Tag: mobile gaming industry

Mobile gaming may benefit from emerging trends

| January 3, 2013

Mobile Gaming Trends

The past year has seen many highs and lows for the game industry and its various companies

The advent of mobile gaming has had a significant impact on the industry as a whole and has helped spawn trends that are likely to dictate the course of the game industry into the future. With more consumers showing favor for mobile gaming over traditional channels, encouraging developers to focus more on mobile platforms and incorporate new business methods that defy tradition.

Research highlights the prospects of mobile gaming

According to research from Gartner, more than 821 million smart phones and tablets were sold in the U.S. throughout 2012. As the penetration of mobile devices increased, so too did the focus on mobile games. Rovio, developers of the popular Angry Birds franchise, is one of the prime examples of the success that can be found in the mobile gaming space. The developer’s success has encouraged several other development studios to enter into the mobile space. Gartner research suggests that 44% of mobile consumers participate in mobile gaming, creating a significant incentive for game developers to target this audience.

Developers turning to corwdfunding

Crowdfunding is also becoming a popular trend in the game industry, especially where mobile gaming is concerned. Platforms like Kickstarter and IndieGoGo have paved the way for game development studios to tap directly into consumers for financial support. Several developers have used this to great success. Crowdfunding is expected to help provide the mobile gaming space with more momentum into 2013, especially as larger development studios begin making use of such platforms to fund ambitious mobile games.

Problems persist for game industry as a whole

Though the mobile gaming market represents significant opportunities, economic turmoil continues to cause problems throughout the game industry. Recently, major developer THQ filed for bankruptcy after a long period of financial trouble. Larger companies, such as Blizzard Entertainment, Sega, and Electronic Arts, have also reported layoffs in recent months. While many of these setbacks are expected to be rectified in the coming year, the industry is still likely to experience turmoil to some degree in 2013.

Mobile gaming to make a bigger splash in 2013

| January 2, 2013

Mobile Gaming SplashTheo Sanders provides some insight on the industry and mobile gaming

The advent of mobile gaming has caused quite a stir in the game industry. As 2012 comes to a close, the industry has begun gearing for a new year of possibilities, with many developers adopting a strong focus on mobile gaming. Recently, SPOnG, a gaming news source, interviewed Theo Sanders, Lead Producer for Ubisoft Singapore. Through the interview, Sanders provided some insight on how the game industry views mobile gaming and what the future may hold for mobile platforms.

Developers begin to show serious focus on mobile platforms

Though mobile gaming now represents a massive market, the sector itself is still relatively new to the game industry. Large development studios have long held focus on traditional platforms, such as PCs and consoles. These developers have adhered to these platforms for decades, only recently beginning to show interest in the mobile gaming space. Sanders suggests that many major game developers are still unfamiliar with mobile platforms and that 2013 may be the year in which gamers see their favorite developers begin pushing their own boundaries and producing higher quality mobile games.

Mobile gaming helps keep game industry solvent

Sanders suggests that game developers are likely to produce some quality products despite the economic problems they face. Over the past year, the game industry has performed well in comparison to other industries. Mobile games helped keep the industry solvent. While most mobile gaming applications cost between $1 and $3 — with many more being completely free — sales volumes have been sky high. The financial clout of the mobile gaming market has helped propel the game industry through turbulent economic waters.

2013 may be a major year for mobile games

Mobile gaming is expected to pick up more momentum in 2013. Next year, consumers will have access to more advanced mobile devices that will allow them to play a wider range of games. The mobile game market will not likely have a shortage of new content any time soon, so consumers will likely have more than enough to keep themselves occupied well into the future.