Author: BWild

Mobile games are becoming the heart of the game industry

| March 30, 2013

Mobile Games Heart of Game IndustryDevelopers becoming increasingly enthralled by mobile games

The game industry is currently on the verge of reaching its next generation; an era of powerful consoles equipped with cutting edge hardware. The companies behind this next generation of gaming, primarily Sony and Microsoft, are putting emphasis on the capabilities of new consoles, suggesting that they will be able to power games that provide a new level of entertainment and engagement was not possible until now. This new generation of consoles has, however, failed to hype consumers, many of whom are enthralled in the world of mobile games.

Developers are breaking away from publishers

In the past, a new generation of consoles typically meant a great deal of enthusiasm from developers. Developers have, traditionally, been focused primarily on these consoles, which served as the platform for the games they created. Over the past few years, however, smartphones and tablets have begun to replace consoles among consumers. These mobile devices have enabled a wider range of people to participate in mobile games, which have come to dominate the game industry itself. The popularity of mobile games has also lead to developers embracing mobile platforms over consoles.

Indie developers enjoy immaculate position among consumers

Today, many developers consider themselves “independent,” a term that suggests they have no ties with game publishers. The label of “indie” developer has earned several studios high praise among consumers, largely due to the concept that publishers are an inappropriate evil that is ruining the game industry as a whole. The advent of mobile games has shown that developers of all sized can find success in the industry without the backing of a large publisher. Indie ventures are often considered, among consumers, to be the purest form of game development. For developers, mobile games symbolize a way to present new ideas, but also a way to generate a great deal of profit.

Financial prospects of mobile games is not ignore by indie developers

As more developers break away from publishers and begin to focus on mobile games, console makers, like Sony, are attempting to encourage these developers to bring their games to the next generation of consoles. Sony’s Playstation 4, for example, is opening its proverbial doors to these developers, offering them tools and incentives to ensure that their games can run on this console. Many developers, however, have become irreversibly enthralled in the prospects of mobile games, and not just because of the creative opportunities that can be found therein. In-app purchases and advertising have made these games a lucrative venture that has turned a few innovative studios into multi-million dollar enterprises. Developers, large or small, are not blind to the financial implications of successful mobile games.

Mobile payments reach new heights for Starbucks

| March 28, 2013

Starbucks Mobile PaymentsStarbucks reports spike in mobile payments

Over the past two years, Starbucks has been slowly increasing its mobile presence. The company has seen a marked increase in mobile traffic as more consumers begin to visit its website from mobile devices, but a relatively new trend shows that consumers are becoming more inclined to pay for purchases using their smartphones and tablets. Starbucks has reported a sharp increase in mobile payments over the past year, claiming that the company has reached a major milestone in the realm of mobile commerce.

Company continues to focus on mobile sector

According to Starbucks, more than three million mobile payments are made for the company’s products every week in the U.S. The company suggests that mobile payments are so popular with consumers because they represent a more convenient way to pay for goods. Many consumers that frequent Starbucks have mobile devices of some kind, making them more apt to make a payment using their smartphone or tablet. Starbucks suggests that doing so may be a matter of prestige, as mobile payments are considered somewhat exclusive due to the lack of comprehensive mobile commerce services in several industries.

New global initiative expected to be launched by Starbucks

Backed by the strong growth of mobile commerce, Starbucks has announced plans to launch a new cross-channel, multi-brand loyalty initiative that will cover the globe. The initiative is meant to highlight the social aspects of Starbucks and provide more value to business partnerships around the world. Mobile payments are expected to play some role in the initiative as Starbucks looks to promote mobile commerce outside of the U.S.

US is not only country where mobile payments are gaining momentum

While Starbucks has seen major growth in mobile payments in its home country, the U.S. is not the only place where mobile commerce is taking off. The United Kingdom and Asian Pacific markets are home to aggressive growth in the mobile commerce sector. This growth is largely due to a growing population that can afford smartphones and tablets as well as the introduction of easy-to-use mobile commerce services in several countries.