Game industry continues to shift to accommodate mobile games
It is no secret that mobile games have become much more than a simple novelty or passing fad. With the number of consumers with mobile devices growing, these games have become an integral part to the entertainment that many people experience all over the world. Mobile games now represent one of the most lucrative sectors of the game industry, and the allure of these games have caused even decades old development companies, many of whom have long been devoted to consoles, to embrace the mobile space eagerly. The growth of mobile games has yet to show any serious signs of slowing down, which may make mobile the most popular gaming platform in the near future.
Report predicts the future of mobile gaming
Juniper Research, a leading market research firm, has released a new report concerning the emerging trends being seeing in mobile games. According to the firm, consumers will spend more than $3 billion on mobile games in 2016 worldwide. The firm notes that $301 million was spent on these games in 2012, showing that mobile games are growing at a very rapid pace. Juniper Research suggests that the mobile platform will grow ten times larger in terms of sales by the end of 2016.
Tablets expected to be device of choice for gamers
The report notes that the Far East, China, and North American markets will account for 86% of all mobile games spending in 2016. Tablets will be the preferred platform that consumers use to play games as they are beginning to be built with hardware dedicated to gaming. More games are also being designed with tablets in mind, especially those of the free-to-play model, which have already proven significantly popular among consumers.
Firm anticipates mobile to dominate gaming
Juniper Research claims that mobile will be the primary form of gaming in the future. The firm anticipates that consumers will begin moving away from traditional consoles in droves due to the entertainment that can be had through mobile games. There is, however, a new generation of consoles expected to be launched this year, which may be able to ensnare the interests of gamers once again.
Mobile games establishing a formidable presence
Consumers are expected to spend more money on mobile games than those on traditional handheld systems by the end of 2013, according to forecasts from the International Data Corporation (IDC). The research firm has tracked the sales of handheld games for some time, finding the market somewhat volatile and relatively devoid of consumer interest. Even Nintendo, which has long reigned in the realm of handheld gaming, has been seeing lackluster sales for its 3DS platform. Mobile games seem to be replacing traditional handheld gaming as smartphones and tablets become more technologically advanced.
IDC predicts decline in handheld sales through 2017
The IDC anticipates that sales for the Nintendo 3DS and the Sony PS Vita will fall by 7% year-on-year through 2017. Mobile games are expected to pick up the slack due to their rampant popularity and the widespread availability of free-to-play titles. The IDC notes that handheld games will still be able to produce higher levels of revenue, however, due to the fact that many mobile games are either free or available at a very low price. This advantage is considered modest due to the fact that most mobile games have in-app purchases and advertisements, which account for the majority of the revenue generated by these games.
Android expected to become ideal platform for mobile games
Android is considered to be the most promising platform in the mobile games sector, according to the IDC. The firm notes that the Android platform is somewhat fragmented, making it difficult for game developers to find traction through the platform the same way they can find success with the iOS platform. Nonetheless, Android has been growing to become more intuitive and accommodating to the gaming environment. So much so that the IDC expects Android to beat out all other platforms in the mobile games field in the near future.
Free-to-play model continues to grow
Free-to-play mobile games will likely be the key to dominance over handheld games. The IDC predicts that the game industry will become more adept in fashioning free-to-play business models that allow consumers to enjoy mobile games for free while also offering valuable services for a fee. Consumers remain somewhat dubious concerning in-app purchases, often called microtransactions, but the IDC anticipates that consumers will grow more accommodating as this business model becomes the norm for the game industry.
