Mobile games have their use in education
Mobile games are all about entertainment, but that does not mean that players cannot learn something from them. Educational games for mobile devices are becoming more common throughout the mobile space. These titles leverage the entertaining aspects of gaming to make education more engaging for consumers. In the U.S., these games are typically released by organizations like NASA, which has several mobile games to its name. This week, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), launched its own game in order to promote learning.
CDC launches new disease-fighting game
The CDC has released a game specifically for the iPad called “Solve the Outbreak.” The game tasks the player with investigating the outbreak of a disease that could potentially threaten the world. In the game, the player adopts the role of a CDC investigator and will conduct tasks that are based on what actual CDC disease investors do in the field. The player is meant to discover the nature of the disease, its origins, and what can be done to mitigate its spread or cure it outright.
CDC shows interest in other mobile games
Like other organizations in the U.S., the CDC has been showing increasing interest in mobile games. These games are enjoyed by a huge number of people with mobile devices. Indeed, much of the game industry itself has become enthralled with the impact mobile games have had on the U.S. market. The CDC has taken a strong interest in a game that is very similar to its own, called Plague, Inc. This game allows players to create a disease, which they can name anything they want, and put this disease to the task of obliterating humanity.
Games are becoming an effective way to teach
The CDC is not the only organization using mobile games to promote education. The Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) makes use of a game based on the popular Tron franchise in order to help students learn more about improving network security. Outside of the U.S., the prestigious European Space Agency uses mobile games to improve software used to control robotic space flight.
Zynga sees a future in mobile games
Zynga, the once-titan of social and mobile games, has been suffering from recent internal turmoil and consumer fallout. Last year, the company saw the exodus of several executives and the shockingly poor performance of its latest games. This poor performance came with feedback from consumers that suggested that the company was blatantly copying other popular games in order to attract more players. Zynga has survived several episodes of shedding employees over the past year and has managed to refocus itself on mobile games, hoping to reclaim its throne in the industry.
Tablets may be Zynga’s ideal platform
Zynga made its name with social games through its tight partnership with Facebook. In 2012, that partnership dissolved. Since then, Zynga has been working to take a new approach to its games in order to win favor with consumers once again. The company has set its sights on mobile games, noting the rising popularity of mobile devices and the willingness of mobile consumers to play such games. Zynga President Steve Chiang believes that tablets, in particular, is where Zynga will reclaim its success.
Tablets considered to be ultimate game platform for Steve Chiang
Zynga suggests that tablets are the ultimate game platform. Tablets are typically equipped with better hardware than smartphones, allowing for better performance in mobile games. Larger, more responsive screens also mean more detail in these games and better controls. Chiang suggests that FarmVille 2, the second rendition of the game that made Zynga a phenomenon, offers a better experience on a tablet device. The game, as well as other titles from Zynga, will make its way to tablet devices as Zynga focuses more on the mobile space.
Mobile games expected to become flagship brand for Zynga
Mobile games currently account for 30% of Zynga’s revenue. Much of the company’s resources are still devoted to social games, as many of its titles are still very popular on social networks like Facebook. By the end of 2013, however, mobile games are expected to become the prominent focus for the company and will begin to overshadow the social games that the developer has been created for several years.
