Tag: game industry

Mobile games may soon dethrone consoles

| April 18, 2013

Mobile GamesMobile games are beginning to hold sway over the game industry as a whole

The game industry is currently experience a monumental shift as a new generation of consumers and technology enter into prominent markets around the world. For the past several decades, the game industry has been solely focused on console platforms, as well as PCs. The advent of mobile technology changed that focus, however, especially as advanced smartphones and tablets became extremely popular. Mobile games have quickly become one of the most lucrative aspects of the game industry, which has encouraged developers to swarm to the mobile space in order to take advantage of this popularity.

Developers beginning to swarm the mobile space

A few short years ago, mobile games were considered little more than novelty. They have, however, become one of the most successful fields in the game industry. Consumers around the world have shown that they are exceedingly interested in mobile games of all types, sinking hours upon hours of their times into games like Angry Birds and Temple Run. As these games find more and more traction among consumers, a growing number of developers are breaking away from publishers in order to establish their independent pedigree, much to the delight of consumers.

Consoles may be in for a tough fight

As developers find more success with mobile games, they are beginning to hold more power over the game industry. The industry has long been dominated by consoles, such as the Playstation and Xbox, but mobile devices are threatening to dethrone these platforms. A new generation of consoles is expected to be released sometime this year by Sony and Microsoft, but whether these platforms will be able to compete with mobile games has yet to be seen. ABI Research, a leading market research firm, suggests that competition with mobile games may be fierce.

Research firm suggests that mobile games are cutting into console opportunities with casual gamers

According to ABI Research, mobile games have diminished the opportunities available to consoles in the casual gaming market. Mobile games have introduced consumers to a new business model, wherein they can get the games they are interested in for free or for a very small fee. In general, mobile games that do cost money are $5 to purchase, at their most expensive. The vast majority of these games, however, are free. Many of these games do have in-app purchases that are, at times, somewhat controversial with some consumers, but these have not diminished the appeal of mobile games in any significant manner.

Mobile games with “freemium” model are the future, according to EA

| April 5, 2013

EA Mobile Games FutureEA continues to become more enthusiastic toward mobile games

Electronic Arts is one of the most powerful companies in the game industry, so when it starts putting more focus on mobile games, it is not doing so arbitrarily. Mobile games are quickly becoming the most popular product that the game industry has to offer. These games are enjoyed by millions of mobile consumers around the world, many of whom are more than happy to put their own money into these games to unlock new features are purchase virtual currencies. Electronic Arts has been growing more vocal on the issue of mobile games as consumers begin to become more critical of the company’s entry into this sector.

Freemium model enjoyed by most consumers

According to EA, the vast majority of people that play mobile games prefer the free-to-play, often called “freemium,” business model. Through this model, consumers can obtain and play mobile games free of charge. This allows games to circulate among a larger audience, potentially acquiring more fans and exposing more people to in-game advertisements, which generate revenue for both the game’s developer and the game’s publisher. Many of the features of these games could be locked, however, with players having to pay to access such features. This particular practice has been criticized by many gamers as greedy and dubious.

In-app purchases are widely supported

EA notes that consumers are enthusiastic about in-app purchases because the can choose how they want to experience the game they are playing. Some purchases involve power-ups that can significantly decrease the time investment requires to complete mobile games. These allow players to enjoy games at a pace that is more accommodating to their tastes. Moreover, in-app purchases are the ideal way for mobile games to generate revenue for their developers. EA suggests that traditional games that require an upfront purchase in order to play typically generate less revenue and are considered, on the business side, outdated.

Freemium is the most popular model among independent developers

While a large portion of gamers enjoy mobile games, many suggest that EA’s insistence on the freemium model is a prime example of corporate greed ruining the game industry. Developers, however, are the primary parties responsible for this business model. Independent developers, those that release games without the backing of publishers like EA, rely heavily on this model in order to remain in business, as the freemium model is the best way for these developers to generate profits from their mobile games.