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.
Mobile games have found success, perhaps at the expense of retailers
There can be no denying the utter success that mobile games have seen in recent years. The game industry has begun to shift to be more accommodating of mobile consumers, while many developers have made a name for themselves through an exclusive focus on mobile games. Even developers that have traditionally clung to console games have begun entering into the mobile space. While mobile games have solidified the success for many in the game industry, it may take a disastrous toll on the retail sector.
Analysis suggests that game retailers may face uncertain future
Games are not the only things that are changing in the game industry; the way people get their games is evolving as well. In the past, consumers would have to visit physical stores to pick up games that they had been looking forward to. With the advent of mobile technology, and an increasing focus on Internet business, these stores are beginning to see less traffic. With mobile games pushing to dominate the game industry, these stores may actually see closure, according to 24/7 Wall St., a market analysis and news group.
Gamestop experiences turbulence in game market
Gamestop, a U.S.-based game retailer, may fall victim to the success of mobile games and the changing game industry landscape. For several years, Gamestop has sold games to avid consumers and boasts of more than 4,400 stores throughout the U.S. The company has done very well in solidifying its position in the game industry through its various partnerships with game developers. Despite these partnerships, however, the retailer has been seeing less in-store traffic, though its Internet traffic has increased significantly over the past several years.
Retailer expected to close 500 stores in the future
In November of 2012, Gamestop announced that it would be closing 200 of its stores in 2013. Mobile games were cited as part of the reason behind the closing of these stores. The retailer is projected to close an additional 500 stores in the coming years due to the impact of mobile games and other elements within the game industry. The company’s gross profit for the third quarter of 2012 show that its three core product segments have been hit hard. These segments are new hardware, new software, and used products.
