Denny |
September 20, 2013
Chinese mobile games market sees impressive growth
ResearchInChina, a market research firm focused on the Chinese market, has released a new report highlighting the growth of the mobile gaming industry in China. The report shows that mobile games have experienced tremendous growth throughout the country in 2012 and 2013. This growth is expected to carry well into 2016, especially as new opportunities emerge and small development studios are acquired by their larger counterparts. Growth in the mobile gaming sector is also expected to be enhanced by the increasing availability of smartphones and tablets.
Report highlights the growth of a prominent sector
According to the report, development of mobile games began gaining significant momentum in China during the last quarter of 2012. By early 2013, the mobile games market reached 135% year-on-year growth. Consumers have expressed a great deal of interest in mobile games, favoring their convenience and simplistic nature. While many mobile games are available for free or at a low price, in-game purchases have helped these games become very lucrative for their developers.
Mergers and acquisitions are becoming common in mobile games sector
The massive growth of the mobile gaming market has meant a major increase in revenue for many developers. Large companies have been making enough money to acquire smaller studios. Mergers have become very common in the mobile games sectors as several small studios look to establish a formidable presence in the market. The success of mobile games has also encouraged companies that do not traditional engage in gaming to try their hand at developing new kinds of games for consumers.
Increasing availability of technology exposes more consumers to gaming
Mobile games are expected to continue growing in popularity for the foreseeable future. China has become one of the most attractive markets for these games, partly due to the rapid adoption of mobile technology. As smartphones and tablets become more available, more consumers are being exposed to mobile games and other forms of entertainment. These consumers have shown a penchant for playing many kinds of mobile games and are enthusiastic when new titles are released.
Mobile games are coming to the TV with the help of Sony
Acclaimed Japanese technology giant Sony has taken a bold step in the game industry by unveiling its new PS Vita TV, a small but powerful console based on the company’s modestly popular Playstation Vita. Unlike its handheld counterpart, the PS Vita TV does not feature a screen or any sort of controls. Instead, the console allows users to play games exclusive to the Vita on their televisions, without actually having to own a Vita console. This could set Sony up to compete with others that have been showing a strong interest in mobile games.
Game industry continues showing support for mobile titles
While mobile games are often played by consumers on the move, the vast majority of people playing these games do so from home. Smartphones and tablets are preferred platforms for many, but other handheld devices, such as the Playstation Vita and the Nintendo 3DS, have become a staple among gamers interested in portability. Recently, several game companies have been looking to take advantage of the popularity of mobile games by creating consoles that allow consumers to play these games on a bigger screen and with better controls. The Ouya is one of the most recent, as well as most criticized, console to attempt to accomplish this.
PS Vita TV to make Vita games more accessible
PS Vita TV will support all Vita games and will cost approximately $100 for the standard edition. While there are not many Vita games available today when compared to games exclusive to its handheld counterparts, these games typically receive high praise from the game industry and avid gamers. There are many developers interested in mobile games that are looking to bring new titles to the Vita as well and these future games will also be supported by PS Vita TV.
Mobile games continue to gain favor with consumers
When many people think of mobile games, they usually get the idea of gaming applications played on smartphones and tablets. Mobile games were common on handheld consoles long before smartphones were invented, however, and mobile gaming has evolved aggressively over the past decade. Today, consumers have become very comfortable with the concept of mobile gaming, which has encouraged the game industry to attribute more attention to this sector in recent years.
