to gaming, developers have a chance to push in-game sales of products and services. Developers can also sell in-game space to advertisers looking to engage mobile consumers. This is a common practice in the field of mobile games, as such games are typically free or very inexpensive. In-game transactions are, therefore, the primary way for developers to generate profits.
Game industry begins to veer toward Android
Though consumers appear to favor the iOS platform for mobile games, Android has been gaining momentum in this field for years. Consumers are becoming more interested in Android devices over those provided by Apple due to new features being introduced to the Android platform. The game industry has also shown favor for Android because of its accessibility, leading many developers to move away from the iOS.
Android mobile gaming may be set for a major paradigm shift
Android mobile gaming has been getting a great deal of attention over the past several months. The Android platform has long been popular in terms of mobile games, but the future of the platform may be decidedly more static. The impending launch of the Ouya and Nvidia’s Project Shield, both of which are stationary consoles based on the Android platform, may have a measurable impact on the Android’s position in the mobile gaming realm.
Android-based consoles equipped with advanced technology
Mobile gaming on the Android has been evolving for several years. While there are still significant gaps between the Android and traditional game consoles, the Android platform has become more capable of supporting advanced games due to the expanding capabilities of new technology. The Nvidia’s Tegra 3 processor, for example, allows the Android to support games that have features that had traditionally been exclusive to consoles. With the coming of Android-based consoles, however, the platform may see its mobile gaming pedigree marred.
Developers may favor consoles over mobile platforms
The Ouya and Project Shield will boast of more advanced technology than what can be found on the most modern Android mobile devices. These consoles will be able to play games that will be a significant step above the capacity of mobile devices, despite being based on the same platform. Thus, game developers will have more freedom in the types of games they can produce for the platform, which may end up leaving Android mobile devices behind in terms of mobile gaming.
Mobile gaming may still thrive despite challenges in the future
Despite the possible risks associated with upcoming Android-based consoles, Android mobile devices are still likely to be popular platforms for mobile gaming. Because the upcoming consoles are significantly less mobile than a smart phone or tablet, gamers may not be inclined to acquire mobile titles for these consoles. Android mobile devices will eventually catch up to the capabilities of their console counterparts, but this may take several months, if not years. Moreover, consumers will likely have to purchase an entirely new device that features this advanced technology, whereas they could purchase a console and not have to worry about making another investment for several years.
