Flurry highlights the time investment consumers devote to mobile games and social networking
Flurry, a mobile startup that offers analytic reports concerning the mobile space, has released a new report concerning how mobile consumers use their time. Smartphones and tablets have become a very important part of the lives of millions of people all over the world. These devices are regularly used to interact with contacts, shop, watch movies, and play games and offer consumers nearly endless access to the Internet and all the resources therein. Flurry notes that there are three main activities wherein Android and iOS users spend the majority of their time.
Consumers spend most of their time in apps, specifically Facebook
According to the firm, Android and iOS users spend an average of 2 hours and 38 minutes every day on mobile applications. Approximately 80% of this time is spent within an application itself, 32% of this time is spent on mobile games, and 20% is spent by browsing the Internet. Social networking accounts for the majority of the time consumers spend on their smartphones and tablets, with Flurry’s report showing that much of this time is devoted to Facebook.
Mobile games account for large portion of time spend on mobile devices
Mobile games take up a significant portion of consumers’ time as well, with many investing their time into these games while traveling or waiting for events to begin. Mobile games are the primary form of entertainment for those on mobile devices, whereas entertainment platforms like YouTube account for significantly less time investment by comparison. Mobile games appear to be so popular because they are easy to pick up and play and most are free.
Facebook may find success through engaging consumers with mobile games
Facebook could have a significant opportunity due to how much time mobile consumers invest on the platform. The social network already boasts of 680 million mobile users accessing it every month. If Facebook can find a way to engage these people more effectively, it may be able to significantly eclipse other social networks, like Twitter and Pintrest. Mobile games may be an adequate way to accomplish this task, as consumers have already shown their willingness to play these games, especially through Facebook, which boasts of a substantial social gaming network.
EA 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.
