Tag: game industry

Mobile games gain ground with young consumers

| September 12, 2013

Young people play mobile games almost as much as console and PC games

A new report from the NPD Group, a market research firm, shows that those between the ages of 12 and 17 are playing mobile games as much as they are playing console and PC games. Mobile games may be extremely popular among young consumers because of the value they place on mobile technology. For many young adults, smartphones and tablets are more often considered a symbol of social status rather than a tool of convenience. This is why the demand for mobile technology is so high among young adults when compared to that coming from older consumers.

Report shows teens spend an average of 7 hours per week on mobile gaming

The report suggests that teens aged 12-17 will spend an average of seven hours every week playing mobile games. This is an increase from the five hours per week that the NPD Group had estimated in 2011. The report also notes that mobile games are not only popular among teens. Children as young as 8 years-old frequently play mobile games, even when in the classroom. Even young people that do not have their own smartphones or tablets still find ways to play mobile games, borrowing their friends’ devices or those of their parents.

Mobile Games - Young ConsumersMobile games can be played anywhere

Part of the appeal of mobile games is the fact that they can be played anywhere. This is one of the reasons why these games have become popular among adults, especially those that commute to work on a daily basis. Young adults tend to play mobile games at home, but they will also play these games at school. Indeed, this trend is becoming so prominent that many educators are beginning to look for ways to utilize the popularity of mobile games in order to drive academic progress.

Mobile may eventually win out over console and PC

While mobile games may be popular, teens tend to spend more time on console and PC games. Mobile gaming is expected to continue growing in popularity among young consumers, but it is unclear whether mobile games will replace those on consoles or PC in the foreseeable future. Currently, much of the game industry has begun to focus more aggressively on mobile platforms in order to take advantage of the popularity of mobile gaming.

Microsoft could help make mobile games safer for children

| September 5, 2013

Mobile games represent some risks for young consumers

As mobile devices become increasingly common among children, their exposure to mobile games is skyrocketing. This trend has not gone unnoticed by the game industry, of course, as many developers fashion games to specifically appeal to young consumers. While this practice is not often criticized, there are dangers that exist in the world of mobile gaming that could be considered to be exploitative to young children. In-game advertising is one such danger, as children often engage in ads that collect personal information from the users of mobile devices. In-game purchases are also another danger and it is not uncommon for children to spend significant amounts of their parent’s money while playing mobile games.

Patent outlines software system from Microsoft

The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office has made public a patent application from Microsoft that may help mitigate the dangers that face children in the realm of mobile games. The patent outlines a centralized system throughout which parents can monitor and restrict the activities of a mobile device. This could help parents keep their children from engaging in advertisements that collect personal information and keep these children from making frivolous purchases in their favorite mobile games.

mobile games safe for childrenSoftware could restrict features of nearly any mobile device

According to the patent, the software system can be set up on nearly any mobile device. The software will be able to monitor the activity of this mobile device and can alert parents when these devices are being used overnight or when a child visits a website that is considered off-limits. The software can also restrict the capabilities of a smartphone, allowing children to only call their parents or make use of emergency numbers. The system could also place major restrictions on the features of smartphones and tablets during school hours.

Lawmakers work to mitigate risks associated with mobile games

While mobile games are not malicious by nature, there are relatively few restrictions in place that are meant to protect the privacy of young consumers and limit the amount of money they can spend on these mobile games. In the U.S., federal lawmakers are working to improve security standards in order to ensure that mobile games do not exploit children and young adults.