Tag: uk mobile games

Mobile games may herald the demise of handheld devices

| September 30, 2013

Sony and Nintendo show concern over mobile games

The growing popularity of mobile games has been a good trend for developers around the world, many of whom had struggled for years to turn their passion into a lucrative career. While these games have become one of the most promising sectors of the global game industry, the popularity of mobile games may be causing some problems for two of the industry’s titans. Both Sony and Nintendo are beginning to show concern that games for iOS and Android devices are becoming more successful than those for handheld devices, such as the Playstation Vita and Nintento 3DS.

Mobile games are making four times the revenue as games for handheld devices

A recent report from research firms IDC and App Annie shows that games for iOS and Android platforms make four times the revenue when compared to games for Sony and Nintendo handheld devices. The vast majority of these mobile games encourage consumers to spend money by offering additional content, some of which can only be unlocked through the use of digital currencies, which can be bought at any time. Typically, games for Sony and Nintendo devices do not focus on micro-transactions and in-game purchases, which may be a missed opportunity considering the lucrative nature of mobile gaming.

Mobile Games - Handheld games lose groundUK consumers show a strong love for mobile gaming

A similar study from research firm comScore shows that more than 20 million consumers in the United Kingdom alone play mobile games every month. It is estimated that British consumers have spent an average of $400 million on mobile gaming this year alone. Many people are beginning to favor their smartphones and tablets for gaming, abandoning other handheld gaming devices that had once held their attention. This could be a problematic issue for both Sony and Nintendo, as both companies have a strong focus on promoting their handheld devices.

Publishers are flocking to the mobile sector

A growing number of influential publishers are beginning to take the mobile space more seriously. Companies like Electronic Arts and Activision are looking to take advantage of the growing popularity of mobile games, publishing a wide variety of titles that are exclusive to smartphones and tablets. Both Sony and Nintendo have expressed interest in the mobile sector, but the companies may soon be forced to embrace mobile gaming lest they be left behind by the changing interests of consumers.

Mobile games gain popularity among UK consumers

| August 9, 2013

Report shows that UK consumers are flocking to mobile games

Leading market research firm comScore has released a new report concerning mobile games and their popularity among consumers in the United Kingdom. The report shows that the number of people that play mobile games on a daily basis has almost doubled since January 2011. Mobile games are becoming quite popular among consumers as the ownership of smartphones and tablets grows and many people are playing these games while commuting or while waiting in lines or for appointments.

Majority of gamers play from home

The report shows that gaming is quickly becoming the most popular pastime among UK consumers with smartphones. While the portability of mobile games has been an attractive feature to many consumers, the report shows that 64% of consumers play these games from their homes, with only 33% of consumers play mobile games while commuting. Not only are mobile games establishing a strong presence among consumers, people have shown a strong interest in spending money on these games.

UK Mobile Games PopularityIn-game purchases are growing

The comScore report shows that 2.2 million consumers have made in-game purchases. The majority of these purchases came from iOS devices, with 28% of purchases coming from Android devices. Free mobile games are the most popular among consumers, but these games typically include in-game purchases that can unlock additional content or make the game somewhat easier to play.

Consumers becoming more comfortable with spending money on mobile games

While free mobile games are currently very popular among consumers, this may not be the case in the future. Collectively, UK consumers have spent more than $400 million on mobile games. This amount is expected to increase over the coming years. This may be due to a prevailing concept among consumers that free games are lower quality than those that are associated with a fee. More consumers are showing willingness to play for mobile games