Tag: game industry news

Mobile games prove lucrative for Microsoft

| May 23, 2013

Microsoft sees promise in mobile games

Mobile games have become a very prominent part of the game industry. Developers and publishers around the world are beginning to put a great deal of their focus on the mobile space, hopping to tap into a very active and lucrative market. While consoles remain a powerful force in the game industry, mobile games are beginning to establish a strong foothold among gamers, both casual and hardcore alike. For Microsoft, mobile platforms are beginning to represent a significant portion of the company’s revenue.

15% of revenue generated from mobile games

Microsoft has long been a formidable force in the game industry. Not only is the company responsible for the Windows operating system, which is the most popular platform for computer games, it is also responsible for the acclaimed Xbox consoles. Rumors suggest that Microsoft is planning to unveil its next generation Xbox in the coming weeks, but the console is not likely to derail the attraction of the mobile space, especially as the company reports that 15% of its revenue is coming from mobile games.

Microsoft likely to remain focused on consoles and PCLucrative Microsoft Mobile Games

According to Microsoft, mobile games on smartphones and tablets generate some $10 billion annually for the company. The performance of mobile games has been enough to pull Microsoft’s attention further into the mobile space, but the company will not be abandoning its place in console gaming. The company still considers consoles to be the most lucrative market for games, especially as consoles represent 42% of the company’s revenue. PC revenue comes in at $12 billion, which is likely enough to keep Microsoft strongly focused on PC gaming as well.

Competition in mobile space is heating up

Microsoft plans to push forward with its mobile games. The company is expected to face significant competition from other game industry giants, like Sony and Nintendo, which are also showing interest in mobile games. Even small, independent development studios could begin competing with Microsoft due to the nature of mobile games and the favor that consumers show for developers.

Google+ Games to shut down in favor of mobile games

| May 22, 2013

Google+ shuts down in favor of mobile gamesGoogle has high hopes for mobile games

Google has been making some major announcements recently concerning its various online ventures. Last week, the company announced its intentions in the social gaming space. Google has been seeing a great deal of promise in the game industry and has adopted a focus on mobile games, which have become one of the most lucrative sectors in gaming today. Google has plans to make mobile games more social, but not to tether these games to any particular website or online space.

Google+ Games will close at the end of June

In order to keep mobile games mobile, Google has announced that it will be shutting down its Google+ Games service at the end of June this year. Google+ Games served as a platform for social games in the same way that Facebook has done for years. The platform supports games like Angry Birds, CityVille, and Triple Town, as well as various others. The platform does not align with the company’s vision of mobile games, however, and Google will be focusing its efforts on other ventures.

Developers may return unused funds in games to consumers

Those interested in continuing to play the games that were available through Google+ Games will have to contact that game’s developer. According to Google, the funds that consumers spend on these games will also be an issue that must be handled with developers. Some games will be migrating to other platforms, where unused funds will be honored by the development team. Those that will not be migrating may be inclined to returned unused funds, but there is no guarantee that this will be the case with all developers.

Google Play may draw more people to Google+

With Google+ Games coming to a close, Google is likely to put most of its attention on its Google Play service. This service is being designed specifically for mobile games and is meant to introduce social elements into this space. Google expects that this new service will help boost the adoption of its own social network, which continues to struggle to find a foothold against social networking titans like Facebook and Twitter.