Denny |
February 17, 2013
Australian market sees shift due to mobile games
Mobile games have been having a major impact in Australia. The Interactive Games and Entertainment Association (iGEA), leading game industry group based in Australia, has announced that the country’s game industry reported more than $1.16 billion in retail sales last year. Much of these sales were in the realm of mobile games. While mobile games adding momentum to sales in the game industry may not be a surprise, the effect they are having on consoles may mark a major shift in the retail side of the game business.
Console sales on the decline
According to iGEA, the rise of mobile games is having a major impact on consoles. For nearly the entirety of the game industry’s existence, consumers have relied on consoles to play their favorite games. The advent of mobile technology changed that, however, giving consumers the ability to play games from a smart phone or tablet. These devices has made it more convenient for consumers to game, thereby leading them away from consoles and toward mobile games.
Mobile games expected to see promising growth this year
The iGEA notes that the rise of mobile games has lead to the decline of console sales in Australia. Consumers throughout the country are favoring mobile devices for gaming and digital purchases. Technology analysis firm Telsyte estimates the mobile games sphere to experience 18% growth in 2013, backed from $620 million revenue generated in this sector during 2012. The firm expects that the growing popularity of mobile games will continue to have an impact on console sales well into the future.
Next gen consoles poised to compete with mobile games
A new generation of gaming consoles is on its way. Both Sony and Microsoft have plans to introduce their respective next gen systems this year. Both systems have been hyped aggressively and are highly anticipated among consumers, but whether they will be able to overcome the challenges they are facing from mobile games has yet to be seen. Sony and Microsoft may have taken steps to ensure that their consoles appeal to mobile gamers as it is expected for next gen consoles to include mobile elements.
MasterCard sees promising growth in mobile commerce ventures
Financial giant MasterCard has announced promising growth for its mobile payment platform known as PayPass. The company reports that the platform has seen the most aggressive growth in Asia, the Middle East, and Africa, with 28% expansion in this markets during 2012. This growth is being attributed to the popularity that has begun to surround mobile commerce, as well as the proliferation of mobile devices throughout these markets. As more consumers get their hands on smart phones and tablets, MasterCard claims that the demand for mobile commerce rises.
PayPass becoming more popular among businesses and consumers
According to MasterCard, the PayPass platform now boasts of more than 700,000 merchants in 51 countries around the world. The company suggests that the growth of this platform is most rapid in markets where consumers are eager for a convenient alternative to traditional currency. Mobile commerce offers such an alternative as all transactions made through a mobile device involve digital currency rather than physical currency. Consumers have shown a strong interest in using their financial information to make purchases for everyday products from their mobile devices.
Favorable markets see rising demand for mobile commerce services
South Africa, Australia, South Korea, and Singapore are among the strongest markets for the PayPass currently. These countries have shown strong support for mobile commerce and mobile device penetration in these markets is gaining strong momentum. MasterCard has established strong partnerships with other financial service companies in these countries to further solidify its position in their blossoming mobile commerce sectors. This year, the company expects to see further growth in these markets as it introduces new mobile commerce services through PayPass.
Innovation may secure future of PayPass
Innovation will be the key to further growth and MasterCard has plans to introduce better services and features to the platform that will make it more attractive to consumers. PayPass is currently involved in a variety of trial projects throughout the world that are designed to get consumers comfortable with the idea of mobile commerce. Many of these trials have proven successful, but consumers are beginning to demand better services from PayPass that are already being introduced by MasterCard’s competitors.
