Tag: mobile games news

Mobile games help UK industry find success

| April 4, 2013

Mobile Games UK ReportReport highlights importance of mobile games in UK game industry

The United Kingdom may soon serve as a strong example of what the future of the game industry will look like in the coming years. TIGA, a UK trade association representing the game industry, has released a new report highlighting the various aspects of the UK game sector. The report shows that much of the market is comprised of independent developers that have a strong focus on mobile games rather than traditional console games. Many of these developers believe that mobile games are undoubtedly the future of gaming.

A focus on mobile helps several studios find success

The report, which is titled “Making Games in the UK Today: A Census of the UK Developer and Digital Publishing Sector,” shows that more than half of the development studios in the country were founded only four years ago. Despite the relative youth that these companies have when compared to others in the game industry, they now account for 60% of the UK market. These independent studios account for 83% of the independent games that were released in the UK between 2011 and 2012, many of which were mobile games.

Mobile games are gaining traction throughout the market

The report shows that approximately 37% of all studios in the United Kingdom are making mobile games currently, this is up from the 19% that were focused on mobile development in 2010. Several of these development studios are focused exclusively on mobile games, forsaking console games entirely. This may be due to the fact that mobile games are typically less expensive to develop than their console counterparts. Mobile games also offer promising profit opportunities for developers that are not generally seen on other platforms.

Independent developers still face significant challenges

TIGA notes that the UK game sector is young, independent, and highly focused on the mobile space. Strong smartphone and tablet sales have helped encourage developers to focus more heavily on mobile games. Despite the strong performance these studios have seen over the years, TIGA notes that many face significant financial challenges. The report shows that approximately 21% of the studios that were founded between 2010 and 2012 have closed their doors due to lack of finances.

EA claims mobile games will not kill consoles

| April 4, 2013

EA mobile games and console gamesMobile games are unlikely to dethrone consoles in the game industry

Mobile games are quickly becoming a formidable force in the game industry. Millions of consumers around the world play mobile games for the sake of entertainment and because these games are simply more convenient than those that are played on consoles. For decades, console games have dominated the game industry, but the advent of mobile technology has taken consumers out of their homes and given them a new way to play games while on the go. Indeed, many within the game industry believes that mobile games could eventually dethrone consoles as the staple of the industry.

Peter Moore champions console gaming

The downfall of console gaming is not something the industry has to worry about, according to Electronic Arts COO Peter Moore. While mobile games have certainly cut into the sales of consoles and other gaming hardware, Moore suggests that console gaming will continue to be the most prominent form of gaming in the world. Moore claims that the suggestion of the demise of console gaming is “very premature,” especially as a new generation of consoles is about to dawn.

Next generation consoles will find success with consumers

Moore notes that there are thousands of people at Electronic Arts alone that are focused on developing games for current generation consoles. Many of these developers will continue this focus well into the future, but many more will come to focus on new consoles like the Playstation 4 and the rumored Xbox 720. While Moore holds out hope for consoles, the executive does note that the sale of physical games is likely to become a thing of the past, especially as digital distribution becomes more capable of meeting the needs of consumers.

Mobile games may be more formidable than Moore anticipates

Though Moore may be a champion for console games, Electronic Arts is beginning to focus more heavily on mobile games. The publisher has recently been backing developers that focus solely on the mobile space. Electronic Arts has even launched its own publishing division devoted entirely to mobile games. Moore, who is likely to become the next CEO of Electronic Arts, claims that console games provide a more immersive experience for consumers. Mobile games, however, may actually provide more value to consumers.