Tag: mobile games

Mobile games continue to grow in popularity

| April 29, 2013

Mobile Games PopularityJuniper Research study highlights growth of mobile games

Juniper Research, a leading market research firm, has released a new study on the state of mobile games. As with other studies in the same vein, Juniper’s notes that mobile games are gaining strong momentum among consumers as smartphones and tablets become more availability. Mobile games are helping many fulfill their need for entertainment throughout the day, while also providing sufficient distraction for those at work or traveling. The report paints a promising future for the mobile games sector as more people become involved in gaming on their mobile devices.

64 billion mobile games to be downloaded by 2017

The study from Juniper Research predicts that more than 64 billion mobile games will be downloaded by consumers by 2017, more than triple the number of downloads that were reported in 2012. While many mobile games are specifically designed to be addicting, Juniper Research claims that the most significant contributing factor to this growth is the increasing number of free-to-play mobile games. These games require no purchase and are available to all consumers, immediately making them more attractive than games that are associated with a fee.

Games prove most popular with tablet owners

The study shows that tablet owners are particularly fond of mobile games. Juniper Research suspects that the reason mobile games are so popular among tablet owners is due to the better controls, larger screens, and higher fidelity visuals that can be achieved through these devices. As such, tablet games are considered slightly better than their smartphone counterparts among consumers. The study suggests that there are twice as many downloads for mobile games among tablet owners than among smartphone owners.

Mobile games expected to continue growing beyond 2017

Juniper Research does not predict the growth of mobile games to slow down beyond 2017. These games have established themselves as a cornerstone of the game industry and many developers and publishers therein are beginning to consider mobile games an ideal medium to consumer engagement. These games have also become one of the most lucrative sectors of the game industry.

Financial woes for Zynga mount as shift toward mobile games continues

| April 28, 2013

zynga mobile gamesZynga’s future in mobile games may be turbulent

Zynga is in the midst of transitioning from social games to mobile games, but this shift has proven somewhat turbulent for the once popular developer. The company has targeted the mobile space as the ideal environment, wherein it can once again establish dominance in the gaming field. This comes after its fall from grace with Facebook and the subsequent crash of its status in the social gaming field. Mobile games do hold strong potential for the developer, but mounting financial problems could derail Zynga’s plans for the future.

Zynga posts decline in revenue

Zynga’s revenues for the first quarter of this year have declined by 18% year-over-year. During the first quarter, the company pulled in $264 million in revenue, but managed to report net income gains due to the continued performance of FarmVille 2, one of Zynga’s most played social games. Nonetheless, declining revenue presents a problem for Zynga, especially as some analysts suggests that the company will continue to report declines in revenue through the remainder of the year. Falling revenues could have an impact on Zynga’s ability to enter into the realm of mobile games.

Developer not likely to see gains through 2013

According to Zynga CEO Mark Pincus, 2013 is a transition year for the company. Pincus does not predict that Zynga will post promising results throughout 2013 until the company can establish a strong presence on the mobile gaming front. Currently, the developer does not anticipate any significant problems entering into mobile games, but development is rarely an inexpensive venture and producing games that do not end up a hit with consumers could lead the company into troubled financial waters.

Consumers wary of mobile games produced by Zynga

Zynga has the long term in mind when it comes to mobile games. The company is currently developing several titles for various mobile platforms, hoping to find the same success with mobile consumers that it had seen through social networks. Consumers remain wary of Zynga, however, as the developer has often been accused of blatantly copying other, more popular games in order to appeal to the interests of gamers.